Nitrazepam, a kind of benzodiazepine, is a long-acting hypnotic medicine with a strong sedative effect. It has calming and muscle-relaxing properties (amongst others). This medication is only available with a prescription, but that does not prevent it from being sold without one over the internet or through street sellers.
The patient determines the general prescription dosage, the reason for the prescription, the patient’s age, health, and any potential interactions that could increase the medication’s potency. For example, if the patient is already taking another sedative or an opiate-based painkiller, more caution should be used.
If your loved one needs support dealing with an Alcohol Addiction, contact us today on 0800 999 1083. We can help you by recommending treatment options.
A class-C prohibited substance in the UK is unlawful to possess without a prescription.
Nitrazepam can be taken as an oral solution or as a crushed tablet. Its look varies depending on whether it’s obtained lawfully through a prescription or additional means.
Nitrazepam is available in 2.5mg, 5mg, and 10mg dosages, with effects lasting 15 to 38 hours. As a result, it is frequently given only when sleepiness the next day is not a problem and only for a short period.
As with all benzodiazepines, nitrazepam dependence can develop quickly. The body quickly responds to a dosage. As a result, it’s best if you don’t take it for more than 7 to 10 days at a time.
The medicine sold under the brand names Alodorm, Apodorm, Arem, Insoma, Insomin, Mogadon, Nitrados, Nitrazadon, Nitrosun, Nitravet, Ormodon, Paxadorm, Remnos, Epam, and Somnite is known generically as nitrazepam.
Nitrazepam has a calming effect on the brain and central nervous system because it interacts with specific receptors in the brain connected to GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS), which is responsible for reducing the excitability of neurons throughout the CNS. Benzodiazepines, such as nitrazepam, efficiently increase the effectiveness of GABA.
Though not yet fully established, long-term nitrazepam abuse that typically results in addiction may have permanently damaging effects on the brain, including on GABA receptors. Nitrazepam addiction, and especially withdrawal can significantly disrupt the normal functioning of GABA and related processes, giving rise to numerous unpleasant symptoms.
Addiction is frequently related to (and often confused with) dependence. As a condition of the brain’s reward system, addiction causes people to repeatedly participate in certain rewarding behaviours (in the case of nitrazepam addiction, specifically, ingesting the drug and experiencing its effects) while being aware of the negative implications of doing so. Nitrazepam use over an extended period exposes the user to the risk of both addiction and dependence. Both conditions mean that the affected individual will have difficulties stopping taking nitrazepam and may require help.
Drug dependence is a phenomenon where a person who consumes a substance over time, such as nitrazepam, gets used to having a particular amount of that substance in their system. When nitrazepam is removed from the system (for example, if the dependent person abruptly stops taking it), the brain and body of the person developing nitrazepam dependence adjust accordingly to the presence of the drug and become dependent upon it to function normally. This results in various potentially unpleasant and dangerous symptoms that together make up what is known as withdrawal syndrome.
Although closely related, dependence and addiction are two separate phenomena: dependence is primarily physiological, whereas addiction is, strictly speaking, a psychological issue. Tolerance is the process through which a person grows accustomed to ingesting specific quantities of a substance. It is related to how a person’s system adjusts (as with dependence). They need an increasing amount of that substance to provide the same results. In other words, someone taking nitrazepam for the first time will likely feel the effects more intensely than someone taking the same quantity after consuming nitrazepam frequently for several weeks.
Medical research has not yet identified why one individual may develop an addiction while another in very similar conditions may not. The exact origins of addiction are also not entirely known. The danger of acquiring a physical dependence on nitrazepam is relatively high for anyone who uses it for more than a few weeks, and the risk of developing a psychological addiction is even higher. It is recognised that both environmental and genetic factors might play a role in developing an addiction.
One of the most significant risk factors for the onset of nitrazepam addiction is a family history of substance misuse, addiction, or mental health problems. Some genes are associated with the predisposition for addictive behaviours, and unfortunately, they can be passed on to the next generation.
