Barbiturate Addiction: Symptoms & Treatment for Barbiturate Abuse
Barbiturates are a class of central nervous system depressant drugs. Barbiturate use inhibits the firing of neurons in the central nervous system and the activities of nerves. This group of drugs boosts the effectiveness of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Originally, these drugs were given to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal, seizure disorders, sleep disorders, and to control issues with rigidity or muscle spasms.
Barbiturates are common drugs of abuse and have a risk of overdose. Many of their medicinal uses have been replaced by other classes of drugs, such as benzodiazepines, which are also central nervous system depressants. Barbiturates may only be legally obtained by a doctor’s prescription. Depending on the specific barbiturate, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies them as Schedule II, Schedule III, or Schedule IV controlled substances due to the risk of dependency, abuse, and overdose.
One in three American families had at least one bottle of barbiturates as a prescription medication for medical conditions, according to a recent study. According to a poll in 2001, 2.8 percent of high school students took barbiturates for recreational purposes, just like other sedative-hypnotics.
Treatment Services for Barbiturate Abuse
People dependent on barbiturates may need medically supervised detoxification and the care of a rehab center. In detox, you will get medical attention to monitor your body functions, such as heart rate and breathing, and to guarantee your safety as your body eliminates the dangerous toxins gained during drug use.
The Haven Detox-New Jersey offers professionally supervised detox treatment, providing medications to alleviate unpleasant or uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Once you have completed detox, you can enroll in an inpatient treatment program along with traditional forms of therapy, such as group and individual therapy, counseling sessions, or any alternative or holistic recovery.
Barbiturates promote both mental addiction and physical dependence; therefore, treatment for these conditions must address all aspects of health. If you are looking for barbiturate addiction treatment, The Haven Detox uses a medically integrated, holistic approach to addiction recovery. Learn more about our services by calling (856) 565-3102.
Symptoms of Barbiturate Addiction
The common side effects of barbiturate use include an increase in talkativeness, reduced inhibition, and poor judgment.
If you or someone you care about is facing barbiturate addiction and need medical assistance, here are some of the warning signs to watch for:
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Faulty judgments
- Irrational thinking
- Delusions
- Slow cognition
- Lack of coordination
- Feelings of sluggishness
- Decreased motor control
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty concentrating
- High drug tolerance
- Inability to urinate
- Vision changes
- Respiratory depression
- Dizziness
- Sleeplessness
- Hypotension
- Fatigue
- Pupil dilation
- Unusual excitement
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Lowered anxiety
- Severe agitation
By recognizing the signs of barbiturate addiction, you can get the professional help you need. An expert in substance abuse can also help you and your family manage the stress caused by drug use and addiction in the household.
The following are some “red flags” that indicate you need to seek professional treatment for barbiturate addiction:
- Disinterest in eating
- Increased hostility
- Depression
- Open denial when addiction is suggested
- Withdrawal from non-using friends and family
- Poor hygiene
- Absences from work
- Resentment when asked about health and life
It is difficult to help a loved one who is struggling with any type of addiction. A direct conversation can sometimes be the first step toward recovery. But when it comes to addiction, the individual with the addiction often struggles to recognize and accept it. Often, a more targeted strategy is required. You may need to collaborate with others and engage in formal intervention.
People with barbiturate addiction are often in denial about their condition and resistant to seeking help. They may be unaware of their actions’ detrimental effects on themselves and others. An intervention offers your loved one an organized chance to make adjustments before things worsen, which might drive him or her to seek or accept help. Contact our rehab facilities for support at (856) 666-2441.
Causes of Barbiturate Addiction
People of all backgrounds and beliefs can experience barbiturate addiction. It might be difficult to comprehend why some people are more susceptible to it than others. Many factors can increase your chances of being addicted to barbiturates, regardless of your background or moral code. Family history, environment, medical history, and age all play a role.
Genes can significantly impact addiction and may account for 40 to 60 percent of addiction risk. Researchers are still exploring the link between genetics and addiction. Being in the presence of drug-using family members might raise the risk of acquiring a substance use disorder (SUD) later in life.
Some substances are more addictive than others, despite the fact that many substances have the potential to cause addiction. According to several studies, barbiturates are among the most addictive drugs because of their effect on brain activity and the chance of physiological dependence. This is the result of the euphoric reaction that occurs along the reward pathway and its ability to bind to the receptors in our brain that deliver the most pleasure and relief from pain.
Because the euphoric impact and drug concentration of barbiturates on first-time users are so potent, it is likely that they will try it again. Because of this potency, barbiturates are more likely to become an addiction than alcohol.
If you suffer from a mental health disorder such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you are more prone to develop an addiction to drugs such as barbiturates. Using barbiturates as a coping mechanism for uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety, despair, and loneliness might exacerbate symptoms of your condition.
During teen years, the influence of friends and peers can have an impact on whether or not a person uses barbiturates. Many people without additional risk factors experiment with barbiturates for the first time to fit in with their friends.
Children and adolescents who struggle with schoolwork or who feel socially ostracized may be more likely to experiment with barbiturates and develop a substance use disorder into adulthood, including polydrug use with other high doses of “downers.”
Lack of parental supervision and engagement is one of the leading reasons for barbiturate dependence in young adults. Teenagers with no close relationship with their parents or minimal monitoring or supervision are at a greater risk for barbiturate addiction. High levels of family conflict, unreasonable parental expectations, and inconsistent or severe punishment are related risk factors.
