Barbiturates are a kind of drug that belongs to the sedative-hypnotic class. They cause feelings of decreased anxiety and induce sleep. In street lingo they are called downers, yellow jackets and red jackets.

The physical and psychological dependence potential of barbiturates is very high, taking them for as little as one month is enough to cause significant changes in brain chemistry.
Barbiturates carry with them a high risk of addiction . Besides this it has been linked to a good number of deaths.

The dosage required for users varies wildly from one person to the next. While one milligram may be a standard high inducing dose for one user, it could be toxic to another user. This is the main reason why barbiturate use is considered extremely dangerous.

Barbiturates are highly addictive and prolonged use can lead to dependence on the drug. Withdrawal symptoms will occur if the user misses a dose and the withdrawal symptoms are usually severe, sometimes life threatening. Overdose from barbiturates sometimes involves multi drug use, when barbiturates are combined with alcohol or opioids.

These drugs have the ability to cause respiratory depression and suppressed breathing. Serious symptoms of a drug induced fatality are respiratory failure, coma and eventually death .
Signs and symptoms of barbiturate addiction and Drug Rehab

The signs and symptoms of barbiturate abuse include;
Mood symptoms:
• Pleasure
• Euphoria
Relaxation
• High feelings
• Inability to think clearly
• Overall feeling of well-being
• Irritability
• Deep relaxation
• Mood swings
• Agitation
Behavioral symptoms:
• Jumbled and slurred speech patterns
• Very poor concentration
• Intoxicated behavior
• Very poor interpersonal skills
• Shedding of inhibitions
• Reckless behavior
• Violent behavior
• Slow and slurred speech
• Behaving in an uncharacteristic bold manner
• Inability to perform in school, work or at home
The physical symptoms of barbiturate dependence are’;
• Physical dependence on the drug
• Withdrawal signs
• Intense drowsiness
• Decreased blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Unable to stay awake
• Loss of muscle coordination
• High fever
• Staggering’
• Cardiovascular shock
• Infection in the respiratory tract
• Shallow breathing
• Finding it hard to breathe
• Kidney dysfunction
• Seizures
• Respiratory arrest
• Coma
Death
Withdrawal from barbiturates

Barbiturate withdrawal can be extremely tricky. The effects of withdrawal can range from mild to very severe and thus withdrawal should only be attempted under close supervision of trained medical staff. Withdrawal effects include shakiness and tremors, problems with sleeping, agitation, hallucination, seizures, respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, coma and even death .

It is important for the user to understand that he has a problem and needs medical help. If you know of a loved one who has a barbiturate habit, then you can seek intervention and rehab for that person. Look for addiction treatment, drug rehab, inpatient drug rehab , addiction treatment program in Texas and drug rehab treatment in Texas.

Author's Bio: 

This article is penned by Leslie Shane Gilliam, M.D. and you can contact him at (888)857-8857