Etizolam Treatment and Rehab

Etizolam is a highly potent medication, similar to Valium or Diazepam. While it has a slightly different chemical makeup, its function is similar to that of other benzodiazepines. This medication is highly potent and can cause short-term memory loss in some users. Subsequently, you might be unable to remember what happened after taking the drug.

If you suffer from anxiety disorders, you could be drawn to drugs like etizolam, even though they are still relatively unproven. An etizolam addiction is a severe condition, characterised by intense withdrawal. As a result, it is not recommended to quit taking the drug on your own. Etizolam treatment and rehab (whereby you can get help from reputable drug addiction specialists) is a safer and more effective option.

Etizolam treatment and rehab provides a controlled environment, where your odds of success are increased. Drugs and alcohol are barred in such rehab facilities, which ensures relapse prevention. You’ll also have access to the knowledge and experience of highly trained specialists, who can provide you with individualised treatment.

What is etizolam?

Etizolam is a powerful medication that is prescribed in Japan and India for the short-term treatment of insomnia, and as a way to manage anxiety and panic attacks – it is not licensed as a medicine in the UK. Etizolam is recognised for its ability to:

  • Be highly addictive
  • Slow down both body and brain, resulting in sleepiness, sedation, relaxation and a general feeling of calm
  • Help in stopping fits
  • Result in short-term memory loss

Etizolam also causes a range of side effects, such as loss of coordination, drowsiness, sleepiness and decreased or shallow breathing, which could prove fatal. There’s also an increased risk of death from etizolam abuse when it’s mixed with alcohol or other drugs that slow down the nervous system.

Simply reading the label may not help you understand what etizolam is and how it functions. It is therefore essential to take time to find out the finer points of this drug, as it has been linked to abuse and addiction. The more you know, the more you can take the right steps to help a loved one struggling with etizolam abuse and addiction.

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History of etizolam and current drug abuse trends

The presence of etizolam as a general research chemical started around 2011, and research into the substance has only increased since then. It is one of the most common research chemicals widely available on the internet, even though in the main it’s yet to be scheduled worldwide. The highly addictive nature of the drug – coupled with its low cost – contributes to its prevalence.

However, unlike other research chemicals, etizolam is approved and prescribed as an anxiety treatment under brand names such as Etizest and Etilaam. There are no clearly defined origins of Etizolam as a medical drug, but it was cited in medical papers as an anxiety treatment as early as the 90s.

The 20th century saw an increase in chemical and drug development, which led to an increase in substances with abuse potential. Fortunately, there are now several places where you can find help and take back control of your life if you’re struggling with etizolam abuse. Drug abuse and addiction is no longer regarded as a moral flaw, but a disease or a chronic issue that requires professional treatment (in many cases) to overcome.

Why is etizolam abuse dangerous?

Etizolam abuse can lead to serious complications like respiratory failure, loss of consciousness, seizures, heart failure and even death – especially amongst teens and college students. Abusing etizolam can also result in an overdose, due to its addictive nature. In addition, the withdrawal symptoms associated with etizolam abuse can be as severe as the potential side effects of the drug.

These symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, seizures and death. When you begin to abuse etizolam, you could find it difficult to cope with your normal activities effectively, without taking the drug. Etizolam is absorbed into the bloodstream upon consumption and mixes with the plasma, which contributes to developing an addiction.

Etizolam can be found in different forms; its powder form can easily be added to other deadly drink concoctions, such as the highly popular ‘dirty sprite’ – a potentially fatal cocktail, containing soft drinks like Sprite, prescription painkillers and candy, which may be used to flavour the drink. Currently, this medication cannot be detected in drug tests, which raises the risk of continued etizolam abuse on college campuses and the increase in its use as a date-rape drug.

Properties of etizolam

Etizolam is a synthetic, fast-acting depressant medication, belonging to the class of drugs known as thienodiazepine. It produces benzodiazepine-like effects when ingested, such as muscle relaxation, anxiety, memory suppression, and sedation. It is also a popular research chemical, used in different laboratories across the world.

