Dangers of Lunesta Abuse
Lunesta is a strong sedative that can have powerful effects on your body. Lunesta powerfully impacts an individual’s body because it slows down the body’s internal systems. Not only can abuse of Lunesta put your overall health in jeopardy, but studies have shown that abuse of the drug increases an individual’s risk of fatality by fourfold. This figure can increase heavily when it is administered to those who take more than 18 doses over a period of a year.
Becoming addicted to Lunesta or other similar sleeping drugs is found to be dangerous and taking such drugs should be done so with extreme caution and care for one’s self. If you or a loved one are presently abusing Lunesta it is important to understanding that physical and psychological dependence on the drug is likely.
If it is a loved one who is struggling with Lunesta abuse and addiction, considering an intervention is the best route. Lunesta abuse is dangerous to a person’s mental, emotion and physical health. If someone develops an addiction to Lunesta, his or her life goals, including family relations, career, ambitions, dreams and successes are at risk.
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Street Names for Lunesta
Lunesta, as well as other sleep-inducing drugs that are sold illicitly are identified by street names. The most common street names for prescription sleeping drugs like Lunesta include, but are not limited to:
- Forget-me Pill
- Mexican Valium
- R2
- Roche
- Zombie pills
- Roofies
- Rope
- Rophies
Lunesta Effects
When taken regularly, a tolerance is developed making the initial dose recommended on ineffective. People who rely on this drug to sleep may be tempted to increase their dosage without talking to their doctor. Increase the dosage of any sleeping pill will cause unusual side effects like sleep walking, sleep eating, and sleep driving. These side effects have killed people and nearly burnt down houses from stove tops being left on. If an individual has not begun actively seeking other drugs and substances it is common that they recognize the signs of addiction in themselves or discover that they are sleep cooking or sleep driving and realize they need help. Lunesta may cause abnormalities to one’s behaviors including, confusion, aggression, depression, hallucinations, and irritation.
There have been over 31 million prescriptions for Lunesta written since the drug hit market in 2004.
Warning signs of Lunesta abuse in a loved one
For the friends and family of individuals living with addiction, recognizing whether he or she is abusing sleep medication such as Lunesta may sometime be difficult. That is why it is important to be thoroughly educated of the different symptoms and warning signs that accompany Lunesta abuse. If you believe your loved one is partaking in life threatening activities, such as Lunesta abuse, take the time to look over the warning signs of Lunesta addiction, which applies to other sleeping pills as well.
Has your loved one displayed a significant increase is confusion and memory loss, while engaging in dangerous or risky activities and behaviors? If so, your loved one may be afflicted with an addiction to prescription drugs such as Lunesta or other drugs.
Has your loved one had an incline in doctor visits that are not explainable? If, so your loved one may be involving in Doctor hopping, going to multiple doctors to obtain more prescriptions. Having an unexplainable number of doctors is a sure sign of addiction.
Have usual behaviors, such as, poor hygiene, frequent drowsiness, grogginess or fatigue become a regular occurrence in your loved one’s life? If so, your friend or family member may be abusing Lunesta or struggling in silence with addiction.
Factual Dangers: Lunesta
Lunesta abuse commonly leads to addiction which is a chronic and psychological illness, that disrupts the lives of many individuals along with their family and friends each day. Lunesta addiction takes away a person’s ability and will to choose whether he or she is going to consume the drug or not. Acknowledging that addiction to Lunesta is a possibility is a step in the right direction. Below you will have access to statistics and facts about the addictive sleep drug, Lunesta.
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Lunesta Rehab Treatment
Once you are ready to get help, it is important to understand that addiction to Lunesta is different from other types of addictions. Therefore, it is best to seek out a treatment center that specializes in this type of addiction.
They will not only have to address the dependency to the drug but also the individuals underlying sleep disorder. No one chooses to develop an addiction to Lunesta or other similar drugs, so the need for guilt or shame should not be an issue someone should have to deal with. With the right type of rehabilitation and the support of qualified medical staff, patients can begin recovery in a positive way and get back to a normal lifestyle fairly quick. Addiction and sleep experts will seek alternative solutions for the sleep disorder without the use of controlled and addictive medications. After clients complete the detox phase, they will go to the therapeutic treatment portion of rehabilitation. In receiving therapeutic treatment an individual will proactively address his or her addiction and sleeping problems.
