Nitrazepam Addiction

Nitrazepam is a medication commonly used to help with severe insomnia and anxiety. While it can be very effective for these conditions, benzodiazepines like nitrazepam are among the most addictive prescription medications available today. Nitrazepam addiction can potentially affect anyone who takes the drug, especially those who misuse it or take it for longer than prescribed. Addiction can have life-altering impacts, but understanding how it develops, who is at risk, and the treatment available can help you avoid these dangers.

What is nitrazepam?

Nitrazepam, also sold under the brand name Mogadon, is a type of benzodiazepine medication known as a benzodiazepine that dates back to the 1960s and is used to help treat severe insomnia and certain types of anxiety disorders. It works by boosting the effects of a neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA, which helps calm the nervous system, relieve anxiety, and make it easier to fall and remain asleep.
Nitrazepam is often used when other treatments for insomnia or anxiety have not been effective because of its potency. However, this same potency is also why people sometimes use nitrazepam to get high and why it is typically prescribed for short-term use.

What is nitrazepam addiction?

Nitrazepam addiction is when your body and mind have become so dependent on nitrazepam that you keep taking the drug even though it is causing you problems and you don’t need it medically. It can sometimes begin with recreational nitrazepam abuse but often starts out with a prescription for sleep or anxiety.

Either way, over time, you can become physically dependent on the presence of certain levels of nitrazepam to boost GABA effects. If you stop taking nitrazepam, the sudden chemical imbalance can make you feel sick or anxious or cause other unpleasant withdrawal symptoms like muscle pain and even seizures.

Psychologically, nitrazepam can become a crutch if you are struggling with underlying issues. You may start using nitrazepam as a way to handle stress or anxiety, but as you become more reliant on the drug, it can feel like you can’t cope without it. This reliance can affect your feelings and behaviour and cause you to lose all control of how much you are taking.

Nitrazepam addiction in the UK

Nitrazepam addiction is a recognised issue in the UK, which has seen the drug categorised as a Class C controlled substance. Between 2022 and 2023, 3,620 people began treatment for benzodiazepine addiction in the UK, including for nitrazepam and other similar medications. However, the actual number of people who are addicted is likely to be far higher, as there were 509 deaths related to benzodiazepines in 2022 alone.

How to spot nitrazepam addiction symptoms

If you are reading this and are worried that you may be addicted to nitrazepam, there are some telltale nitrazepam addiction symptoms to look out for. Some of the easiest to spot include:

• Needing more nitrazepam than you used to
• Feeling unwell when you haven’t taken it
• Obsessing over when your next dose is coming
• Going “doctor shopping” for more nitrazepam addiction
• nitrazepam becoming the sole focus of your energies at the expense of school, work and relationships
• Being secretive about your nitrazepam use
• Continuing to take the drug even though you recognise these nitrazepam addiction symptoms

What makes nitrazepam addictive?

One thing that research has found is that some people are more at risk of developing addiction than others. That is why many people are able to take nitrazepam safely without ever abusing it or becoming dependent on it. Some of the risk factors that are now understood to make nitrazepam addiction more likely include:

The dangers of nitrazepam addiction

Both short-term nitrazepam side effects and the longer-term health impacts of nitrazepam addiction can be incredibly dangerous. Knowing what to watch out for can help you understand why getting help is important.

Physical health effects

• Constant tiredness: Taking nitrazepam regularly can make you feel extremely sleepy and low energy all day.
• Trouble with balance: You may find yourself tripping or having difficulty with simple movements, which can lead to accidents.
• Breathing issues: High doses of nitrazepam can slow your breathing, which is especially risky if you’re also drinking alcohol or taking other sedatives. In the worst cases, it can cause severe respiratory depression, which is what usually causes fatal nitrazepam overdose.
• Stomach issues: Using nitrazepam for a long time can cause chronic and unpleasant nausea, vomiting and constipation.
• Heart problems: Some people might experience heart palpitations or changes in blood pressure due to nitrazepam use, which can trigger serious conditions.

Mental health effects

• Worsening anxiety and depression: Even though nitrazepam is supposed to help with anxiety, misusing it can actually make you feel more anxious and depressed over time.
• Mood swings: You might also find your mood changing quickly, feeling irritable or angry without any clear reason.
• Delusions and hallucinations: In severe cases, long-term nitrazepam misuse can lead to hallucinations or delusions, where you see, hear or believe things that aren’t real.
• Poor decision-making: Nitrazepam addiction can cloud your judgement, leading to risky or harmful decisions.
• Isolation and mental health impacts: You might start avoiding social situations and withdrawing from friends and family so you can use nitrazepam in secret. The isolation this causes can then make you feel more depressed or anxious and cause increased nitrazepam use to cope.

What does nitrazepam addiction treatment entail?

There are various options for nitrazepam addiction treatment across the United Kingdom. These programmes usually begin with detox to help you safely withdraw from nitrazepam, benzodiazepine rehab to address why you actually became addicted and help with planning relapse prevention strategies. In the UK, you can receive treatment for free through the NHS or at an inpatient rehab centre, with both options having their own potential benefits.

What to do if I’m addicted to nitrazepam?

If you are struggling with nitrazepam addiction, reaching out for help is a crucial first step. You can contact your GP, speak to a specialist addiction centre or reach out to us for support. We have a directory of addiction treatment facilities an can help you find the right nitrazepam addiction treatment to begin your journey to recovery. Remember, you don’t have to face this alone. Contact us today to find out more about how to get started.

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