Temazepam addiction

Temazepam is a very common and effective medication prescribed for conditions such as insomnia, anxiety and seizure disorders. However, temazepam can also be very dangerous with misuse and abuse often resulting in temazepam addiction. In 2021, there were 22 deaths due to temazepam in England and Wales. While these numbers have dropped significantly in the last twenty years, temazepam abuse can still have fatal consequences. Temazepam addiction can be difficult to overcome due to temazepam withdrawal symptoms, high levels of prescription and wide availability. With the right treatment and support, however, it is very possible to beat temazepam addiction and kickstart your life again.

How is temazepam used and abused?

Temazepam, also known by its brand names Restoril and Normison, is a type of prescription drug from the benzodiazepine family. It works by depressing the central nervous system which has a calming effect on the mind and body.

Temazepam can be an effective medication but it is commonly abused for its sedative effects. It is also infamous for being one of the most commonly used date rape drugs as it can cause memory loss and retrograde amnesia, particularly when mixed with alcohol. Temazepam is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in the UK, and it is illegal to possess or supply the drug without a prescription.

How does temazepam addiction develop?

Temazepam addiction is a common prescription drug addiction that can develop both in people who abuse the drug and those who have been prescribed it for legitimate medical reasons.

Prescription temazepam addiction:

People who take temazepam on prescription can develop a tolerance to the drug which means they need to take increasingly larger doses to get the same effect. This can lead to temazepam dependence where the body becomes reliant on the drug to function normally. If the person then tries to stop taking temazepam, they will experience unpleasant temazepam withdrawal symptoms which result in them taking the drug again to alleviate those symptoms, which can ultimately result in addiction.

Addiction through temazepam abuse:

Temazepam abuse often occurs due to the pleasurable effects of taking the drug or to self-medicate underlying mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety and trauma. While the effects of temazepam can help to temporarily soothe the symptoms of these conditions, frequent use can ultimately worsen the conditions. Temazepam abuse often involves taking larger doses than prescribed or mixing it with other drugs, both of which increase the dangerous side effects and the risk of developing a temazepam addiction.

Who is at the most risk of developing a temazepam addiction?

There are a number of risk factors which can increase your chances of developing a temazepam addiction. These include:

• A family history of addiction
• Existing mental health disorders
• A history of trauma
• Stress
• Easy access to temazepam

Do I need temazepam addiction treatment?

It can be difficult to recognise temazepam addiction in yourself as your addiction will try to put up a smokescreen and convince you that everything is fine. Temazepam withdrawal symptoms may also mirror the anxiety and insomnia that you were prescribed the drug for in the first place.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself which may show you are addicted to temazepam:

• Do I feel like I need temazepam to function in everyday life?
• Am I taking temazepam even though I have no medical need for it?
• Do I regularly engage in temazepam abuse because I enjoy the feeling or to soothe psychological problems?
• Have I acquired temazepam in an illegal way?
• Do I continue to take temazepam even though it is causing me problems?
• Do I build up a tolerance to temazepam so that I need higher and higher doses to get the same effect?
• Have I tried to quit temazepam but been unsuccessful because of withdrawal symptoms or cravings?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then you may need professional help. At Liberty House, our temazepam addiction specialists can help you to get to the root causes of your condition and help you to overcome your addiction for good.

What are the health effects of temazepam addiction?

Temazepam abuse and addiction can have a number of harmful effects on your physical and mental health including:

Physical health problems:

• Headaches
• Stomach pain
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Breathing issues
• Memory problems
• Sleep issues
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Risk of fatal overdose

Mental health problems:

• Worsening of existing mental health conditions
• Development of new mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and psychosis

How temazepam addiction can affect your life

In addition to the health effects, temazepam abuse and addiction can also have a number of negative impacts on your life. These include:

• Problems at work or school
• Relationship problems
• Legal problems
• Financial problems

How is temazepam addiction treated?

There are three stages to effective temazepam addiction treatment: detox, rehab and aftercare. Each stage has its own goals and methods but all are equally important in helping you to overcome your addiction.

Temazepam detox and withdrawal

The first step in overcoming temazepam addiction is to break your physical dependence on the drug through temazepam detox. During detox at Liberty House, you will be assessed and slowly weaned off temazepam under the guidance of our expert Consultant Psychologist and on-site doctors. This will help to minimise the risk of severe temazepam withdrawal symptoms which can include:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle pain
• Sweating
• Increased heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Seizures

The severity and duration of temazepam withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person but they usually peak around 3-4 days of the temazepam detox process. After this, temazepam detox tends to become less intense and most temazepam withdrawal symptoms should be mostly finished after two weeks. During this time, our medical team will keep you safe and comfortable so that your body can complete the detox process and clear the drug from your system without causing you too much distress or discomfort.

It is important to note, however, that withdrawal for benzodiazepine addiction can last for months in some cases. If you need further support for withdrawal from temazepam after you finish temazepam detox and leave Liberty House, our medical team will liaise with your GP to make sure you get any assistance and medication you need to stay safe and comfortable.

Temazepam addiction rehab

Alongside breaking the physical dependence through temazepam detox, you will also need to undertake an effective rehab programme to help you to identify and learn to manage the underlying causes of your addiction. This is best done in a dedicated inpatient temazepam rehab facility like Liberty House where you will be shielded from temptation and bad influences and have 24/7 access to support.

During your stay in temazepam rehab, you will take part in a number of evidence-based addiction therapies. These include:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – To help you understand how your thoughts and behaviours are both fuelled by your temazepam addiction and affected by it.
• One-to-one counselling – To provide you with the opportunity to discuss your temazepam addiction with a professional therapist who has been through rehab and recovery themselves.
• Group therapy – To learn from other people in recovery and share your experiences.
• Motivational interviewing – To identify your reasons for wanting to overcome your temazepam addiction and create new goals for the future.
• Family therapy – To repair the damage to relationships caused by temazepam addiction.
• Yoga therapy and meditation – To help you gain control over your thoughts during difficult moments when temazepam addiction cravings arise or when you are at risk of relapse.

By providing a holistic temazepam rehab programme, Liberty House will help you to address every aspect of your temazepam addiction so that you have all the tools you need for addiction recovery. We can help you recognise trauma or underlying mental health conditions that you may not have been aware were fuelling your addiction so that you can develop healthier ways of dealing with these issues.

During temazepam rehab, you will also have the chance to build relationships and connections with the staff and other clients who can help you stay on track with your temazepam addiction recovery. Connection is a vital part of temazepam rehab treatment because addiction is at its most dangerous when it is able to isolate you and keep you away from people trying to help you.

Aftercare

Maintaining that connection after you finish temazepam addiction treatment and go home is crucial for relapse prevention which is why aftercare is such an important stage of temazepam addiction treatment. Leaving the sanctuary of temazepam rehab can be a real shock to the system but aftercare will help to ease you back into everyday life and provide continued support from your addiction therapists and peers. At Liberty House, we provide all clients with one year of free weekly group therapy sessions where you can stay connected to the other people you met during your stay, share your experiences and continue to benefit from group support.

What should I do next?

Temazepam addiction is a serious condition which can ruin lives but with the right treatment and support, it is possible to recover and live a happy and healthy life. Get in touch with Liberty House today and take the first step towards a bright future free of temazepam addiction.

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