Nembutal is the brand name for the generic medication pentobarbital sodium. As a barbiturate, Nembutal acts as a nonselective central nervous system depressant that is primarily used as sedative hypnotics and also as anticonvulsants in sub-hypnotic doses. On the street, Nembutal is known as “nembies” and is highly sought by abusers.
Overall, Nembutal is used as a sedative or a hypnotic in treating insomnia. Nembutal is meant only for short term use as it loses its effectiveness for inducing sleep and sleep maintenance after just two weeks. The medication may also be used as pre-anesthetics or as an anticonvulsant in emergency situations to control certain acute convulsive episodes.
Abuses of Nembutal
Like all barbiturates, Nembutal can be habit forming. With continued use of the drug, an individual can develop tolerance, psychological and physical dependence. This dependence is often the result of increases in dosage or decreases in dosage intervals without consulting a physician.
Nembutal or pentobarbital sodium, injection is controlled by the Federal Controlled Substances Act under DEA schedule II. A person who develops a dependence on Nembutal can easily display signs very similar to those of an individual dealing with chronic alcoholism.
When acute intoxication is present, a person will display signs which include unsteady gait, slurred speech, and sustained nystagmus. Mental signs of chronic intoxication include confusion, poor judgment, irritability, insomnia, and somatic complaints.
Effects of Nembutal
As it is a barbiturate, Nembutal is capable of producing all levels of CNS mood alteration. The drug depresses the sensory cortex, decreases motor activity, alters cerebellar function and produces drowsiness, sedation and hypnosis. In high enough doses, Nembutal can induce anesthesia and an overdose can be deadly.
A person seeking to induce sleep with a barbiturate will find that this sleep is quite different from physiological sleep. Nembutal can reduce the amount of time a person spends in the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep or the dreaming stage. Subsequent states of sleep are also decreased, delivering a much less satisfying sleep experience for the user.
Withdrawal of Nembutal
If a person has developed a dependence on or a tolerance for Nembutal, the symptoms of withdrawal can be severe and can lead to death. The first minor symptoms can appear eight to 12 hours after the last dose of the drug. Major symptoms are likely to appear within 16 hours and can last up to five days. Intensity of the symptoms is known to gradually decline over a period of roughly 15 days.
Withdrawal symptoms associated with cessation of Nembutal can include, but are not limited to:
• Anxiety
• Muscle twitching
• Tremor of hands and fingers
• Progressive weakness
• Dizziness
• Distortion of visual perception
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Insomnia
• Orthostatic hypertension
• Convulsions
• Delirium
Treatment of Nembutal
Given the fact that a Nembutal addiction can put a person’s life at risk and the danger of the associated withdrawal symptoms, the individual must immediately seek professional help. The treatment of Nembutal addiction can vary depending upon the patient and the level of addiction. The first step is for a patient to be evaluated by a physician and a psychiatrist to determine the proper method for treatment. Detoxification is necessary, and the doctor may recommend 24/7 treatment.
Nembutal addicts are also likely to work on their relationship with sleep as part of their treatment. They can be taught how to use specific tools like yoga, meditation and exercise as well as diet and nutrition, changing caffeine intake, creating new patterns and counseling to determine the cause for taking Nembutal in the first place.