Amytal is a drug that has sedative-hypnotic properties that can help people with insomnia wind down. However, ever since benzodiazepines hit the market in the mid-1980s, Amytal fell out of favor. That’s because Amobarbital is incredibly addictive.
Doctors stopped prescribing the medication as often, but that doesn’t mean it disappeared from circulation completely. While you can’t find it in pharmacies anymore, Amytal has made its way to the black market.
Because of its addictive properties, people from all over the globe began abusing the drug. At one point, this was a death sentence, but that’s not the case any longer.
If you’re looking for amobarbital addiction treatment in New Hampshire, we can help. We focus on helping people with substance abuse issues overcome their chemical dependence.
Let’s find out what we can offer you to start the road to recovery.
Amytal Addiction Overview
Amytal or Amytal Sodium is the brand name of the common Amobarbital. It’s a barbiturate derivative that became popular in the late 1920s.
Traditionally, this medication was prescribed as a sedative. It has calming effects that can do wonders for people suffering from epilepsy and insomnia.
On top of that, Amytal was quite useful as an anesthetic. That’s because it acts as a central nervous system depressant.
Amytal increases the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitters in your brain, leading to a sense of drowsiness and relaxation.
Even though the medication was exceptionally effective, there was one glaring issue: it was highly addictive. Just a few doses are enough to create a chemical dependency effect.
For that reason, the US government has restricted access to barbiturates since the late 1970s. Thankfully, over the years, Amytal was replaced with benzodiazepines like Xanax which are much less addictive.
As a result, Amobarbital is no longer readily available in most pharmacies, but it’s a popular product in the illegal drug industry. It has several street names, including Downers, Blue Heaven, Blue Velvets, Bluebirds, and Redbirds.
Amytal Addiction Treatment
Overcoming addiction isn’t a simple process. There are a few steps you’ll need to follow to ensure you stay on the wagon.
Figure Out the Extent of the Amytal Addiction
The first step in overcoming an addiction is to figure out the severity of the substance abuse disorder. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:
1. Amytal Tolerance
Tolerance refers to the diminished response to a drug over time. In simpler terms, this means that the more you use an addictive substance, the less effect it’ll have on your body.
So, you’ll need to increase the dose of the drug to feel the same euphoria. Unfortunately, this means you can develop an Amytal tolerance quite rapidly.
Depending on how you administer the drug, the duration of the process can change.
Most people don’t know that the method of delivery can affect how addictive a drug can be. The faster a medication reaches your brain, the more likely it’ll cause a chemical dependency.
Amytal comes in two main forms: tablet and an odorless white powder. If you ingest the tablets, your body will only absorb a small amount of the drug with each dose.
However, when people snort, smoke, or dissolve Amytal powder into a liquid for plugging, the chances of them developing an addiction skyrocket.
2. Amytal Half-Life
Amytal has a half-life of around 25 hours. That means it’ll take over a day for your body to break down half the dosage you take. Because of that, the drug is detectable in your system for about three or four days.
However, that doesn’t mean the effects of Amytal last that long. On average, a user will only feel the euphoria of the drug for six to eight hours.
After that, the person suffering from drug addiction will start to feel negative side effects.
3. Amytal Signs of Abuse
The continued use of Amytal can wreak havoc on a person’s mental and physical well-being. After the effects of the dosage wear off, they’ll experience several side effects.
These include:
- Mental confusion
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Fever
- Lowered inhibitions
You may also notice the person suffering from addiction displays changes in social behavior. They may shy away from gatherings and prefer to isolate themselves.
4. Amytal Overdose
The appropriate dosage from Amytal will depend on a few factors, such as:
- Age
- Gender
- Height
- Weight
That’s why it’s tricky to calculate how much of the drug is safe to use without the supervision of a doctor.
You should also keep in mind that Amytal is an incredibly potent drug; a few extra grams can lead to a fatal overdose. It can cause central nervous system shutdown, pulmonary edema, kidney failure, and heart failure.
