A-Z Drugs Barbiturates Barbiturates are a class of prescription drugs that depress the central nervous system. They also reduce the user's heart and breathing rate and blood pressure as the dose is increased. For medical purposes, barbiturates are often prescribed to induce sleep. Barbiturates also play a role as anesthetics and slow-acting barbiturates are used as sedatives and to control some types of seizures. But, they can be addictive and abused.
Excessive doses can cause depression , slurred speech, slowed reflexes and confusion.
The addictive cycle begins when a person depends on barbiturates to feel good, to sleep or to deal with stress . Overdose can be fatal. Mixing alcohol and barbiturates can also be deadly because of the combined depressant effect on the heart and lungs. Withdrawal from barbiturates is said to be sometimes more intense than withdrawal from heroin . Programs and services for chemical dependency are available at Chelsea Arbor Treatment Center .