Poisoning resulting from the use of barbiturates, marked by slurred speech, sleepiness, loss of memory, disorientation, and in serious cases, depressed respiration, coma, and death.
Addiction to drugs of the barbiturate group. Signs of intoxication include confusion, slurring of speech, yawning, sleepiness, loss of memory, loss of balance, and reduction in muscular reflexes. Withdrawal of the drugs must be undertaken slowly, over 1-3 weeks, to avoid the withdrawal symptoms of tremors and convulsions, which can prove fatal.