Halcion Treatment and Rehab

Halcion is a central nervous system depressant that belongs to a class of medicines known as benzodiazepines. Stimulants, opioids and benzodiazepines all target the same areas in the brain and their abuse carries adverse health effects. In 2008, the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) estimated that 325,000 emergency room visits involved CNS depressants. The latest figures reveal that young adults and adolescents are most at risk for developing addiction to prescription medications.

Abuse of benzodiazepines is a growing problem in the UK. Many patients accuse their GP of not informing them about the addictive nature of benzos like Halcion. Subsequently, when they try to quit, painful withdrawal symptoms manifest and reignite the problem, keeping them chained to the vicious cycle of drug dependence and addiction.

If you know anyone dealing with addiction to benzodiazepines, help is available.

Halcion abuse and addiction treatment

Sedative-hypnotics are a type of medication that slows down or depresses bodily functions. Benzodiazepines and barbiturates are the major classifications. Halcion falls under the classification of benzodiazepines (or ‘benzos’). It is often used to relieve anxiety before dental treatment or other medical procedures such as MRI scans and frequently prescribed to treat insomnia.

Halcion is very addictive and can cause dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, tingling of the skin, lack of coordination, headache and light-headedness. Like other benzos, it’s only meant to be used for a short period. Therefore, you expose yourself to the risk of substance addiction if you use Halcion for longer periods and you’ll subsequently require addiction treatment to quit the drug and live a life of abstinence.

Halcion addiction treatment: What is it?

Also known as Triazolam, Halcion has a short half-life of 90 minutes to three hours and works very quickly after being taken.

Halcion is a temporary solution to sleep disorders, because the original dose loses effectiveness within a few weeks. Some patients become addicted within two weeks and even those with a prescription are at risk of drug dependence. If you experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit or find yourself unable to function without Halcion in your body, it’s a sign that you could be addicted.

Treating an individual with benzodiazepine use disorder is a complicated process that should only be undertaken by an expert team of addiction specialists and medical professionals. Most patients with benzodiazepine use disorder also have a polydrug use problem, co-occurring disorder and other issues that should be addressed during treatment. Addiction treatment involves drug detox, medication for withdrawal, behavioural therapy, alternative therapy and aftercare planning.

Treatment for Halcion addiction is a necessity

Addiction doesn’t recognise race, wealth, lifestyle or status. It can affect anyone who abuses drugs in any way whatsoever. Everyone taking prescription medication is at risk of addiction, including patients who use Halcion to treat insomnia, individuals who use drugs to get ‘high’ and those who become addicted by accident.

Addicts have no control over their drug usage and need to keep increasing their dosage to

feel the original effects. Many people who have mental health issues use Halcion and other addictive substances to self-medicate their problems and avoid confronting the real issues that initially led to their drug usage.

Addiction affects the physical structure of your brain. When you try to quit, the brain (which has adjusted to the presence of drugs) fights for control. The longer you keep using and the more changes Halcion makes to your brain, the harder it is to quit and the harsher withdrawal will be. You’ll also be at risk of long-term health issues like gastrointestinal problems, psychosis, depression, insomnia and other mental health issues you tried to solve by using Halcion.

Choose a rehab facility that includes an in-house detox centre. They’ll help to rid your body of toxins and treat psychological addiction through the help of therapists, who fully understand Halcion addiction.

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Effective treatment for Halcion addiction

Any effective treatment plan must treat both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. It will entail detoxification, withdrawal medication, medical devices for treating withdrawal symptoms, delivering skills training, behavioural counselling and evaluating and treating mental health disorders alongside addiction treatment.

The goal of treatment is to teach you how to deal with triggers, treat psychological and physical symptoms of addiction and maintain long-term abstinence through positive responses to stressful situations. According to research, the following are principles of an effective drug addiction treatment:

  • Every individual should have a customised treatment plan
  • Treatment should view addiction as a complex, yet treatable disease, disrupting brain function and behaviour
  • Treatment should be available at all times
  • Recovering addicts should remain in treatment for at least three months to ensure the best possible outcome

Therapy and specialised treatment options

One principle of addiction treatment is that every individual exhibits different signs of addiction. Therefore, treatment plans should be uniquely tailored for your particular needs. Some of these issues include housing problems, financial woes, job loss, physical health issues and broken relationships. Specialised treatment utilises medication-assisted remedies. This includes pharmacology and psychotherapy to treat addiction.

