Is Zopiclone a Benzo? Doc says no, taking it for sleep, good or bad idea guys?

[[Fi...]]

Don't want to be taking it if it's going to effect me healing. Help thanks!

[[Ir...]]

Yes. Your doctor is uneducated in how this medication works.  It is called a non-benzo hypnotic.  All of these 'Z' drugs, Ambien, lunesta etc. are used as sleep aids because they have relatively short half life's meaning they put people to sleep, but are mostly cleared from the body as to not leave you drugged or groggy feeling the next morning.

 

But do not kid yourself.  Look up the Ashton manual, or on this site.  They are benzos in that they effect your GABA receptors in the exact same way. Withdrawal is the same, and use of the Z drugs will not allow your brain to heal. 

 

You need to find a solution that does not effect your GABA system.  Trazadone, Seroquel, melatonin are used by some who have trouble with insomnia.  Obviously the best choice would be nothing, but I've lived this and know that sleep can take a long long time to return and in the interim, I did need a pharmaceutical solution or at least an aid, and I chose Seroquel. 

[[wa...]]

Yep - Irish is right.  I can attest to the nastiness of these meds.  Took me many months to get off the Lunesta. When the doc tells you it "clears" your system - thats theoretical because it is damaging/altering your GABAA receptors every time u use them and, if you use them enough, you are going to have to recover and heal from them by discontinuation.    I was a zombie during the daytime on it too but had dependence so needed it almost every night and more when ill (flu or something).

 

I miss the sleep from the L -- although it wasn't too helpful towards the end.  Spare yourself.  WBB

[[Sp...]]

I, like others I'm sure, had it put me to sleep on my feet. Brain down, physically not. Would come around in strange places not knowing what he h*ll happened. Fortunately, only took me a few weeks to figure it all out and threw it all away before I got too hooked.

[[Se...]]

Seems like this was covered but your doctor isn't your ally in this.  I assume it was a doctor who got you into this to start with.  Ambien and lunesta aren't technically benzos, but they're chemically very similar and act on the same receptors...and come with the same dependence and withdrawal profiles.