Barbiturates are central nervous system depressant drugs that can produce sedation, drowsiness, and dependence if consumed improperly. Although they are used less today than other medications, their abuse can be dangerous, especially if mixed with alcohol or other substances.
When talking about highly addictive drugs, barbiturates are not usually among those we keep most in mind, as is the case with heroin or cocaine. Even so, alongside those substances, nicotine, and alcohol, tranquilizers are one of the five most addictive types of drugs in existence.
They are also known by names such as barbs, dolls, candy, bluebirds, or blue devils, and their function interferes with chemical signals in the brain. Below, we will delve into their characteristics, the consequences of barbiturate abuse, and how to detox in the event of addiction.
What type of drug are barbiturates?
Barbiturates are considered the first psychotropic drugs with hypnotic-sedative effects. As psycholeptic psychotropic drugs, these barbituric acid derivatives have calming and depressant effects on the central nervous system, which is why they began to be used to treat anxiety or induce sleep.
As drugs, they have multiple uses since they produce potent sedation, relaxing and decreasing muscular and mental activity. In addition to having a significant anesthetic, analgesic, and hypnotic effect, they are also effective in treating seizures. On the other hand, regarding the treatment of anxiety, depression, and insomnia, it is also interesting to note that these drugs produce mood alterations, for example, causing euphoria in low doses.
The truth is that there are several types of barbiturates, and each of these depressant medications has a different function. Even so, all of them are highly addictive, and non-prescribed use should be avoided.
Types of barbiturates
- Amobarbital or “truth serum”. It depresses the sensory cortex, slows down the nervous system, making concentration difficult, and produces drowsiness, sedation, and hypnosis.
- Butalbital. It is used as a sedative and anesthetic, usually to treat migraines, often in combination with acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. Among its side effects, we find respiratory interference and an increase in body temperature causing skin flushing.
- Phenobarbital. An anticonvulsant psychotropic drug that affects the central and peripheral nervous system, causing a feeling of sleepiness and relaxation, used to treat insomnia, anxiety, and drug withdrawal (particularly from other barbiturates).
- Secobarbital. Used for years to combat insomnia, this sedative recommended for treating distress or anxiety is the most commonly used drug in physician-assisted suicides in the United States.
- Pentobarbital: This drug, available as an acid or salt (soluble in water and ethanol), is used as an anesthetic for animals and to treat seizures in humans.
At high doses, barbiturates can be lethal because they inhibit respiration, which is why Pentobarbital is one of the most commonly used drugs in prisoner executions in the United States.
Risks of abusing these tranquilizing substances
While these drugs in low doses relieve tension and anxiety, higher doses can decrease heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, their recreational use and inherent addiction (very common because tolerance develops rapidly with repeated consumption) carry multiple dangers.
The risks involved in their consumption depend on the type of barbiturate, as these can induce loss of consciousness or deep coma depending on the drug and the dose. It is interesting to note that their tranquilizing effects can last from 6 to 12 hours after ingestion.
Side effects of barbiturates
In addition to the aforementioned consequences related to the decrease in muscular and mental activity, barbiturates can also affect the respiratory system. Among the side effects these substances can cause, we find:
- Arrhythmias and risk of cardiorespiratory arrest
- Tingling throughout the body
- Physical incoordination
- Hypotension and hypothermia
- Mild paralysis
- High tolerance and dependence
4 or 5 weeks of consumption are enough to trigger addiction, and while drug dependence increases, the toxic limit does not. This causes the person to continue consuming and increase their dose without their body resisting it, until causing intoxication that usually ends in death. As it is such an addictive substance, the withdrawal syndrome can also be fatal. For all these reasons, it is very important to seek professional help in the face of repeated barbiturate consumption to achieve a successful detoxification.
Overcoming addiction is possible
Barbiturates are the fourth most addictive drug in existence and are very dangerous as they leave a very small margin of action for the person consuming them when they want to quit.
Detoxifying without professional help involves many risks, especially when trying to control a traumatic withdrawal syndrome. Therefore, it is necessary to contact professionals such as the therapists at CC Adicciones to overcome addiction and regain control.
Starting a detoxification treatment is never easy for the patient, but it is worth it for the great physical, psychological, and family benefits obtained through this process. 86% of patients who have trusted CC Adicciones have achieved a complete detoxification that brings benefits such as the following:
- General health improvement
- Increased self-esteem.
- Disappearance of chronic pain.
- Substantial improvement in mood.
- Regulation of cardiac activity and organic biomarkers
- Recovery and stabilization of weight and appearance.
- Mood improvement.
- Recovery of interpersonal relationships with friends, family, and partners.
To ensure that, despite the inherent difficulties of addiction, the process is gentle for the patient, at CC Adicciones we offer a first visit in which the medical and therapeutic team will advise on the most appropriate type of detoxification treatment for each case.
Medical services for addictions
Both the patient and their family members will be treated with the utmost discretion and warmth by one of our specialized professionals and, if the detoxification process is chosen, the medical team will focus on returning control of their life to the patient, providing all the necessary support and supervision to allow for the total abandonment of barbiturates.
