Because I am addicted to Barbiturates...

 

Signs Someone is Addicted to Barbiturates

When taking barbiturates, the person may act very sleepy and have trouble thinking, talking and/or walking. When the person runs out of barbiturates, they may have problems with restlessness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, sensitivity to light and noise, nervousness, insomnia and hallucinations.

Warnings

Fatality associated with barbiturate overdose is rare, but the complications are many including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), shock, hypoxia, and coma.

If you or someone you are with overdoses, seek immediate medical attention. Tell the doctors the exact substances and quantity the person has ingested, what time he/she ingested them and other intoxicants, especially alcohol or other sedatives.

Overview

Barbiturates are depressants that produce a wide spectrum of central nervous system depression from mild sedation to coma. They have also been used as sedatives, hypnotics, anesthetics, and anticonvulsants. Barbiturates are classified as ultrashort, short, intermediate, and long-acting.

Street names

Barbs, Block Busters, Christmas Trees, Goof Balls, Pinks, Red Devils, Reds & Blues, Yellow Jackets

Looks Like...

Barbiturates come in a variety of multicolored pills and tablets. Abusers prefer the short-acting and intermediate barbiturates such as Amytal® and Seconal®.

Methods of Abuse

Barbiturates are abused by swallowing a pill or injecting a liquid form. Barbiturates are generally abused to reduceanxiety, decrease inhibitions, and treat unwanted effects of illicit drugs. Barbiturates can be extremely dangerous because overdoses can occur easily and lead to death.

Affect on Mind

Barbiturates cause mild euphoria, lack of inhibition, relief of anxiety and sleepiness. Higher doses cause impairment of memory, judgment and coordination, irritability, paranoid and suicidal ideation. Tolerance develops quickly and larger doses are then needed to produce the same effect, increasing the danger of an overdose.

Affect on Body

Barbiturates slow down the central nervous system and cause sleepiness.

Drugs Causing Similar Effects

Alcohol, Valium®, Xanax®, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, Rohypnol®, and GHB

Overdose Effects

Effects of overdose include shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, and possible death.

Legal status in the United States

Barbiturates are schedule II, III, and IV depressants.