My experience of zopiclone (down the rabbit hole)

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Hi my name is Margaret and I am a 35 year old housewife who is prescribed 3x 3.75mg zopiclone a nightand I would like to share with you the signs of an addiction silently creeping up in order someone might recognise where they are and stop the process( unlike I who was given no warning s at all and blundered in foolishly.)

My doctor failed to tel me on first prescribing zopiclone 1. THEY ARE HABIT FORMING PHYSIOLOGICALLY IF TAKEN DAILY FOR JUST A WEEK!!!4

Point 2 , THERE ARE STUDIES SHOWING REPEATED INFECTIONS OF THE BODY WHEN TAKEN LONG TERM DUE TO THE FACT THEY ARE THOUGHT TO DAMAGE IMMUNE RESPONSES. THIS DRUG IS EVEN THOUGHT TO CAUSE CANCERS DUE TO DECREASED IMMUNE FUNCTION IN THE BODY AND IS LINKED WITH EARLY DEATH IN PROLONGED USERS. ( I might add that a good majority Do end up long term users because the withdrawl symptoms are emotionally and physically intensel and because the pain of them is stopped instantly by taking the pills again

ZOPICLONE CAN PRODUCE PROTRACTED WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS THAT CAN LAST ON AND OFF FOR YEARS WITH NO CURE AND THIS SUBSEQUENTLY CAN CAUSE RELAPSE. People can suffer for years with the withdrawal syndrome repeating and relenting over time, neurologicaly everyone has a different brain and body system so it depends how a persons body reacts to recovery. Zopiclone are a direct assault on the central nervous system and the gamma receptors in our brain that regulate chemicals that are vital in helping you stay calm naturally or go to sleep. Sleep deprivation has been used as torture in the past for good reason. The withdrawal effects are not only felt at night but all day long as well which makes me personally stressed and unable to relax, twitchy and utterly depressed , craving the next dose for the relief that is in it.

ZOPICLONE PLAY HAVOC WITH EMOTIONS AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO MAKE PEOPLE DEPRESSED AND STRESSED

ZOPICLONE CAN WORSEN THE INSOMNIA THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HELPING WITH.

ECG MONITORING BRAIN ACTIVITY SHOWED PATIENTS ON ZOPICLONE HAD UNUSUAL BRAIN WAVE ACTIVITY INDICATING THE SLEEP PATTERN NEUROLOGICALLY WAS DIFFERENT FROM A NATURAL SLEEP THEREFORE THE PATIENT WAS NOT GETTING QUALITY REST.

This is just the effects bodily, the pain is just beginning for the trusting patient who initially finds the drug effective for insomnia and with the added bonus of feeling wonderfully relaxed and at peace before sleeping (better than any glass of wine one starts to notice).

All of the above are not the only evils this drug brings onto your body, they also have a terrible effect on the MIND.

I speak from experience of being on this drug for more than 5 yrs.

It started innocently and I did not abuse the drug or willfully set out to become a drug addict. I have usually got a strong sense of right and wrong . alcohol has never been a problem for me and I rated myself as fairy responsible in that I would not easily become addicted, how ever, addiction was not mentioned or the horrors above when i was prescribed this on repeat prescription for years! I was just given no info and I trusted my dr as I thought they had an understanding these days that gps do not prescribe addictive drugs since the vaium epidemic of the 50's, seems the lesson was not learned in some cases.

I now struggle with the embarrassment of visiting my gp to ask for this medicine which he does not want to prescribe. I feel I have lost all respect for myself and I no longer feel I am treated with the same respect as I was previously from the doctors. I have been honest and disclosed the fact I am addicted to these pills and this fall is so painfully felt in the completely different way I am treated now. I have become the enemy it almost seems. I have in desperation tried to have my prescription a few days earlier as I have ran out, never more than a few days but the doctors do not sympathise or even talk to me or offer counselling on this , instead I receive a humiliating letter being told off like a child threatened with expulsion. It always seems to look like I am the most deceitful person in the world conning drs , it is awful because I am an honest person with feelings . None of the drs take any responsibility that I did not end up this ill on my own, now it feels like this is totally my fault , even though I followed the instructions given and took no more or less. I find mysef now relegated to the status of junkie which is a killer blow to my self esteem.. Receptionists and pharmacists are wary and suspicious after reading the drug on the prescription, fine before but not after. The social judgement is the worst to take and I only take my pills at home and noone knows except immediate family and the people handling the prescriptions.

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF PRESCRIBED ANY DRUG IT WOULD ALWAYS BE MY ADVICE TO INVESTIGATE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE TAKING , ANY PILL OR DRUG FROM THE DR AS I ENDED UP HERE BECAUSE OF SIMPLY FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS GIVEN BY THE DOCTOR RELIGIOUSLY UNTIL i WAS ADDICTED.. I HOPE WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED AND SHARED WILL HELP SOMEONE MAKE A GOOD DECISION. I ENCOURAGE ANYONE TO LEAVE ME A MESSAGE OR CONTACT ME AS I SADLY FEEL LIKE AN EXPERT IN THIS ZOPICLONE ADDICTION NOW SO ID BE HAPPY TO BE THERE FOR ANYONE IN THEIR STRUGGLE TOO. tAKE CARE X

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  • Posted

    Hi Chucky25,

    I understand how you feel.  After 19 years on the drug (which I was told not addictive) I went off of it.  Just like you, I told my dr. I was addicted and he cut me off...now explanation (I am in Canada).  Thought I was doing okay off of it; however, one month later I checked myself in to the city hospital.  This was the best move I could have done. They stabilized my sleep and provided seminars on anxiety and sleep issues....all covered under our government.