During rehab for Lunesta addiction, individuals will get assistance in learning the best alternatives to sleep without having to take medication. Additionally, clients often learn a lot about themselves in different types of therapy include but not limited to Cognitive behavioral therapeutic strategies, one-on-one counseling and group counseling. – Learn More
Lunesta Detox Treatment
Treatment for Lunesta addiction will start with a period of detox to rid an individual’s system of the drug. Then, rather than entering a rehab facility, people will be sent to a sleep center where they can identify the true cause of their sleep disorder. The goal is to make sure that the individual can be fully medication free, while still enjoying a good night sleep.
Finding a rehab facility that has a specialization in sleep disorders would be the best option because this means that the same medical professionals will work with a patient throughout the whole recovery process. Someone who has an addiction to Lunesta will generally believe that life will never again be the same if they have to stop using the drug.
Nearly 9 million people use prescription sleep aids, like Lunesta, according to the CDC.
Lunesta withdrawal symptoms may include: Drowsiness or Disturbed Sleep Patterns, Including Insomnia Nausea and Vomiting, Hallucinations, Sweating, Panic Attacks, Seizure, Sensitivity to Light and Sun, Weight Gain or Loss and Elevated Blood Pressure. The route of detoxification is strongly recommended assisted by medical professionals. Many inpatient facilities offer medically assisted detox, which ensures the most comfortable and safe detox possible. Overall, detoxing alone in your home is not safe and can result in life threatening complications. – Learn More
Addiction to Lunesta
Lunesta is a medication that is used to help people with sleeping problems. The issue with Lunesta is that it is a significantly addictive substance, both physically and psychologically. At first, an individual prescribed Lunesta may fall asleep quickly by taking only the recommended dose.
Because Lunesta is a drug designed for short-term use, overtime the drug becomes less effective. When a person becomes tolerant to Lunesta he or she is on the road of developing dependence to the drug. Once an individual is dependent on a substance, he or she is at an increasingly high risk of brain chemical alteration. When an individual’s brain chemistry changes a result of drug use or abuse, this is known as an addicted brain, otherwise known as the disease of addiction.
Many people who attend a treatment center for a Lunesta addiction do so out of their own volition and is it not common that any such individuals need an intervention. As addiction is a progressive and deadly disease, poly-drug use is often present among individuals addicted to Lunesta. Addiction is scientifically recognized as a serious chronic illness, that often results in a high relapse rate. Addiction relapse rates are most identical to the relapse rates of other chronic. Addiction can happen to anyone and because Lunesta has addictive qualities, it is not excluded from the mix. – Learn More
Lunesta Dependency
Individuals that have a very difficult time sleeping are usually prescribed medications such as Lunesta. Insomnia is a problem that is common to nearly everyone at one time or another. However, when it becomes chronic, your doctor may give you a prescription for Lunesta to help you get through the night.
While this drug has been extremely effective in treating this type of problem, extended use could lead to an addiction that could cause you more harm than a lack of sleep would. Lunesta is controlled and regulated due to abusive tendencies of the drug, it is only intended for short term use. When Lunesta is used for long period of time an individual will become tolerance to the drug. Developing a tolerance to Lunesta happens when an individual’s brain stops being responsive in the same way as it did when use of the drug was initiated.
If prescribed the drug and used to help with sleep over the ideal amount of time to avoid addiction and dependence, an increase in tolerance will cause one to need a higher dose to still obtain the ability to sleep. Tolerance goes hand in hand with dependence, however dependence is when an individual ultimately experiences withdrawal symptoms upon stopping use or abuse of Lunesta. Regardless of if Lunesta is used as prescribed, abused or illegal purchased from peers, dependence on the drug is a common occurrence. – Learn More
Seeking help for a loved one
- Do Lunesta Interventions Work?
The intervention process is extremely effective in getting a Lunesta addicted person into a treatment center where he or she will get the help that is needed. - How Do Lunesta Interventions Work?
A close group of family and friends will have a pre-written letter that expresses love and concern for their loved ones Lunesta addiction which will hopefully push him or her to accept the help that is offered.
Intervention for Lunesta Abuse
It is very easy to get accustomed to taking Lunesta. If the problem of insomnia is no longer an issue, many still fear the chances of a wakeful night and will continue to take the drug. At that point, they have probably developed an addiction to the drug. While symptoms of Lunesta can vary, clear signs that there is a problem with the drug can be a nauseous feeling, a constant state of fatigue, panic attacks, irritability, muscle cramps, and the inability to stop taking the medication.
