Prosom Addiction and Abuse

Prosom Info

• Prosom Addiction and Abuse
• Prosom Symptoms and Warning Signs
• Prosom Treatment and Rehab
• Prosom Withdrawal and Detox

What is Prosom?

Prosom is an intermediate-acting oral drug that is typically prescribed for the treatment of insomnia. It is a benzodiazepine derivative which was developed by Upjohn during the 1970s. It possesses hypnotic, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties.

Also, because of its addictive properties, Prosom is prescribed for short-term use only – typically no more than four weeks. If you use Prosom for any longer or at doses higher than prescribed by a doctor, you are at great risk of developing physical tolerance, as well as a substance dependence.

If you or a loved one have been abusing Prosom and have already developed a physical dependence, please contact Addiction Helper immediately on 0800 915 9402 for professional assistance.

Other names for Prosom

The generic name for Prosom is Elprazolam. The drug can also be found on the market under the names Estazolam or Eurodin.

What is Prosom Used For?

Prosom is typically administered as short-term treatment for specific types of sleep disorder. It can be used to improve quantity and quality of sleep for a variety of individuals. When combined with non-pharmacological sleep management options, the drug has proven effective in helping achieve long-term improvement in sleep quality.

Prosom can also be used as a preoperative sleep aid and is preferred by many over triazolam, due to the fact that Prosom causes fewer side effects in patients.

Causes of Prosom Addiction

Some prominent factors that contribute to the development of Prosom addiction include:

• Genetics: According to the APA (American Psychiatric Association), your genetic makeup plays a key part in determining the development of addiction to substances like benzodiazepines. If you have a family history of abusing benzodiazepine or some of other form of addiction, the risk of you developing substance dependence when using Prosom is much higher.
• Environmental: APA also points out that individuals who live in an environment which gives them greater access to benzodiazepines – or people who are frequently surrounded by others with an addiction – are more likely to engage in similar behaviours.

Other factors that can lead to the development of a Prosom addiction include:

• Suffering from a mental health condition
• Using benzodiazepines for longer than prescribed or in higher doses than prescribed
• Self-medicating with Onfi or other benzodiazepines

How addictive is Prosom?

Both animal studies and human medical case studies have shown that Prosom has a significantly high abuse potential. Addiction to Prosom can develop either due to recreational misuse, using the drug long-term or above the prescribed dose.

The addictiveness of Prosom is due to its benzodiazepine properties which affect the brain and nervous system by causing a surge in the production of neurotransmitters. Frequent and extended use will lead to your brain adapting to the high production of neurotransmitters. In the event you try to quit Prosom, your body will be unable to naturally cope with such a high production of neurotransmitters. Addiction can occur even if you use Prosom according to prescription, which is why it’s recommended to be used for the shortest time possible before physical dependence is allowed to develop.

Addictive Properties of Prosom

Because Prosom is a benzodiazepine, quitting can lead to the appearance of withdrawal symptoms that are similar to those experienced during a Xanax or Valium withdrawal. The severity of these symptoms are often dependent on factors such as the duration of abuse or quantity of the drug consumed during abuse. The longer Prosom is abused and the higher the dose, greater is the risk of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when you quit.  

Withdrawal symptoms can also occur even if Prosom is used according to prescription and after only a short period of usage. Taking Prosom for any treatment should be halted in the shortest time possible through a gradual dose reduction regimen in order to safely stop using the drug.

What Does It Mean to Be Addicted to Prosom?

Addiction to Prosom is typically first signified by an increased tolerance for the drug. This means that you will need ongoing higher doses in order to achieve the desired effect.

Abusing Prosom over an extended period will rewrite the chemical structure of your brain and lead to a gradually increase in tolerance. Even if you use the drug according to prescription, there is still a risk of developing a physical dependence to it. Once you notice that you require higher doses of Prosom to achieve the desired effect, it is a sign that addiction has begun to form and it’s important you report such symptoms to your doctor as soon as possible.  

The best way to use Prosom and avoid the development of physical dependence is to use the drug only according to prescription and to never mix it with other substances, especially alcohol.