Significant environmental risk factors for nitrazepam abuse include trauma and/or extremely stressful life events, associating with a peer group where nitrazepam abuse is frequent, and taking nitrazepam for a longer period of time or in higher quantities than indicated by the prescribing physician.
Nitrazepam is no different from other benzodiazepines in that it has the potential to develop a habit. In fact, some authorities believe it to be one of the more addictive benzodiazepines (though a ranking of this kind is necessarily subjective). Nitrazepam should not be used for more than 10 consecutive days, and patients who take it for longer than two weeks straight should have their treatment fully re-evaluate. Within a month, dependence might develop.
Some certain definite signs and symptoms would suggest someone has an abuse or addiction problem and needs immediate professional care. If you are concerned about a nitrazepam addiction, pay attention to the following signs:
The question is how long the apparent change in behaviour persists because not all of these symptoms alone denote an addiction issue. You have every right to be concerned if their mental and physical health deteriorates over time or if they behave strangely for an extended time.
Early intervention is preferable to putting off a problem in the hopes that it will go away. If they have an addiction, it will worsen over time as their tolerance increases, and they become more reckless and compulsive in their addictive behaviour.
Pay attention to the following physical signs:
It is critical to be aware of some psychological and behavioural warning symptoms that could point to a Nitrazepam dependence or addiction, such as:
Nitrazepam dependence withdrawal lasts typically between a fortnight and a month. However, this is simply an essential guide, and each withdrawal case may differ from this schedule. Some people may go on to develop protracted or post-acute withdrawal syndrome, a condition in which some withdrawal symptoms can linger for months or even years.
Each incident of nitrazepam addiction and withdrawal is distinct from the others. However, there are undoubtedly many similarities. The following list includes some of the most typical withdrawal signs:
You have an opportunity to halt the process at this early stage when addiction doesn’t yet control your behaviour before it turns into full addiction. Before taking any further action, it is advisable to consult a medical expert. Be as open and honest with the professional or treatment centre about any additional medications you are taking. Contact an assistance centre right away if you or a loved one notices that your medication is finishing earlier than it should.
Negative health effects from Nitrazepam abuse include:
Never combine nitrazepam with alcohol or other drugs, particularly opiates or other sedatives. Blackouts and a potentially fatal reaction could follow from this.
According to a study that appeared in the British Medical Journal, using benzodiazepines like Nitrazepam increases your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, it was shown that benzodiazepines increase a person’s risk of developing the condition the longer they use them.
Long-term health consequences can be serious. Nitrazepam poses a special risk to mental processes like:
It is crucial to strictly adhere to the doctor’s specified dosage when using Nitrazepam. Overdosing can result from disregarding the prescription dosage. It is vital to avoid combining the recommended dose with other drugs, especially sedatives like alcohol or opiates, if you discover that it does not have the desired effect or has a lesser effect than it did previously. This bad decision considerably increases the likelihood of overdosing.
You cannot overcome addiction by just discontinuing to use of Nitrazepam. The road to recovery from Nitrazepam addiction is just beginning. You could be tempted to start misusing another drug once you stop abusing Nitrazepam. It is encouraged to seek support from a treatment institution as this is a warning indication.
Before using this drug while pregnant, you must speak with your doctor because nitrazepam may disrupt the unborn child’s growth and result in birth abnormalities. Please be aware that there is a very significant risk that the development of your unborn child will be negatively impacted if you misuse this drug while pregnant.
Please visit your GP or inform your midwife right away if you are already addicted to the drug while pregnant.
Another choice is to enrol in a private rehab clinic for treatment. However, due to the risks involved, only some rehabs will accept pregnant patients. If you are interested in learning more, do get in touch with us so that we can assist you.
Nitrazepam is widely used in dual diagnosis situations (the occurrence of substance abuse disorders alongside other mental disorders) due to its function in treating some mental health conditions. A dual diagnosis frequently makes addiction treatment considerably more difficult, necessitating specialised expertise.
