The Depressing Truth Behind Barbiturates

By: Meghan O’Sullivan, Olivia Murray, and Andy Benavides

Health 3rd hour

ClassificationUltra-short= used by the medical field for

anesthetic purposesShort/intermediate-acting= anesthetic; also

cure anxiety or insomniaLong-acting= treat convulsions; sedation

during the daytimeCentral Nervous System Depressants (CNS)

History First synthesized

December 6, 1864Adolf Von Baeyer-

German ScientistComposed of a

combination of urea and malonic acid

But, barbiturates didn’t have a use until 19o3.

Mental Effects

HallucinationsAnxietyInsomniaIncreased dreamingLack of focusTiredness

Physical Effects

Muscle twitchesShaky handsSeizuresDizzinessStomach problems and

nauseaDifficulty breathingLoss of reflexes

DependenceUsers of this drug might become physically

and mentally dependant. When a person using this drug tries to cut

back they experience withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can range from minor

like anxiety to much more serious symptoms like compulsions or even death.

StatisticsBetween 1959 and

1974 27,000 people died from barbiturate abuse

Since the 1980’s doctor prescriptions for this drug have greatly declined.

TreatmentTreatment for barbiturate abuse is similar to

that of most addictions to drugs.Sometimes, a person may go through a

detoxification process to rid all the toxins from their body.

Also, a person who abuses barbiturates may be given medicine to control their addiction and relieve symptoms.

Therapist and counselors motivate addicts to stop using and become clean

Bibliographyhttp://

alcoholism.about.com/od/barbs/a/withdrawal.httphttp://

www.fadaa.org/services/resource_center/resources/JTF/BARB02.pdf http://www.pdrhealth.com/disease/disease-mono.aspx?contentFileName=ND2405G.xml&contentName=Barbiturate+Abuse&contentId=268&TypeId=2

http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/barbiturates/barbiturates_stats.shtml