Sedative Addiction

There has been a long list of sedatives during the last century or so which have been designed and prescribed for various medical conditions. As our understanding of sedative side effects has grown, many traditional sedatives have been replaced with newer ones to try and reduce the risk of these problems. Some of the older and newer sedatives you may encounter include:

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are probably the most well-known sedatives and include Valium, Xanax and Ativan. Benzos work quickly, which makes them great for immediate relief, but they are also known for being addictive if used for too long.

Barbiturates

Once a go-to for treating anxiety and sleep disorders, barbiturates like phenobarbital are less common today because of their high risk of overdose and dependency. They work by slowing down the brain’s activity more broadly than benzodiazepines, which makes them effective but also more dangerous.

Sleep medications (Z-drugs)

These include drugs like Zaleplon and Zopiclone, which are specifically designed to help with sleep. They’re similar to benzodiazepines in how they work, but they are usually prescribed for short-term use to avoid the risk of sedative addiction.

Antihistamines

While mostly known for treating allergies, some antihistamines, like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), are also used as mild sedatives because they make you drowsy. These are generally considered safer for occasional use, like helping with sleep, but they are not as strong as other sedatives and can lead to grogginess.

Sedative addiction is when something that started as a way to find peace or relief turns into something you can’t live without. It can begin in various ways, both through prescription use and non-prescribed sedative abuse.

For example, you may initially be prescribed sedatives for anxiety. At first, they may help you feel more in control of your symptoms, but you may soon start reaching out to them to navigate everyday life’s normal ups and downs.

On the other hand, you may decide to take sedatives without a prescription to help you sleep after a rough patch at work. This is often a temporary fix until you get back on track. But soon, one pill can become two, then three, and before you know it, you may find yourself unable to sleep or get through your waking hours without them.

The tricky part about sedative addiction is that it doesn’t just affect your body – it changes the way you think and feel. Once you become addicted, all of your time and energy can become dedicated to getting and using sedatives.

At this point, even if you recognise you have lost control or that sedatives are doing you more harm than good, quitting seems like an impossible challenge. This continued use in the face of negative effects is the definition of sedative addiction.

It is so important to know that no matter how deep you feel you have sunk into sedative addiction, there is always a way out. But how do you know if you have crossed the line from occasional use to sedative addiction? Here are some signs to watch out for:

• Sedatives become your go-to for handling any stress or anxiety that comes your way.
• Feeling on edge, restless or panicking when you haven’t taken sedatives or can’t get any (sedative withdrawal symptoms)
• Planning your entire day around your next sedative dose
• Lying to loved ones about how much you’re taking because you don’t want them to worry or judge you
• Feeling like you can’t function at all without taking sedatives all the time
• Refusing to quit sedatives or being unable to even though you recognise these problems

If any of these signs sound familiar, it might be time to take a closer look at your relationship with sedatives.

The consequences of sedative addiction can be both far-reaching and severe. Below are some of the key ways sedative addiction can impact your life:

Sedative withdrawal symptoms

Sedative addiction has a strong physical element, so when you try to quit, you will likely experience withdrawal symptoms like shaking, sweating and nausea, which can be unpleasant and dangerous and force you to relapse.

A constant mental fog

Over time, sedatives can slow down your brain, making it harder to think clearly, focus or remember things.

Emotional detachment

While sedatives might ease anxiety, they can also dull your emotions. You might start to feel disconnected, and this emotional numbness can lead to a deeper sense of emptiness, which leads to more sedative abuse to cope.

The destruction of relationships

Sedative addiction doesn’t just affect you—it can also harm your loved ones. Friends and family might notice changes in your behaviour, and relationships can begin to break down. This can leave you isolated and alone at the mercy of sedative addiction.

Sedative overdose risk

Increased sedative abuse puts you at a major risk of overdose. This danger is further aggravated if you mix sedatives with other substances like alcohol and can lead to slowed breathing, unconsciousness or even death.

Getting off sedatives starts with medical drug detox, where your body can gradually adjust without the drug. Oasis Runcorn’s detox team will help you to see off any tough withdrawal symptoms so you can heal in safety and comfort.

With a cleaner bill of health, you will then begin drug rehab, where you will work through all the mental and emotional causes of sedative addiction. This involves different kinds of therapy to help you rebuild your life from the ground up.

When it is time to leave, we will provide you with outpatient group therapy and a solid relapse prevention plan to help you stay sedative-free.

Oasis Runcorn is fully aware of the toll sedative addiction can take, but we have also seen many people just like you overcome it. Our expert team can give you all the support and knowledge you need to take charge of your recovery and rebuild your life. Contact us today, and we will help guide you toward a healthy, happier future.