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Pentobarbital Addiction Treatment That Actually Works

For more than a decade, we’ve made it our mission to help people with substance abuse and addiction through our comprehensive, personalized treatment programs. Our continuum of care includes inpatient, outpatient, and continuing care programs designed to treat the whole person for a lifetime.

Our unique scientific approach uses evidence-based therapies administered by board-certified psychiatrists, physicians, and other experts. That’s why our program is successful for 84% of those we treat, much better than the 50% rate with traditional 12-step programs.

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Treatment options for pentobarbital addiction

Even when taken as prescribed, barbiturate drugs such as pentobarbital have a high potential for abuse and dependence. Additionally, the withdrawal symptoms that accompany quitting Pentobarbital can be highly unpleasant and even dangerous without medical supervision.

To quit taking pentobarbital safely and effectively, most people require the help of an inpatient drug rehab program with the ability to treat the physical symptoms of addiction and withdrawal, as well as any psychological issues that contributed to and/or resulted from the pentobarbital addiction.

Enterhealth offers supervised medical drug detox (also known as withdrawal stabilization) for pentobarbital addiction. Medical detox for pentobarbital addiction typically involves slowly tapering a patient’s dose down over time to minimize the unpleasant and potentially life-threatening symptoms of withdrawal.

Please note that medical detox is NOT considered treatment.

Rather, it’s a necessary first step that prepares patients so they can fully participate in a long-term treatment program of behavioral therapy and psychological counseling.

Addiction counseling at Enterhealth includes individual, group, and family counseling, depending on the needs of the patient. We also offer continuing care programs, which we consider an essential part of any discharge plan, as they offer continued counseling and support over a number of years.

Treatment plans for pentobarbital may include:

  • Individual counseling
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy sessions
  • Pharmacotherapy (medication management)
  • Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
  • Supportive Outpatient Programs (SOP)
  • Maintenance Outpatient Programs (MOP)
  • Wellness, nutritional, and stress management education

A range of treatment options based on you

Each person’s path to addiction is unique with different neurological, emotional, social and environmental contributing factors. That’s why the Enterhealth journey to recovery is personalized to meet individuals and families where they are. Whether you need immersive inpatient care or outpatient treatment, we offer a range of evidence-based treatment options and innovative therapies. Enterhealth is the only facility with highly trained on-site addiction specialists, including PhDs, MDs and Master’s Level Therapists, who coordinate care at every stage. Because we understand the science behind addiction, we are best equipped to assess and treat individuals and families. Contact us to see why we’re the only facility with an 84% success rate.

RESIDENTIAL

PROVIDING A HEALING PLACE FOR NEW BEGINNINGS

Enterhealth Ranch offers inpatient care that’s on your side, not on the clock. It’s a nurturing environment where treatment is highly personalized and intensified. Every patient has a private room and 24/7 access to addiction trained specialists who use evidence-based treatments and comprehensive care, including medical detox, in-depth medical and psychological assessments, individual and group therapies, life skills and more.

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OUTPATIENT

PROVIDING EXCELLENCE IN YOUR CONTINUUM OF CARE

Enterhealth’s Outpatient Center of Excellence, conveniently located in the Park Cities, is expertly staffed with board-certified addiction specialists. Our comprehensive program is designed for continued recovery care and provides individuals and families the support they need to reconnect with each other and thrive in recovery.

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ALUMNI

FINDING CONNECTIONS TO STRENGTHEN RECOVERY

The Enterhealth Alumni Association offers a unique opportunity for our patients to continue and thrive in their recovery by building relationships through shared experiences. This one-of-a-kind support environment provides a nurturing space where participants can gain understanding, learn from others and continue to rebuild their lives.

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CORPORATE SERVICES

SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES IN THEIR RECOVERY

Recovery is one of the most important benefits you can give your employees. Enterhealth provides comprehensive, evidence-based residential and outpatient programs and continued 24/7 technological support with Enterhealth Connect. It’s a tool employees can use to access expert care that fits their schedule for online consultations with highly trained addiction specialists, dynamic content including blogs, podcasts, videos, and continuously updated tools and resources that will aid in their recovery journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pentobarbital Addiction

What is Pentobarbital?

