Halcion Addiction
Halcion® is a prescription medication for insomnia. As a benzodiazepine, it has a high risk of addiction and is frequently abused by both prescription holders and illicit users. In 2021, nearly four million reported abusing benzodiazepines like Halcion. Learn about the effects of Halcion addiction and find addiction treatment resources.
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What Is Halcion?
Halcion is the brand name for Triazolam, a type of benzodiazepine. It is available in tablets containing either 0.125 or 0.25 milligrams (mg).
Like other “benzos,” Halcion encourages your brain to produce more GABA, a chemical that calms you down. The sedative effects cause respiratory depression, meaning they slow down your central nervous system (CNS) and make you feel drowsy.
The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) classifies Halcion as a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means it has a risk of abuse and dependence.
People who take benzodiazepines for as little as three to four weeks can experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking the medication. Halcion is intended for short-term use, and the FDA only recommends prescribing Halcion for 7 to 10 days.
Besides Halcion, the other most common benzodiazepine brand names are:
Side Effects of Halcion Abuse
Misusing or abusing Halcion (triazolam) can lead to a wide range of side effects that may become more severe over time.
Some of the immediate side effects of Halcion abuse include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Extreme drowsiness or sedation
- Slurred speech
- Impaired coordination or balance
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heightened anxiety, nervousness, or agitation
Long-term or excessive use of halcion can cause more dangerous side effects, such as:
- Severe cognitive issues: Memory loss, confusion, or hallucinations
- Respiratory problems: Shallow or labored breathing
- Mental health disturbances: Intense mood swings, depression, hostility, or suicidal thoughts
- Physical dependence: Requiring higher doses to feel the same effects and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping
- Sleep-related behaviors: Sleepwalking or engaging in risky behaviors, such as driving or eating while asleep
Halcion abuse can also increase the risk of dangerous overdoses, which may lead to unconsciousness, respiratory failure, or death.
If you or someone you know is experiencing severe side effects or signs of overdose, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Halcion Abuse and Addiction
Most people become addicted to Halcion in one of the following ways.
Some people get a Halcion prescription from a doctor and later become dependent on the drug. People with a personal or family history of substance abuse are more vulnerable to abusing their Halcion prescriptions.
Other people don’t have a prescription, but they may get access to the drug through someone else’s prescription or buying it on the street. A 2016 research review found that drug abuse without a prescription was the most common type of benzodiazepine abuse.
However, buying Halcion on the street can be especially dangerous since “benzo” tablets available on the black market may be counterfeit and mixed with other drugs, like Fentanyl.
Hacion abuse may appear as:
- Taking Halcion prescribed to someone else
- Using Halcion to relax or get high rather than fall asleep.
- Taking Halcion tablets in ways other than their recommended use – like crushing them to snort or dissolving them to inject.
Signs of Halcion Addiction
Abuse accounts for around 17% of benzodiazepine abuse overall. You may notice the following signs if you or a loved one fall into that group.
Benzodiazepines, including Halcion, are commonly prescribed but also frequently misused. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), an estimated 17% of people who use benzodiazepines misuse them at some point.
Over time, misuse can lead to dependence and quickly cause addiction (i.e., substance use disorder) to develop.
Signs of addiction to Halcion can include:
- Craving Halcion when you aren’t taking it
- Taking Halcion more often than prescribed
- Building up a tolerance to Halcion (needing a higher dose to get the same effects)
- Giving up professional or personal responsibilities to take Halcion.
- Spending a lot of time obtaining Halcion tablets.
- Devoting more and more time to using or recovering from Halcion.
- Continuing to use Halcion, even when you know it’s causing problems in your life
Halcion Withdrawal
Since Halcion affects your brain’s GABA levels, your body gets used to functioning with the drug and stops making as much GABA on its own. So, if you abruptly stop taking Halcion, your body goes through a withdrawal period as it adjusts.
Halcion withdrawal can cause potentially deadly symptoms, and you should never stop using the medication suddenly or without medical supervision.
Halcion withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Rebound insomnia
- Anxiety or irritability
- Headaches
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Ear ringing
- Sweating
- GI symptoms, like nausea and diarrhea
- Rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, or palpitations
- Muscle pain and stiffness
Halcion is fast-acting and doesn’t stay in your body as long as more potent benzodiazepines, like clonazepam (Klonopin), meaning you may experience withdrawal symptoms faster.
Withdrawal symptoms can begin within a day or two after your last missed dose and can last three to four weeks or longer.
Halcion Overdose
A Halcion overdose can occur when the medication is misused, whether intentionally or accidentally.
The risk of overdose is exceptionally high if you:
- Take more than your prescribed dose
- Mix Halcion with another drug
- Use someone else’s prescription
- Take a tablet of unknown origins.