During medical detox, doctors might treat Halcion withdrawal with less potent benzos like Valium and Klonopin, which are long-acting drugs. You’ll be tapered down gradually until Halcion has left your body.

During rehab, the following behavioural therapy techniques might be used in treatment:

Contingency Management (CM): CM is based on the principle that Halcion abuse is influenced by environmental, social and biological factors. By targeting the reward centre of the brain reinforcing drug use, you can learn positive behaviour that encourages abstinence. It motivates you with incentives and rewards for positive behaviour such as passing a drug test or reaching a recovery milestone.

Inpatient and outpatient rehab for Halcion addiction

The goal of any rehab is to rid your body of drugs, physically stabilise you for psychological treatment, use a range of behavioural therapy techniques to help you identify issues that led to your drug use and teach you to adopt positive actions and skills to replace unhealthy habits.

Inpatient Halcion rehabilitation: Inpatient treatment centres are live-in therapeutic communities that provide 24/7 care and support to residents. At the centre, a close-knit community of support personnel, addiction specialists, medical professionals and recovering addicts will help you reach your recovery goals and live a life free of addiction. Here, the treatment is holistic and addresses not only your addiction, but ensures you receive medical and psychological care to treat you as an individual.

Inpatient treatment is recommended for individuals who are likely to experience acute or protracted benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. It is also suited to people with substance use disorder who have mental health issues or polydrug use problems, as well as long-term drug users.

Outpatient Halcion rehabilitation: Outpatient rehab is suited for substance abusers who’ve developed mild dependence on Halcion and can’t afford to postpone school, work or other responsibilities for rehab. Outpatient rehab is not as structured as residential treatment and you don’t receive round-the-clock support from medical staff. It’s recommended for high functioning, disciplined individuals who can avoid temptations, stressors and triggers that hinder treatment. However, it is just as effective as inpatient care, because you’ll receive the same treatment as inpatients and take medications from your GP to help with cravings and withdrawal.

What to know about Halcion clinics

If you’re dealing with an addiction to Halcion, rehabilitation clinics provide the best programmes that ensure you’re well equipped for long-term sobriety. At an inpatient Halcion clinic, you’ll receive excellent 24/7 care from experienced medical staff, who want to help you get better.

Begin treatment with the mindset that you’re going to optimise your time to not only get better, but to also participate in therapy. The skills you learn during rehab will help you on the difficult journey to abstinence.
Treatment starts with detox, after which you transition to rehab, where a combination of pharmacology for mental health issues and behavioural therapy will be used to treat addiction and teach you coping strategies.

Finding an exclusive Halcion rehab

It’s important to understand that exclusive rehab centers are just like other rehab facilities in that they have the same recovery goals. The difference is that they provide a more comfortable, luxurious environment to make the process less agonizing.

Exclusive drug rehab centres use a holistic approach to help you sustain lifelong recovery from Halcion addiction. They have more therapists and fewer patients to ensure you get the full attention of medical personnel. Some of the luxurious amenities at an exclusive Halcion rehab centre include gourmet kitchen, five-star meals, nutrition therapy, animal therapy, massage therapy, saunas, indoor gyms, music/art therapy, swimming pools, executive working stations, Wi-Fi and panoramic views.

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Private Halcion rehabs and confidentiality

Addiction is a personal matter and opening up to a therapist or group can make you feel vulnerable. The thought of being exposed to the public or perceived as weak sometimes prevents people from getting the help they need.

When you enter rehab, you’ll be provided with a confidentiality agreement that protects your rights as a patient. Your medical records and data are private and only authorized personnel are allowed to view your file, as they discuss treatment options for you. Staff at the facility sign a legally binding document that prevents them from discussing your personal life or treatment progress with the media or anyone else, even your family. You have full control over who can see your records.

Individual and group therapy

Individual therapy: One-one-one therapy occurs when a person is in therapy with a counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist. An individual with substance abuse problems might be more comfortable discussing personal information with a therapist than within a group setting. Therapy is paced according to the needs of the client. The intimate nature of individual therapy makes it easier for most people to open up and explore deep-rooted issues that initially led to drug abuse.

