Zopiclone has a good reputation as a prescription sleep aid that can help you get a good night’s rest, so you may not notice it’s addictive until it begins to take a toll on your health and relationships.
If you feel you’re becoming dependent on Zopiclone, you’re not on your own. Zopiclone addiction can be treated with detox, counselling, therapy, holistic recovery and lifestyle coaching.
From a simple tapered detox to sleeping pill rehab, find out how to get help for Zopiclone addiction, and how you can successfully recover.
Many people develop Zopiclone addiction by taking it for longer than 2-4 weeks, or by using it recreationally to manage feelings like anxiety or stress.
If you use Zopiclone regularly, you will develop a tolerance, where you need to take a higher dose to achieve the same effect. Taking a large quantity over an extended period of time can lead to dependency.
In studies, Zopiclone was found to affect several areas of the brain – the cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus and cerebellum. It enhances the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which is why it makes us feel sedated and sleepy.
Once your brain adjusts to the sleep aid producing these sleep chemicals, it becomes reliant on them and less effective at producing them naturally.
If you’ve found that you can’t sleep without Zopiclone, you may have rebound insomnia – a common withdrawal symptom. This can cause people to take more sleeping pills, creating a vicious cycle.[1]
Zopiclone addiction is when you become unable to function normally without the sleep aid.
At this point, it can feel impossible to cut down, stop or manage life without the medication, but recovery is always possible with the right support.
If you think you or someone you know is addicted to Zopiclone, it’s important to make an appointment with a medical professional before trying to quit.
Your treatment options for Zopiclone addiction include:
Zopiclone withdrawal is when you stop taking the drug and your body gradually adjusts back to normality. The length of time it lasts will depend how long you’ve been taking Zopiclone, and how high the dose has been.
Zopiclone withdrawal happens because your brain has adapted to the sedative effects of Zopiclone, so when you stop taking it, you can have rebound symptoms.
Most withdrawal symptoms will reduce after two weeks:
It can be dangerous to quit Zopiclone without medical support, so speak to your GP for advice. Inpatient rehab will help you manage your withdrawal symptoms, and monitor your health to ensure you feel safe and supported.
You can give yourself the best chances of a smooth withdrawal by ensuring you look after your mental health, avoid triggers, sleep well, eat balanced meals and drink plenty of water.
Inpatient rehab offers an environment that focuses on your overall health, so you can withdraw as comfortably as possible.
Once you’ve chosen your Zopiclone treatment provider, you’ll begin treatment. A holistic approach that’s tailored to your individual needs will give you the best chances of a successful recovery.
The first step will be to start your sleeping pill detox by stopping Zopiclone. Depending on how high your dependency is, you may be offered a tapered detox, where you gradually decrease your dose.
This can also be done at home if your GP says it’s safe for you to complete a home detox. A medically-supported detox may be necessary if you have severe withdrawal symptoms.
Next, you should be supported with therapy. This can include psychological therapies like CBT, CBT-I (for insomnia), trauma-informed therapy, relaxation therapy, or anxiety management skills.
These can help you manage the psychological effects of withdrawal, and get to the root cause of why you felt you needed to misuse Zopiclone.
Finally, you should receive aftercare, which is dedicated recovery support for after you have finished your treatment. You’ll receive check-ins to ensure your coping mechanisms are working, and you’re staying sober.
The NHS recommend that if you’ve been taking Zopiclone for more than four weeks, you will need to gradually reduce your dosage. This is to prevent dangerous withdrawal symptoms like seizures.
Your GP will give you a carefully considered dose reduction schedule. It’s important not to reduce your dose too quickly, so you should never reduce your dose faster than one change per week.[2]
Zopiclone addiction is characterised by behavioural, physical and psychological signs. If you or someone you know is showing signs of Zopiclone addiction, seek immediate medical attention.
Behavioural signs:
Physical and psychological signs:
Below, we answer common questions around the topic of Zopiclone addiction:
Yes, Zopiclone is safer than some sedatives, but dependence can develop even when taken as prescribed. Your doctor should monitor your prescription to ensure you don’t develop a tolerance. It’s important you don’t take more Zopiclone than prescribed.
Zopiclone tolerance can develop within weeks of use. Your addiction risk increases with longer use and higher doses. After four weeks of consistent use, you will likely begin having symptoms of addiction.
Anyone can develop an addiction, but some people are more predisposed than others. People with mental health conditions, previous substance abuse, recreational misuse or high levels of stress are more likely to use Zopiclone to try to relieve other symptoms.
Abrupt cessation can be dangerous, particularly after long-term use. Always seek medical advice before stopping. If you’ve been taking Zopiclone for more than 4 weeks, the NHS recommends you taper off, to reduce your risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Insomnia can be managed with good sleep hygiene, lifestyle adjustments and CBT-I. Waking up and going to bed at the same time every day, only using your bed for sleep, cutting down on caffeine and keeping your bedroom around 16 degrees will give you the best chances of a good night’s sleep.
Feeling shame or fear around Zopiclone addiction is common, but you’re not alone. Many people successfully recover with the help of rehab.
Rehab 4 Addiction can offer referrals to leading rehabs throughout the UK that can give you the best level of support for a successful recovery.
To discuss your treatment options for Zopiclone addiction, call 0800 140 4690 (or +44 345 222 3508 from outside the UK).
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2231551/
[2] https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/news/document/zopiclone-tapering-document-june-2022/
