You count sheep. You try to breath slowly and clear your mind. You’re tired, but you just can’t sleep no matter what you do. Your doctor offers Dalmane, a prescription drug designed to help insomnia. You are glad to try a new approach. Dalmane may seem helpful at first, but you quickly begin to notice it’s not the easy answer you wanted. You still feel tired, you’ve noticed side effects and things just don’t feel right. You wonder if Dalmane addiction may be starting.
Is Dalmane Addictive?
Dalmane is a benzodiazepine drug. This class of drugs is used to treat everything from insomnia to anxiety to alcohol withdrawal. They can be effective when used over a short time period. But all benzodiazepines are highly addictive, and very few should be used for more than two weeks. Dalmane should be used with caution and always under medical supervision. Even if you do have a prescription, be careful. Following directions precisely. Look for any and all signs of Dalmane addiction and report them to your doctor immediately.
Tolerance as a Sign of Addiction
One of the earliest warning signs of addiction is tolerance. Are you taking Dalmane more often than you used to? Are you taking more than you used to? Are you taking the same amount but it just doesn’t seem to be working like it once was? All of these indicate tolerance. If you respond to tolerance by increasing dosage or frequency or changing how you use Dalmane, this is substance abuse. Substance abuse quickly leads to addiction when you are using a powerful and addictive benzodiazepine.
Side Effects as a Sign of Addiction
Have you noticed Dalmane is changing how you feel, think or act? Taking a drug despite experiencing negative consequences is a primary sign of addiction. The Washington Postreports that sleep aid users may experience daytime grogginess or hangovers, amnesia and other memory problems and “abnormal behavior, such as sleep driving or sleep eating.”1 If Dalmane is doing more than helping you fall asleep but you continue to take it anyway, you may be developing an addiction.
Other Signs of Addiction
If your mental health, physical health or social health isn’t what you want it to be, think about the source of your concerns. Are you taking Dalmane or other drugs, and could they be at the root of everything? Dalmane can actually cause worsening sleep, depression and physical health issues. If something feels wrong, Dalmane may be the reason. You may be developing or already struggling with addiction. Don’t let things get worse. There’s no wrong time to ask questions and take action.
What Should I Do About Insomnia and Addiction?
If insomnia is at the heart of your addiction, there’s hope! You can treat insomnia, addiction and any other co-occurring mental health issues at the same time. In fact, the tools and techniques used to treat addiction can treat insomnia too! The New York Times explains: “When it comes to insomnia, comparative effectiveness studies reveal that sleep medications aren’t the best for a cure…Several clinical trials have found that they’re outperformed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [CBT].”2 CBT is a primary approach for addiction treatment. You can use one form of therapy, or one therapy and treatment setting, to address all co-occurring concerns. This lets you find complete wellness and build a happy, healthy life in the simplest way.
Finding Health and Recovery
If you have a question about Dalmane, addiction or integrated treatment, call The Oaks at La Paloma. We offer immediate, compassionate support. We will help you assess your or a loved one’s health and recovery needs, and we will connect you to the resources that will lead to good sleep and a sober life.
1 Adams, Jill. “Trouble Falling Asleep? Prescription Sleeping Pills Are Popular, Tempting–and Risky.” The Washington Post. 24 Mar. 2014. Accessed 14 Nov. 2017.
2 Frakt, Austin. “The Evidence Points to a Better Way to Fight Insomnia.” New York Times. 8 Jun. 2015. Accessed 14 Nov. 2017.