Spotting Prosom Abuse

Abusing benzodiazepines is quite commonplace and the sooner you spot that the drug is being abused, the sooner you can take necessary steps to quit. Some effective ways to spot Prosom abuse include:

• Inability to perform normally without a daily dose
• A physical need to increase your normal Prosom dose
• Combining the drug with alcohol or other substances to heighten its effect
• Exhibiting mood disorders, especially increased hostility and aggression
• Hiding pill bottles that are without labels or bear the names of other people
• Sourcing Prosom from multiple doctors (‘doctor shopping’)
• Evidence of forged prescriptions

Prosom Abuse: Signs and Symptoms

Signs of Prosom abuse can be physical or psychological in nature. If you have already developed a physical dependence to Prosom, you will likely begin to manifest the following side effects and symptoms of abuse:

There is also the possible risk of coma or even death, especially from a possible overdose. This is most likely if you’re combining the use of Prosom with other substances – for example, taking it with alcohol.

If you are experiencing any of the above, please contact your doctor immediately or call our helpline by dialling 0800 915 9402.

You could also develop suicidal behaviour and ideation if you fail to use Prosom according to prescription.

Withdrawal Effects of Prosom Abuse

The physical symptoms of Prosom withdrawal can range between mild and painful. Some of the more commonly witnessed withdrawal symptoms include:

Physical withdrawal symptoms from quitting Prosom can be fatal if not properly managed. This is why we recommend an addiction treatment facility that can provide a medically assisted detox and round-the-clock care to promptly manage any health complications that might arise from withdrawal.

Depending on the severity of addiction, Prosom withdrawal symptoms could also be psychological in nature and can include:

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms after trying to quit Prosom, contact us immediately on 0800 915 9402 for professional assistance.

Co-Occurring Disorders

If you are abusing Prosom, it’s possible you’re also simultaneously suffering from a co-occurring mental health condition. If a co-occurring disorder is present whilst you’re going through addiction, it becomes difficult to make a full recovery without also treating your co-occurring disorder(s). This is because co-occurring disorders often contribute to substance abuse, and failing to treat the disorder can in time result in a return to drug abuse.

The following disorders have been noticed among people experiencing Prosom addiction:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Tobacco use disorder(and other substance use disorders)
• Antisocial personality disorder
• Depressive disorders
• Bipolar disorders
• Anxiety disorders

Who is at Risk for Prosom Addiction?

Anyone who has been prescribed Prosom and is using it as a form of treatment is at risk of developing addiction. This is why the use of Prosom in clinical medicine is closely regulated by law. In order to reduce the risk of developing addiction, it’s best to use the drug only for a short period of time and never beyond the dose prescribed by your doctor. It’s also best that you never combine taking Prosom with other substances, without first informing your doctor. This especially includes combining Prosom with alcohol or other stimulants to heighten its effects. 

Notably, people with mental disorders are often at a higher risk of abusing Prosom.

Teen Prosom Abuse and Addiction

Adolescence can be an emotionally challenging period in life and teens might abuse Prosom with the aim escaping their everyday stresses. This is more likely if a teen has easy access to Prosom, either from friends or family.

Teenagers might believe that Prosom – or other prescription medications – are safer than street drugs.  However, prescription medication is actually just as dangerous, especially if mixed with painkillers or alcohol. If abused frequently, Prosom can become habit-forming or addictive and lead to physical and psychological dependence. Because of its potency, Prosom shouldn’t be used to manage anxiety or stress.

Cost of Prosom Addiction

Aside from the financial aspects of Prosom addiction, there’s also a price to pay in relation to how it affects your relationships and professional career. When a drug habit takes control of your life, it can make you negligent in your relationships and field of employment. This can result in problems at home, distancing from friends, and possible failure in education, the workplace or other aspects of your professional life.

It is pleasurable sensations that come from using Prosom (and other benzodiazepines) that makes abusing such drugs dangerous, especially to susceptible individuals such as those suffering from co-occurring mental disorders. Prosom will gradually deteriorate the influence of inhibitory interneurons, which are a collection of cells in your brain’s VTA (ventral tegmental area). This collection of cells normally serve the purpose of controlling the release of dopamine and thus prevent an excess being released in your system.

