Zaleplon Addiction

Zaleplon is a sleep medicine that has helped many people overcome insomnia and finally get a good night’s rest. However, its sedative effects almost make Zaleplon a potentially addictive substance with serious consequences. If you are struggling with Zaleplon addiction or you have recently been prescribed the medicine, knowing more about how addiction can develop and the signs and symptoms to look out for can help you get the treatment and support you need.

What is Zaleplon?

Zaleplon, also known as Sonata, is a medicine prescribed for insomnia. It is part of a group of medicines called Z-drugs, which are designed to be safer than older sleeping pills like benzodiazepines, which were thought to have more side effects and higher risks of addiction.

Zaleplon works by boosting chemicals in your brain, like GABA, that help you relax and sleep more easily. While Zaleplon is generally safer than some older sleep drugs, it can still cause problems if you use it too long, take too much or use it without a doctor’s guidance. Some of the most serious Zaleplon side effects include:

• Sleepwalking or doing other things while you’re asleep that you don’t remember
• Feeling unsteady, dizzy or lightheaded
• Feeling sleepy during the day
• Feeling faint or like you might pass out
• Trouble with balance and movement
• Difficulty remembering things that just happened
• Zaleplon addiction

Because of these risks, Zaleplon is a controlled substance in the UK, meaning it requires a prescription with serious legal penalties for misuse or dealing.

What is Zaleplon addiction?

Zaleplon addiction can happen when the medicine you are taking for sleep becomes something you feel like you need throughout the day just to function. It can begin with prescription Zaleplon use or with misusing Zaleplon to sedate yourself or self-medicate for stress or anxiety.

You may start with a small Zaleplon dose that helps you sleep but after a while, that dose is no longer sufficient so you increase the amount or start to take it more regularly. This can make you physically dependent on Zaleplon and missing a dose can make you restless or anxious, pushing you to take even more.

As your dependency grows, you will need to commit more time and energy to feeding it. You may start “doctor shopping” for multiple prescriptions or looking for illegal ways to get Zaleplon. As you become more and more emotionally and psychologically dependent on Zaleplon, the addiction can take over your life, causing you to neglect your loved ones and responsibilities.

How to spot Zaleplon addiction symptoms

A big problem with sleeping pill addiction is that it often begins with a genuine, legal prescription. As Zaleplon initially does what it’s supposed to, it can be easy to overlook a growing addiction. Here are some of the subtle Zaleplon addiction symptoms to look out for that may show you are becoming addicted:

• You need more Zaleplon to sleep than before
• Your Zaleplon prescription runs out faster than expected.
• You’re missing fun or important activities to take Zaleplon
• You feel tired even after a full night’s sleep
• You constantly think about taking Zaleplon or where you can get more
• You have trouble remembering things when you have taken Zaleplon
• You spend a lot of money on illegally obtained Zaleplon
• Your family and friends are worried about your Zaleplon use
• You know that Zaleplon is causing you problems, but you keep taking it anyway

Why is Zaleplon addictive?

Zaleplon’s chemical action means anyone can potentially become dependent on it, but full Zaleplon addiction is usually down to a mixture of personal factors. We have a better understanding of what these are, and understanding them can improve prescription practices and help to reduce the risk of Zaleplon addiction:

Misusing Zaleplon

Taking more Zaleplon than your doctor prescribed or using it more often can lead to addiction quickly. This happens because your body gets used to the drug and needs more to get the same effect.

Addiction in your family

If addiction runs in your family, you might be more likely to get addicted to Zaleplon. Unfortunately, this is because you can inherit an increased vulnerability to addiction.

Personal and mental health problems

If you are under a lot of stress or suffering from unresolved depression, anxiety or trauma, you may take Zaleplon for relief. Using Zaleplon to escape from problems in this way can make you rely on it and lock you into a cycle of addiction.

Past substance abuse

If you’ve had problems with drugs or alcohol previously, there may be a higher risk of Zaleplon addiction as your brain might already be wired that way.

No support

Without loved ones to support you when you are struggling, Zaleplon can become an appealing crutch, leading to addiction.

The dangers of Zaleplon addiction

Zaleplon addiction is just as dangerous as being dependent on illegal drugs. Some of the potential dangers that you need to be aware of include:

Zaleplon overdose

If you take too much Zaleplon or mix it with other drugs and alcohol, it can affect how your body works. Zaleplon overdose can slow down your breathing and heart rate, which are very dangerous and can be lethal.

Sleep issues

Even though Zaleplon is supposed to help you sleep, using it for too long can make it even harder to sleep than before. This can make you take more, which sinks you even further into Zaleplon addiction.

Mental health problems

Long-term Zaleplon use can make you feel very moody, anxious and depressed. This can be a worsening of existing mental health problems or new ones altogether which you then use Zaleplon to try and manage.

Relationship problems

Zaleplon addiction can strain your relationships with friends and family because you might become dishonest, withdrawn, argumentative and untrustworthy. You may find yourself becoming increasingly isolated from your loved ones, which is the perfect situation for Zaleplon addiction to flourish.

Legal and financial problems

Maintaining a Zaleplon addiction can be very expensive. If you are unable to get enough from your doctor, you may be forced to buy it illegally, which can quickly put you in debt. Some people may also turn to crime to fund their addiction, with legal issues usually not far behind.

Treatment for Zaleplon addiction

Sleeping pill addiction treatment involves several steps, each focusing on a different aspect of Zaleplon addiction so you can achieve and maintain sobriety:

Detox: Detox is when your body gets rid of Zaleplon so you are no longer physically dependent on it. This is safest and most successful when done with medical care and guidance at a professional recovery centre.

Rehab treatment: Rehab is a crucial stage of Zaleplon addiction treatment, where you learn why you got addicted and how to live without Zaleplon. Zaleplon rehab teaches you new ways to deal with problems and gives you support to stay drug-free.

Aftercare: After the first two stages, you will then need ongoing support to help you stay on track. Aftercare should include ongoing therapy, lifestyle changes and support groups to make sure you don’t go back to using Zaleplon.

Get help for Zaleplon addiction today

If you are struggling with Zaleplon addiction, reaching out for help can transform and possibly even save your life. At Banbury Lodge, we offer treatment and support to overcome Zaleplon addiction and build the life that you want. Contact us today to start the process of growth and healing and the chance of a future free from Zaleplon.

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