Barbiturates are a group of drugs in the class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics, which generally describes their sleep-inducing and anxiety-decreasing effects. While barbiturate abuse may not be as talked about as some other drugs, statistics show that it is a significant health risk. One in five children grow up in households where another member of the household abuses barbiturates or other drugs. Concerning facts about barbiturate abuse include that there is just a small difference between the dose that causes desired sedation and that which causes coma and death; addiction can result from using high doses of this group of medications for as little as one month, and withdrawal symptoms may be life threatening. Phenobarbital is a type of barbiturate becoming increasingly popular among teens, who may not know its dangers - a problem that garners attention from parents, educators and doctors. Phenobarbital, like other barbiturates, acts as a depressant by slowing the activity of the central nervous system. It is most often used to calm patients or stop convulsions, and is typically administered like a hypnotic, a sedative or an anesthetic.