Repeated addictive use of barbiturates which in the end affects the brain.
Barbiturates are depressant drugs that were initially designed to induce sleep and relieve anxiety or tension by slowing down the central nervous system. The sedative affect is much the same as alcohol’s and normally lasts for 3-6 hours at a time (Information on barbiturates, 2002). Currently, there are over 2,000 known legal and illegal barbiturates available. In small doses they are considered safe, and they may be prescribed by a physician for insomnia, anxiety, tension, or epilepsy (Information on barbiturates, 2002). Unfortunately, barbiturate dosage must continually be increased to maintain the same relaxation effect, and the use quickly establishes dependence in the user (Information on barbiturates, 2002). Higher levels of dosages are considered dangerous and may interfere with respiration (Information on barbiturates, 2002).