Barbiturates are the group of drugs that act as central nervous system depressants. These drugs are classified as sedative/hypnotics and produce a wide range of effects from mild sedation to anesthesia. These drugs are medically prescribed to treat insomnia, anxiety, tension, and help in mitigating epileptic seizures. Barbiturate abuse frequently becomes a cause for cases like accidental poisoning and suicide attempts. Certain barbituates are also used to induce surgical anesthesia.

Causes of Barbiturate Abuse

Though the medical usage of barbiturates was reduced, its abusage has been continuously raising. One of the major reasons for barbiturate abuse is to offset the symptoms of other drugs. The following are the some of the causes of barbiturate abusing.

· The raise in barbiturates abusing can be caused due to popularity of stimulating drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines. The barbiturates offset the exhilaration and pleasure obtained from the stimulating drugs.

· Most of the drug abusers are adolescent who ignore the effects of barbiturates. As a result they underestimate the risks involved in them.

• These drugs are also used commonly for attempting suicide.

Symptoms of Barbiturate Abuse

The symptoms of abusing barbiturate vary on an individual basis for each patient. The other symptoms include, frequent yawning, shallow breathing, irritability and fatigue. The following are the symptoms of abusing barbiturate.

· A small dosage makes the barbiturates abusers feel drowsy, disinhibited, and intoxicated.

· A higher dosage makes the abusers both physically and mentally impaired, as if they are drunk. It develops slurred speech and confused mind.

• If a person has taken high doses and is unable to be aroused (coma), then there is a possibility of stopping the breath involuntarily.
• Barbiturates are addictive. If they are taken regularly for about a month, the brain develops a need for the barbiturate that causes severe symptoms.

• The withdrawal symptoms comprise agitation, difficulty in sleeping and tremors. These symptoms can also result in life threatening, including hallucinations, high temperature, and seizures.

• If a pregnant women takes barbiturates, it even cause the baby to become addicted, and the newborn may have withdrawal symptoms.

The above information gives you an idea about the abusing the barbiturate drugs and its causes and symptoms.

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