When the use of Prosom interferes with the functionality of the cells that are supposed to keep dopamine in check, more dopamine than needed will be released and lead to the cells in your body becoming more susceptible to releasing even more dopamine. The more that is released, the more intense and satisfying the resulting pleasurable sensation will be. In time, this will lead to physical addiction and further abuse of the drug. As this continues, it will result in all manner of imbalances in your brain and body, which will eventually result in withdrawal symptoms once you try to quit.

Clear evidence has already shown that dopaminergic neuron activity results in the synaptic adaptation that is involved in addiction. It is for this reason addiction can be so difficult to treat. This is especially evident in the fact that once you clear the body of an addictive substance via detox, there are still long-lasting changes to the brain architecture which can take a long time to reverse.

Central Nervous System depressants like Prosom affect the brain by influencing the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid). Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that carry communication between brain cells. While it’s true that various nervous system depressants work on the body differently, it’s their ability to influence GABA and brain activity that results in the drowsy, calming or other enjoyable effects of benzodiazepines. If such drugs are used for a longer time period, you’ll develop a physical tolerance and require larger doses to attain the desired effect.

Relationship between Prosom and Other Substances

If combined with certain other stimulating substances (especially alcohol or opiates), Prosom can lead to dangerous side effects and health complications.

Using Prosom alongside other substances that slow your breathing or make you sleepy can result in mild or severe side effects, including death in worse case scenarios. If you are already taking Prosom, it’s prudent to consult your doctor before using any sleeping medication, prescription cough medicine, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxants or other substances for depression, anxiety, or seizures.

Over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, and even vitamins can interact negatively with Prosom. Therefore, to safeguard your health, keep your doctor updated about any medicine you’re using, about to start using, or have stopped using if Onfi is to be part of your treatment medication.

Prosom Overdose explained

Overdose occurs if you consume more Prosom than your body is capable of metabolising. A Prosom overdose can never be taken lightly and should always be treated as a medical emergency.

Symptoms of Prosom overdose can include respiratory depression, confusion, somnolence, slurred speech, impaired coordination, and possibly coma. Overdose is often treated by first evacuating the contents of your stomach. General supportive care can also be provided to monitor your vital signs and recovery, while fluids are provided intravenously to encourage diuresis and maintain blood pressure.

Prosom Withdrawal

It is critical that you never use Prosom without the prescription of a certified doctor and don’t use the drug beyond the prescribed dose (which can alter the chemical structure of your brain and lead to you developing a physical dependence to the drug). This means that if you try to quit Prosom, your body will rebel by manifesting a host of withdrawal symptoms, as it feels it cannot function normally without the presence of Prosom in your system.

Prosom withdrawal symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to being severe in nature. If not properly managed, Prosom withdrawal symptoms could even prove fatal. This is why it’s strongly advised to always use the drug as prescribed in order to avoid abuse or addiction.

The withdrawal symptoms of Prosom are very similar to that experienced when quitting other benzodiazepine medication, such as Xanax or Valium. Withdrawal symptoms will vary in severity and duration, depending on a number of factors, especially the dose at which you were abusing the drug and the duration of abuse.

Symptoms of Withdrawal

Prosom withdrawal manifests with physical symptoms such as uncontrollable twitching, headaches, as well as abdominal and muscle pain. Symptoms can also include: feelings of separation from reality, anxiety, major depressive disorder, hypersensitivity to touch (especially pain), rebound insomnia, dizziness, vomiting, and exhibiting behaviours of depersonalisation or derealisation. Suicidal tendencies could also occur.

All these symptoms make it unsafe to be alone when undertaking Prosom withdrawal, which is why we recommend getting professional help when you’re ready to quit.

Prosom Withdrawal Timeline

First 10 to 24 hours

Compared to other sleeping pills, Prosom has a significantly long half-life. Traces of the drug can remain in your system for 10 to 24 hours before being completely expunged. This is why it takes roughly one to two days to feel the onset of withdrawal symptoms.

First week

Recovering Prosom addicts rarely require more than a few weeks of medically assisted detox to overcome Prosom withdrawal. However, some recovering addicts may require more time for recovery due to Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS).

First few months

Recovering Prosom addicts who are treated with alternative medications during detox and withdrawal can experience a lengthier withdrawal period, sometimes lasting months. During this period, insomnia can be an issue, though the condition will pass in time.

