Halcion Addiction and Abuse

Halcion Info

• Halcion Addiction and Abuse
• Halcion Symptoms and Warning Signs
• Halcion Treatment and Rehab
• Halcion Withdrawal and Detox

Classified as a benzodiazepine, Halcion is a drug that functions as a central nervous system depressant, slowing down the actions of the spinal cord and brain. Halcion is primarily administered for sleep disorders, but can also be used for the treatment of seizures and anxiety, or serve as a muscle relaxant.

It’s worth emphasising that this drug is only suitable for short-term use. This is because evidence indicates that tolerance and physical dependence can develop rather quickly. The immediate effects of using Halcion include sedation, relaxation and mild euphoria, as well as decreased flow of thoughts. These pleasurable effects are what lead to the abuse of the drug, which over time leads to addiction.

Once addiction to Halcion takes hold, it becomes very difficult to quit on your own, as withdrawal symptoms will occur once all traces of the drug leave your system. Said withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to painful in their intensity, depending on the extent of your addiction.

To avoid substance abuse and prevent the onset of addiction, it’s best to use Halcion only according to the prescription of your doctor. It is also crucial you don’t use the drug for longer than recommended or combine it with other substances, without first informing your doctor.

What is Halcion?

Halcion is the original brand name for Triazolam, which was patented in 1970 and has been on sale in the United States since 1982. It is a central nervous system depressant, whose use in clinical medicine is similar to that of other benzodiazepines. However, compared to other benzodiazepines, Halcion is mostly used for treating severe insomnia.

Halcion possesses hypnotic, amnesic, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic properties – it’s also a muscle relaxant. Because of its short half-life, Halcion is not recommended for patients who suffer from early or frequent awakenings. The short half-life of the drug also makes it inappropriate for long-term treatment of anxiety or seizure management.

History of Halcion addiction

Compared to using Halcion, non-pharmacological treatment options have proven to deliver better and longer-lasting improvements in sleep quality. Upon discontinuation of using Halcion, worsening insomnia (rebound insomnia) can occur, even if the drug was only used for a short period of time. This could lead a patient to abuse the drug or use it for longer than necessary to maintain the desired effects.

Quitting Halcion suddenly once addiction has developed can lead to a variety of withdrawal symptoms, which can range between mildly unpleasant and quite severe. Examples of severe Halcion withdrawal symptoms include vomiting, stomach and muscle cramps, tremors, sweating – and, in rare cases, convulsions.

Causes and risk factors of Halcion addiction and abuse

Because Halcion is generally prescribed for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety disorders, those who use the drug might later abuse it to heighten its effects and subsequently become addicted.

People who have co-occurring disorders usually abuse anxiety drugs by self-medicating or combining them with other substances. Examples of such co-occurring disorders include post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, massive depressive disorder or sleeping disorders.

Professionals with stressful jobs also have a high likelihood of abusing Halcion, as they often suffer from work-related anxiety, sleeplessness or physical stress. In truth, anyone who has been prescribed Halcion is at risk of abusing it and becoming addicted, which is why the drug is only used to treat extreme cases or where an alternative form of treatment is deemed inadequate. Other risk factors that can result in Halcion addiction include:

Halcion should also never be taken with alcohol or cocaine.

How Halcion affects the mind and body

Halcion is used in clinical medicine as an anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and sedative. The drug is mostly prescribed for short-term use to individuals with insomnia, or severe anxiety that leads to serious distress.

Halcion functions by affecting your body’s release of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). GABA is a brain neurotransmitter that can influence your internal system by causing a sedated or tranquilised effect, as well as inhibiting transmission of nerve signals. By increasing the effects of GABA on the brain, Halcion will reduce nerve signal transmissions and hyperactivity within the central nervous system. This helps put users of the drug at ease by causing a sedating effect and pleasurable sensations.