If these signs are apparent it is time to seek out a qualified recovery program to help them break free of their addiction. The best way to do this is to plan an intervention for your loved one. Interventions are most effective in achieving the end goal when staged by a professional interventionist. Interventionists are utilized to bring a calming and peaceful atmosphere where there is likely to be great amounts of emotion and tension. Confronting a problem, such as addiction is never easy that is why professional assistance is recommended.
Professional interventionist specializes in intervening situations such as Lunesta addiction. Upon success of the intervention an individual will go on to get treatment, usually at an inpatient rehab. Once in treatment your loved one will also receive help for the underlying problem that caused your loved one insomnia. In addition to the issue with insomnia, your loved one will receive care for his or her developed addiction, other mental health problems and any hidden causes that may have cause an addiction to form in the first place. – Learn More
To begin recovery an individual will need to stop abusing Lunesta as well as any other drugs. When stopping active drug abuse, a medically assisted detox is necessary for optimal health and effectiveness. When a person is addicted to Lunesta, the compulsive thinking and behaviors surrounding getting more of and using the drug often overtakes his or her life.
Addiction disrupts how an individual function in his or her family life, work environment and harms his or her overall quality of life. Recovery will be achieved with treatment that addresses the specific needs of an individual. The best programs options will incorporate various rehabilitation services along with comprehensive treatment regimens. Addiction recovery specialists that clients will encounter while in treatment for Lunesta abuse include therapists, doctor’s nurses, peer support staff, counselors and much more. Many individuals that are in treatment for Lunesta abuse get diagnoses with dual-disorders, also known as co-occurring disorders.
The highest rate of effective treatment and recovery from drug addiction is in longer term services. If your loved one is struggling with co-occurring disorders or just Lunesta addiction alone, consider finding a treatment center that addresses dual mental health disorder, rather than just addiction. There is a solution to the misery and grief that results from Lunesta abuse and addiction. Recovery through treatment is possible, you can still get back on your feet and back to life the way you want to live it.
- How Do I Recover from Lunesta Addiction?
There are many ways to recover from Lunesta but it is recommended to get into an inpatient treatment center and work a 12-step program. - Will I Ever Relapse on Lunesta?
Lunesta relapse is always possible. As long as you learn from it and move on in a positive direction you should be fine and able to have a strong and lasting recovery in the future.
Dangers of Lunesta Overdose
Symptoms associated with a Lunesta overdose vary and depend on different factors. Lunesta, when continuously used may enable addictive thought processes that commonly leads to an increased dosage. Lunesta is part of a classification of prescription medications, called hypnotics, sedatives and Central nervous system depressants. CNS depression causes an individual brain to slow down. Overdose on Lunesta occurs most frequently when abuse with other CNS depressant substances. Fatality due to CNS depressant overdose is often due to severe respiratory depression which causes breathing to slow at an increasing rate, until breathing stops altogether.
Lunesta overdose symptoms generally include but are not limited to- extreme drowsiness, coma, fainting abruptly, difficulties with breathing and death. Although reports of unintentional overdose death rates are paramount to intentional overdose deaths within the United States today, Lunesta may be an exception. As Lunesta is a CNS depressant, it is known to cause severe depression which can lead to suicidal thoughts and ideations.
For individual who are newly prescribed or have been using or abusing Lunesta for a while, intentional overdose by the drug is a common occurrence. If you believe that you or a loved one is experiencing an overdose on the prescription sleep aid, such as Lunesta, please seek emergency assistance and go to the emergency room immediately. Lunesta overdose is a life- threatening occurrence and if medical assistance is not sought immediately, an overdose may result in fatality. – Learn More
It’s one of the major polydrug which means it is commonly mixed with other drugs like alcohol.
Lunesta Use, Abuse and Dependency
Reports from IMS health indicate that in 2013 more than 3 million prescriptions for Lunesta were dispensed in the United states. Lunesta is the U.S. trade name for the drug Eszopiclone. It is a sedative that alters chemicals in the brain that are thought to be unbalance, causing insomnia and other sleep related issues. As most sedative hypnotic medications used for sleep purposes contain Benzodiazepine, Lunesta does not. In the U.S. Lunesta is classified as a Schedule IV substance under the Controlled Substances Act.
Some individuals that take Lunesta as prescribed by a doctor have experience unusual behaviors that take place while they are sleeping. Behaviors are reported to include, getting out of bed, prepping and eating food, making phone calls and even driving a vehicle. Lunesta is known to impact an individual’s overall mental health. This prescription drug carries a great risk of developing dependence. Studies have shown that if using a high dose of Lunesta for more than a 10-day period, a person is likely to develop a dependence. Often an individual who begins taking Lunesta, does so under a doctor’s approval, in hopes to get enough sleep to function. Even though, it may seem at first that Lunesta is helping you to sleep, over a period, Lunesta is likely to become harmful to your body, mind and overall health.
