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Don't let barbiturates destroy your life. Call our helpline now at and speak with a Recovery Connection coordinator. All calls are confidential and free of charge. We can help you find a treatment program right for your needs. But, you must pick up the phone and call.
Barbiturates were first created in Germany in the mid-1800s. In 1903, barbiturates were introduced into clinical practice in the United States. The drug was then known as barbital. Phenobarbital was introduced in 1912 and was used to treat neuroses and psychoses as they understood them a century ago. The drugs also gained popularity as a sleep cure. Barbiturates are a central nervous system depressant. Today, this class of drugs includes:
Barbiturates act as sedative-hypnotic agents, as do benzodiazepines. They are also commonly used in the veterinary field for anesthesia and euthanasia purposes. Barbiturates are "downers" and suppress central nervous system activity. They have been used as hypnotics, anesthetics, and anticonvulsants.
Barbiturates are classified as ultra-short, short, intermediate and long-acting. Today, barbiturates are still commonly prescribed by the medical profession, but have largely been replaced by a safer class of sedative-hypnotics called benzodiazepines.
(source:http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/barb.html)
The onsets of action of the different classes of barbiturates are:
Barbiturates seem to be more popular among older adults that have prior substance abuse issues. Barbiturates dissolve in the body's fat cells and easily move across the brain's blood barrier. Because these drugs can accumulate in the fat cells, they can re-enter the blood stream slowly, as they are released from the body’s fat stores.
Barbiturates are dangerous drugs because the difference between an appropriate therapeutic dose and a toxic dose, that can lead to over dosage, is small. Even relatively small doses of the drug can cause unconsciousness or death because they are powerful central nervous system depressants. Long term, high dosage use can create permanent movement disorders. The combination of alcohol and barbiturates or benzodiazepines and barbiturates is extremely dangerous, as each of these substances is a central nervous system depressant. Additionally, taking barbiturates can regularly affect one's mental state. Sometimes, behaviors that are directly attributed to barbiturate addiction can be missed diagnosed. Other psychotropic medications can be prescribed creating a serious health risk. Barbiturates are known to worsen or exacerbate any existing behavioral problems as well.
You never thought you would become addicted to drugs. Yet, your life has been taken over by the need to get more and more drugs. The goods times have passed, now you need the barbiturate to stop the physical and emotional pain from starting. Get off the roller coaster and call Recovery Connection coordinators now at . Our trained staff understands your pain and anguish, your guilt and shame. We are dedicated to helping people find appropriate treatment.
Individuals who suffer from an addiction to barbiturates should never attempt to stop taking the drug without a professionally supervised medical barbiturate detox. Because most barbiturate addictions are related to short or intermediate acting drugs, the cessation of the drug will rapidly lead to multiple withdrawal symptoms, which can include:
Most symptoms begin within the first few hours after the last use. Seizures can develop starting on the second or third day. By day 7, no new symptoms should appear. Psychosis can take 3-8 days to manifest, but with medical supervision it can be controlled. The medications prescribed for barbiturate withdrawal may be other barbiturates or benzodiazepines. In either case, a taper of the medication will be implemented, with a goal of being off the medication within 5 to 7 days. It is important to note, that there are medical and psychiatric medications that will also be prescribed to control symptoms such as high heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, depression, insomnia, muscle cramping, tremors, etc. This process must occur on an inpatient unit under strict medical care for optimum safety.
It is highly unlikely that once addicted to barbiturates a person will be able to remain abstinent for any extended length of time. Addiction treatment which includes a variety of psychiatric and behavioral therapies are needed to provide the addict with the tools needed to overcome cravings, triggers, and daily stressors that bring on the need to use. Some treatment centers may prescribe benzodiazepines or shorter acting barbiturates to deal with addiction.
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