  • Posted

    THANK YOU... your post has made so much sense to me. I've been on it for about ten yrs. I get 28 pills for each month, regardless of the number of days in that month. I can not have them b4 the given date. Every few months I am therefore coping with the shortfall... I've gone 4 days on about 8hrs sleep and I'm falling apart. Twitching, itching, terrorS, sweating, nausea and intolerance to noise. I actually look really ill! My gp recently retired and the new one doesn't know me. I'm afraid to give him a poor view of myself. I take 7.5mg every night and sometimes, even with it, I don't sleep. People think you exaggerate when you say you have not been to sleep, but it's true . I feel like I've entered a darker, evil world of pain and fear. I get my new prescription tomorrow.... I wonder whether to just not take any more. Surely, I will get to a point soon where I just sleep. I don't want to carry on as I am on this horrible rollercoaster existence. Is it better to just 'bite the bullet' now I've gone this far? What do you think? I know it's my own choice/decision but. I would appreciate your advice. xSx
  • Posted

    Just spent 5000 pounds getting detoxed off these got addicted to them
  • Posted

    I'm now on day 7 with no zops... Headache is easing due to migraine cool patches. Only 3hrs sleep last night and a weird nightmare BUT I believe in on my way back out of it.

    Is this a result of the drug's short half-life? According to research and other people's experience, I should now be physically clear of the drug. I'm determined to beat this, after being on it for ten yrs.

    Anyone else's opinion/advice would be welcomed.

    I'll update tomorrow . Stay strong everyone. We are doing it.... Taking back the control.

    • Posted

      Hi my name is sarah I have been on 15mg a day for 2 years .I know iam addicted .you are doing so well smog.how has it been coming off cause I would say day 7 is great achievement.
    • Posted

      18 days now, Sarah. I'm pleased that I've done it after reading the stuff on here. I'm ok.... Not sleeping all night but I'm not panicking over it and can manage, after a while, to get back to sleep. The biggest bonus is that I am much more lucid. I'm me again. Thanks for your vote of confidence and good luck to you. XSueX
    • Posted

      I totally agree with the social aspect I have stopped going out and I avoid people due to that I have gained loads if weight.I must say my doctor is brilliant. I was buying them from a friend for over 2 years.my doctors knew as I wanted to be truthfull.since I said I want to stop she has been trying to help me she wants me to take one and miss a day I don't even take them on night time I take for stress in the day they just make me feel normal.but I know that is the addiction talking are the withdrawal really bad or as you say is it the fear xx sarah
    • Posted

      Hello Sarah,

      How are you doing? Did you decide to stop/ reduce your zopiclone? 15mg is, I think, quite a high dose and you may experience problems coming off it.

      There are lots of people on here that can offer you advice and support. I have read that The Ashton Plan is successful, although I can't speak personally about it. I just stopped taking it, which made me quite ill for about a week. I'm now on 20 days without it and I feel great.

      Please post an update on how you're doing. Take good care of yourself. xSx

    • Posted

      Thank you I am going to try one day half a tablet then one day 15mg for a week then half for full week then off. My doctor don't like the Ashton methods. Apparently 1 ten mg vali um is 4 times the strength of zopiclone and I have addictive personality it's harder to come of valiu. Will let you know how I get on xxxx
    • Posted

      Hello Sarah.

      The fear and the anxiety can stop you from dumping the drug.... Yet it's the drug that actually causes that anxiety in the first place. It's a vicious cycle and I ended up in the middle of it; scared with a poor quality of life.

      You asked how it was coming off it..... It was a bit like having a bad virus. Temperature spikes, hot then freezing. I had shaky hands, an upset stomach, horrible nightmares and the headache from hell. For the first 3 days, I hardly slept at all. BUT it was just a week of my life and I'm ok now. The lack of sleep and then the nightmares made me cry, they were so bad.... That was the worst bit.

      I'm not suggesting that my way is the best way. Everyone is different. You're doctor sounds like a decent person who will help you

      I'll keep checking the forum in case you want to chat. I'm here to support you if it helps. xSuex

    • Posted

      You're right to do this your own way. With the support of your friends and your doctor you can do it. If I can, anyone can !

      I think that a positive attitude is half the battle. Be confident in your own ability and take back the control of your life.

      For the first time in years I wake up without a fuzzy head and I like it. In just a couple of weeks you will be feeling great. xSx

  • Posted

    Hi Margaret I know it's an old post .I was wondering were you still on zopiclone.
  • Posted

    Honey.  If you're email wasn't so long.   But coz of the drugs and booze I can't take it all in 

    keep your messages shiort and we can help you

    i lost you about half way 

    xxx 

  • Posted

    Hi M.

    First don't be too hard on youself.I was on the same dose for 6 years.I GOT OFF IT comfortablely with the help of my psychiatrist using the Ashton method.The first few days were uncomfortable but I persevered and feel great. Most of withdrawal is fear. Zopiclone is addicting but your not a junkie. Zopiclone gave me tintinitus which has disappeared. I also believe it gives rebound anxiety. You can get off it.Ask about the Ashton method, it works.

    • Posted

      Well done, Michael. I agree with you about ' not being a junkie' . We were prescribed zopiclone by a doctor for genuine sleep problems.

      I also think that it causes rebound anxiety when you're on it for a prolonged period. I ended up afraid to go out and actively avoided seeing people.

      I'm no longer taking it and I'm happier, more sociable and lucid. It unfortunately took me ten years to realise that it didn't suit me.

      I keep looking at the forum in case anyone needs support as I did when I stopped taking it. S

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