Dalmane Abuse

Dalmane, also known as flurazepam, is a prescription-only sleep aid. It is prescribed to individuals who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep for the entire night. Generally speaking, when this drug is used as directed, it is not overtly dangerous. While there are side effects associated with Dalmane, when one seeks treatment for insomnia through a licensed medical professional and follows the dosage instructions carefully, the drug shouldn’t pose a major problem. But what happens when someone doesn’t follow the instructions? What happens if an individual obtains the drugs from someone other than a licensed medical professional?

Dalmane Abuse Can Lead to Addiction

dalmane abuseDalmane abuse can occur in several ways. The first, and most obvious, course of Dalmane abuse happens when someone takes the drug not for medical reasons, but for the euphoric feelings that may develop when it is taken improperly. They take the drug for the sole purpose of getting high. Some individuals will mix sleep medications, such as Dalmane, Lunesta or Ambien, with alcohol in order to increase the euphoric effects of the drug. This mixture poses problems of its own, but ultimately Dalmane abuse can be dangerous all by itself.

According to Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, an overdose of Dalmane sleep medication can lead to drowsiness, confusion and coma. Certainly, one might think that drowsiness isn’t a huge problem; however, individuals who abuse Dalmane and other substances often take the drugs regardless of their current situation. Perhaps they are driving a car or caring for young children when the intense reactions occur. This could lead to dangerous situations for others, in addition to causing problems for the drug abuser.

Other abuse scenarios may be less obvious

Sometimes, individuals may receive a legal prescription of Dalmane and take it faithfully in accordance with the directions for a given period of time. Slowly, their body adjusts to the medication and they find that their normal dose isn’t working anymore. Rather than contact their doctor, which is the correct course of action, they see little or no harm in simply increasing their nightly dosage. They might wake during the night and take an additional dose. Both of these behaviors constitute Dalmane abuse. It is dangerous behavior because there may be an underlying cause of the insomnia the person is experiencing that will go undiagnosed. Until they have an honest conversation with a medical professional, a proper diagnosis might not be possible. Additionally, the extra doses will support a process known as tolerance, which occurs in greater levels as the dosages are increased over time.

Finally, drug abuse can occur when an individual with similar symptoms as a friend or family member takes Dalmane from that person. The thought process at work may be that, if the symptoms

are the same, the condition must be the same. If you go to the doctor, won’t he simply prescribe the same thing? There is a chance that they are correct in this assumption, but there is also a chance they are not. When each person goes to the doctor with symptoms, the doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination and ask for a full medical history. Even if you do not supply a physical and emotional history on the current visit, chances are you completed a history on your very first visit. The doctor refers to this history before prescribing drugs to you. For instance, if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction, the doctor may choose medications based upon this fact to avoid the possibility of triggering a relapse of your condition. Your physical health can also play into whether you can safely consume certain medications, such as Dalmane. Your body weight and height can affect the dosage levels you are prescribed. Taking someone else’s medication, even for innocent reasons, is still drug abuse. You are still at risk for increasing tolerance under these circumstances.

Dalmane Tolerance and Addiction

dalmane toleranceTolerance, when it comes to drug abuse, is the same as other types of tolerance. We learn to tolerate certain people or certain circumstances in our lives, for instance. Does your car have air conditioning? If it doesn’t but you can’t afford to purchase a new car or get your current system repaired, you learn to tolerate the summer heat as best you can. Eventually, even though you don’t like it, you learn to live with it. Your body is the same way. Even though your body may not like the introduction of a drug or alcohol, it begins to tolerate it. This lessens the effects that the medication, drug or alcohol has on your brain and behavior. On a conscious level (like taking that extra Dalmane at bedtime), an individual may make the decision to introduce more of the drugs to reach beyond the tolerance level.

At some point, your body becomes dependent on the drugs you’ve placed in it. In some circumstances, this dependence becomes a diagnosable and treatable mental illness: addiction. There are symptoms of addiction as a result of Dalmane abuse that can indicate if a problem has developed. Not every person who suffers from addiction will manifest all the symptoms.

If more than two of the symptoms are present, it could indicate a serious problem that needs intervention and treatment to address. For instance:

  • Do you often suffer anxiety relating to the amount of Dalmane you have on hand? Are you concerned that you will not have enough to get you through to your next refill?
  • Do you find that you are avoiding family and friends or activities you used to enjoy because of your Dalmane use?
  • Have you and a family member or friend argued or fought as a result of their concerns about your Dalmane use?
  • Do you spend a great deal of your time searching out Dalmane sources, taking the drug and recovering from the abuse of the drug?
  • Do you place yourself at risk to obtain the drug by driving under the influence or frequenting dangerous locations?
  • Are you unable to maintain employment or schooling because of your use of Dalmane?
  • Are you spending a greater amount of money taking the drug than is warranted for your diagnosed insomnia or are you spending money to obtain the drug illegally without a diagnosis?
  • Have you tried to stop using Dalmane or other drugs, only to find that you are unable to do so? Do you simply substitute one drug for another?

Abuse and Addiction Treatment Can Help

Drug addiction as a result of Dalmane abuse is a serious condition that may require treatment. Experts agree that there are certain aspects to effective treatment that can garner the very best possible results. When you choose to enter treatment, it is important to find a treatment center that can meet your needs as well as the standards of the industry.

Before you enter treatment, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Does the treatment program utilize evidence-based therapies that have been proven effective over the course of time and experience?
  • Can the treatment program be adjusted to meet the needs of unique individuals and their changing circumstance?
  • Does the treatment program allow for a sufficient amount of time for recovery?
  • Can the program address the treatment of Dalmane abuse with any possible co-occurring disorders?
  • Will the treatment program address all your needs, including those of the mind, body, spirit, legal, educational and vocational realms?
  • Does the treatment program understand and allow for the fact that treatment is a long-term commitment and process that does not end on the day you leave the facility or the program?

Treatment for Dalmane abuse and addiction is available to help you overcome your illness. You and your family deserve every chance to live in a healthy, drug-free environment, but it is imperative that you get the help you need. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us today.