Effects of Barbiturate Use
Drug addiction causes more deaths, diseases, and impairments than other preventable health problems. Almost every organ in the human body is compromised by prolonged drug dependency. Barbiturate addiction is not a sign of moral failure or lack of willpower; it is a complicated disease that, like any other chronic condition, requires long-term, intensive treatment.
Barbiturate use can lead to various side effects, such as:
Common Side Effects
- Drowsiness
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Skin rash
- Headache
- Nausea
- Sedation
Serious Side Effects
- Hallucinations
- Abnormally slow breathing
- Confusion
- Coma
- Temporarily stopping breathing
- Fainting
Rare Side Effects
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Erythroderma
- Agranulocytosis
- Liver injury
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Barbiturates have a very narrow therapeutic index, which means that small differences in dosage can result in significant differences in the drug’s effects, and patients can easily develop adverse effects. Combining barbiturates with opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, or over-the-counter (OTC) medications like antihistamines could be fatal.
The following are additional consequences barbiturates can have on different aspects of a person’s life, with moderate to heavy barbiturate use with psychological, behavioral, and physiological dependency.
Treatment for Barbiturate Abuse
Those who are addicted to barbiturates require professional treatment. Once a person recognizes that they have a substance abuse disorder or addiction, they may begin exploring different treatment options.
Most treatment programs include counseling, self-help groups, and medication. At The Haven Detox, medical barbiturate detox and inpatient treatment programs for barbiturate addiction are available. Some programs incorporate extensive post-treatment planning to assist individuals in avoiding relapse.
The right treatment choice for barbiturate addiction symptoms relies on the severity of the addiction, underlying mental health conditions, and any polysubstance abuse problems.
Medical detox is important for any barbiturate addiction treatment program. When someone abuses barbiturates, their brain and body develop a physical dependence on the drug. Sudden stopping of a barbiturate drug might result in a sort of internal shock known as withdrawal. Some drug withdrawals are not severe, but barbiturate withdrawal can be life-threatening.
Barbiturate Withdrawal Symptoms
- Shakiness
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Hallucinations
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Vomiting
- Increased heart rate
- Seizures
Any treatment program for barbiturate addiction should include a medical detox. During this period, a team of medical professionals can work to ensure the safety and comfort of a patient. This may involve providing medications to treat physical and mental withdrawal symptoms. When a barbiturate medical detox is incorporated into an addiction treatment program, a patient can seamlessly move out of detox toward the next recovery phase: treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) during residential treatment for barbiturates can address the underlying causes of your drug use and educate you on how to manage stress and triggers that might lead to relapse. Family and group therapy is also an effective way to recognize that you are not alone in your quest to overcome drug addiction.
Barbiturate Withdrawal Timeline
How long barbiturate withdrawal lasts might vary significantly depending on the type of barbiturate used. The specific drug’s half-life will determine how long it takes to exit the body. Below is a common timeline for barbiturate withdrawal; however, barbiturate detox will vary from person to person.
| 1-3 days | A few days into barbiturate detox, mild withdrawal symptoms begin to manifest. |
| 2-3 days | During barbiturate detox, withdrawal symptoms may worsen and include anxiety, sleeplessness, vomiting, nausea, rapid heart rate, and hallucinations, among others. Seizures are also possible. |
| 3-7 days | Several days to a week after starting barbiturate detox, withdrawal symptoms diminish gradually. |
| 14+ days | Several weeks after ceasing barbiturate usage and completing barbiturate detox, severe withdrawal symptoms are often gone, although some people may continue to face mild symptoms. |
To learn more about medical detox for barbiturates, call The Haven Detox at (856) 666-2441.
Barbiturates are extremely risky, dangerous drugs that often result in overdose. A person with barbiturate dependency is highly advised to seek expert treatment. Inpatient treatment programs for barbiturates, also known as barbiturate residential rehabilitation programs, typically last between 30 and 90 days.
Patients often begin inpatient barbiturate treatment after medical detox. From there, individuals get a range of therapy for supportive addiction treatment. After completing an inpatient barbiturate rehabilitation program, an individual may receive aftercare planning and follow-up assistance. Inpatient barbiturate rehab is most suited for those with serious addictions, complicated mental health concerns, polysubstance abuse issues, or those who have unsuccessfully attempted other treatment programs.
To learn more about residential treatment for barbiturates, call The Haven Detox at (856) 666-2441.
Whether you are in an inpatient or outpatient treatment program, you will engage in evidence-based therapies that address the root causes of addiction. Regardless of the program, a person seeking recovery from barbiturate dependence should participate in a personalized care plan tailored to their unique needs. The following therapies often aid individuals in recovery:
Behavioral Therapies
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT) are two behavioral therapies that assist individuals struggling with addiction to change their negative thinking processes, emotional responses, subsequent behaviors, and coping abilities.
Experiential Therapy
Experiential therapy, which is more popular than ever, engages patients in hands-on activities such as equine therapy, art therapy, and music therapy. These therapies have proved to aid in patients’ emotional, mental, and spiritual recovery.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is performed separately with a certified mental health expert. In these sessions, clients strive to identify and resolve their most pressing personal difficulties and build coping strategies that uniquely help them manage their life.
Group Counseling
In the presence of other individuals in recovery, one or more mental health professionals and addiction specialists provide group therapy. Using activities, exercises, and conversation, the group works together to address shared challenges.
Family Therapy
Family therapy involves close family members in treating the patient to facilitate healing for the entire family unit. Family therapy, whether conducted in person, over the phone, or via video chat, helps resolve resentments, develop trust, enhance communication, and pave the way for the entire family’s rehabilitation.
Additional effective therapies include but are not limited to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), motivational interviewing (MI), contingency management, and 12-Step programs.
