Lunesta-Zopiclone Symptoms and Warning Signs
Lunesta-Zopiclone Info
Lunesta is a sedative drug typically prescribed for the treatment of sleep conditions such as insomnia. However, Lunesta is a drug that has an extremely high potential for abuse and subsequent addiction. It is for this reason that it should only be used for a short period; the risk for addiction increases with higher doses and prolonged use.
Repeated use of Lunesta over a period of just a few weeks can lead to a physical and psychological dependence. This is due to tolerance developing very quickly as the brain adapts to the presence of the drug in your system. This could potentially lead to an increase in dose,in turn causing the body to crave the substance whenever the effects wear off.
Many of those taking Lunesta to help them sleep go on to develop an addiction without even realising what is happening. If you are taking this medication, then it is important to be alert to the signs of abuse and addiction. Perhaps you have already crossed the line from normal use to problem use and now need of help to regain control of your life. If this is the case, then the good news for you is that help is available.
Other Names for Lunesta
Lunesta is a brand name for the generic drug eszopiclone.
Recognising the Common Warning Signs of Lunesta Abuse
Prescription drugs are, for the most part, taken to treat genuine medical conditions; there are some people though who take them for other purposes. Either way, what often happens is that those prescribed Lunestago on to abuse it without even realising they are doing so.
It may sound strange to think that people would not realise they are abusing their medication, but most are unaware of what abuse actually is. For example, taking more of a medication than advised to by a medical professional is classed as abuse.
Not everyone using Lunesta will go on to abuse it or develop an addiction, but this substance does have a high potential for abuse because of how quickly the body adapts to it. Lunesta can alter the way the brain functions, making it difficult to think clearly and making it hard to recognise that a line has been crossed from regular use to problem use.
If you are starting to rely on Lunesta to function, and you feel as though you need it to help you cope with life, it could be the case that you already have a problem with it. If you have increased consumption to achieve certain feelings, you are already abusing the drug and so need to act as soon as possible to prevent the inevitable addiction from developing.
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
The Dangers of Lunesta Abuse
Lunesta can cause great harm, particularly if it is taken in high doses or when it is used in conjunction with other substances such as alcohol. Taking Lunesta with other drugs enhances the side effects, but polydrug use is extremely dangerous.
Mixing Lunesta with alcohol causes severe drowsiness and dizziness. As both substances are central nervous system depressants, breathing and heart rate slow, while there is also the risk of low blood pressure.
Another danger of mixing Lunesta with other drugs or alcohol is the risk of overdose,and all the consequences, often fatal,that this entails.
Lunesta also has the ability to impair thinking and judgement,often resulting in the user taking unnecessary risks. As with other sedative drugs, Lunesta has been known to result in erratic behaviours in some individuals,and although some of these activities are harmless others could lead to serious harm for both user and others.
Abusing Lunesta can result in issues in other areas of your life as well. You may have noticed, for example, a deterioration in your relationships with those around you or that your ability to enjoy life as you used to is diminished.
Recognising a Lunesta Addiction
Most people that develop addiction find it difficult to spot the signs in themselves. It is much easier for those whose minds are not clouded by drugs to see the negative consequences of substance abuse. As there is no way to diagnose an addiction with a blood test or physical exam, there are a number of signs to look out for instead.
If you are worried about having an addiction to Lunesta, think carefully about how you use it and how much control you have over this use. For example, if you find it difficult to function without the medication, or if you have started taking it for reasons other than which it was intended, you already have an issue with it.
Addiction does not happen overnight, so because it is a gradual process, it is hard to see what is occurring. Many individuals do not realise they have a problem until they try to quit the medication and finding out that they are unable to do so.
Think about how your Lunesta use is affecting your daily life. When an addiction develops, use of a substance begins to take over everything and you might find that you are consumed by the overwhelming need for the drug. You could be isolating yourself, preferring to spend time by yourself so that you can hide your use of Lunesta from those around you.
If you have lost interest in people and activities, it is likely that you are addicted. If you continue to use the drug despite knowing that it is causing negative consequences for you, you almost certainly need professional help to get better.
Lunesta Addiction and the Brain
Lunesta encourages GABA production within the brain; it is this neurochemical that regulates brain activity, causing feelings of relaxation and/or sleepiness. However, Lunesta can have a negative impact on other areas of the brain, including the reward and pleasure centres.
Learn the Immediate Side Effects of Lunesta Abuse
There are several common side effects associated with short-term use of Lunesta, including:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- headache
- runny nose
- cough
- grogginess upon waking
- bitter or metallic taste on the tongue
- memory problems
- sleepwalking
- anxiety
- hallucinations
- confusion
- depression.