Group therapy: Group therapy occurs when recovering addicts are treated together in a therapeutic environment. There are open and closed groups. Where open groups are concerned, anyone can join and members are free to come and go as they please. These members are at the achievement or development level of their treatment. Closed groups involve a specific membership and individuals in the group continue until they reach their goals. Members in group therapy share a feeling of belonging, which makes it easier to open up and give/receive mutual support to each other.

Sessions are led by a licensed drug counsellor. You’ll learn effective coping strategies and techniques by listening to the stories of other recovering addicts. The sharing of experiences with other members leads to a cathartic effect. The former feeling of shame associated with addiction turns to relief from knowing you’re not the only one who has suffered.

A synopsis of treatment programmes and their duration

Detox: Medical detoxification from Halcion takes about three weeks, with symptoms peaking in the second week of detox.

The duration of rehab treatment depends on the severity of addiction. Short-term stays range from 28 to 30 days with long-term stays lasting from three to six months.

Aftercare: There is no timeframe for aftercare, as rehabilitation continues for the rest of your life. However, you should continue attending doctor appointments and therapy sessions for up to a year after addiction treatment.

Detoxing from Halcion: All you need to know

Halcion targets the central nervous system (CNS). Sudden cessation of Halcion leads to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. For long-term chronic users, discontinuation not only induces withdrawal symptoms, but also a rebound effect, which sees the return of insomnia and other symptoms you were treating. Rebound insomnia and hypnotic effects could be caused by Halcion’s half-life. The drug leaves your system before you take the next dose, which makes you feel like you

need to keep taking increased doses to maintain the desired effect. With increased dosage and regular use, the brain adapts to the presence of Halcion and builds dependence on the drug. Dependence is physical, but addiction is psychological. When you quit Halcion, you’re likely to experience the following symptoms:

  • Tremors
  • Sweating
  • Vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Convulsion
  • Hallucination
  • Depression
  • Severe anxiety
  • Muscle pain
  • Agitation

It’s recommended to undergo treatment at a medically supervised facility, where you’ll be under the guidance and care of professionals who can handle emergency situations or protracted withdrawal symptoms. Doctors gradually taper you off Halcion to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. This method is safer than rapid detox or medication assisted detox.

You’ll be given the smallest doses of benzodiazepines, with the least risk of addiction to help with withdrawal symptoms. Physical symptoms appear within six to 24 hours and peak in the second week, after which they subside. After detox, you’ll transition to a rehab programme and undergo substance abuse counselling to address environmental, social and other difficulties that led to your drug use.

Risks of treatment

The main risk of addiction treatment is the danger of severe withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing at a medical facility ensures you have access to the best medical professionals, who are ready to treat any severe or acute symptoms that manifest during treatment. You shouldn’t self-medicate during this period.
You’ll be taking low-risk benzos, prescribed in the smallest dose by your doctor to ensure you don’t switch one addiction for another. Detoxing at home is dangerous, as your loved ones are likely to be underequipped to deal with your symptoms as they manifest.

Psychological therapy

12-step programmes: the first addiction recovery group to use this programme was Alcoholics Anonymous. The success of the programme has led to its integration by other drug recovery groups like NA. It provides a platform for recovering addicts to give and receive support from each other. Members attend meetings, share stories and learn coping strategies.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is a therapy technique used in almost every form of addiction treatment. It is effective for treating social, anxiety and panic disorders. The cognitive and behavioural components help you unlearn negative patterns and change your reaction to stressful situations.

Paying for Halcion addiction treatment

When considering payment for addiction treatment, options include:

  • Using your private medical insurance to pay for rehab
  • Paying with your credit card
  • Selling off property or valuable items to fund treatment
  • Taking out a home equity loan
  • Getting financial support from loved ones
  • Using your personal savings
  • Working out a payment plan with the rehab centre
  • Attending a free government rehab facility
  • Seeking financial aid from the NHS

When and why to end your Halcion treatment

It’s a mistake to end your treatment against doctor’s orders. Short-term rehab stays have proven unsuccessful in adequately preparing recovering addicts to live a substance-free life. Hence, NIDA advises that patients stay as long as three months to receive comprehensive care from medical professionals and deal with psychological issues that might prevent them from moving forward.

Ending rehab early leads to relapse, because you won’t know how to handle triggers and will most likely give in to temptation during your first week back in society. The only time to end treatment is after you’ve completed the recommended length of stay, which is around three months for long-term addicts and one month for individuals with mild dependency.

