Nembutal was a popular drug in the 1940s and 1950s that was used as a sleeping pill (hypnotic) and an anti-anxiety (sedative) remedy. Sleep problems and anxiety are issues have affected our society for generations, so there has been a high demand for medications that can treat these ailments adequately. Phenobarbital was an extremely powerful barbiturate that came to fill that void and offer relief to those suffering. Unlike modern sleeping pills, however, Nembutal is actively lethal in overdose. It is a highly sought-after drug that is used in assisted suicide and capital punishment.
Today, 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders like insomnia and having medications that can help battle sleeplessness are necessary to balance these issues. These problems are not new as shown by Nembutal, but the medications that have been brought forth have become less addictive than drugs in the past. Barbiturates are notorious for their addictive qualities, and Nembutal, in particular, can be extremely dangerous when it is abused. Due to how reliable the drug is in bringing peace and euphoria to its user, it is a drug that holds addictive qualities.
While access to the drug has dwindled over the years and is used primarily for euthanasia of animals, it is still accessible to people in the black market. It is even said that the famous Marilyn Monroe used Nembutal to end her life, but investigators couldn’t rule out if the death was accidental or a suicide. The fact that barbiturate drugs were given to those to try and sleep is a scary prospect, and there are no questions as to why they have been phased out of regular medicinal use over the years.
Suffice it to say, barbiturates such as Nembutal are extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. While they are much more difficult to obtain, there is still a market for the drug. Where there’s a will, unfortunately, there’s a way. If you suspect that someone you love has been dabbling in barbiturates, it is critical that you talk with them immediately. Due to the toxicity of these drugs, an overdose could occur at any time without warning. The quicker a problem is identified, the higher the chance that it can be resolved. Read on to learn more about Nembutal addiction and how it’s treated.
What Is Nembutal?
Nembutal is a short-acting barbiturate that was prescribed mostly in the treatment of short-term sleep disorders. It can be used for a variety of health conditions including as an anticonvulsant, or as a medication that treats anxiety. Barbiturates as a whole are considered sedative-hypnotic drugs with the purpose of inducing feels of relaxation. Nembutal slows down motor activity and can impair balance and coordination in the user. The most common symptoms associated from use are hypnosis, drowsiness, and sedation.
There are a couple of methods that it can be administered. Medical professionals will decide the best route. This can include an oral capsule, or through an injection into the muscle. It can also be consumed as an oral elixir or taken as a rectal suppository. Nembutal is the official name of the drug, but there are street names such as reds, red bird, phennies, barbs, and yellow jackets.
What Are the Signs of Nembutal Addiction?
Nembutal is extremely powerful as demonstrated earlier by its ability to take the user’s life quickly. Excessive consumption of barbiturates increases the chances of addiction which can eventually lead to an overdose. The most common response for why it’s abused is because the intoxication is similar to alcohol. There are warning signs to look out for if you are concerned that either yourself or a loved one is abusing Nembutal.
The Most Common Side Effects of Nembutal Misuse Include:
- Slurred speech
- Memory loss
- Intoxication similar to alcohol
- Motor coordination loss
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Poor decision making
- Concentration difficulties
- Mood swings
- Uncontrolled eye movement
Other General Signs Related to Use Are:
- Strong Nembutal cravings
- High Nembutal tolerance
- Consuming for nonmedical purposes
- Constantly thinking about Nembutal or other barbiturate drugs
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms from sudden cessation
- Exceeding prescribed dosage
- Feeling unable to quit Nembutal despite many attempts to quit
- Using Nembutal with other drugs
- Taking Nembutal only to avoid withdrawal symptoms
If you begin to notice a developing substance use disorder, the initial reaction may be to stop using the drug. This is commonly referred to as cold turkey, which involves suddenly stopping a substance without weaning off it. Addiction specialists and medical physicians strongly advise against this style of quitting any drug, but they especially warn against it in cases that involve barbiturates in particular because the process can prove to be fatal. Entering treatment is a much more safe and responsible way to transition into stability safely after excessive substance use.
Not only is abruptly discontinuing extended use of a drug dangerous, but it can also be extremely uncomfortable as well. This could immediately push someone trying to quit to jump back on the train of using. A major problem with this is that someone who stops drug use after a long period lowers their tolerance significantly. If they go back to taking the dose they’re accustomed to taking, then it could spell disaster in the form of an overdose.
How Is Nembutal Addiction Treated?
Treating barbiturate drugs like Nembutal requires the entire continuum of care. While this is suggested for all addictions, the dangers that can be involved with barbiturates require a much more extensive and intensive approach.
The first stage of treatment is medical detoxification. This will allow all foreign substances to be removed safely from the client’s body while providing access to 24-hour monitoring conducted by trained medical staff seven days a week. This allows them to ensure everything falls in line according to the treatment plan. In the event of any unexpected problems, they are equipped and trained to deal with any issues that could arise.
All cases are unique and should be treated as such. Treatment requires a customized approach, so during the detox phase, clinicians will assess each client and make recommendations of what they think is the most beneficial course of action for that person to take in their recovery. In most cases for barbiturate abuse, the next phase in the continuum of care could vary depending on the client’s particular needs. This could include residential treatment, partial hospitalization, or an intensive outpatient treatment center. This will depend on the client’s history with drugs, if they’ve been given a dual diagnosis, and many other factors.
There are a variety of therapies the client could take part in that are holistic, motivational, and delve deep into any past unresolved traumas. Other effective programs they could attend are:
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Addiction education class
- Family therapy
- Relapse prevention planning
How Dangerous Is Nembutal Abuse?
Barbiturates offer very little therapeutic use, and that is apparent by their lack of popularity in today’s market. Even when the drug is used as prescribed it can offer little to no medicinal benefits and run a high risk of addiction. Overdose attributed to the drug can cause slowed breathing that can suffocate the user. This can lead to coma, brain damage, and in some cases, death. Nembutal should never be used in higher doses than prescribed due to the the reasons listed above.
Nembutal Abuse Statistics
- In 2014, barbiturates caused 396 deaths.
- Barbiturates may be a factor in up to 33% of all drug-related deaths that are tracked in any given year.
- In 2001, 2.8% of high school seniors reported their use of barbiturates.
