Like most other sedatives, barbiturates have a high potential for addiction. Users can crave the relaxing effects they produce, and this can lead to a deadly cycle that leaves you isolated and with a dependency. Even though the use of barbiturates has declined since the 1970s, barbiturates addiction is still very real. Recent studies show that high school users are starting to use them more and more. Almost 400 people died from barbiturates overdoses in 2013.
Harmony Ridge can help treat your barbiturates addiction with comprehensive treatment.
Barbiturates are medications classified as “sedative-hypnotics,” which are depressants. These are known for decreasing anxiety and inducing sleep in users. Although benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium have largely replaced barbiturates for many conditions, they’re still commonly used to treat the following:
As opposed to stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine, which speed up your body’s functions, barbiturates slow these down. This is why they generally have the nickname “downers.” People who use barbiturates usually take them to mitigate the effects of stimulants.
Barbiturates became popular in the 1960s and 1970s as painkillers, and people eventually used them as recreational drugs. Although at one point there were more than 2,500 variations of barbiturates, there are now only about 10 different varieties that medical professionals prescribe.
Barbiturates are usually taken in pill form, but they can also be injected into muscles or veins. Different barbiturates have street names attached to them based on the markings and colors of each pill, as well as the drug’s effect on the user.
About 452,000 people used barbiturates in 2015, compared to almost 30 million benzodiazepine users. This shows the major decline in people using the former drug.
As sedative-hypnotics, barbiturates slow down the central nervous system, which includes the brain. By reducing nerve activity, they induce feelings of relaxation, and as a result, they reduce blood pressure and heart rate.
Although all barbiturates virtually serve the same purpose, each one is slightly different. Here is a list of popular barbiturates and their slang names, both discontinued and not.
Using barbiturates can lead to some mild side effects, including:
The calming effects of barbiturates and other sedatives can cause users to develop a dependence on them. This means that they’ll need higher and more frequent doses to achieve a similar effect over time. Once you have a tolerance to barbiturates, you’re in danger of forming an addiction to them. Soon you’ll need them just to get out of bed in the morning.
Many celebrities suffered from barbiturates addiction or died from a barbiturate overdose in the 1960s and 1970s. These include Judy Garland, Jimi Hendrix, Marilyn Monroe, and Edie Sedgewick.
Just because a doctor prescribes you barbiturates doesn’t mean you can’t become addicted to them.
People who abuse barbiturates get “high” in a way that’s almost like being drunk.
A good portion of people who use barbiturates also combine them with other substances, especially alcohol. Many celebrities who abused barbiturates in the 1960s and 1970s Users will do this to achieve the following:
At Harmony Ridge, we understand that barbiturates addiction treatment is a complex condition that must be treated carefully. We’ll take you through several steps to ensure that you achieve a complete recovery from your substance abuse. Our licensed staff is always on hand to answer any questions you have during the process.
You can choose from any one of our following treatment programs:
Depending on the severity of your barbiturate addiction, we’ll place you in a program that will provide you with an optimum amount of care.
Medical detox involves the abrupt stop of barbiturates from going into your system while under the supervision of medical professionals. If you’re addicted to barbiturates, you could go into withdrawal when you’re in detox. Many times our licensed staff will put you on medication that will help alleviate any painful symptoms you experience while in our care.
Detoxing from barbiturates addiction specifically can take about 14 days. We strongly advise that you don’t detox “cold turkey” from home since this could be dangerous and even fatal.
Before you enter medical detox, one of our team members will perform an evaluation and ask you a series of questions. We’ll examine your specific addiction, how long you’ve used barbiturates, and whether you’ve combined them with any other drugs.
When recovering from barbiturates addiction, therapy can be a huge help to you or your loved one. Therapy will change the way you think about harmful substances, since they’ve changed your brain chemistry and how you function every day. Even if detox vanquishes your physical dependence, your state of mind will still be affected by barbiturate addiction.
We take a few different approaches to therapy when you enroll in our treatment center.
Speak with one of our representatives to learn more about other therapy options we have available. We guarantee we’ll have a program that’s right for you.
There isn’t one right way to treat barbiturates addiction. Every person has their own needs that are specific to their situation. Harmony Ridge’s dedicated staff will be looking out for you from the moment you step into our West Virginia facility. Don’t let substance abuse let you lose even more control of your life. Contact us today to get on the right path to sobriety, happiness, and fulfillment.
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