Sonata detoxing helps clients to withdraw from the drug in a stable environment, with the offer of medical intervention if necessary. Compared to going “cold turkey”, it’s much more effective, as well as being safer.
Unsure where to start with a Sonata detox? Get in touch with Rehab 4 Addiction on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international). Our advisors are as empathetic as they are experienced.
Sonata is a brand name for Zaleplon. It’s a sedative and hypnotic drug used to treat insomnia.
Usually, Sonata is prescribed for people who have problems falling asleep, as it is effective at inducing sleep. If someone struggles to stay asleep, Sonata is unlikely to work for them.
As a non-benzodiazepine, Sonata is thought to produce less side effects than drugs such as Temazepam.
In many patients, it improves sleep without negative side effects (1). In fact, in as little as four hours, most patients are able to safely drive a car (2).
In the UK, the risk of Sonata addiction is low, as doctors tend to prescribe this sleeping pill on a short-term basis.
Long-term use is more likely to evolve into dependency, which can in turn, evolve into addiction.
Despite this low risk, it is still possible for Sonata users to become reliant on the drug. People are more susceptible if they:
Anyone with a past drug or alcohol issue is more likely to develop a Sonata addiction. It’s important to be extra cautious, only taking drugs when necessary, and leaning on professionals (e.g., your therapist or GP) for accountability.
Not everyone knows if they are genetically prone to addiction, so we all need to take care. If we’re at a higher biological risk of developing a dependency, it’s more likely that we will struggle to use Sonata in a healthy, controlled way.
Some people are more prone to withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking Sonata.
This can be a very unpleasant experience, and it’s enough to push some people to keep taking the drug, often leading to dependency.
People who aren’t aware of the vicious cycle of addiction may not realise just how easy it is to become reliant on a drug. This can lower their defenses, and lead to unwise decisions such as taking Sonata when they don’t necessarily need it.
It’s been known for GPs to prescribe Sonata “just in case”, for patients who don’t have severe sleeping issues.
Sometimes, patients will then enjoy the experience of taking Sonata, and keep taking it despite not needing it.
Even if doctors recommend stopping Sonata as soon as possible, some patients continue to take further pills, which puts them at an increased risk of addiction.
One of the main treatments for Sonata addiction is Sonata detox.
If someone is dependent on Sonata, and decides to stop taking it suddenly, they may experience withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
Sonata detoxing makes quitting as safe as possible. Users can slowly withdraw from Sonata, with a medical professional keeping an eye on their wellbeing from beginning to end. This usually takes from a few days up to a couple of weeks.
As withdrawal symptoms can be both physical and psychological, medical staff can prescribe medication to treat both of these types of symptoms.
Throughout the detox, they can also monitor hydration and nutrition, helping the patient regain their strength.
If the detox takes place in an inpatient rehab or outpatient rehab, it will usually be just one important step in the context of long-term recovery.
It’s often followed by therapy, counselling, life skills, and aftercare.
We described detox as one step in the process, but are further steps always necessary?
Some people choose to get a Sonata detox without any other treatments. In mild cases, this isn’t necessarily a dangerous decision to make.
However, seeking comprehensive care is always the best option for your long-term recovery.
Addiction doesn’t disappear after a detox, so it’s highly recommended to get both physical and psychological support to prevent future relapse.
You will only get an idea of the exact detox timeline once you’ve chosen a treatment provider. Most processes look something like this:
This is the time for you to tell medical professionals about your addiction. It may be tempting to hide certain things, but it’s crucial to be open so that you receive the best possible care.
The staff aren’t there to judge you; they just need to know your story in order to reduce risk as much as possible.
For example, if you told staff your addiction was mild, but it was in fact moderate, you may end up receiving the wrong medication or a low level of supervision.
To avoid this, staff will ask you important health questions and examine you.
Finally, a personalised treatment plan will be created during the assessment. If you’ve opted for comprehensive treatment, psychological treatments will also be included in this.
Sonata detox starts with early withdrawal.
For the first few days, your body is learning how to cope without Sonata in its system, and you may start to feel the consequences of this in the form of withdrawal symptoms.
