Although barbiturate medications aren’t as common today as they once were, barbiturate addiction is still an extremely dangerous disease that can be potentially fatal. Because of the high risk, it’s absolutely crucial to get professional help as soon as possible. At Del Arroyo Recovery Center in Agoura Hills, CA, we create holistic, personalized addiction treatment plans to help clients break free from barbiturates and create a better life.
The Harmful Effects of Barbiturate Addiction
Barbiturates are depressant drugs that reduce the activity of the central nervous system. From about 1920-1960, they were commonly used as anesthesia and prescribed as medications for things like anxiety, insomnia, migraines, and epilepsy. Unfortunately, their side effects and highly addictive nature led to a crisis of abuse.
Safer, less addictive prescription medications (like benzodiazepines) were eventually developed, replacing most barbiturates. They are not common today, but they are still sometimes used. Because these drugs are so high-risk for addiction, they are only prescribed if other treatments have not been effective.
There are only a few barbiturates that may be prescribed today, such as:
- Phenobarbital: For seizures, epilepsy, and sleep disorders
- Secobarbital: For limited, short-term insomnia treatment
- Butabarbital: Very rarely prescribed for insomnia and anxiety disorders
Signs & Symptoms of Barbiturate Addiction
Signs and symptoms of barbiturate abuse include:
- Slurred speech
- Slow, clumsy movement
- Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Shallow, difficult breathing
- Kidney problems
- Irritability
- Hallucinations
- Confusion and paranoia
- Memory loss
- Unusual periods of euphoria and extreme relaxation
- Reckless or violent behavior
- Failure to meet responsibilities at work or at home
Barbiturate addiction is life threatening. Because it depresses central nervous system activity, it can cause the body’s systems to shut down. There is also a very high risk of overdose death, as the gap between a safe therapeutic dose and a lethal dose is very small.
How We Approach Barbiturate Addiction Treatment at Our Los Angeles Rehab
At Del Arroyo Recovery Center in Southern California, our clinical staff provides expert care for addiction to barbiturates. We take a holistic, individualized approach that treats each person as an individual with multi-faceted addiction treatment needs.
Addiction treatment types and methods we use at our drug rehab in California include:
- Medical detox: Detox services monitored by medical staff to ensure safety and ease withdrawal symptoms
- Addiction therapy: Individual therapy and group therapy, using evidence-based methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Life skills development: Coping and life skills education to help individuals stay sober and lead a successful, independent life after treatment
- Dual-diagnosis treatment programs: Care for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders (depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, etc.), including appropriate medication management
- Alumni program: Aftercare for clients who have finished treatment, including ongoing support meetings and other sobriety resources
We work with young adults (18-25) and older adults (up to 65), but we do not offer addiction treatment for teens 17 or under.
It’s Easy to Get Started at Our Los Angeles Area Drug Rehab
At our Agoura Hills barbiturate addiction treatment center, we make it easy to enroll in our treatment programs. If you need intensive residential treatment to overcome addiction, we can enroll you in our medical detox and inpatient program. If you don’t need drug detox but still need support, we can enroll you in an outpatient program.
Whatever you need, simply contact our admissions staff and let us walk you through your options. We can also check whether your insurance covers substance abuse detoxification and addiction treatment, but coverage is not required to be admitted.
Compassionate Care for Barbiturate Addiction in Agoura Hills, CA
If you or a loved one are addicted to barbiturates, our Los Angeles addiction treatment center can help you build a strong foundation for a new life. Contact us today to get started with the recovery process.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapists in Agoura Hills, CA
Contact us today to learn more about our Los Angeles-area individualized addiction treatment programs and explore your options.