What to expect from treatment

Halcion addiction treatment mostly focuses on treating psychological symptoms of addiction. This is applied by tracing the root cause of addiction, identifying all risk factors that enabled addiction and teaching you coping skills for dealing with stressful situations after rehab.

The first part of rehab involves evaluation, where a team of medical professionals will assess you to determine if you’re a good fit for the programme. They will also check to ascertain the quantity of drugs in your system and create a treatment plan for you. Thereafter, you’ll undergo detox to rid your body of drugs, while medications will be given to ease painful symptoms.

A high number of people with substance use disorder have a co-occurring disorder and polydrug use problem. Psychotherapists use a range of therapy techniques to treat all psychological problems identified during intake. On a typical day, you’ll have yoga, meditation, group activities, individual therapy sessions, a doctor’s appointment, group counselling, personal time and interaction with other inpatients.

Post-rehabilitation support: Live a sober life again

Drug rehabilitation continues for the rest of your life. Even the most exemplary recovering addicts can relapse. The best way to live a drug-free life is to create and follow an aftercare plan. A few tips include:

Attend NA and community-based meetings: This should be at the top of your ‘to-do’ list after rehab. According to SAMSHA, Narcotic Anonymous is the perfect option for Halcion addicts. You’ll follow a 12-step programme that sets you on the right path to recovery. Alternatively, you can join a religious support group or SMART Recovery.

Develop a network of abstinent friends: Addiction isolates. You need to surround yourself with people who have similar goals to increase your chances of long-term sobriety. Start by making friends from NA meetings and group counselling. You will encourage each other to live a drug-free life and engage in activities that promote abstinence from drugs.

The risk of relapse for Halcion addicts

Addiction is a relapsing disease. You could be ‘clean’ for years, but one trigger alone makes you relapse. Every recovering addict lives with the knowledge that they can never take their abstinence for granted and must work hard to maintain it. Several factors can cause you to relapse, including:

No support system: Individuals without a support system are more likely to relapse, because they don’t feel motivated to stay ‘clean’. Recovering addicts are advised to surround themselves with loved ones, rather than living in isolation.

Environment: Returning to the same environment that caused you to abuse drugs is a trigger that you might not be strong enough to face. Move out, change your friends and avoid places such as bars and nightclubs where you know drugs and alcohol are in plentiful supply.

Sober living support

Also known as halfway homes, sober living support is for those who want to gradually transition back into society. You’ll have to get a job, go out during the day and return in time for curfew. There’ll be random drug testing to keep you motivated, as well as house chores and other duties. You’ll pay rent and enjoy mutual support from a house filled with recovering addicts all trying to get better.

Peer counselling

Receiving addiction therapy helps you prepare for life after rehab and get a better understanding of addiction but nothing drives home the importance of staying sober like having a peer counsellor. Your peer counsellor is a long-term recovering addict whose goal is to use his experience to teach you real-life strategies and coping mechanisms for staying sober from drugs. Types of peer counsellors can include:

Information peer support, who shares information about Halcion addiction, instrumental peer support, who offers transport, money, childcare, healthcare and resources to help you stabilise and emotional peer support, who listens and empathises with your situation.

Family therapy

Addiction is a family disease. For treatment to be successful, it must treat the family as a unit. Family therapy provides a platform for members of the family unit to work through issues together. Anyone can raise issues and talk about how a family member’s drug use affected them.

During sessions, a therapist aims to teach younger children that drug use is not an acceptable way to solve problems, reinforce parental authority, teach parents how to parent in a way that doesn’t trigger a relapse and provide strategies that will help the family communicate in a healthier way. Examples include Family Behavioural Therapy and Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDTF).

Seek help

Anyone can become addicted to benzodiazepines, especially with fast-acting medications like Halcion. It’s important you get help as soon you notice signs of addiction in yourself or a loved one. Medical professionals can help reduce the risks associated with addiction treatment by tapering your dose off gradually until Halcion has left your body.


FAQs

Why do people start taking Halcion?

Halcion is a medication prescribed for people who suffer severe insomnia and psychiatric problems. Halcion works best on a short-term basis and shouldn’t be taken for longer than 10 days.

How is Halcion used and abused?