The substance is also referred to as a benzodiazepine analogue, because of its large amounts of anxiolytic and hypnotic properties. Like benzo medications, the sudden cessation of thienodiazepine drugs such as etizolam can be potentially life-threatening, especially when you’ve been using it for a prolonged period.

As a result, if you’ve become dependent on etizolam, it is highly advisable to taper your dose by slowly reducing the amount taken each day. An addiction specialist can help you find the right dosage to safely taper off etizolam.

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Effects of using etizolam

Etizolam can make you feel calm and relaxed and help you get to sleep. For many, the medication provides a source of relaxation, anti-anxiety and a sense of well-being. It also provides neutral effects such as drowsiness and appetite fluctuation. However, etizolam also has some negative effects.

For example, it slows down the brain and body, and can lead to short-term memory loss, especially in large doses. Other negative effects include motor skill impairment, dizziness, headaches, nausea, depression, lethargy, personality changes, blackout potential, emotional and social dissociation, aggression, rage and irritability.

Short-term effects of etizolam

Etizolam can be used to help you cope with several issues, including panic attacks, anxiety, headaches, insomnia and other stress-related symptoms. The most common short-term effects of etizolam are related to musculoskeletal relaxation and sedation. These effects include:

  • Decreased attention
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Impaired coordination that may result in falls and injuries
  • Impaired driving ability and increased chances of traffic accidents
  • Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction
  • Melancholy and disinhibition

Long-term effects of etizolam

The long-term effects of etizolam include drug dependence, which also occurs with benzodiazepine use. There’s also the possibility of experiencing adverse effects on your mental and physical health, as well as cognitive function. Etizolam addiction also causes a number of effects which occur in only a small amount of people, such as depression and flu-like symptoms.

Etizolam abuse has also been shown to cause blepharospasm or abnormal eyelid contractions in some users. The substance has also been linked (in extremely rare cases) to skin lesions in some users. You could blackout and potentially harm yourself whilst taking high doses of depressants. It’s therefore best to confine yourself to bed if you’re taking a hypnotic dose of etizolam.

Other reported long-term negative side effects of etizolam include social phobia, agoraphobia, loss of sex drive, depression, stress and anhedonia (inability to find pleasure in things you used to enjoy). In rare cases, drugs like etizolam are also linked to an altered understanding of one’s self and environment – a disorder known as DPDR (depersonalisation-derealisation disorder).

How etizolam abuse impacts an abuser’s life

Typically, etizolam abusers are unable to acknowledge an existing abuse problem – much less that it’s starting to negatively impact their life. You may attempt to justify your behaviour and insist that you’ve done nothing wrong. You could even become so self-focused that the abuse seems to have very little impact. However, etizolam abuse will naturally contribute to any dysfunction that was present before the abuse began.

Etizolam abuse can also lead to a loss of those close to you, as the weight of drug abuse and addiction may be too much for your family to bear. It causes a downward spiral that often results in both emotional and financial stress that can affect your family.

Etizolam addiction treatment and rehab

If you’re in need of help for addiction – or are suffering from the effects of etizolam overdose – it’s important to know that there is help available for you. Several drug treatment facilities provide both inpatient rehabilitation and detox, using appropriate methods to help the withdrawal process.

Etizolam (and similar drugs) can lead to severe and long-lasting changes in the brain that could cause life-threatening health complications during withdrawal. This is why visiting a specialist and undergoing professional etizolam addiction treatment and rehab is recommended if you have a history of addiction.

If you attempt to quit ‘cold turkey’, you could experience seizures and other potentially deadly consequences. With the right help, you can access the support and medication needed to safely achieve abstinence. Rehab and therapy sessions can be helpful after you’ve completed detox. At this stage, you’ll learn useful skills to help you live without feeling overwhelmed by fear and worry.

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Why is etizolam addiction treatment necessary?

If you’re struggling with etizolam addiction, it’s essential to get help as soon as possible. This is a powerful medication and the recommended course of action is usually inpatient rehabilitation and medically monitored detoxification. Medical detox provides professional supervision as you undergo withdrawal.

