Pentothal (Thiopental) Addiction Treatment and Rehab

Pentothal (thiopental) is a brand-name barbiturate drug that is commonly administered before general anesthesia. Pentothal helps patients relax before a surgery. It is administered via intravenous injection after the drug is mixed with a diluent. In some cases, if the surgery is minor or brief, Pentothal injection replaces anesthesia.

Pentothal has occasionally been used as a mild sedative for someone suffering from anxiety and for therapeutic purposes as well. Pentothal may also be used as an adjuvant, which helps the body better respond to antigens.

Pentothal produces a hypnotic effect and is fast-acting, usually showing results within 30 to 40 seconds. Because Pentothal loses its effects so quickly, it is normally administered slowly over a short period to cause prolonged anesthesia that can typically last anywhere from three to eight hours. After someone receives a Pentothal injection, they are closely monitored because it works as a sedative that slows down vital signs (e.g. heart rate, breathing, blood pressure). A medical professional will usually inject a patient with a small dose of around 25 to 75 mg to check for adverse interactions.

Treatment Options for Pentothal (Thiopental) Addiction Symptoms

When a person receives a dose of Pentothal, they may experience some side effects. If any uncomfortable or unusual side effects occur during treatment, you should notify a doctor immediately.

Common side effects of Pentothal include:

  • Shivering (chills)
  • Coughing
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Shallow breathing
  • Drowsiness
  • Tightness in the chest (trouble taking breaths)

Although Pentothal is only administered under medical supervision, the class of drugs it is listed under, barbiturates, are generally obtainable and have a high risk for addiction. All barbiturates work as central nervous system (CNS) depressants and essentially have the same functions. When Pentothal is administered, it binds to a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which works to calm one’s nerves.

Some commonly prescribed barbiturates are:

Pentothal (Thiopental) Medical Detox

Barbiturates can be habit-forming and easy to misuse, so it is important to monitor someone that recently received a Pentothal injection.

If a barbiturate like Pentothal is being misused, some warning signs might be:

  • Slurred speech
  • Inability to concentrate (confusion)
  • Mood swings
  • Lack of coordination
  • Impaired motor control
  • Constant drowsiness

Once a barbiturate leaves the system, withdrawal can occur.

A person may experience one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms:

  • Sweating
  • Tremors
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness and weakness

If you or someone you know shows signs of Pentothal misuse, the best and safest option is detoxification at a professional establishment.

Pentothal (Thiopental) Rehabilitation Programs

Selecting the right rehabilitation program is crucial to achieving long-term recovery. Someone struggling with substance use disorder should not hesitate to seek help or attempt detoxification on their own without medical supervision.

Here, at The Recovery Village, we make sure that all of our patients are comfortable and we are dedicated to helping you select a treatment plan that is right for you. At our facilities, each patient will receive options and advice to help ease withdrawal symptoms. We offer individual and group therapy to continue recovery.

The Recovery Village cares about long-term recovery, so we offer counseling to help patients learn what may have caused the substance misuse.

Inpatient Pentothal (Thiopental) Rehab

If a person was recently administered a dose of Pentothal and they begin showing signs of severe substance use disorder, choosing an inpatient treatment program is recommended. The greatest benefit of an inpatient program is that it allows a person struggling with addiction to focus on their long-term recovery. This option removes someone from any potential environment that could lead to relapse. Someone in recovery will also have constant access to a medical staff and medications to help ease their withdrawal symptoms

Outpatient Pentothal (Thiopental) Rehab

Outpatient rehabilitation is typically offered as a continuation of recovery. When a patient finishes inpatient rehab, The Recovery Village will have them return periodically for Pentothal treatment. Outpatient rehab may also be selected if a person has a less-severe addiction.

Choosing a Pentothal (Thiopental) Rehab Center

The Recovery Village offers several treatment options for a person misusing barbiturates like Pentothal. We have rehabilitation facilities across the country and are ready to help you or a loved one live a substance-free life. For more information, call our toll-free 24/7 hotline a  855-972-6610 or contact us online.

Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.

  • Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
  • The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio, this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
  • The Recovery Village Palmer Lake: In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
  • The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington, this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
  • The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida, this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
  • IAFF Center of Excellence: Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
  • Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, offering services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients, dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
  • The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
  • The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
  • The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
  • The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.