Before taking Halcion, read the guide provided by your pharmacist and follow your doctor’s prescription. Halcion is taken orally, with or without food, usually before bed. You abuse Halcion when you take it for up to two weeks, use it without a doctor’s prescription or ingest it in a non-oral form such as snorting, smoking or injecting the medicine.

What is the Halcion ‘high’ like?

When you take Halcion, the immediate effect causes light-headedness, confusion and shallow breathing. The ‘high’ causes a dream-like state that’s relaxing and euphoric in nature.

What are the practical dangers of using Halcion?

The practical dangers of using Halcion include impaired motor functions, amnesia, depression, rapid mood changes, vision problems, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and insomnia.

What are some common Halcion withdrawal symptoms?

Common symptoms of Halcion withdrawal include muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, depression, extreme sweating and abdominal cramps.

What is Halcion addiction treatment?

Halcion addiction treatment is the physical and psychological care you receive for substance dependence and addiction to Halcion and other benzodiazepines. It combines detox, medication for withdrawal symptoms and behavioural therapy to treat all facets of addiction, whilst preparing you to live a life of abstinence.

Why is treatment necessary?

Treatment is necessary to help you lead a clean, abstinent lifestyle. Most people who abuse drugs have a dual diagnosis. Addiction treatment addresses all psychological issues and treats symptoms of co-occurring disorders diagnosed during intake.

What types of treatment are available?

Treatment for Halcion addiction includes medical detox, pharmacology, inpatient treatment, outpatient rehab and aftercare planning.

What if Halcion addiction goes untreated?

Symptoms worsen when addiction goes untreated. You’re at risk of liver problems, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and brain damage. Addiction treatment is your best chance of reversing the damage done by long-term abuse of Halcion.

What Happens when you attend a Halcion rehab centre?

When you attend a rehab centre, you’ll be assessed to determine if you’re a good fit for the rehab programme. A drug counsellor collects urine and blood samples to check if you need drug detox and a psychotherapist assesses your mental health for any related undiagnosed issues. The data collected during intake will be used to create a specialised treatment plan for you.

How does getting treatment for Halcion addiction aid recovery?

Drug detox removes traces of Halcion from your body, but it doesn’t solve the problem of psychological dependency, nor does it identify issues that led to your drug use, treat mental health issues or prepare you to live a substance-free life. Treatment and aftercare increases your chances of dealing with triggers and stressful situations in a way that doesn’t cause relapse.

What recovery programme is right for me?

The right recovery programme is one that caters to your addiction needs. Are you a long-term drug user with a history of mental health issues? Do you mix your medications with alcohol and other substances to increase the high? Did your parents also have a history with substance use disorder? These are indicators that you need an inpatient rehab programme. Short-term drug users or those who accidentally became dependent can attend rehab as outpatients.

What are the Options for Halcion detox?

Options for detox include rapid detox, medical detox and home remedies. Rapid detox accelerates the detox process, so it can often be completed in eight hours instead of two weeks.

What happens during treatment?

During treatment, you’ll undergo detox in a medical environment, with supervision from experienced staff to ensure you’re safe. The detox process takes around two weeks and you’ll be given medication to help with the symptoms of withdrawal. After detox, you’ll transition to rehab, where behavioural therapists and psychiatrists help you understand negative behaviours that fuelled drug use.

How long does inpatient Halcion Rehabilitation take?

There are two types of inpatient rehab: short-term and long-term programmes. Short-term programmes last 28 to 30 days and are for patients with mild drug use issues. Long-term rehab is recommended for individuals with lengthier substance abuse issues, as well as those with medical conditions and mental health issues that worsen withdrawal symptoms. Long-term rehab takes 60 to 90 days.

Is it possible to avoid addiction and rehab?

The only way to avoid rehab and addiction is to take medicines the way they were prescribed. Do not take benzos for long periods or change the dose without speaking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Are there any home remedies for getting clean safely?

Although there are some home remedies said to help recovering addicts detox from drugs, it’s always recommended to undergo medically supervised detox and rehab, to ensure the best chances of recovery and prevent relapse.

Does insurance cover Halcion addiction rehab?

Insurance providers usually cover mental health issues, which may include cover for addiction. Contact your insurer to determine exactly what’s covered under your policy.

What are the options for payment if you don’t have insurance?

You can pay for rehab with your credit card or personal funds. Alternatively, you could seek financial assistance from loved ones or take out a loan from your bank.