Due to its relative accessibility and affordability, young people regularly seek out nitrazepam and other benzodiazepines for recreational use. However, this recreational use occasionally turns into abuse and addiction. Contact an addiction professional if you know a young person who you suspect may be abusing or addicted to nitrazepam.
Nitrazepam addicts are currently receiving treatment at several rehab centres all over the UK, and countless people are now sober and living life to the fullest. Contact your doctor or an addiction professional at Compare Rehab UK right away if you want to stop letting addiction rule your life and bring you suffering.
Like any other benzo medication, Nitrazepam detox requires medical care, and users should never attempt Nitrazepam detox without it. Before beginning the process of weaning a patient off Nitrazepam in a treatment facility, qualified healthcare professionals will do a thorough mental and psychological evaluation of the patient. Staff members may recommend anticonvulsants, seizure medications, or anxiety medications to help with the process and prevent the worst withdrawal symptoms.
Comprehensive treatment and medical detox are required to address the underlying conditions that caused addiction in the first place. It’s crucial to learn how to deal with the mental and emotional damage brought on by Nitrazepam addiction and how to go about daily life without reaching for a bottle of pills as a crutch. Through therapy, the patient and therapist collaborate to come up with strategies for dealing with the need to take benzodiazepines and how to react to situations that set them off.
Identifying and altering risky thought patterns is the cornerstone of relapse prevention. At this stage of treatment, cognitive behavioural therapy is a crucial tool. This type of therapy looks at the patient’s mental and behavioural patterns in an effort to understand the processes that led to addiction. Once these patterns are identified, a therapist can help the patient create new, wholesome habits that they can utilise to prevent relapse. Participants are required to join a support group that can help them keep in mind the premises of therapy after their formal treatment has ended.
12-Step groups and other aftercare programmes present the individual with a network of peers who have gone through similar experiences and speak the same language of recovery. In addition to providing companionship and support when refusing Nitrazepam becomes challenging, these peers are accessible for discussion if the person needs someone to talk to.
Detoxing is a serious issue if you are physically dependent on nitrazepam and wish to quit using it, especially if your dependence has been severe for a long time or if you are combining it with other drugs or alcohol.
Admitting to a residential detox clinic, where you will receive a thorough medical detox and be supervised by knowledgeable and experienced experts around the clock, is the safest and most effective approach to quit using nitrazepam. In order to help prevent relapse, this should preferably be followed right away by or take place concurrently with a comprehensive recovery programme.
NHS services provided by your GP or the local Drug and Alcohol team are additional options that are free to use. Local charity and self-help support organisations are also available. Meetings for the 12 Steps and Smart Recovery are beneficial to many people.
We strongly advise using as many support programmes as you can if inpatient detox is not an option for you.
In order to overcome their addictions, people must check themselves into inpatient rehabilitation programmes, often known as residential therapy: a hospital or clinic that offers medical care and emotional support to patients and is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Drug inpatient treatment is one of the most effective types of addiction treatment available today. It’s also one of the priciest solutions out there. The best care is provided during inpatient drug treatment to help individuals beat their addictions. This treatment offers ongoing counselling, which is advantageous for people with Nitrazepam addiction.
The first step toward beating Nitrazepam addiction is admitting you have a problem. It’s time to consider entering an inpatient rehab facility once you’ve admitted that you need assistance.
Inpatient treatment and rehab continue to rank among the best options for recovery, despite the popularity of other types of drug addiction treatment. To assist you get a full understanding of your situation, several drug recovery centres offer a complimentary addiction exam. These institutions will also give you the support you require to navigate the difficult sobriety road. However, you need to move to the rehab centre and pause your outside work, school and social commitments while on treatment.
People who seek therapy early on in their addiction, before they become physically and psychologically reliant on Nitrazepam to get through the day, may increase their chances of having this option. If the Nitrazepam addiction is not serious enough to require 24h supervision and protection from relapse triggers, patients may be considered for outpatient treatment. Regardless of whether inpatient or outpatient treatment is thought to be appropriate for recovery, medical detox with round-the-clock supervision is advised for Nitrazepam detox.