Prosom Addiction Treatment

Withdrawal symptoms from quitting Prosom can be medically dangerous if not properly managed. A medically assisted detoxification can help reduce the discomforts of withdrawal, as well as minimise risks and avoid any health complications. This can be accomplished by monitoring your vital signs and providing a safe, structured environment, where you can make a full recovery from Prosom addiction. 

Upon completion of detoxification, you can receive further treatment via the following;

• Inpatient treatment: This is intensive short-term care that focuses on stabilising a recovering addict medically and psychiatrically.
• Outpatient therapy: Different types of treatment are used to aid recovery and you can leave the drug rehabilitation centre each day after receiving treatment.
• Residential recovery assistance: This is a longer-term form of treatment that’s delivered in a safe and comfortable environment.
• Recovery housing: An example is a sober-living house, where rules are less rigid and you can easily make the transition back to independent living whilst recovering.

If you’re interested in receiving comprehensive addiction treatment, call 0800 915 9402 to get started with a Prosom addiction-free life.

Therapy for Prosom Addiction

Inpatient rehabilitation therapy is ideal for recovering from Prosom addiction. Such therapy provides for withdrawal symptoms to be effectively managed whilst you are kept safe and comfortable in an environment conducive for recovery. In such a setting, you’ll have an easier time getting through the strange distortion of senses that occur during Prosom withdrawal.

Furthermore, professional round-the-clock care will monitor you for convulsions or seizures which might be life threatening. Formal substance abuse disorder treatment will also be provided and can consist of individual therapy, support groups, counselling, and psychoeducation.

Complete treatment for substance abuse and dependence is a long-term process. As there is no absolute cure for addiction, said treatment must be ongoing to keep a recovering addict abstinent long-term. This treatment is often provided via support groups and aftercare services to help manage your life in a healthy fashion post-addiction.

Possible Complications

To discover more about these complications, contact us for a friendly chat. Always remember that the risks of going through detox are far less than what a lifetime of Prosom addiction has to offer.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

If you’ve been using Prosom and notice that you require higher doses to achieve the desired effect – or that you experience withdrawal symptoms whenever you fail to take a fresh dose – contact a medical professional immediately. This is because increased tolerance and withdrawal symptoms are signs that you have developed a physical dependence. The sooner you get help with substance dependence, the better, because the condition will only worsen in the absence of proper treatment.

Prosom Recovery Plan

An effective recovery plan for Prosom addiction is tapering, which involves a gradual reduction in dosage until you are completely weaned off the drug. Prosom can also be substituted for a longer-acting benzodiazepine before tapering commences.

Detox is a crucial first step in making a full recovery, but the detox process is infinitely safer and effective if directly supervised by a medical professional – one who has the expertise to recommend medication as necessary and at appropriate dosage to minimise withdrawal symptoms. A doctor can also offer tapering treatment that weans you off Prosom.

Tapering is generally performed via either of the following methods:

• A Prosom taper: reducing Prosom dosage gradually until completely weaned off.
• Replacement medication taper. this first replaces Prosom with long-acting medication like diazepam or phenobarbital, before gradually reducing the dose of the replacement medication.

The tapering duration is mostly dependent on the severity of your addiction and withdrawal symptoms

Finding help for Prosom withdrawal can be challenging, but by talking to Addiction Helper, we can get you all the assistance you need as quickly as possible. If you or a loved one are in need of addiction treatment, call us now on 0800 915 9402 to speak with one of our specialists.

Medical Detox for Prosom

A medical detox can facilitate recovery and help prevent a relapse. It’s also a good start towards making a full recovery from addiction and maintaining sobriety long-term. Medically assisted therapy will make use of the following medication to not only hasten your recovery, but make the entire process less uncomfortable:

• Diazepam as an estazolam replacement
• Buspirone to treat anxiety
• Paroxetine as antidepressants
• Trazodone to treat insomnia
• Carbamazepine and valproate as anti-seizure medication

FAQs

If you or a loved one are addicted to Prosom, get in touch with us at Addiction Helper today. We have a variety of specialists available who can guide you on the path to making a full recovery, with no complications. We can do it quickly and discreetly. Contact our 24/7 helpline on 0800 915 9402 for confidential advice. You’ll be glad you did!