ABSTRACT
Alcohol, barbiturates, nonbarbiturate hypno-sedatives, and minor tranquilizers may all be considered to comprise a single pharmacological category of nonselective central nervous system depressants. A lcohol-hy pnosedative drug dependence includes a consideration of a diverse group of agents including ethanol and barbiturates, as well as drugs such as chloral hydrate, meprobamate, glutethimide, and chlordiazepoxide. The alcoholic, introduced to barbiturates, finds their effects to be similar to, and to enhance those, of alcohol. The alcoholic may turn completely to barbiturates, finding them easier to conceal, and less upsetting to his stomach. Barbiturates are classified, according to their duration of action, as ultra-short, intermediate, or long-acting compounds. Barbiturates can cause drowsiness, impaired judgment, lack of emotional control, slurred speech, motor incoordination, and ataxia. Abrupt discontinuance of barbiturates, following prolonged chronic abuse, precipitates an abstinence syndrome not unlike that seen in alcohol withdrawal. The acute effects of alcohol ingestion have been either observed or experienced by everyone, and require little elucidation.