Halcion overdose symptoms may include:
- Confusion
- Slow or difficult breathing
- Loss of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Seizures
- Coma
Call 911 right away if you believe someone is experiencing a Halcion overdose and collapses, has trouble breathing, or loses consciousness.
Most people who fatally overdose on benzodiazepines also have opioids in their system. So, it’s a good idea to administer Narcan to the person suspected of overdosing.
While Narcan won’t stop the effects of Halcion or other benzodiazepines, it can reverse the effects of opioids and won’t harm a person with Halcion in their system.
Halcion Addiction Treatment
Halcion addiction can upend your life and leave you feeling lost and scared. But the good news is that there are treatment options available to help you reclaim control.
Many are available on an outpatient basis, meaning you don’t have to leave your home for an extended period or take time off work or school.
Halcion Detox
Medical detox programs help you taper off Halcion under supervision to prevent severe or life-threatening withdrawal effects.
Your doctor or healthcare provider will usually develop a personalized tapering schedule based on your current dosage and the duration you’ve used Halcion.
They may also switch you to a slower-acting benzodiazepine, like diazepam, at the beginning of the taper for a smoother transition.
You can go through Halcion detoxification as an individual program or as a part of a rehabilitation (rehab) program. Detox is offered via inpatient treatment (at a treatment center) or outpatient care (where you detox at home).
Halcion Rehab Programs
Halcion rehab programs feature a combination of medical interventions and mental health treatment to help you physically detox from the drug and break the pattern of addiction.
For example, you may undergo medical detox and attend individual and group therapy sessions every week.
You can go through Halcion rehab on an inpatient basis, where you’ll stay at a hospital or clinic, or on an outpatient basis, where you’ll live at home and attend your sessions like a regular doctor’s appointment.
Inpatient options are better suited for people who have severe addictions or need round-the-clock supervision, and outpatient rehab is better for people who have mild to moderate addictions and the means to travel to their appointments.
Most people who are good candidates for outpatient programs can achieve the same success rates as they could in an inpatient program but without the added expense.
Therapy for Halcion Addiction
Therapy is a key part of recovery for anyone struggling with Halcion addiction. Evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) help people identify negative thought patterns that lead to misuse and replace them with healthier ways of coping.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) can also be helpful, especially for those dealing with overwhelming emotions or co-occurring mental health challenges.
Group therapy offers a supportive space where individuals can connect with others facing similar struggles, while family therapy helps rebuild trust and improve communication with loved ones.
Holistic practices, like mindfulness and stress management techniques, can also make it easier to navigate the challenges of benzodiazepine addiction recovery.
A well-rounded treatment plan that combines therapy with medical support can make a meaningful difference, helping individuals build resilience and reduce the chances of relapse.
Halcion Statistics
Halcion abuse is a serious concern, contributing to the widespread misuse of prescription benzodiazepines in the United States.
The following statistics highlight the prevalence and dangers associated with benzodiazepine abuse, including Halcion:
- Prevalence: Approximately 2.2 million Americans abused prescription tranquilizers like Halcion in 2021.
- Benzodiazepine abuse trends: Approximately 3.9 million people abused benzodiazepines in 2021, down from 5.3 million in 2016.
- Young adults: Adults aged 18 to 25 have the highest rates of prescription benzodiazepine abuse.
- Overdose deaths: 12,499 people died from an overdose involving benzodiazepines in 2021.
- Opioid combination risk: From 2000 to 2019, around 84% of fatal benzodiazepine overdoses also involved opioids.
Getting Help for Halcion Addiction
Struggling with Halcion misuse or addiction? You’re not alone, and help is available.
Whether you need medical detox, therapy, or long-term support, there are effective treatment options to guide you toward recovery.
Take the first step today, and find your options on our treatment help page.
FAQs About Halcion
Can you take Halcion every day?
Only with a prescription and your doctor’s approval. Never take someone else’s prescription.
Do I have a Halcion addiction?
If you find yourself using your Halcion prescription more often than recommended, neglecting other aspects of your life to use Halcion, or taking someone else’s medication, you may be dealing with a benzodiazepine addiction.
What are the potential risks of long-term Halcion use?
People who take Halcion for longer than three to four weeks can develop dependencies on the drug and put themselves at risk of addiction or withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it.
What are the withdrawal symptoms of Halcion addiction?
You may experience worsened insomnia, along with other symptoms like anxiety, headaches, or GI discomfort. Some people may even experience life-threatening symptoms, like seizures.
How can I safely detox from Halcion addiction?
It’s important to detox from Halcion, or any other Benzodiazepine, under a doctor’s supervision to prevent serious side effects. You can find treatment programs in your area by calling the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) helpline at 1(800)662-4357.
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