5. Amytal Withdrawal Symptoms
Unfortunately, once a person develops an addiction to Amytal, quitting the drug isn’t a straightforward process. If they stop using cold turkey, their body will go through withdrawal symptoms that include:
- Depression
- Breathing issues
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Allergic reactions
In some severe cases, the symptoms may also include suicidal thoughts. These are the body’s ways of signaling that it’s not able to function properly without the presence of Amytal in the system.
Thankfully, there are treatment plans that can help you avoid or reduce these side effects.
Join Our Amytal Addiction Treatment Programs
At Live Free Recovery Services, our main goal is to help people suffering from addictions get on the wagon and overcome their chemical dependency. Let’s explore what an Amytal abuse treatment plan may look like.
1. Detoxification
The road to recovery usually starts with detoxification. This is when you gradually eliminate a drug from your system.
Depending on your specific case and your tolerance to Amytal, the process will be a little different. For instance, some people who suffer from addiction require medication to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal.
Besides that, the person dealing with the substance abuse issue may need round-the-clock monitoring to ensure they don’t harm themselves. A doctor can prescribe partial hospitalization, where the patient will get 24/7 care.
That’s why you need to surround yourself with a professional team that can tailor a detox plan to your needs and preferences.
Finally, this step can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on your Amytal tolerance.
2. Inpatient Treatment
Once you eliminate Amytal from your system, you may experience ongoing triggers, cravings, and mental confusion. That’s when inpatient treatment can come in handy.
This step involves the person suffering from addiction moving into a medical facility for about a month. There, they’ll be under constant supervision to ensure they don’t relapse.
During their stay at the facility, the person suffering from addiction will focus on dealing with the aftermath of withdrawal. This could mean building up their strength with plenty of rest or working on their mental health.
Luckily, with inpatient treatment, they don’t have to go through this process alone. The former addicts will have a chance to work with medical professionals to come up with a plan to help them stay sober.
For example, a doctor may offer a person suffering from addiction medication-assisted treatment.
3. Outpatient Treatment
After a month of inpatient treatment, the individual who had been suffering from addiction is ready to return to their regular life. However, if they jump straight back into their old habits and routines, there’s a chance they may relapse.
That’s why outpatient treatment is crucial. Think about it as a halfway point between living in an inpatient facility and going out into the real world.
In this step, you don’t stay at a facility 24/7. Instead, you only spend around four to five hours a day in outpatient treatment.
Then, you get to go home and sleep in your own bed. This will give you a chance to get used to life without Amytal while a doctor monitors your progress.
4. Sober Living Programs
An Amytal addiction can take a toll on your relationships and financial standing. Because of that, many people who suffer from this substance abuse problem have nowhere to go when they leave inpatient treatment.
In that case, they can rely on sober living programs. These are similar to outpatient facilities, where former drug addicts will have the freedom to come and go as they please.
However, sober living also offers a place to stay and programs to help you stay clean. Some facilities even provide job opportunities to their residents.
5. Therapy
Recovering from a drug addiction is a lifelong journey. You have to choose to stay sober every day for the process to work.
We all know how difficult that can be, especially with the stress of daily life. So, to ensure you stay on the wagon, therapy and counseling are key.
People who suffer from addiction have to figure out the root cause of their substance abuse issues. Plus, they need to learn how to mend relationships and interact with society.
There are many types of therapy that can help with that. These include:
- Dual-diagnosis therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
Take the First Step Today
If you’re looking for Amytal (Amobarbital) addiction treatment in New Hampshire, Live Free Recovery can help. Our facilities are equipped to help people who suffer from addiction overcome their chemical dependency.
We can do that through several treatment options, including detoxification, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and sober living programs. Plus, we offer several types of therapy that can ensure you stay on the wagon.
Published on: 2024-04-05
Updated on: 2024-04-15