Barbiturates are commonly prescribed to help manage seizure disorders or chronic pain. They can promote relaxation and sleepiness, which makes them addictive for some people. Not everyone who uses barbiturates abuses them, but those who do are at serious risk of enduring the dangers of barbiturate toxicity. Several complications can result from barbiturate misuse. However, moving forward with professional support can help people recognize the warning signs of barbiturate toxicity and safely overcome barbiturate addiction. Many people have found great benefits through surrendering to residential treatment at Avalon Malibu for barbiturate misuse.
What Are Barbiturates?
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), barbiturates were first introduced in the early 1900s. These substances are considered depressants because they slow down an individual’s central nervous system activity. Another way to refer to them is sedative-hypnotic prescription medications. The effects can range from mild to intense, and one of the extreme effects can be coma.Â
Therefore, barbiturates can be toxic as overdoses can effortlessly occur leading to a tragic death. The medication causes slight euphoria and sleepiness which makes people prone to abusing it to cope with co-occurring conditions. For example, barbiturates are commonly abused in hopes of relieving anxiety, reducing inhibitions, and masking intense distress.
Warning Signs of Barbiturate Toxicity
When an individual takes more medication than advised by a medical professional for various purposes, they put themselves at risk of having a coma or an unwanted overdose. Barbiturates are powerful drugs. A fairly low dosage of this medication can make people feel intoxicated, and it can be easy for a life-threatening overdose to occur.Â
Moreover, suddenly discontinuing barbiturate usage can lead to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. When struggling to manage withdrawal symptoms, an individual can feel trapped in a cycle of addiction. Tolerance to the drug may also increase over time.Â
The lethal effects of the drug happen gradually. Thus, the risk of barbiturate toxicity increases with each use. Warning signs of barbiturate toxicity to watch for include having:Â
- Difficulty processing thoughts
- A lack of coordination
- An altered level of consciousness
- Intense drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- A staggering or off-balance gate
- Sluggishness
- Slowed breathing
Risks of Barbiturate Misuse
Any form of drug addiction not only puts someone at serious risk of enduring a tragic overdose or coma but can affect many different aspects of an individual’s life. Someone who is facing challenges with barbiturate withdrawal may feel dominated by the addiction and feel as if their life has spiraled out of control. Additionally, barbiturate addiction can damage relationships with family and friends, create academic challenges, and lead to poor work performance.
So much stigma surrounds addiction and co-occurring mental health complications. Often this stigma is perpetuated because loved ones may not be aware that substance abuse of any kind is a chronic brain disease. Friends and family need to understand that abusing substances can alter people’s nervous systems, causing the brain’s reward systems to work differently.Â
Dangerous Barbiturate Withdrawal Symptoms
With continued use, an individual could be at serious risk of death due to dangerous barbiturate withdrawal symptoms. Life-threatening withdrawal reactions typically occur just two to eight days after abruptly stopping the drug. Knowing that barbiturate misuse can often lead to a poor outcome, everyone involved must learn the warning signs of barbiturate toxicity to save a life. Uncomfortable and dangerous symptoms commonly include:Â
- Grand mal seizures
- Tremors
- Extreme anxiety
- Hypotension
- Delirium
Moving Forward with Residential Treatment at Avalon Malibu for Barbiturate Toxicity
The cycle of drug addiction can be a wild road for everyone involved. Searching for professional treatment can also be an overwhelming process. No one knows what to expect and many individuals fear judgement. Fortunately, Avalon Malibu’s expert services provide the needed support to achieve abstinence from harmful substances.Â
Avalon Malibu staff members understand that life-threatening barbiturate withdrawal symptoms can force someone to continue misusing the drug. Many individuals facing challenges with drug addiction often feel intense shame, regret, and guilt related to their condition.Â
Understanding the Benefits of Residential Care
Moving forward with residential treatment can teach people the coping mechanisms needed to finally overcome barbiturate addiction. The residential program in Malibu, California, offers a luxurious, structured, and safe environment to work through the effects of barbiturate toxicity. Professionals at Avalon Malibu welcome new clients with open arms and a deep understanding that substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic brain disease.Â
Although a typical residential treatment lasts anywhere between 30 to 90 days, Avalon’s staff understands that each person’s experience with chemical dependency is different, and treatment should progress at its own pace. Clients are given a second chance to put the past behind them and readjust their lifestyle in a healthy way.Â
Benefits of residential care include:Â
- Twenty-four-hour daily monitoring and a live-in supportive community for safety
- Tailored evidence-based therapy to meet each client’s specific needs
- Peer support and family involvement for understanding and ongoing support
- The acquisition of coping skills to effectively maintain recovery
- A chance to learn relapse prevention strategiesÂ
- Luxury private beachfront facilities to maintain a 2:1 staff-to-client ratio
At Avalon Malibu, our residential program is open to adult men and women. We welcome those who are seeking recovery for the first time as well as those who have been through treatment but have experienced a relapse. Residential treatment for individuals with a primary or dual diagnosis of a mental health disorder is one of the offerings that sets Avalon Malibu apart from other recovery centers. The type of treatment we offer is characterized by full-time, round-the-clock care to ensure the safety and progress of our clients. Find out more about our residential treatment program and contact us today at (844) 857-5992 to speak with our team to find support.
