However, a few abusers will inject their drugs intravenously. The injection paraphernalia used by barbiturate abusers are similar to those used by heroin addicts, although a wider gauge hypodermic needle is used, because the barbiturate solution is thicker than the heroin solution. The injection sites on the skin of a barbiturate abuser exhibit large swellings, and may develop ulceration's resembling cigarette burns. The affects of depressants are once again compared to those of alcohol. Depressants vary in the amount of time it takes the user to feel the effects and also the amount of time the effects are felt.
Some depressants act very quickly, and begin to affect their user within seconds.
Others act more slowly, sometimes taking one-half hour or more to begin to exert an influence. Overdoses of depressants produce effects that are the same as alcohol overdoses. The person becomes extremely drowsy and pass out. Their heartbeat slows and respiration will become shallow. Their skin may feel cold and clammy, and death may result from respiratory failure.