Learn the Long-Term Lunesta Abuse Side Effects
Taking Lunesta for extended periodscan lead to side effects such as:
- decreased cognitive functioning
- chronic depression
- memory loss
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- heart irregularities
- an increased risk of heart attack.
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
Intervention for a Lunesta Addiction
If you suspect that someone you know or care about has been abusing Lunesta, it is important to intervene as soon as possible. Failure to act will only mean this person’s situation worsening. Moreover, no matter how much you might want the situation to resolve itself, this is extremely unlikely to happen, if not impossible. Indeed, it is far more likely that the problem will progress to addiction,resulting in negative consequences for everyone involved.
If you are worried about how to broach the subject of substance abuse or addiction with the person, you can seek advice from an addiction expert. You should be aware that the affected individual is unlikely to see things the way that you do. As we alluded to above, addiction is not easily recognisable by those affected by it.
Find a time when the person is more likely to be open to the idea of help and then tackle the subject in a calm way. Avoid judgement or accusations, and even if you are met with denial or anger, try to stay calm and do not get into an argument or shouting match. You might find that he or she is already aware that the problem exists. If not thenyour concerns might just give him or her something to consider.
Detox and Withdrawal from Lunesta Abuse
Stopping Lunesta suddenly without help will almost certainly result in withdrawal symptoms. To minimise the discomfort of withdrawal, it is highly recommended that you detox in a special facility where dedicated staff can ensure your comfort and safety.
It may be necessary to taper your dose of Lunesta over a period of weeks as this can help to minimise any withdrawal symptoms. Nevertheless, a severe addiction to Lunesta warrants detoxing in a specialised facility.
Treatment and Next Steps
Overcoming an addiction to Lunesta starts with detox, but this process is only designed to address your physical addiction. To get to the heart of the problem it is also necessary to go through a programme of rehabilitation; this takes place in a residential clinic or on a day care basis.
Most residential clinics are provided by private clinics and offer you the chance to get well in the shortest amount of time. Programmes tend to run from between four and twelve weeks, but the length of the programme will depend on how severe your illness is and how you are responding to treatment.
If you choose an NHS or charity-run programme for treatment, it is likely that this will entail an outpatient programme. You will not have to stay in the clinic overnight and instead will attend regular counselling instead. As you might imagine, as these programmes are less intensive than their inpatient counterparts, they tend to run for a much longer period, often for several months or more.
Questions about Treatment
Will rehab cure my addiction for good?
Addiction is a treatable illness, but you should know that there is currently no cure for it. To ensure you have a long and healthy life, you will need to complete a comprehensive recovery programme that includes detox, rehabilitation, and aftercare. Rehab will help you understand more about your illness and will give you the tools required to stay clean for the rest of your days.
Nonetheless, you should be aware that the threat of relapse is always present,so it is up to you to work hard on maintaining your sobriety if you want to stay on the right track permanently.
What will happen if I don’t get treatment?
You might feel as if you are not ready for treatment yet, or you may be hoping that if you do nothing, your problems will pass. This is unlikely to happen. Addiction is an illness that requires treatment,so if you do nothing now, your situation will only deteriorate.
The addiction will continue to worsen, and your health will suffer. You will also notice a marked decline in your standard of living. Your relationships with the people you love will be pushed to breaking point and you will be in danger of losing everything that is important to you. By accessing help now, you can regain control of your life and work on putting things right so that you can start to enjoy your life once more.
Should I choose a local rehab clinic?
Rehab clinics are available across the UK as well as overseas, and you will have the choice of where you want to be treated. If you choose a local clinic, you can benefit from having your family members close by. You may also benefit from not having to travel far for follow-up care when you leave the clinic.
There might be opportunities for work placements within your local community as part of your recovery. Nevertheless, it may be the case that you do not want to stay locally for whatever reasons. Maybe you want to have a level of anonymity that you believe would not be afforded to you if you chose a local clinic. Or perhaps the idea of recovering in a warm climate in an overseas country appeals to you. Where you choose to have your treatment is really a matter of personal preference.
Can my employer fire me for having addiction treatment?
It is natural to be worried about taking time off work for addiction treatment, and you may fear that you will lose your job if your employer finds out about your illness. However, if you continue to abuse Lunesta, you have a much higher chance of losing your job for using substances while at work.
You may believe that you have been effective at hiding your illness, but the chances are your employer and co-workers already suspect a problem is afoot. It is important to get help now, and you cannot be fired for getting treatment for an illness.
How will I pay for treatment?
In the UK, free programmes are available for addiction through the NHS and charity organisations. These programmes often come with a waiting list though, so you may be keen to access a private programme so that you can get started as soon as possible.
With a private programme, you will need to pay a fee, and this can be quite expensive. However, you should check if you are eligible for government funding as some clinics will accept this as a form of payment. Other clinics also offer payment plans to help you spread the cost.
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.