Help please

[[lo...]]

hey guys would I be cheating if I took half a Zopiclone  to sleep every now and then

 

would it affect my withdrawal I know its not a benzo but quite similar

[[WW...]]

Hi Lonewolf,

 

I took Zopiclone for a couple of years and I truly believe it is the drug that caused a lot of problems for me. Memory loss, DP/DR, fatigue -- all the same symptoms that come from long-term benzo use. And - it has a short half-life, so it will cause WD symptoms to kick in much faster than a longer acting benzo.

 

In my experience, taking any of these drugs occasionally in order to get some sleep will cause kindling - intense WD symptoms. I took a few rescue doses early in my WD period, and it set me back in my recovery. I learned that rescue dosed sleep just isn't worth the cost of kindling.

 

I used Benadryl, melatonin, calcium-magnesium, and Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime tea to help me relax enough for sleep the first few months - but, it was still kind of hit or miss. I think it was around six months that I started being able to fall asleep without the Benadryl, and just used melatonin and calcium-magesium. These are minerals that our bodies need to function properly.

 

Good luck. I hope you get some rest soon.

[[Da...]]

Hi lonewolf1234, I looked it up and you are right it says "acts like a benzo".

 

I don't know what that means exactly. I don't typically advice anyone on taking and else for sleep but I don't know if it will causing kindling or not. I do take an antidepressant that actually helps me sleep. which means I'm taking something that helps me sleep. I don't want to give you any advice about taking other things or not. I don't want to tell you something and then it causes you to go back into WD.

 

See how I avoided answering your question. If you really cannot sleep and want to try it. I would say it is OK. You have to go into with the idea that it will possibly backfire and make you worse. It may help you sleep or make you as sick as hell.

[[be...]]

Medicines called zaleplon, zolpidem and zopiclone are commonly called the Z drugs. Strictly speaking, Z drugs are not benzodiazepines but are another class of medicine. However, they act in a similar way to benzodiazepines. (They have a similar effect on the brain cells as benzodiazepines.)

 

Since the "act" similar withdrawal symptoms  are often the same as well. We have quite a few members who joined us. Since we are so similar I would caution using them two months to help with insomnia. You may want to try something like Benadryl.

[[Ce...]]

Hi lonewolf,

 

I want to warn you not to take this drug. I did take this after about 3 weeks into my c/t, and my acute w/d revved up like crazy. It was like starting all over again, maybe even worse, if that's possible.  It was not worth it! I think I'd rather be sleep deprived than go through that again! I hope you'll make the choice not to.

 

Good luck!! ~CeCe