Secobarbital

Secobarbital Addiction

What is Secobarbital?

Secobarbital is a prescription sedative commonly used as a short-term treatment for insomnia (sleeping problems). It belongs to the drug class barbiturates, also known as central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Secobarbital works by acting as a sedative-hypnotic (sleeping pill). It causes a wide range of depression to the CNS, like mild sedation or coma, reducing anxiety and inhibitions (shyness) and causing sleepiness.

Secobarbital is marketed and sold under the trade name Seconal.

Secobarbital Addiction

Secobarbital has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Due to its sedative properties, tolerance to the depressant is easily developed. The drug is known to reduce anxiety and inhibitions (shyness). Therefore, people who regularly use secobarbital might require larger doses to produce similar side effects. 

This can lead to withdrawal symptoms like anxiety or lack of appetite, which might cause some people to keep taking secobarbital to manage the symptoms. For that reason, addiction experts recommend entering a medical detox program to safely ease the body off secobarbital under the supervision of trained staff at a detox center.

Taking more secobarbital than prescribed, using it recreationally, or combining the drug with alcohol can lead to memory loss, impaired judgment or coordination, irritability and paranoia. Large amounts of secobarbital can lead to adverse reactions like weakened breathing, increased heart rate or coma, which are all signs of an overdose that could result in death.