- 1 Quick facts about Amobarbital:
- 2 Why was the Amobarbital made?
- 3 What causes Amobarbital addiction?
The drug amobarbital is considered as a barbiturate and first discovered in Germany in 1923. Doctors commonly give the drug to patients as a prescription medication. Amobarbital affects the central nervous system and slows down brain activity. The drug is used to regulate seizures, relax sore muscles, relieve pain and reduce stress.
Doctors use the drug as anesthetic in very high doses. This method is very common in preparation for surgical procedures. When injected in the veins, the patient loses all sensation in their body within seconds. However, the drug does not cure seizures; it can only control them from happening regularly. Epileptic patients who suffer from severe seizures regularly take the drug.
Quick facts about Amobarbital:
- A daily dose of 500 milligram of amobarbital can cause dependence.
- Official use the drug to treat soldiers of “shell shock” during World War II but it decreases the soldier’s ability in battle.
- Taking the drug while pregnant increases the chance of birth defects.
- 1 out of 10 people who suffers drug overdose from barbiturates will end up dying.
- Around 9% of high school students misuse barbiturates during their lifetime.
- The FDA labeled the drug as a Schedule II under Controlled Substances Act. This means that amobarbital contains a high potential for abuse and dependence.
Why was the Amobarbital made?
Doctors use the drug to induce sleep for patients that needs an operation. Also, medical professional give amobarbital before anesthesia during surgery. It reduces the level of rapid eye movement and usually ends its effectiveness within two weeks. The drug can also cause respiratory depression and should not use on people with sleep apnea or breathing problems. In some point over the years, the drug was used as a ‘truth serum’ during psychiatric dialogues.
What causes addiction?
Seizures can happen anytime and without warning, it is commonly taken as an oral medicine to prevent the disorder. However, the users may take the drug excessively which can lead to addiction.
When taking amobarbital it is important to take it in moderation because it can generates addiction. Users can easily develop dependency because it can relieve a large amount of pain. Once dependence and tolerance develops, users have a higher risk of drug overdose. Also, users may need to undergo a treatment program to safely withdraw from this drug.
Doctors do not prescribe this drug for lone-term use because of its potential for misuse. The United States law does not permit an individual sale of this drug. The law can punish those people who transfer their prescription to others who seek the drug.
What are the signs and symptoms of addiction?
Addiction for amobarbital can quickly develop. Users may not recognize the problem immediately but their behaviors can show clear signs of addiction. Fortunately, doctors and experts are aware of the addictive properties of the drug. A guideline in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders helps them in identifying behaviors that can indicate addiction.
The drug alters the brain’s natural structure which can result to the intense cravings of the drug. Some of the known signs of Amobarbital addiction include:
- Taking the drug without prescription
- Continuing to consume the drug after the prescription ended
- Taking the drug at a faster rate
- Signs of ‘doctor shopping’ or getting more prescriptions from various doctors
What are the side effects of It?
Users sometimes abuse the drug because of its sedative effects. If a person take the drug without a valid medical prescription it its considered as an abuse.
- Stomach aches
Long-Term effects of Amobarbital
- Mental problems
- Chest pain
- Rapid heart rate
Drug overdose symptoms
When one or more of these symptoms become apparent, contact a medical professional immediately. Symptoms of amobarbital overdose can vary. The most usual symptoms include:
- Irregular breathing
- Urine retention
- Irregular heartb