Temazepam Addiction Symptoms
Temazepam is one of the lesser talked about prescription drugs. It belongs to a group of pharmaceutical medications called benzodiazepines, and temazepam holds great potential for abuse, addiction and dependence. Dependence requires careful detoxification overseen by medical professionals to avoid temazepam addiction symptoms.
If you or a loved one have a dependence on temazepam and want to break free from its overpowering hold, we can help.
Detox Plus UK provide safe and effective medical withdrawal from all kinds of benzodiazepines, including temazepam. Our recommended CQC registered detox clinics in the UK can help you get your life back on track and start living your best life free from drug dependency.
What is Temazepam?
Commonly sold under the brand name of Restoril amongst others, is a prescription medication used in the treatment of insomnia. Temazepam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines which act as a sedative, slowing down the brain and body and relaxing the muscles. The drug is also classified as a hypnotic – a particular kind of sleeping tablet.
Temazepam is an oral medication and should not be taken for any longer than ten days. Prolonged use or abuse of this drug can and often does lead to physical dependence and addiction.
Temazepam’s effects take up to an hour from ingestion to take hold and generally last for up to eight hours. As a long-acting benzodiazepine, its effects can be felt the following day.
Temazepam 10mg tablets
Temazepam was patented in 1962 and became available for medical use in 1969. In the UK, the drug is regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and can only be legally obtained on prescription.
Due to its potential to lead to addiction, it is a Class C controlled drug. This means that there are strict indications and protocols in place for prescribers to help prevent abuse and dependence.
Temazepam Addiction Symptoms
Just like any other benzodiazepine medication, temazepam comes with a whole host of potential physical and psychological side effects. These side effects will not occur in everyone who uses the drug, and some side effects will lessen over time as the body becomes more used to the drug.
The severity of addiction symptoms depend on the individual and their sensitivity to the drug, and it also depends on the dosage prescribed.
Physical side effects of addiction include:
- Sleepiness
- Drowsiness
- Drug dependence
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance and reduced coordination
- Delayed reaction and response
- Slurred speech
- Inability to concentrate
- Reduced ability to make safe decisions
- Inability to stay awake
- Reduced alertness
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue and drowsiness that lasts into the next day
- Blurred vision
- Problems with urinating
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Unusual sleep activity such as sleepwalking
- Low blood pressure and slowed heart rate
- Slowed and shallow breathing
- Racing and erratic heartbeat
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Pale and clammy skin
- Loss of consciousness
Psychological side effects include:
- Anxiety
- Memory loss and amnesia
- Depression
- Psychological dependence
- Reduced inhibitions
- Nervousness
- Euphoria
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Self-harm compulsions
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
- Suicidal ideation
Addiction symptoms that are highlighted in red are serious side effects, and while less commonly occurring than other side effects, if they do occur, immediate medical treatment should be sought.
A doctor should review any side effect that presents as severe of troublesome.
Dangers of abusing temazepam
Temazepam is considered a safe and effective drug when taken exactly as prescribed and for no longer than prescribed.
Severe side effects and complications associated with the drug generally occur when it is abused.
Source: ONS – Benzodiazepines such as temazepam were responsible for a record number of deaths in England and Wales in 2018
What is classified as abuse of temazepam
The following indications are signs of abuse of temazepam:
- Taking a higher dosage than is prescribed
- Taking more frequently than prescribed
- Diverting the prescribed administration of the drug (i.e. preparing the drug for injection or snorting)
- Taking for other purposes than its medical indications
- Taking temazepam that does not belong to you
- Purchasing temazepam from the dark web or a street dealer
- Using a prescription for temazepam that belongs to someone else
- Mixing temazepam with other drugs or alcohol (including other prescribed drugs or over the counter medications that your GP is not aware of)
- Taking for longer than prescribed
- Using multiple doctors to access more of the drug
- Lying or manipulating your GP for more (i.e. telling your GP you have lost a prescription or pills when you have not, or exaggerating or making up symptoms)
Temazepam abuse is extremely dangerous; not only can it lead to dependence and addiction, but it can also lead to life-threatening complications and death.
