Lunesta Withdrawal
Table of Contents
What is Lunesta?
As a sedative, Lunesta is classified as a non-benzodiazepine drug. Lunesta is prescribed for insomnia due to the effectiveness. The drug also has a high potential for abuse, addiction and interactions with other medications and substances. Lunesta is only prescribed by physicians to treat insomnia for the short-term. Insomnia is a difficult issue to cope with. Unfortunately, some of the individuals prescribed this drug as a sleep become dependent and Lunesta withdrawal is possible.
Lunesta becomes the only way they can get a night of high-quality sleep. Despite the prescription written for the short-term, the person becomes dependent. If you have become addicted to Lunesta, you will most likely begin using more of the drug to obtain the same effect within a short period of time. An addiction to Lunesta will significantly impact your life. You can become more susceptible to accidents, feel drowsy or sleep too much because of the drug.
If you do not receive assistance from trained therapists and medical professions, quitting Lunesta by yourself is not only extremely difficult but dangerous as well. Understanding the withdrawal timelines and symptoms and why a supervised detox facility can help you stop using this drug safely is critical for your success. Lunesta is the brand name of a drug called eszopiclone and a hypnotic, non-benzodiazepine sedative.
Lunesta is classified in the same class as many sedatives created to induce sleep often referred to as Z-drugs including Sonata and Ambien. The pills have a circular shape with a blue or white coloration. Lunesta is available in one, two and three mg strengths. The drug is supposed to be consumed orally but Lunesta is often snorted to intensify the effects. Due to the significant abuse potential, the drug is for short-term usage only and highly-regulated.
Lunesta is unable to be purchased over-the-counter because it is only available with a prescription. Unfortunately, once a person becomes addicted, they usually find a way to purchase the drug illegally. The street names of Lunesta include sleepeasies, zombies and sleepers. Once you start abusing the substance, you may:
- Make excuses to continue using Lunesta
- Take Lunesta for the high
- Continue using the drug even after your prescription expires
- Mix the drug with others to increase the effects
- Increase your dosage without talking to your physician
- Crave the drug
- Isolate yourself from family and friends
- Believe the quality of your life will be poor if you are not using the drug
Is Lunesta Addictive?
If you use Lunesta for a long time or for recreational purposes, it can become addictive. When taken in large doses, the result is a euphoric effect. If you are also using other drugs, the effect will be intensified. Some people use the drug to help them sleep, others to get high. Approximately nine million people in the United States are using prescription drugs to sleep including Lunesta. Among them, 30 percent have become addicted.
Lunesta is not as addictive as benzodiazepine drugs, but if you do not follow the prescribed dosage or take it for too long, you can become addicted. Lunesta is often used with opioid drugs and alcohol. Not only will this increase your risk of dependence, but it is also dangerous due to the potential for overdose. The bottom line is yes, Lunesta is addictive.
Side Effects of Lunesta
Some people using Lunesta or using too large a dosage have a severe allergic reaction. If this happens, you need to obtain emergency medical assistance. The most common signs of a reaction include:
- Vomiting
- Swelling of the throat, tongue, lips or face
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
If you are abusing Lunesta, you may perform actions when not completely awake and not remember them later such as making a phone call, driving or walking. This behavior is extremely dangerous. If you drive or walk when you are not completely awake you are risking severe injury or your life. If you are abusing Lunesta, you are risking significant psychological and physical side effects. The short-term effects include:
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Impaired coordination
The long-term effects include:
- Suicidal actions or thoughts
- Tinnitus
- Kidney and liver damage
- Addiction
- Memory loss
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Light sensitivity
- Long-term cognitive issues
- Dependence
- Muscle twitches
Signs of a Lunesta Addiction
When a person becomes addicted to Lunesta, the following symptoms are common.
- Ignoring the prescribed dosage
- Consistently increasing the dosage
- Severe cravings for the drug
- Isolation
- Using Lunera with other drugs
- Crushing the pills to snort
- Inability to stop using the drug
Lunera is meant to be used for the short-term only. This means if you use the drug for the long-term, the risk of addiction and physical dependence increases. Once you have become addicted, you need to enter a detox facility to safely stop using Lunesta.
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Timeline for Lunesta Withdrawal
Once you become addicted, your withdrawal symptoms can last for a few weeks or several months after you stop using Lunesta. The time you will need for withdrawal depends on specific individual factors. Medical personnel is available in a detox facility to decrease the duration and severity of your withdrawal symptoms. During withdrawal, you can experience distressing and very intense symptoms including:
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Stomach cramps
- Muscle tremors and spasms
- Flushed skin
- Rebound insomnia
- Nervousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Mood swings
- Sweating
When you have insomnia, specific neurotransmitters and neurochemicals necessary for the regulation of sleepiness, anxiety and relaxation levels are unable to be produced by your brain. This production is increased by the drug to stop the insomnia cycle. If you use more Lunesta than you should for a long period of time, the chemicals in your brain go haywire. This is the reason intense rebound insomnia is possible after you stop using Lunesta.
