Barbiturate Abuse

What is barbiturate abuse?

• Barbiturate abuse is a condition where you take barbiturates in ways other than advised by your caregiver. Barbiturates are sedatives used to treat insomnia (sleeplessness), anxiety (nervousness), and seizures (convulsions). They are often called "downers". It is against the law to use these drugs unless a caregiver has prescribed them to you.
  
  
• Barbiturate abuse may include taking the drug too long or too much. You may feel like you need to have the drug even if you do not need it. Over time, you may become addicted to the drug, and have frequent and serious impairment or distress. Pregnant women who are addicted to these drugs may give birth to an addicted baby. At present, fewer people are abusing barbiturates than there has been in the past. This is because barbiturates have been replaced by other drugs or substances. Commonly abused substances or drugs include other forms of sedatives and stimulants, such as benzodiazepines and amphetamines.

What are the types of barbiturates?

There are many different barbiturates. The main difference between the types is how long their effects last. The effects of some of the long-acting drugs may last up to two days. Others are very short acting, and their effects may last only a few minutes. Barbiturates may be injected into the veins or muscles, but they are usually taken as pills. The street names of commonly abused barbiturates tell their desired effect ("downers") or the color of the actual pill ("reds").

What causes barbiturate abuse?

The exact cause of barbiturate abuse is not known. You may start abusing these drugs after physical or mental stress, such as the loss of a loved one. You may think that taking these drugs will make the problems in your life better. You may also abuse barbiturates to try to relieve your anxiety, depression (deep sadness), loneliness, or tension. Having friends or family members who use drugs, or having other mental disorders may increase your chance of abusing barbiturates.

What are the signs and symptoms of barbiturate abuse?

Barbiturates, like alcohol, are thought to relax the brain. Pain medicines, sleeping pills, and medicines for allergies also cause symptoms similar to those of barbiturates. You may abuse barbiturates to get a "high" or a feeling of well being. In small doses, you may feel drowsy, bold, and drunk. In higher doses, you may stagger as if you are drunk, have slurred speech, and be confused. The following may also be seen with barbiturate abuse:

• Always in situations that are physically dangerous. These may include driving a car or using a machine when impaired by barbiturates.
  
  
• Fails to fulfill major duties at home, work, or school. Very often absent, unable to work well, and neglects children or household.
  
  
• Legal problems. Often arrested for substance-related activities, such as theft, robbery, and destructive or angry behavior.
  
  
• Problems with social and personal life. Has problems getting along with others such as parents or a spouse. Often involved in physical fights or arguments.

How is barbiturate abuse diagnosed?

• Psychiatric assessment: Caregivers will ask if you have a history of psychological trauma, such as physical, sexual, or mental abuse. They will ask if you were given the care that you needed. Caregivers will ask you if you have been a victim of a crime or natural disaster, or if you have a serious injury or disease. They will ask you if you have seen other people being harmed, such as in combat. You will be asked if you drink alcohol or use drugs at present or in the past. Caregivers will ask you if you want to hurt or kill yourself or others. How you answer these questions can help caregivers decide on treatment. To help during treatment, caregivers will ask you about such things as how you feel about it and your hobbies and goals. Caregivers will also ask you about the people in your life who support you.
  
  
• Guides and tests: Caregivers use a guide to diagnose barbiturate abuse. The signs and symptoms noted above must have occurred more than once in 12 months. These symptoms also must not be the same as those of barbiturate dependence. You may need to have any of the following tests:
  
  
  • Immunoassay: This checks for antibodies that react with the drugs in your urine.
    
    
  • Thin layer chromatography screening: This urine test finds and separates barbiturates from other types of drugs that may be abused.

How is barbiturate abuse treated?

The aim of treatment is to help you learn how to stop or control your barbiturate abuse. Caregivers will also work with your family, friends, classmates, or co-workers so you may know how to cope. For your safety and the safety of others, do not drive or operate machines if you have used this drug. Ask someone to help you go home or take you to the nearest hospital. Barbiturate abuse treatment may include any of the following:

• Detoxification: Your caregiver may need to put you in a detoxification program. This is done to flush out the toxic residues of barbiturates present in your body. During detox, medicines are given to help prevent withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking barbiturates. As you improve, your caregiver may slowly change how much detox medicines you are given.
  
  
• Medicines: Your caregiver may give you certain medicines to relieve your symptoms. These may include medicines to treat your anxiety or sleeping problems. He may also suggest certain medicines to help you control your barbiturate abuse and other related problems. Ask your caregiver for more information about these medicines.
  
  
• Therapies:
  
  
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy: With a therapist, you will learn how to control your actions and improve your behavior. This is done by teaching you how to change your behavior by looking at the results of your actions. You may also need to know how to cope with situations which make you depend on barbiturate use.
    
    
  • Motivational enhancement therapy: Motivational enhancement therapy is used to encourage you to stop using barbiturates. A therapist or counselor motivates and helps you set goals so you may change your destructive behaviors. By making these changes, you may stop abusing barbiturates and have a better lifestyle.
    
    
  • Twelve-step facilitation: Twelve-Step facilitation, or TSF, is a short, structured approach to reach early recovery from drug abuse. It is done one-to-one in 12 to 15 sessions. Goals of the program include accepting that you have a problem that you need to overcome, and being willing to take certain steps to overcome it.

Where can I find support and more information?

Barbiturate abuse is hard for you and your family. You may feel scared, confused, and anxious because of your barbiturate abuse problem. You may blame yourself and think you have done something wrong. These feelings are common. Talk about them with your caregiver or with someone close to you. Ask your caregiver about support groups for people with drug abuse problems. Contact any of the following:

• National Clearinghouse on Drug and Alcohol Information
  Phone: 1- 800 - 7296686
  Web Address: www.health.org
  

• American Society of Addiction Medicine
  4601 N. Park Avenue Upper Arcade, Suite 101
  Chevy Chase , MD 20815
  Phone: 1- 301 - 656-3815
  Web Address: http://www.asam.org
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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