While Amytal prescriptions are much less common nowadays, primarily through the adoption of benzodiazepines as a suppressant for anxiety and sleep disorders, addiction to Amytal still exists.
Amytal is prescribed and administered by medical professionals for mental health and insomnia disorders. However, its presence is much higher through illegal consumption.
Through its sedative effect as a barbiturate drug, many individuals abuse Amytal for its sedative properties and its alcohol-like depressant effects.
Amytal is a short-term treatment used for sedation during procedures, short-term management of insomnia, and acute management of refractory tonic-clonic seizures. Misusing the drug beyond recommended quantities and timeframes set by medical professionals significantly increases the risk of addiction which is known to cause rapid change to people’s wellbeing.
As most Amytal abuse is through illicit consumption, medical usage of Amytal has dwindled because of the addictive tendencies of the drug.
Long-term abuse of Amytal can be very dangerous, causing physical and psychological impacts. It can also be very difficult to withdraw from Amytal. If you’re abusing Amytal, sourcing Amytal addiction treatment & rehab services will be beneficial to you.
If you’re abusing Amytal for the effects it has on your anxiety, mental health or sleep, there are alternatives out there to support you while also protecting you from dual diagnosis.
Rehab treatment is accessible through our services here at Addiction Advocates. Call today to learn more on 0800 012 6088.
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What is Amytal?
Amytal is a drug that was historically prescribed for sleep disorders and anxiety-related conditions. It works by producing GABA, a neurotransmitter that influences relaxing effects.
Its effectiveness as a prescription drug developed its reputation in the medical world, recognising it as a once regular treatment for psychologically driven disorders.
However, it’s now rarely prescribed due to the development and positive effects of other benzodiazepine suppressants, but Amytal still circulates and is used by those abusing the drug.
How Addictive is Amytal?
Amytal, through short-term prescription, is safe. However, as prescriptions are low and illicit use is high, prescription guidelines are abused.
Amytal has addictive tendencies if use is continued for longer than the two-week recommended period of use due to the changes it makes to brain structure.
Addiction to Amytal can be an extremely difficult drug to switch off from, and can also result in physical and psychological consequences.
Unfortunately, once the addiction cycle has developed, possible consequences that are typically considered are overlooked and taken over by the intense cravings and effects of Amytal.
As it’s also a sedative drug and suppresses the central nervous system, it results in strong adaptations to both the body and brain. Once long-term abuse has formed, there is a huge increase in the risk of mental health issues and overdose in people abusing the drug.
Ultimately, after two weeks of consistent use, Amytal addiction can develop and be hard to recover from alone. This is why it’s essential to follow guidelines set by medical professionals, as well as know the signs of addiction. This is why it’s crucial to be aware of Amytal addiction treatment & rehab services – seek the treatment you need.
Signs of Amytal Addiction
Due to its strength, signs and symptoms of Amytal addiction include both physical and psychological effects. If you are experiencing any withdrawal symptoms after use, it’s advised that you seek medical help through treatment & rehab services.
Signs of Amytal addiction include:
- Heightened anxiety
- The rebound effect of sleep issues
- Irritability and agitation
- Feeling sedated consistently
- Memory loss
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Dizziness and headaches
- Overdose risks
- Difficulties stopping the consumption of Amytal
- Withdrawal symptoms when doses are wearing off
- Depression and further mental health concerns
- Consequences of consumption, to health, finances, relationships, and legal liabilities
- Feeling engulfed by Amytal, the thought of consumption, cravings, and active use
- Illegal activity to purchase Amytal
- Social and behavioural changes
Appropriate Amytal Addiction Treatment & Rehab Services
As Amytal is powerful, securing professional support will be the only way forward when considering addiction recovery.
Going through a detox alone can be very dangerous, especially when considering the addictive nature of Amytal and the severity of withdrawal symptoms which can be experienced. Undertaking addiction treatment at a private rehab treatment centre is the best option as you have the support and medical team on hand to help you throughout the process.
Amytal Detoxification
An Amytal drug detox process will be highly recommended for users to withdraw from the drug slowly. The drug detox will be a slow process which can last between 7-10 days, as side effects and withdrawal symptoms from consumption can be challenging to experience.
However, a medically recommended detox will ensure that you are safe and able to withdraw from the drug, down to the observations and stepping stone approach to Amytal detoxification that is undertaken at rehab.
Therapeutic Addiction Treatment
Psychological restoration will need to be completed to recover from addiction. Cognitive behavioural therapy, stress management, group therapy, mindfulness and individual therapy will be recommended to treat an Amytal addiction.
Treatment will work to understand the trigger of your consumption, help you rationalise your actions, will help to promote greater coping strategies and showcase your capabilities to manage without Amytal.
If you’re addicted to Amytal due to regular abuse, developing personal coping strategies will be vital to help you recover. If you’ve been abusing Amytal to help with health problems, looking for alternative ways of coping without the use of prescription medications will be aimed.
Relapse prevention planning
To sustain addiction recovery, relapse prevention planning will also need to be completed throughout drug rehab. This follows on from treatment to help clients feel secure with the possibility of sobriety.
A personal plan can be developed with you to be prepared for exposure to Amytal and how to work around it. This works very well with lifestyle management to help you secure a routine that deters the risk of conscious exposure.
Aftercare
Aftercare is a common service that will be offered for a year after rehab treatment. If you select an associated rehab clinic here at Addiction Advocates, you will receive support before, during and after your rehab programme to treat Amytal addiction.
Managing Amytal Addiction
An Amytal addiction causes both negative physical and psychological effects.
It’s reasonable that you may feel anxious about leading a life without the use of Amytal, especially if you have become used to the drug over a long period of time. However, accepting your addiction and learning ways to overcome it is the best way to achieve long-term recovery.
Get in touch with our expert team today to start your recovery today. You can also call on 0800 012 6088.
References
- [1] sedation during procedures, short-term management of insomnia, and acute management of refractory tonic-clonic seizures - https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB01351
- [2] prescribed for sleep disorders - https://reference.medscape.com/drug/amytal-sodium-amobarbital-100005#0
Seth is an author, addiction recovery expert and fully accredited member of the national counselling society. He has experience working with a wide range of addictions and mental illnesses using a number of evidence-based therapies and programmes such as the SMART models of addiction recovery.
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