Pentobarbital (brand names include Luminal, Nembutal) is a sedative in a class known as barbiturates along with secobarbital and pentobarbital. Pentobarbital may be prescribed for the treatment of seizures and related conditions such as epilepsy, as well as insomnia and anxiety.

Barbiturates such as pentobarbital were commonly prescribed substances in the past. However, they have been largely supplanted in modern medicine with benzodiazepine medications, which carry a lower risk for overdose and work for longer periods of time.

How does Pentobarbital work?

Barbiturate drugs like pentobarbital work by increasing the availability and effectiveness of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that suppresses excitation and communication between nerves in the brain and body. By amplifying the effects of GABA, pentobarbital reduces anxiety and tension. It also produces feelings of sleepiness, loss of coordination, and impaired judgment.

Why is Pentobarbital so difficult to quit?

Like most sedative drugs, the main reason why it’s so hard to quit is that withdrawal symptoms can be highly unpleasant. With chronic use, the brain becomes dependent on the drug to maintain GABA levels and allow for normal functioning.

Without the drug in their system, the brain and nerves of people addicted to pentobarbital become hypersensitive, essentially like going into overdrive. This can cause extreme anxiety, difficulty concentrating, muscle twitching, shaking, and/or seizures.

What are Pentobarbital withdrawal symptoms?

The physical and mental withdrawal symptoms typically set in within a few hours following the last dose. Factors such as duration, frequency of use, and dosage, mean that withdrawal symptoms often vary from user to user, but they may include the following:

  • Increased anxiety and nervousness
  • Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
  • Panic
  • Depression
  • Mood swings
  • Muscle spasms/tension
  • Intense sweating
  • Memory issues
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Seizures
  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

How do you treat Pentobarbital withdrawal?

The most effective way to treat pentobarbital withdrawal is with a combination of medically supervised detox and psychological support to help the person cope with the stress and anxiety of quitting.

Medical detox for pentobarbital typically starts with a prescription for a long-acting benzodiazepine medication such as Valium. From there, the patient’s dose will be gradually tapered down until they can discontinue it completely. This process allows the body to slowly adjust to lower and lower levels without inducing severe withdrawal symptoms.

Physicians may also prescribe other medications, such as antidepressants or beta-blockers, which have been shown to alleviate certain withdrawal symptoms in some people.

What are the side effects of Pentobarbital?

Pentobarbital abuse can result in a number of unpleasant effects, including:

  • drowsiness
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • excitement or increased activity
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • slowed breathing or difficulty breathing
  • swelling of the eyes, lips, or cheeks
  • rash
  • blistering or peeling skin
  • fever
  • confusion

What are other dangers of Pentobarbital use?

Besides just overdose, there are other dangers associated with pentobarbital, especially with chronic use and abuse. Long-term abuse of pentobarbital has been linked to conditions including:

  • Cognitive impairment – permanent damage to attention, memory, and problem-solving skills
  • Increased susceptibility for cancer, stroke, and heart attack
  • Psychiatric symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms/delusions

How do you know if someone is addicted to Pentobarbital?

The exact signs and symptoms of chronic pentobarbital abuse vary, but may include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Sleeping for long periods of time
  • Impaired thinking and judgment
  • Slurred speech
  • Loss of coordination
  • Short-term memory loss
  • Sluggishness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Delirium

Chronic Pentobarbital abuse may lead to changes in appearance and behavior that affect relationships and work performance. Users with anxiety/panic disorders often experience a rebound effect once the medication wears off, leading to extreme anxiety symptoms.

Can you overdose on Pentobarbital?

Yes. By far, the biggest danger associated with pentobarbital addiction and abuse is overdose, which is often fatal due to pentobarbital’s ability to depress breathing and heart rate.

In fact, pentobarbital is sometimes included in lethal injections for this exact reason.

*State standard is 1:10 clinical staff to patient ratio