Etizolam addiction treatment also involves the use of medications to ease uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. If you’ve been using more than 5mg of etizolam, inpatient rehabilitation is recommended, so that you can undergo treatment in a safe, drug-free environment, with access to therapists and support groups.

You’ll be able to discover the root causes of your addiction and learn new ways to manage such issues. In addition to helping you overcome the addiction, treatment can also focus on the initial symptoms such as anxiety, which made you abuse etizolam in the first place. If you’re ready to move forward with recovery, call a confidential addiction treatment expert to discuss your options today.

Etizolam addiction: Treatment and therapy options

Treatment and therapy for etizolam addiction is necessary when you’re indifferent or in denial about your problem. There are several options for addiction treatment and therapy that are efficient. These combine medication and different forms of therapy (as needed) in order to help you break free from the hold of etizolam addiction.

Even though medication is an essential tool, it doesn’t provide a comprehensive solution. Individual and group therapy sessions can help you discover social and environmental triggers that can be handled differently or avoided altogether. Many dual diagnosis treatment centres focus on helping you achieve long-term well-being, instead of simply treating disorder symptoms.

If you or someone you know has become addicted to etizolam whilst suffering from anxiety disorders, it’s necessary to undergo specialised treatment. Not all treatment options are the same, so you need to be assessed by a specialist and treated with an individualised plan. In addition, withdrawal symptoms can be risky and detox should be carried out under close medical supervision.

What does treatment include?

Typically, treatment begins with a detoxification process, depending on the frequency, duration and dosage of your drug use. During this period, all traces of etizolam will be slowly reduced and be removed from your body. At this point, you might experience some withdrawal symptoms such as rebound anxiety, insomnia, headaches, confusion, tremors, heart palpitations and memory loss.

Depending on your situation, a doctor could recommend ending your etizolam use or weaning you off slowly over the course of several weeks. Detoxification centres, rehab facilities and hospitals have qualified and experienced medial staff available to help you cope in case of severe withdrawal.

After you’ve completed detoxification, your treatment will shift to focusing on the reasons behind your drug use. Usually, one or several forms of therapy will be included, such as individual and group counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy. Other techniques such as contingency management can be applied to motivate positive behaviour.

Entering an etizolam rehabilitation programme

When entering a rehabilitation programme for etizolam – or undergoing treatment for any form of substance use disorder – it’s essential to be open and honest about your substance abuse. You’ll need to provide your caregivers with detailed information about the drug you’ve been using, your method of use and whether you’ve mixed it with other mind-altering substances, like alcohol.

The main reason for this is so that the rehab treatment programme can be tailored to match your individual needs. Therefore, if you suffer from polysubstance abuse, you must be frank with your treatment providers when it comes to your drug use.

Family and social support are also essential when entering a rehab programme. This is because the support of your family members and trustworthy friends can contribute to your recovery. Many rehab programmes encourage the active and direct involvement of family – either by attending therapy sessions or providing assistance and motivation at home. Whilst in rehab, you can also benefit from 12-step groups and other self-help groups.

Residential treatment centres vs. outpatient services

In residential treatment centres, you might be required to undergo a medically managed detox. Addiction to medications like etizolam can be severe and even life-threatening. Therefore, medical monitoring is essential to slowly wean you off the drug and normalise your sleeping and eating routines. Afterwards, a tailored treatment plan is developed by a team of experts (counsellors, doctors, nurses, psychologists, therapists and social workers) to meet your needs.

Treatment provided at residential centres is usually comprehensive, making use of evidence-based therapies that can help you reintegrate back into society. The main difference between a residential and outpatient service is that outpatient programmes are suitable if you’re not dealing with a severe etizolam addiction that requires detox.

Treatment can be provided for between two to eight hours a day, allowing you to return home to your normal activities. Outpatient services make use of similar treatment methods to inpatient services, such as medication-assisted therapy, individual and group therapy, family therapy and aftercare planning. In addition, random drug tests are usually carried out to ensure you aren’t taking drugs outside the treatment centre. If you can’t achieve the results you need via outpatient services, then a residential treatment centre is the recommended option.