Signs, symptoms and effects of Halcion abuse and addiction

Signs and symptoms of abusing Halcion can include the manifestation of two or more of the following:

Short-term effects of Halcion on the body

Halcion is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that slows down brain activity. Short-term effects of the drug can include:

• Anxiety relief
• Drowsiness
• Feelings of well-being
• Relaxation

These effects can be induced fairly quickly and could potentially lead to abuse, as people rely on the drug for quick relief. Other abusers use Halcion to achieve a sedating ‘high’.

Long-term effects of using Halcion

Halcion and other benzodiazepines shouldn’t be used long-term as this can lead to physical dependence. Aside from physical dependence, other long-term effects of chronic abuse of Halcion can include:

Psychological signs and symptoms of Halcion abuse and addiction

Psychological signs of abuse and addiction can include:

Depending on the severity of your addiction, you may also experience a symptom known as Delirium Tremens (DT). This is often characterized by a sudden change in your mental state that leaves you disoriented and confused. DT can also be accompanied by extreme anxiety, tremors, hallucinations and decreased attention span.

Signs of Halcion withdrawal and overdose

Halcion withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop using it suddenly after prolonged use. You should only use Halcion at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest possible period of time. Long-term use of Halcion increases the risk of developing a physical dependency to the drug, and this can occur even within a short timeframe.

Halcion’s short half-life means its withdrawal symptoms could be more severe than those of benzodiazepines with a longer half-life. Symptoms of Halcion withdrawal are can include:

Severe withdrawal symptoms can include psychosis, auditory hallucinations, and cognitive disorders. A medically assisted detox is often the best way to overcome such symptoms.

A Halcion overdose can be lethal, depending on the circumstances. Generally, emergency treatment at a hospital greatly minimizes the potential fatality of an overdose. Symptoms of a Halcion overdose might include the following:

• Amnesia
• Respiratory depression
• Impaired motor function
• Slurred speech
• Seizure
• Coma

If you are experiencing any of the above (or see a loved one displaying any such symptoms), please seek prompt medical attention.

Physical, emotional and social effects of Halcion abuse and addiction

Appropriate use of Halcion can still lead to the manifestation of physical and psychological side effects. However, misusing the drug only increases the risks of the associated harmful effects taking hold. These can include:

Physical symptoms such as drowsiness, poor coordination, upper stomach pain, staggered walk, rigid muscles, fatigue, chest pain, depressed breathing, accelerated heart rate, blurred vision, dizziness, headache, itching, slurred speech, problems with urination, jaundice, numbness and a tingling sensation. Females may experience changes to their menstruation cycle.

Psychological symptoms can include depression, memory problems, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, nervousness and an increase (or decrease) in libido.

Abuse of Halcion can also result in mental and behavioural disorders, which can manifest via the following symptoms:

• Aggression
• Hostility
• Irritability
• Increased excitement
• Impulsivity

Aside from the health dangers, substance abuse also negatively impacts your social relationships and leaves you vulnerable in a number of ways.

Long-term Halcion abuse can severely impact social aspects of your life in the following manner:

Individual counselling: During individual counselling, you’ll receive one-on-one treatment from an addiction specialist, who will talk to you about your condition and help identify the root cause of your substance abuse. You’ll also be taught about how to avoid the stressors and triggers that typically led you to abuse Halcion, as well as healthy ways to cope in the outside world without having to abuse drugs.

Support groups: This is a highly effective form of drug rehabilitation that will provide help and support through group therapy. You’ll attend sessions with people who are going through exactly the same thing and attendees can help each other stay focused and committed to abstinence. Narcotics Anonymous and other 12-step programmes are examples of such support groups.

Family therapy: Family is a very important support system for any recovering addict. In order for them to be able to help you stay clean long-term, it’s important that family (or other supportive loved ones) receive necessary training on how to effectively support you and help you stay off Halcion.

Halcion addiction: Facts and statistics

1.2 million prescriptions for Halcion are issued each year. In the United States, about 10-15% of adults suffer from chronic insomnia, with Halcion one of the most prescribed tranquilisers for treatment. In 2008, more than 60,000 treatment admissions occurred from the abuse of benzodiazepines.

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