Many clients experience sweating, mood swings, stomach cramps, vomiting, concentration issues, insomnia, and headaches. This is normal, and it will usually go away once your body has completely withdrawn from the drug.
Serious withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures, are possible, but not likely. If this does occur, doctors will be available immediately to take care of you.
For the next couple of weeks, you may experience worsened, or new withdrawal symptoms. This is where medically-assisted detoxing is so important, as you can avoid long-term effects by receiving the right medication at the right time.
After around a fortnight, most clients have experienced the worst of their physical withdrawal symptoms.
Psychological symptoms often stay around for longer, so it’s common to still have mood swings, cravings, etc.
At this stage, you will be able to begin other treatments, including therapy, which will help you to manage any lingering symptoms and tackle long-term recovery.
You don’t have to detox at rehab, but it is usually the most effective option.
Rehabs provide you with 24/7 care, meaning you are in the safest possible place to recover, especially if you experience serious withdrawal symptoms.
For anyone who is older, has pre-existing health conditions, or has a severe Sonata addiction, this is without a doubt the safest choice.
In terms of the type of rehab, inpatient is the most successful, as it includes diverse treatments that reduce the risk of relapse. Some clients can even begin these treatments whilst they’re still in the detox phase.
After inpatient rehab, the next safest option would be outpatient rehab.
There would still be constant medical supervision (in most treatment centres), but you would spend your evenings and nights at home, and unless previously arranged, you wouldn’t go on to have therapy, workshops, etc.
Another treatment that takes place outside of rehab is home detoxing. Clients can withdraw from Sonata without leaving their house, by keeping in contact with medical professionals over the phone or online, and following detox instructions.
This can still be transformative for those with mild issues, but it doesn’t compare to completing a full treatment plan at a rehab facility.
It also requires people to have adequate support at home, and to be able to manage their triggers, which isn’t always possible.
Yes, many people with mental health struggles detox from Sonata successfully.
These clients are known as dual diagnosis, as they are battling an addiction alongside a mental health condition.
Regardless of your condition, it’s always recommended to detox in an inpatient rehab setting if you have experienced mental health challenges.
It’s also important to be mindful of any vulnerabilities that you may have because of your condition, as you may need a higher level of care depending on the severity.
Before you begin the detox, any reputable treatment centre will explore your mental health, and assess your needs based on this.
Make sure you’re open about your current symptoms so that any unique needs can be incorporated into your detox plan.
For example, you may need to keep taking medication for a mental health disorder. Doctors will ensure any detox medication they prescribe is safe to take alongside your current medication.
Another example is you may deal with insomnia. As this is a common withdrawal symptom in the Sonata detox, doctors can closely monitor your sleep and take preventative measures to improve your sleep quality.
We understand that treatment decisions can feel overwhelming, so we simplify the process.
When you get in touch with us, an experienced advisor will talk through your specific Sonata addiction and recommend treatments that would suit you.
Then, often in as little as one day, they can make a referral to a highly-regarded treatment centre, whether that’s a rehab or outpatient facility.
In other words, we can help you start your Sonata recovery today. Simply give us a ring on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international) to meet one of our brilliant advisors.
We complete this discussion by providing answers to common questions around this important topic:
No, there are medically-supervised Sonata detoxes, but some detoxes don’t involve medication.
Often, no medication is used unless the client is experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms that can be treated medically.
Yes, you can get a Sonata detox even if you feel your problem is mild. This is the best possible time to get a detox, as it reduces the chances of your dependency becoming an addiction.
Our services are highly confidential. With your consent, we will share your information to a treatment provider, but we will never tell anyone else outside of this.
If you would rather keep your detox private, you do not have to inform anyone. It’s recommended to tell a close family member who can support you, and some people choose to tell their employer, but this is a personal decision.
Yes, you can relapse after a Sonata detox. This doesn’t mean the detox didn’t work. Relapse can happen at any stage of recovery, and it doesn’t mean you will go back to long-term drug use.
If you seek comprehensive Sonata addiction treatment, the psychological support will help you to know how to cope if you do relapse, and how to avoid relapsing in the future.