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Choosing the right etizolam rehab centre for you

Choosing the right rehab centre is the key to effective treatment and sustained recovery. At the very least, the rehab centre you decide on should address your unique needs at all the different stages of care: intake, treatment and aftercare. It’s therefore essential to consider a range of criteria when choosing the rehab centre that will help you break free from etizolam addiction.

  • Personalised treatment: Programmes that are designed around your needs are more effective, because they treat the causes of addiction, identify issues that contribute to substance abuse and avoid treatments that are unsuitable for your individual needs.
  • Success rates: While relapse is often a part of recovery, a centre’s success rates cannot be overlooked either. You should look out for rehab centres with a higher-than-average recovery rate.
  • Aftercare: The type and duration of aftercare provided is also important. Substance addiction recovery is a long-term effort, so an extended aftercare programme that provides ongoing care as you transition from treatment into the ‘real world’ is a crucial consideration.
  • Treatment duration: Typically, drug rehab programmes last for 28 days, but it may take longer than that to achieve abstinence. It’s been proven that longer treatment periods tend to be more successful than short treatment programmes. If you are struggling with a long-term addiction, you might want to consider a rehab centre that offers lengthier treatment programmes.

Even though finding the right facility for drug rehab may seem like an overwhelming task, it doesn’t have to be. Qualified treatment professionals are available to assist you on your journey. Discussing your personal needs with a doctor or mental health expert may be the best first step in choosing the most suitable type of etizolam addiction treatment.

What happens during treatment?

Generally, the overall treatment process includes withdrawal management and therapy. Your physical, psychological, cognitive and social functioning will be thoroughly assessed initially. This is to ensure you undergo a medically-monitored withdrawal management procedure if needed. This procedure may require the use of etizolam or another benzodiazepine drug on a tapering schedule.

A doctor will determine an appropriate dosage of the drug to ensure you don’t experience severe or dangerous symptoms of withdrawal. Etizolam intake will then be gradually reduced over time, allowing you to be weaned off the drug. This type of treatment approach will prevent any withdrawal symptoms and also ensure that potential complications such as seizures (which are commonly associated with withdrawal) do not occur.

Treatment also requires that you complete a formal substance abuse disorder therapy. Usually, this therapy is focused on addressing the different motivations that might be driving your substance abuse. Professional therapists will also help you develop practical relapse prevention and stress management plan. During treatment, you can expect to be equipped with all the skills and knowledge you need to achieve long-term recovery.

Treatment timeline

The timeline for etizolam addiction treatment and rehab varies, depending on the severity of the condition. If alcohol and other drugs are being abused alongside etizolam, this can further complicate the treatment process. You may begin to experience withdrawal within a few hours or around one to four days of quitting, with symptoms like anxiety and insomnia manifesting.

Other unpleasant or frightening symptoms that can appear include nausea or vomiting, excessive sweating, tremors, visual or auditory hallucinations, agitation and seizures. More severe withdrawal symptoms can last 10 to 14 days or even linger for many weeks. In addition, there is a heightened risk of falls and heart attacks for elderly people during this period.

After detox and withdrawal, a suitable post-detox treatment programme is essential to preventing relapse. Your treatment timeline is unique, as no single programme can fit everyone’s needs. Your treatment team will develop a plan that will be the best fit for you.

Etizolam recovery

Etizolam addiction can be a chronic struggle – one that involves periods of healthy abstinence and the possibility of intermittent relapses. Even though seeking formal treatment is a great first step in dealing with an addiction, ensuring lasting abstinence involves continuing to work on your recovery after treatment is over. Etizolam recovery programmes can be a major contribution to your ability to stay drug-free in the long-term.

