Use of Addictive Substances

Use of Addictive Substances

Introduction

There are certain classes of drugs that induce addiction and are frequently prescribed by the physician in the treatment of various health conditions. Opioids, CNS stimulants, Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are examples of such class of drugs. Barbiturates possess the potential to be used for addiction and thus are very harmful.

Discussion

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are the synthetic medications that are prescribed for the treatment of insomnia, depression and anxiety. These drugs are dangerous as the minimal rise in the normal dose may cause the death of the user. Therefore, physician prescribes this drug in case of serious insomnia and some time for treating epilepsy (FR, 2012).

Effects of Barbiturates at Normal Doses

Barbiturates cause the paradoxical rage reaction via affecting the normal mechanism of the neurons of the cortex (Ciraulo et al, 2008). The normal level of the barbiturates has the tendency to slow down the mental activities. Barbiturate cannot produce its effects promptly and take few days in order to develop its effects. Moreover, it induces the sleep by suppressing the period of the REM sleep stage. Patients feel “hangover” condition following the use of the drug (Wilson et al, 2007).

Effects of Barbiturates at Higher Doses

Slurred speech and ataxia are the common symptoms appear after taking the doses more than the normal. The long-term use of barbiturates causes dependency in the people on discontinuation. Barbiturate can cause the bronchitis and pneumonia by affecting the normal reflex of cough. It causes the respiratory depression, lowering in the blood pressure, tachycardia, coma and eventually death.

Use of Barbiturates in Presence of Associated Risks

In the presence of numerous risk factors of the barbiturates, these drugs should not be used in the medical practice. It is the responsibility of the health care organizations as well as care providers to make the ...