Lunesta can cause unusual and sometimes dangerous side effects when abused. Increasing the dose of Lunesta consumed without talking to a doctor first, as well as constantly worrying about where the next prescription is going to come from, are known signs of Lunesta addiction. Many people who abuse Lunesta will fight the urge to sleep to experience the drug’s euphoric and hallucinogenic effects. The belief that one cannot sleep without the drug and reinforcing this belief is a key sign that your loved one may need help for Lunesta abuse. Additionally, if your loved one makes a firm resolution to stop taking the drug then fails to do so is another sign of abuse and addiction.
Common among those who abuse Lunesta is an activity referred to as doctor shopping. If your loved one has unexplained behaviors and is more and more often visiting a doctor, he or she may be abusing Lunesta. Lunesta abuse often goes unnoticed for a substantial amount of time. It is usually not noticed until an individual is living in a full blown active-addiction.
The signs of Lunesta abuse and addiction often become recognizable to the friends and family long before the individual personally afflicted. The signs and symptoms that indicate drug abuse range widely from physical to psychological and even behavioral changes. Lunesta abuse compromises an individual’s memory as well as the ability to handle his or her own thoughts appropriately. Abuse is often an addiction to the drug which alters a person’s capacity to make sound decisions or judgments. All in the all the symptoms associated with Lunesta abuse as well as abuse of other substances is quite extensive and will ultimately depend on the specifics of an individual in addition the depths of his or her abuse and addiction.
Prescription drugs, such as Lunesta have addictive properties that are known for creating feelings of euphoria. The euphoric experience is found to be a main cause in why individuals abuse certain substances, including Lunesta and other sleep-inducing drugs. Another reason found to be in the main roots of medication abuse, is to self-medicate. Many individuals self-mediate with Lunesta and other sleep drugs to get rest through the night and to cope with additional undiagnosed mental disorders. Individuals who live with mental disorders including but not limited to depression, anxiety and various stress disorders often find relief from self-medicating. When an individual with a mental disorder starts abusing Lunesta or other substances, he or she is considered to have a co-occurring disorder, addiction alongside mental illness.
Abuse of Lunesta leads to the disease of addiction. Addiction causes destruction and tragedy is the lives of many. Deciding to use a substance of any kind, including a prescription medication can pose a risk for a person’s health. Unfortunately, once an individual begins to abuse Lunesta, he or she has stepped into the life of living with an addicted brain. An addicted brain causes chaos while controlling essentially every move of an individual. If you or a loved one is living with Lunesta addiction, it is important that you take the time to reach out for help. If becoming further educated on the disease of addiction, we encourage you to visit additional pages on the site. Lunesta use can turn into abuse then dependence and before a person knows it, he or she is living with addiction, a chronic brain disease. Get help if you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, the sooner an addiction is addresses the better. However, it is never too late to seek help for your addiction, recovery is possible. – Learn More
- What Are Some Common Short-term Effects of Lunesta Abuse?
Lunesta presents many negative side-effects including anxiety, sleepiness, confusion and memory loss. - What are the Long-term Effects of Lunesta Abuse?
Lunesta abuse can really harm any person who is abusing the drug. Abusing Lunesta can lead to addiction, depression and painful withdrawals.
Short and Long-term effects
When a loved one becomes dependent or addicted to the prescription sleep medication Lunesta, he or she is likely to experience both short and long-term effects. Experiencing short and long-term effects depends on the length of time abuse as well as the amount of Lunesta taken. Based on clinical studies, there are a range of short-term effects linked to Lunesta abuse.
These short-term effects connected to the abuse of Lunesta include, however are not limited to- unpleasant taste in the mouth, dizziness, dry mouth, frequent or persistent headaches, cold like symptoms, constantly feeling drowsy during the day, unusual sleeping patterns or sleeping more than usual, profuse sweating, severe irritability, mental confusion, increased blood pressure, hiccupping regularly and a drastic change in weight.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the prescription sedatives such as Lunesta have no known long-term effects listed. However, in a similar report, states that continual use of Lunesta will result in a tolerance, that will require an individual to increase the drug dosage to experience the same therapeutic effect. If an individual goes outside the realm of the medication prescriber direction he or she is abusing the drug. Therefore, to experience the same euphoric-like or high inducing effects an individual will find him or herself needing to take larger doses at a continual rate to produce a desired effect. Long-term use of Lunesta can lead to dependence to the drug which will result in withdrawal when an individual attempts to stop taking the drug altogether.