Whilst in the recovery stage, participating in effective support programmes has been shown to increase the chances of you being abstinent longer. Such programmes include self-help meetings, social support, sober living communities, community support, recovery coaches and private therapy. According to studies, sober living communities can reduce rates of substance abuse, while social support systems are also a strong indicator of lasting abstinence outcomes as well.

If your goal is to achieve a long-term outcome, you’ll need to attend a recovery support programme in which you can comfortably participate. However, choosing one specific group over another doesn’t necessarily affect your success in recovery. The constant factor that increases the likelihood of sustained abstinence is your active participation.

Live a clean and drug-free life again

Although etizolam is not legalised for production or sale in the United Kingdom or the United States, it can still be purchased online or from countries that have approved its use. Legitimate medical uses notwithstanding, it is important to be aware of the inherent dangers of non-prescribed and unregulated etizolam usage. There is a constant risk of becoming addicted; when you try to stop or walk away after long-term use, painful withdrawal symptoms can manifest.

The relative unavailability of etizolam does not diminish the problems of lowered inhibitions and the other issues it can cause. If you’re worried that someone you love might be abusing etizolam – or indeed your own etizolam use has spun out of control – it’s never too late to seek help. You can certainly live a clean and drug-free life again.

Your first step is simply to start the conversation – either with your loved one or a certified addiction specialist. Expert and experienced treatment providers can answer all your questions and help you find a way out, no matter the problem or what it’s done to you. If you’re ready to begin treatment for etizolam addiction, take the first step today.

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Support groups

When it comes to support groups, there are so many programmes to choose from. However, you can base your decision on the elements most important to you, such as your personal beliefs, philosophies, religion and individual needs. You might find that the right support group is helpful both during and after your treatment.

After treatment is completed, taking part in a recovery support group can help to smooth your transition back to regular day-to-day living. It can also provide crucial peer support and ease the rehabilitation process, so that your life in recovery can be healthy, drug-free and productive. These groups typically provide a calm, structured and positive atmosphere, with the focus primarily placed on your health and recovery.

Support groups can also help you replace your old drug-using friends with drug-free peers. Your new friends will have common interests and you can discuss recovery issues in a safe setting. You’ll be able to find the support needed to overcome the challenges you might face during recovery. If you would like to find out more about the support groups near you, get in touch with your doctor or a treatment centre. In addition, a professional treatment placement team can tell you more about the available programmes near you.

Get help for etizolam addiction now

Etizolam addiction is not something to overlook, and the problem will not go away on its own. The first step is breaking the cycle of abuse, which starts with a safe medical detoxification, followed by the most suitable treatment programme. Treatment will help you overcome urges to use and also avoid future relapse. Whether you’re involved in the earliest stage of drug abuse or already locked in the grip of severe addiction, there is help available.

Etizolam addiction is a serious problem that requires professional help. Choosing a treatment or rehab centre can provide individualised treatment, no matter your level of substance abuse. Addiction to a drug like etizolam usually involves co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety. This is why several treatment centres offer dual diagnosis treatment to deal with any underlying mental illness that is present alongside the addiction. There’s no better time than now to start treatment. With professional help, you can begin to feel like a brand new person.


FAQs

Can etizolam be abused?

Etizolam is primarily used as a sleep aid and anxiolytic, but it can also be abused for its muscle relaxant effects. High doses of benzodiazepines (and drugs in the same benzo class) have been shown to be dangerous, especially when combined with addictive substances like opioid drugs or alcohol.

How does etizolam affect the body?

Etizolam can produce a range of potential side effects that can be intolerable or dangerous. The drug affects the body in different ways, causing: difficulty urinating, urinary incontinence, visual disturbances, muscle weakness, drowsiness, gastrointestinal upset, confusion, headaches, fainting, euphoria and tremors.

Who might abuse etizolam?

Individuals abusing etizolam span different age ranges – from young people to elderly adults. In addition, if you’re struggling with panic attacks or coping with anxiety disorder, you could attempt to obtain and abuse this powerful drug. Usually, etizolam abuse is motivated by a need to reduce or eliminate uncomfortable symptoms, instead of simply to get ‘high’.

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