Barbiturate Abuse: What You Need To Know

 

Barbiturate abuse is not as common as it once was, but is still a problem in some areas. Barbiturates are man made drugs which depress the activity of the brain, through a mild tranquilizing effect. Medications such as Amytal, Seconal and Phenobarbital are used to treat conditions such as insomnia.

When barbiturate abuse was at its height in the eighties, people used barbs as a "downer". This meant that they would take the drug to reduce the come down effects from other illegal substances such as Speed. However, barbiturate abuse also occurs because people get hooked on the feelings of relaxation and well being that the drugs can trigger.

One of the biggest problems associated with this type of substance abuse is that barbiturates are highly addictive. The brain also develops a tolerance to the drug, so that an addict will increase their dosage over time in order to continue to achieve the same effects. If a person tries to give up their habit the withdrawal symptoms can be very nasty, as the body is dependent on the drug. This means that it is very important that you seek help from a medical professional if you are addicted to barbiturates.

The most common side effects are severe headaches and migraines, along with nausea or vomiting. A person attempting to wean themselves off barbiturates may also find that they are very restless and cannot sleep, because their brain cannot release the chemicals needed to relax without artificial stimulation. This can contribute to emotional effects such as anxiety or aggression.

However, it is worth persisting with an attempt to break an addiction to barbiturates. Overdoses are very common with this type of drug, as there is little difference between a safe dose and a lethal dose. The risks are even higher if you take this drug while consuming alcohol.

Contact your nearest drug rehabilitation center for more advice.