As an outpatient, the person goes home every night. After attending therapy sessions or taking their medication, patients may be able to go back to their private lives and continue their work, school, or family responsibilities. However, experts claim that one of the many restrictions put on patients who are eligible for outpatient therapy is that they must frequently visit treatment facilities, perhaps even spending the majority of their day there.
To assist them in dealing with the reality of abstinence, outpatient individuals are frequently recommended to enrol in a 12-Step programme. A Nitrazepam addiction is still an addiction, regardless of whether it is being treated, and recovery needs to be encouraged and maintained.
Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. Treatment providers can answer your questions. Get in touch with one today.
Call 0800 999 1083 today!
Therapy is one of the most effective types of drug addiction treatment. Patients engage in various therapies during this time to help them understand why they take drugs and develop healthy coping skills.
To assist you or a loved one in permanently overcoming nitrazepam addiction, quality rehab centres will provide various tested and extremely effective therapies. This will be in addition to the required dual diagnosis therapy and complete medical supervision detox:
Addiction to nitrazepam is a stressful and harmful illness. Finding the best rehabilitation and treatment programme can be difficult and complex. This is where we can be of assistance. A small but crucial component of addiction is hiding your thoughts, feelings, and emotions out of fear of being discovered by others. This is where having a strong, personalised treatment plan will aid with additional advantages.
One of the best therapy for treating drug addiction is CBT. It’s a type of therapy meant to help individuals alter their destructive mental patterns. It is based on the idea that unfavourable thoughts and learned behaviours are connected to psychological issues. CBT is a solution-focused therapy for patients who want to improve their entrenched behaviours.
DBT is a form of psychotherapy intended for those who struggle to control their emotions. To prevent emotional dysregulation and drug abuse, DBT focuses on identifying and changing harmful attitudes and behaviours.
DBT teaches individuals how to identify and change unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns. They are instructed in stress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, mood regulation, and problem-solving techniques to achieve this.
Family therapy can be helpful for families in coping with the emotional impacts of addiction. This entails teamwork to enhance family relationships, settle disputes, and create a shared understanding of the patient’s post-rehab existence.
A family programme is specially created to meet the requirements of families dealing with drug addiction. These programmes aim to teach family members appropriate interpersonal skills and dispute resolution techniques. Family programmes typically consist of one or more weekly sessions and last between six months and two years.
It is incredibly unpleasant to love someone dependent on any substance or behaviour. We know the terrible effects of a loved one’s addiction on everyone’s lives. The constant dread for their safety and anxiety about their well-being, as well as the bitterness and fury at being lied to and deceived, can be tremendously draining.
You get used to being constantly alert, waiting for the call or knocking at the door to inform you that they are no longer living. You will eventually start to feel the emotional effects of their acts as their addiction worsens. It’s possible that you’ve lost sight of what tranquilly feels like and feel utterly alone by your own misery.
If you are or have been affected by someone else’s addiction, there are different options of aid and support for you to contact, both privately and through the free services. By learning how to put your own needs first, you will learn how to not accidentally assist your loved one’s addiction and keep yourself safe simultaneously. Families Anonymous and Adfam are two excellent free assistance organisations.
You may also be offered a family recovery programme or support if a loved one or family member is enrolled in a rehab programme. We urge you to utilise all available resources to your advantage so that you can discover how to recover back your life.
The key to long-term recovery is preventing relapse. This is a continuous process that can be facilitated by learning coping skills and defence mechanisms in therapy (for instance, during rehab), as well as by participating in self-help groups and counselling, at least in the early stages of your recovery. The occasional relapse does not indicate that you have failed in your recovery or that you will undoubtedly relapse into addiction, so do not give up if you still find yourself doing so. Although mistakes are inevitable, it’s crucial to learn from them. Consult an expert on addiction for advice on preventing relapse and dealing with it should it happen.
BACP accredited psychotherapist with 16 years experience working in mental health specialising in psychodynamic person-centred therapies treating those with a range of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and Addiction.
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