Summary
Barbiturates are central nervous system depressants that are sedating and sleep-inducing, giving users a "hypnotic" feeling. They are used as anesthetics or to treat epilepsy, insomnia, anxiety, or severe headaches. Benzodiazepines, another type of central nervous system depressant, are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and epilepsy. Benzodiazepines and barbiturates are highly addictive and are sometimes illegally abused. When used improperly, they can cause death. Barbiturates and Other Depressants, Second Edition provides important up-to-date information on the nature and chemistry of these drugs, their effects, abuse, addiction, and addiction treatment.
About the Author(s)
Christine Adamec is a medical writer with more than 24 books and numerous medical articles to her credit. She has ghostwritten six medical self-help books for physicians on topics such as arthritis, back pain, and migraines. She is the author or coauthor of The Encyclopedia of Addictions and Addictive Behaviors, The Encyclopedia of Adoption, The Encyclopedia of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, The Encyclopedia of Diabetes, and The Encyclopedia of Drug Abuse, all for Facts On File. For Chelsea House, she has written Impulse Control Disorders and Pathological Gambling in the Psychological Disorders series. Adamec is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. She lives in Florida.