You can also experience physical anxiety symptoms including tremors and sweating. If you quit the drug suddenly, all of these symptoms can become intensified. This is one of the reasons remaining sober is difficult. Anyone experiencing these disruptive, intense and painful symptoms has a greater risk of relapsing. Although it is rare, dangerous seizures are possible when you stop taking Lunesta. Detoxing from this drug is extremely uncomfortable and numerous people start using it again.
For these reasons, detoxing in a supervised detox center is critical. Entering medical detox offers you professional assistance 24/7. Medications are administered by the staff to help with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms so you can achieve sobriety gradually. This decreases your risk of relapse because you are withdrawing in a sober and supportive environment. You do not have to risk the temptation of using the drug because you receive the professional care necessary to comfortably achieve sobriety.
Emotional and Psychological Lunesta Withdrawal Symptoms
When you stop abusing Lunera, the emotional symptoms can be painful such as:
- Panic attacks
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Terrifying and vivid dreams
Benefits of Supervised Luna Detox vs Cold Turkey
The difference between medically supervised Lunesta detox and quitting cold-turkey is tremendous. Quitting cold-turkey means you stop using Lunesta suddenly. This will trigger intense emotional and physical symptoms within 12 hours after you consumed your last dosage. In some instances, the symptoms are dangerous. When your detox is supervised by trained medical staff, your risks are decreased due to qualified therapists and doctors.
Your dosage of Lunesta will be decreased gradually or you will be given a non-benzodiazepine replacement for the drug. When you taper off Lunests, the amount of the drug remaining in your system decreases gradually. This is a lot gentler for your body and stops you from experiencing the potentially dangerous, intense and painful symptoms of withdrawal. By choosing to detox in a controlled atmosphere, you have the benefit of a safe environment and medical support. Your risk of relapsing due to a painful withdrawal is substantially decreased.
Safe Measures While Going Through Lunesta Withdrawal
Receiving either a replacement sleep aid or gradually decreasing doses of Lunesta while in detox is safe. Due to the medical supervision provided, you can also take medication for both anxiety and nausea throughout the withdrawal process.
Unsafe Measures While Detoxing from Lunesta
Quitting the drug cold-turkey is not safe. You need to taper off with a replacement drug schedule. If you do not do this, you can experience rebound insomnia and dangerous seizures. Consuming anything that can make your insomnia or anxiety worse such as caffeine is not safe.
What is the Lunesta Withdrawal Process?
First, you will receive a physician assessment for the severity and duration of your Lunesta abuse. In order to be placed on a schedule to taper off effectively and safely, the physician must know the amount of Lunesta you have taken and for how long. Any underlying conditions and polydrug use will also be assessed at this time. This step is important because these factors impact the symptoms and timeline of your withdrawal.
Differences Between Lunesta and Non-Benzodiazepine Drugs
Other sleep aids are less likely to result in intense withdrawal symptoms. Lunesta was created to help you fall asleep and remain asleep. This means Lunesta will remain in your system for a longer period of time. This affects the duration and severity of your withdrawal symptoms. While the other sleep aids will help you fall asleep, they will not help you stay asleep.
Factors Influencing the Process for Lunesta Withdrawal
There are several factors influencing your withdrawal and the severity including:
- Underlying health conditions
- If you have attempted to quit in the past
- Polydrug abuse
- Weight, age and metabolism
- The frequency and length of time you have abused Lunesta
If you try to quit without obtaining support and help from trained medical professionals, you are taking an unnecessary risk. Attempting to detox while you are at home places you in the position of relapsing while risking both your safety and health. To be able to detox safely, you need to be in a safe environment where physicians are available to monitor you for side effects. When you get the help you need, you can live a fulfilling and sober life after Lunesta.
Long-Term Rehab for Lunesta Abuse
Depending on the length and severity of your addiction, you may decide to continue your treatment after detox. You can accomplish this with a rehab program. The physical part of drug abuse is addressed while you are in a detox facility. Detox by itself is not a cure for drug abuse or addiction. This is because in order to determine what was responsible for your addictive behavior, you need to understand and deal with your behavioral issues.
This is the reason rehab facilities were established. The main purpose of rehab for Lunesta is to:
- Understand and address the reasons you became addicted to Lunesta in the first place.
- Attend behavioral therapy to cope with your addictive behaviors.
- Work through what contributed to your drug abuse such as family or relationship issues.
- Learn how to recognize and handle triggers, stressors and situations placing you at high-risk during your daily life.
- Make certain relapse prevention strategies and techniques are in place.
There are different types of programs and rehab centers for Lunesta addiction and abuse. According to recent research, your best chance of remaining sober is a program lasting a minimum of 90 days. Despite the convenience of 30-day programs, it is not a suitable option for everyone. When you look for treatment for your addiction, you have two basic options, outpatient or inpatient drug rehab. The two types of programs are different for many reasons. Outpatient rehab involves:
- Living at home while participating in the program
- Taking part in 12-step group discussions and meetings
- Attending a series of sessions for group support at a clinical location
Inpatient rehab involves:
- Living at the rehab center
- Attending bout group and individual counseling sessions
- Taking part in alternative therapies including art therapy or music therapy
- Following a structured schedule every day
- Attending a series of 12-step meetings
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