Pennsylvania Barbiturate Addiction Treatment

Abusing barbiturates can result in great risks. About 1 in 10 individuals who overdose on barbiturates will die, according to MedlinePlus.

Barbiturates are depressant medications used to treat sleeplessness, anxiety, muscle spasms, and to prevent seizures. Some prescription brand names include Seconal®, Nembutal®, Pentothal®, and Fiorina®. Street names for illicit barbiturates include Goof Balls, Reds & Blues, Pinks, Red Devils, and Yellow Jackets. Barbiturates are manufactured in pill form and injectable liquid.

At Silvermist, we offer barbiturate withdrawal treatment at our Pennsylvania addiction treatment and recovery center. We emphasize a multi-faceted and personalized approach to addiction recovery, as well as evidence-based treatment modalities.

Barbiturates were synthesized at the start of the 20th century for their sedative and hypnotic properties. Bayer and Co introduced the first barbiturate to the United States in 1904, opening the door to significant changes in the ways that drugs were used to treat psychiatric and neurological disorders. The first barbiturate, called diethyl-barbituric acid, was also used to treat insomnia, serious neuroses and psychoses, and epileptic seizures and played a major role in the development of intravenous anesthesia.

From the 1920s to the mid-1950s, the growth of barbiturates exploded, as they were just about the only medications used as sedatives and hypnotics. During this time, barbiturates were commonly used, even though no barbiturate succeeded in eliminating their main drawbacks: dependence and fatal overdose. In light of these drawbacks, laws were passed to regulate the distribution and sale of barbiturates.

Unfortunately, laws did little to reign in the production on barbiturates because, by 1955 in the USA, barbiturates production reached the quantity necessary for the treatment of 10 million people for a whole year. By 1962, it’s estimated there were approximately 250,000 Americans addicted to barbiturates.

While the use of barbiturates decreased overall from 2015 to 2016 (452,000 vs. 434,000 people, respectively) the misuse of barbiturates had been on the rise for the same time period.

According to SAMHSA’s 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health:

Today, barbiturates are limited to very specific therapeutic uses.

Phenobarbital and Butabarbital:

Phenobarbital and Primidone:

Thiopental and Methohexital:

Barbiturates are central nervous system (CNS) depressants that slow down brain activity.

They have the following effects:

In low doses, barbiturates can give a sense of body and mind relaxation. In higher doses, barbiturates can cause vomiting, nausea, fainting, and cause complications that can be fatal.

When someone takes barbiturates for several weeks or longer, tolerance develops where the person needs larger doses to achieve the same effects. If the person takes barbiturates for one month, there is a high risk for developing a dependence. Continued use can also lead to withdrawal when use is reduced or abruptly stopped. A sudden stop can also cause harmful consequences such as seizures.

The abrupt stop or reduction of barbiturates can, even after just a few hours, lead to the following withdrawal symptoms:

If you or a loved one suspect a dependence on barbiturates, it’s essential to not attempt to stop taking them without first getting professional help (a medically supervised detox). Withdrawal symptoms from barbiturates can be severe and potentially life-threatening.

A medically supervised detox helps alleviate withdrawal symptoms, prevent more serious complications, and provides preparation for long-term rehab to avoid relapse.

One approach to managing a barbiturate detox is to stabilize the body by giving an intermediate-acting barbiturate in controlled, therapeutic doses to avoid seizures or delirium and to keep other withdrawal symptoms at a minimum. The doses are tapered down gradually until the body is free of barbiturates.

Detox is not a standalone treatment for barbiturate dependence, but rather it’s the first important step in a comprehensive treatment plan for long-term sobriety.

Silvermist Recovery partners with licensed medical detox providers, helping to minimize discomfort throughout every stage of the detox process. Once patients complete the detox process, they can complete the next stage of their care through Silvermist Recovery.

In the early stages of recovery, relapse back to substance abuse is a common struggle. It’s important to use any relapse prevention strategies that were learned during treatment. Relapse is typically an indicator that something is still missing from treatment. After a relapse, it’s helpful to think about the situations that may have led up to the relapse in order to properly prevent relapse in the future. It’s never too late to pursue a life free from substances.

Evidence-based treatment programs will use behavioral therapies to help people in rehab change their attitudes and behaviors regarding drug use. The goals are to teach people how to handle stress and triggers that could cause relapse. Behavioral therapies along with medication-assisted treatment can also help people stay in treatment longer.

Some therapies used to treat barbiturate addiction and abuse include:

The first step to safely treat barbiturate dependence and addiction is to enter a medically supervised detox. Once that is complete, the next steps to long-lasting sobriety involve attending long-term substance abuse treatment.

Silvermist Recovery patients have access to affiliate detox locations, to receive recommended care that can help you distance yourself from self-destructive substance use habits.

There are several types of rehab to choose from, including:

For many people, detox, medication and therapy are the most effective ways to recover from barbiturate abuse. Recovery can take time and relapse can happen, but it’s important to keep trying to avoid the sometimes deadly complications from barbiturate abuse. Connect with a reputable treatment center – potentially one partnered with Silvermist Recovery – for an assessment and detox, so a revitalized and sober life can be yours.

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