Mixing Lunesta and Alcohol
Lunesta is considered a hypnotic drug often used to treat or help with insomnia in individuals prescribed the medication. The risks of overdosing on this sleep medication or any other type of sleeping pill are significantly increased when one mixes the drug with Alcohol.
There are many cases where people have taken a sleeping pill like Lunesta, poured themselves an alcoholic beverage and slipped into a warm bath before bed. This scenario is extremely dangerous as people tend to fall asleep in the bath tub and nearly drown due to the combination of Alcohol and sleeping pills. Again, these drugs enhance the other equally, and when used together may become extremely dangerous to your organ system and mental health. Adding to the dangers of such a combination, individuals who abuse or even use Lunesta as prescribed may have experience in dealing with memory issues, suicidal thoughts, serious depression, poor coordination.
As alcohol abuse enhances the effects of Lunesta, these symptoms may become unmanageable and life threatening. Moreover, Lunesta is known to depress the respiratory system during night time when an individual is asleep, so when combining both Lunesta and alcohol, an individual’s breathing can slow down a significant degree and may cause his or her breathing to stop completely. Whether you or your loved one is taking Lunesta as prescribed by a doctor or is abusing the drug for self-medicating purposes, drinking Alcohol increases the dangers associated with both substances.
- What Happens When I Mix Lunesta and Alochol?
If you mix Lunesta and Alcohol, your chances of overdose, health crisis or injury increase. - Why Shouldn’t I Mix Lunesta and Alcohol?
You shouldn’t mix the drugs together because they are both depressants which can cause fatality.
True Stories of Addiction
Your loved one feels isolated and alone in their fight against their addiction. Give them the backup that they need. Holding an intervention for a loved one not only brings their problem to the surface, but shows them that people still care about them. They might be in denial with other people, but most people who have a substance abuse problem are not in denial with themselves. Deep down inside, they know they need help. If you show them that they have support if they decide to get that help, they will be more willing to go to rehab. Let them know that you are not giving up on them.
Inpatient Lunesta Rehab
Is your loved one suffering from Lunesta addiction? If so, there is help and recovery is possible.
Inpatient treatment is typically for individuals that have been strongly impacted by addiction. However, inpatient is beneficial to anyone with a dependency or addiction. While the type of treatment will be slightly different from facility to facility, many inpatient treatment centers have 24-hour medical staff and supervision.
Inpatient rehab provides structure that is usually not present in the lives of individuals living with an addiction. The treatment structure that inpatient rehab provides includes, supportive, healthful living that individuals can adapt to while developing coping skills and learning about relapse prevention. During Inpatient rehab, an individual will receive multiple aspects of care, such as, detox, therapy, residential housing, counseling, aftercare and much more.
Inpatient treatment will provide a wide range of therapeutic values and services. In getting treatment for addiction of any substance it is imperative that the rehabilitation center you choose bases their program off of evidence backed, fact based and researched methods to ensure an effective stay and recovery process. Most inpatient rehab offer the detox portion of treatment, which alone is not considered treatment itself. The detox portion is to safely rid the body of harmful substances while going through a comfortably supervised and supported withdrawal. Once the detox portion is through, an individual will then be ready to move on to more thorough treatment services to embark on his or her recovery from Lunesta addiction. – Learn More
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient treatment programs for Lunesta are available. Although the structure of each program tends to be unique based on what one you choose, there is a treatment program that will be right for you. For outpatient programs, this kind of treatment works best with individuals who are in the early stages of an addiction.
Outpatient may be suitable for those who have openly admitted that they have a problem with addiction to Lunesta and have a willingness to get back to a healthy life. We say this because an individual with addiction is still living off the treatment site and will be expected to attend the facility for therapy and groups on a set schedule. This is good for people who want to get help and also need to continue daily life as close to normal as possible.
Even though inpatient treatment is proven the most effective method of care, outpatient can be effective for anyone with willingness and the right mind set. Outpatient treatment offers individual and group counseling, therapy sessions including, one-on-one with the therapist as well as family focused therapy. Getting treatment through an outpatient program often takes up the same amount of time as a part time job would, and sometimes even a full-time job like schedule. Outpatient has all day long schedules in order to keep newly recovering individuals accountable to their commitment. Outpatient also provides a need stability and structured environment that influences a healthy and happy recovery from Lunesta addiction. – Learn More
