admin
Site Admin
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Posts: 210
Location: United Kingdom
|
 Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 12:36 pm Post subject: How do they work? |
 |
|
Barbiturates work by enhancing the action of a brain neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger) that is in charge of inhibiting parts of the brain sometimes. For example, when we go to sleep, some areas of the brain are inhibited, as they are not needed. As barbiturates facilitates the activity of one of the main inhibiting neurotransmitters (Gamma ammino butyric acid - GABA), they have an impact on many aspects of the body including mood, locomotion, co-ordination and even breathing.
What effect do they have?
The effects of barbiturates are, in many ways, similar to the effects of alcohol. Small amounts produce calmness and relax muscles. This combination of sedation and reduced anxiety are features which made this type of drug popular as drugs of abuse.
Moderate doses will cause drowsiness, confusion, inability to concentrate, loss of co-ordination, tremors and slurred speech. These effects make it dangerous to drive a car or operate machinery as at these doses judgement is very seriously impaired.
Large doses of barbiturates produce depressed pulse rate, dilated pupils and shallow breathing. As vital life processes (such as heart and breathing rates) may be inhibited, such doses may easily cause unconsciousness and death.
Consequences for health
The use of barbiturates with other drugs that slow down the body, such as alcohol, multiplies their effects and greatly increases the risk of death. Overdose deaths can occur when barbiturates and alcohol are used together, either deliberately or accidentally.
Depending on the dose, frequency and duration of use, tolerance and/or physical and psychological dependence on barbiturates can develop very quickly.
As a user becomes tolerant to barbiturates, the margin of safety between an effective dose and a lethal dose becomes very narrow. So to obtain the same level of intoxication, a drug abuser who is tolerant to barbiturates may raise his or her dose to a level that can produce coma and death.
Dependence (or addiction) to barbiturates can occur within a very short time and long-term barbiturate users will require hospitalisation in order to safely undergo the withdrawal effects from such drugs.
Barbiturate overdose is a factor in nearly one-third of all reported drug-related deaths. These include suicides and accidental drug poisonings. Accidental deaths sometimes occur when a user takes one dose, becomes confused and unintentionally takes additional or larger doses. With barbiturates there is less difference between the amount that produces sleep and the amount that kills. Furthermore, barbiturate withdrawal can be more serious than heroin withdrawal.
Legal consequences
Barbiturates are Class B drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is illegal to produce, supply or possess them.
|
|