If you are abusing temazepam, are addicted or have a dependence, please call Detox Plus UK today for immediate advice and effective private inpatient treatment.
The cycle of temazepam dependence
There are many benefits to quitting if you have developed a dependence, but while in the cycle of active addiction, these reasons can be hard to see.
Dependence is progressive in nature. Once your brain and body have become tolerant of temazepam’s effects, you will need to take more of the drug to feel its original benefits. Tolerance and dependence can lead an individual to regularly taking very high and dangerous doses. The more temazepam you are taking, the harder it is to stop without professional help.
Temazepam dependence causes withdrawal symptoms to develop if you do not take the required amount at a specific time. Many individuals mistake temazepam withdrawal symptoms for medical conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, panic disorder or another mental health illness. Naturally, this mistaken belief justifies the means to continue taking temazepam.
Once you have been safely detoxed from a temazepam dependence, you will feel the numerous benefits. You will feel less anxious, sleep better, have more energy and motivation, feel happier and less agitated, look and feel healthier … to name but a few.
For more information on how Detox Plus UK can help you to quit, call and speak with one of our addiction treatment experts today.
Temazepam withdrawal symptoms
Benzodiazepines are one of the most dangerous drugs you can withdraw from, and temazepam is no exception. Benzodiazepines primary function is to slow down the brain and body and provide muscular relaxation. Temazepam works by increasing the amount of GABA produced in the brain, promoting feelings of relaxation and wellbeing.
Abrupt cessation or rapid withdrawal of the drug where there is a dependence can result in life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, long term health complications and even death. It is for this reason that a full medically managed detox is recommended.
If you do suffer from a temazepam dependence, it is vital that you do not suddenly stop taking the drug.
Temazepam addiction symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Abdominal cramps
- Agitation
- Depression
- Diarrhoea
- Panic
- Fear
- Seizures
- High blood pressure
- Racing thoughts
- Irrational thoughts
- Fever
- Increased sweating
- Tachycardia
- Tremors
- Loss of appetite
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Muscle spasms and cramps
- Insomnia
- Temazepam cravings
- Suicidal thoughts and ideation
Undergoing a medical drug detox where a dependence has been identified will help to manage and relieve withdrawal symptoms. The chances of developing PAWS (post-acute withdrawal symptoms) where there is a heavy dependence are also dramatically reduced.
Who should not take temazepam
Temazepam (Restoril) is not suitable for everyone, and specific individuals should avoid taking this medication altogether.
You should not take temazepam if you:
- Have a history of depression, mental health illness, past suicide attempts, previous or current suicidal thoughts
- Have a history of drug or alcohol abuse
- Are a heavy drinker
- Are taking any kind of opiate or sedative (prescribed or non prescribed)
- Have a history of addiction
Treatment for temazepam addiction symptoms
If you or a loved one have an addiction or dependency to temazepam, it is essential to seek the correct professional help. Very few who are addicted can wean themselves off on their own. Addiction is a very serious illness that requires very specific treatment in order to overcome.
For any person who has failed to wean themselves off of the drug, professional intervention can really help. It can be the difference between life and death.
Detox Plus UK has many exemplary CQC registered detox clinics and rehabs that can facilitate a full medical detox and rehab programme. Our detox clinics are run by trained and experienced professionals, providing around the clock care in a safe and drug-free environment.
Our recommended rehab programmes are tailored to each patient’s individual needs and consist of the latest evidence-based addiction treatments that are proven to work!
By undergoing treatment at one of our recommended detox or rehab centres for dependence or addiction, you will reap the following benefits:
- Receive 24/7 care from a team of medical and addiction treatment professionals
- Be in a safe, nurturing and compassionate environment conducive to recovery
- Undergo a full medical detox
- The opportunity to undergo a bespoke rehabilitation programme designed to unearth and heal the root causes of addiction
- Be educated on essential relapse prevention techniques
- Return home after completion of treatment temazepam free!
Call us today for immediate help for temazepam dependence on 02072052734.
Sources:
ONS
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Wikipedia
NHS Digital
