Barbiturate addiction treatment almost always starts with medically supervised detox, because withdrawal from barbiturates can cause seizures and can be life-threatening. Once someone is safely off the drug, treatment moves to therapy, relapse prevention and dealing with whatever led to the use in the first place. What you shouldn’t do is try to quit on your own.
Barbiturates aren’t prescribed as often as they once were, so a lot of people don’t realize how dangerous they still are. They show up in some headache medications, in older prescriptions and on the street.
What Are Barbiturates?
Barbiturates are depressants. The DEA says they’re prescribed to aid sleep, reduce anxiety, ease muscle spasms and prevent seizures. They slow the central nervous system, which can bring drowsiness, lowered inhibitions, mild euphoria and less anxiety.
They work on GABA, the brain’s main calming signal, but at higher doses they can activate those receptors directly. According to Wikipedia’s summary of the pharmacology, that’s a big reason barbiturates are more toxic in overdose than benzodiazepines, and why benzodiazepines have largely replaced them in everyday medicine. There’s also no antidote for a barbiturate overdose.
Commonly misused barbiturates
- Phenobarbital, still used for seizures
- Butalbital, found in some combination headache medications such as Fioricet and Fiorinal
- Secobarbital (Seconal)
- Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
- Amobarbital (Amytal)
In the US, Wikipedia notes that amobarbital, pentobarbital and secobarbital are Schedule II controlled substances, and phenobarbital is Schedule IV. On the street, the DEA lists names like barbs, reds, red devils, pinks and yellow jackets.
Signs of Barbiturate Addiction
The DEA lists impaired memory, judgment and coordination among barbiturates’ effects, along with irritability, paranoia and suicidal thoughts. Over time, these signs tend to show up:
- Needing more to get the same effect
- Slurred speech, dizziness, stumbling
- Memory problems and confusion
- Pulling away from family, friends and work
- Seeing several doctors to get prescriptions, or buying pills on the street
- Anxiety, shaking or trouble sleeping when a dose wears off
- Using barbiturates to come down from stimulants or other drugs
Why Barbiturates and Alcohol Are So Dangerous
Barbiturates and alcohol both slow breathing. Together, the effect stacks. Wikipedia describes combining barbiturates with alcohol, opioids or benzodiazepines as even more dangerous because of that added breathing and nervous system suppression. Longer-acting barbiturates can also linger, so a drink taken after the pill seems to have worn off can still be incapacitating or even fatal.
The DEA says a barbiturate overdose can cause slowed breathing, a faster heart rate, low blood pressure, low body temperature, coma and possible death.
Call 911 right away if someone has collapsed, had a seizure, is breathing slowly or not at all, or can’t be woken up. Stay with them. Poison Control is at 1-800-222-1222.
Barbiturate Withdrawal: Never Quit Cold Turkey
Once the body depends on barbiturates, stopping suddenly is risky. Withdrawal can cause seizures, and Wikipedia describes barbiturate withdrawal as one of the most dangerous withdrawals of any addictive substance. Early on, people often feel anxious, shaky and unable to sleep. It can escalate from there.
That’s why detox needs a medical team. Doctors can use medication to keep withdrawal from turning dangerous and adjust the plan as your body responds. We won’t describe a schedule here; it has to be built for the person in front of the doctor.
What Barbiturate Addiction Treatment Involves
1. Medical detox
Medically supervised detox is the starting point. The goal is to get you off barbiturates (and anything else you’ve been using) without seizures or other complications. Our post on why detox matters explains more.
2. Residential treatment
After detox, many people move into residential inpatient treatment, where daily therapy, structure and support give you room to understand why you reached for sedatives and what to do instead.
3. Treating what’s underneath
People often start using barbiturates for sleep, anxiety, headaches or to come down from other drugs. Co-occurring disorders treatment works on insomnia, anxiety, depression or trauma alongside the addiction.
4. Relapse prevention and aftercare
Recovery keeps going after you leave. Relapse prevention and aftercare help you spot triggers early and stay connected to support.
For many people, sleep is the hardest thing to rebuild. Barbiturates often started as a way to get rest, and the first weeks without them can feel long. Faith can be a real comfort in those nights. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, KJV). Prayer, routine and patience with your body all play their part as natural sleep slowly returns.
What to Look for in a Barbiturate Addiction Treatment Center
- Medical detox on site, or a clear plan for supervised withdrawal
- Staff who understand sedative withdrawal and seizure risk
- Treatment for anxiety, sleep problems and other mental health conditions
- A plan for after residential care, not just a discharge date
- A setting that fits your values, including faith if that matters to you
If you’ve also used other sedatives, our posts on Ativan addiction and Klonopin cover those drugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are barbiturates addictive?
Yes. Tolerance builds, the body becomes dependent and stopping can cause dangerous withdrawal. That’s one reason doctors now prescribe them much less often.
Is barbiturate withdrawal dangerous?
Yes. It can cause seizures and can be life-threatening. Withdrawal should always happen under medical supervision.
Why are barbiturates and alcohol so dangerous together?
Both slow breathing, and together the effect stacks. The combination can cause coma or death, and there’s no antidote for barbiturate overdose.
How long does barbiturate addiction treatment take?
It depends on the person, how long they’ve used and what else is involved. Detox is the first stage; most people benefit from continued residential or outpatient care after that.
Get Help at Covenant Hills
Covenant Hills is a Christian residential treatment center in Orange County. We help people come off sedatives safely and build a life that doesn’t depend on them, with clinical care and faith side by side, and without judgment. Learn about our levels of care, or call 800-662-2873 for a free, confidential assessment.
