If you’re struggling with a barbiturates addiction or any other type of substance abuse disorder, you’re not alone. According to data published in 2022 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, around 17% of those aged 12 and up faced a substance abuse disorder within the previous year.
You also have places to turn to for help, whether you want to find out about treatment options for the first time or you’re searching for a support network to help you manage a sober lifestyle. Find out more about sedative addiction below, including how the National Rehab Hotline can help connect you with resources for treatment.
What Are Sedatives, and How Commonly Are They Abused?
Sedatives are a type of drug that works to slow activity in the brain, which can help someone feel more relaxed or less anxious. Prescription sedatives are used for a variety of purposes, including treating anxiety and panic disorders, helping with sleep challenges, treating seizure disorders and addressing withdrawals when someone stops using alcohol after becoming dependent. Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are both sedatives.
Benzodiazepines include medications like Valium and Xanax, which are still commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders and other issues. Barbiturates include medications such as pentobarbital, phenobarbital and amobarbital. While less common for some purposes today, barbiturates are still prescribed to treat certain seizure disorders and, sometimes, as part of anesthesia for surgery.
Street names for these drugs can include Goof Balls, Barbs, Red Devils and Yellow Jackets. Sedative drugs are abused by taking pills or injecting liquid forms of the drugs. Some common reasons for sedative abuse and addiction include:
- People becoming so physically dependent on prescribed drugs that they don’t follow dosage instructions or they seek out and abuse the medication after doctors stop prescribing it
- Individuals seeking to self-medicate anxiety or other mental health challenges with street drugs or prescription drugs that weren’t prescribed for them
- People wanting to lessen their own inhibitions for whatever reason using the drugs recreationally
- Individuals attempting to use barbiturates to reduce unwanted effects of other substance abuse
Dangers of Sedative Abuse
Abuse of sedative drugs can have serious effects, including impaired memory and judgment, that may make someone more likely to endanger themselves and others with risky behavior. Decreased coordination, moodiness, irritability and paranoia are other side effects of sedative abuse.
Many people develop tolerance for sedatives quickly, which means they may need to take more of the drugs to experience the same impact. This is one of the drivers for how addictive these drugs can be. It also increases the chance that someone may overdose, as they may take more and more of the drug as they continue to self-medicate or seek the effects the drugs offer.
The dangers of sedative abuse aren’t only physical and mental. Individuals who struggle with benzo or barbiturate addiction may make choices in seeking drugs that land them in legal trouble or put their standing at work, at school or in the community at risk. Their drug use and surrounding behavior may also put burdens on family relationships.
Challenges of Sedative Withdrawal
Sedative withdrawal can make it difficult for someone who’s physically dependent on these drugs to stop using them. This is why some people struggle with sedative use after being prescribed the medications for medical reasons and why doctors tend to step people down, weaning them off the drugs slowly instead of allowing them to stop suddenly.
Symptoms of sedative withdrawal can include:
- Problems with sleep, including getting to sleep and staying asleep and having nightmares
- Agitation and irritability
- Changes in heart rate and blood pressure
- Tremors and shakes, up to and including seizures
- Hallucinations
- Running a high temperature
In extreme cases, sedative withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. In many cases, they’re so uncomfortable and distressing that they cause people to resume using drugs to make them go away. However, in a caring sedative addiction treatment environment, clinical teams work to manage physical symptoms and support the person to ensure they can get through the withdrawal period safely.
Treatment Options for Barbiturates Addiction and Sedative Abuse
While every person and case is unique, many treatment options for sedative addiction start with detox. This allows experienced teams to help someone taper down use in a controlled environment and address symptoms as needed to support an optimal chance at success. This can happen in an inpatient or outpatient environment, depending on what’s best for the individual person.
Once detox is accomplished, ongoing treatment tends to focus on helping the individual understand the addiction process and their own personal triggers. They usually work through therapy methods on developing healthier coping mechanisms to support a sober lifestyle in the future.
When to Call
If you’re worried about your sedative use or making decisions you know put yourself, others or your future stability at risk to get drugs or hide your drug use, you can call now to find out about resources for addiction treatment. You can also call if you believe someone you love is struggling with sedative abuse and addiction and you aren’t sure what you can do to help them.
The National Rehab Hotline is available 24-7, with trained counselors standing by to listen to your needs and provide you with confidential help connecting with resources and assistance. Call today at (866) 210-1303.