Restoril addiction treatment that actually works

Restoril is the brand name for the drug temazepam. Restoril belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, along with others such as Ativan, Valium and Klonopin.

Restoril may be prescribed for short-term management of conditions such as anxiety or panic disorders, but it’s most commonly used to treat severe or disabling sleep disorders.

Benzodiazepine medications like Restoril work by increasing levels of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain.

This naturally occurring chemical reduces sensory excitation and communication between nerves in the body and central nervous system. This can help relieve anxiety, and it also causes somnolence (sleepiness), loss of coordination, and impaired judgement.

In addition to increasing levels of GABA, Restoril also triggers the release of other neurotransmitters, including dopamine. Dopamine is one of the “feel-good” chemicals naturally produced in the body, and it brings on feelings of euphoria and relaxation.

The body quickly builds up a tolerance to the drug, requiring users to take more and more to get the same effect as before. In as little as a few weeks, users can start developing a dependence. As the brain can no longer produce appropriate levels of GABA and dopamine on its own, the nervous system becomes extremely sensitive and goes into overdrive without the drug. This is what causes withdrawal symptoms.

Restoril withdrawal symptoms typically begin within a few hours of the last dose. Factors such as duration and frequency of use, as well as what dosage the person used, mean that the time to onset of withdrawal symptoms varies from person to person.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Increased anxiety and nervousness
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
• Panic
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Muscle spasms/tension
• Intense sweating
• Memory issues
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

The safest and most effective way to treat Restoril withdrawal is to use pharmacological treatment to ease physical symptoms while also implementing psychological treatment and support to help the patient learn healthy ways to cope with the stress and anxiety they experience.

Medical detox for benzodiazepines like Restoril involves carefully tapering down the patient’s dose under close medical supervision. This gradually reduction in the dose allows the body to adjust to lower and lower levels without inducing severe withdrawal symptoms.

Medical staff may also provide other medications, including low doses of a longer-acting benzodiazepine like Valium, as well as aids such as antidepressants or beta-blockers that help alleviate certain withdrawal symptoms in some people.

Restoril is a short-acting benzodiazepine, so its effects wear off fairly quickly, and withdrawal symptoms typically set in as soon as the drug is out of a user’s system – about 10-12 hours after the last dose.

The amount of time a person will experience withdrawal symptoms depends on individual factors like how long they’ve been taking it and at what dosage, but a typical progression looks something like this:

Initial withdrawal phase (~1 – 4 days) – Common symptoms include anxiety and depression, insomnia.

Acute withdrawal phase (~4 days – 2 weeks) – This phase is where most people experience the worst symptoms and are at risk for things like seizures that require close medical supervision.

Post-acute withdrawal phase (~2 weeks – months, years) – Duration and severity of post-acute withdrawal symptoms vary greatly, especially if there are underlying psychological issues such as an anxiety or panic disorder.

Restoril abuse can result in a number of unpleasant effects, including:

• Short-term memory loss
• Flashbacks
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Chest pain
• Muscle pain
• Uncontrollable muscle twitches
• Migraines
• Seizures
• Interpersonal conflicts
• Suicidal thoughts
• Depression

One of the biggest dangers of Restoril abuse is that users often combine it with other substances, including alcohol and opiates like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and heroin, which can greatly amplify the effects of both substances.

Polysubstance abuse like this can cause profound impairment to short-term memory, judgement, and coordination – increasing the likelihood of accidental injury and/or potentially fatal overdose.

The signs and symptoms of chronic Restoril abuse will vary slightly for each individual, but they often include:

• Drowsiness
• Sleeping for long periods of time
• Impaired thinking and judgement
• Slurred speech
• Loss of coordination
• Short-term memory loss
• Sluggishness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Delirium

Chronic Restoril abuse may lead to changes in appearance and behavior that affect relationships and work performance. Other signs of chronic use can resemble indications for using the drug in the first place, such as anxiety and insomnia.

Overdosing on Restoril is possible when taken beyond the prescribed maximum dosage. The likelihood of a severe or fatal overdose further increases if it is mixed with alcohol or other drugs.

High doses of benzodiazepines can have serious side effects, including:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Weakness
• Slurred speech
• Memory loss
• Lack of coordination
• Difficulty breathing
• Coma