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Slang:
Barbs, barbies, blue bullets, blue devils, gorillas, nembies, pink
ladies, red devils, and sleepers.
Background:
Barbiturates were once commonly prescribed by doctors as sleeping
pills. Fatal accidents due to misuse led to their demand being
largely replaced by tranquillisers. Usually available in tablet
form, or as ampoules, suppositories or syrup.
The Effects:
- Barbiturates have
a strong sedative effect. They work by depressing the central
nervous system.
- In small doses
barbiturates help people relax.
- Larger doses can
give rise to a drunken feeling (slurred speech, clumsiness, and
unconsciousness).
The Risks:
- Tolerance can
quickly develop, which means regular users need more to get the
effects they want.
- There is serious
risk of overdose. This can kill.
- Mixing
barbiturates with even small amounts of alcohol, heroin or
tranquillisers can also be fatal.
- Repeated use can
lead to psychological and physical dependency.
- Withdrawal from
barbiturates can be difficult. Symptoms include irritability,
nervousness, inability to sleep, nausea, and even convulsions.
- Sudden withdrawal
from high doses can be fatal.
- Injecting is the
most dangerous form of taking barbiturates.
- Heavy users are
also liable to bronchitis and pneumonia (because the cough
reflex is suppressed) and hypothermia.
The Law:
- Barbiturates are a
Class B drug, which are only legally available on prescription.
If you are planning on taking barbituates:
- Falling over and
accidents become more likely when you are on barbituates. It has
been known for users to fall into fires and pass out. Avoid
ordinarily risky situations.
- There is a high
risk of overdose because the lethal dose is quite close to the
'normal' dose level. 10 tablets may be fatal and this risk is
greater if barbiturate use is combined with use of other downer
drugs such as alcohol, heroin or tranquillisers.
Advice and support:
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