Signs and Symptoms of Lunesta Addiction and Sedative Use Disorder
Lunesta, a sleep aid medication that primarily treats insomnia, can lead to addiction or a sedative use disorder if it is taken at a higher dose or a longer duration than prescribed by a healthcare professional. CA Behavioral is a Lunesta rehab center in Palm Desert, California, that will treat your Lunesta addiction through a combination of inpatient care and behavioral health interventions. Call us today if you’re experiencing any of these signs and symptoms.
Behavioral Indicators of Sedative Abuse
Some of the behavioral indicators of sedative abuse, particularly with Lunesta, include doctor shopping, taking higher doses, hiding your use, neglecting your responsibilities at home, school, and work, compulsive use, and combining Lunesta with other substances, such as alcohol or other drugs.
Continued Use Despite Harm
Although Lunesta can be effective in the short term, it can cause issues if used for a prolonged period. Continued use of Lunesta, even when dealing with associated psychological, physical, social, and occupational problems, is a sign of addiction. This means that you’re ignoring warnings not only from your loved ones but also from healthcare providers about the negative ramifications of this sleep aid medication.
Growing Tolerance and Signs of Withdrawal from Sedatives
If you are misusing Lunesta by taking a higher dose than prescribed for an extended period, you have a much greater chance of becoming reliant on the medication. If you try to stop the sleep aid medication, you will experience withdrawal symptoms, which can include panic attacks, anxiety, restlessness, mood changes, irritability, sweating, nausea, tremors, and even rebound insomnia.
Physical Symptoms of Lunesta Addiction
If you’re addicted to Lunesta, you may experience physical symptoms, including tolerance, fatigue, slurred speech, impaired coordination, and memory issues. You may also experience withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, sweating, tremors, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate or palpitations, and rebound insomnia.
Denial of Sedative Addiction
One of the most significant challenges in identifying addiction is denial. You fail to realize or admit to yourself that you have a reliance on Lunesta, which is very common with addiction. You’ll rationalize your usage of Lunesta, refuse the help of others, blame other people for your situation, and minimize the problem. Denial usually occurs because of dependency, misconceptions, and stigma.
Doctor Shopping and Financial Strain Related to Sedative Abuse
When you’re addicted to Lunesta, a significant sign is that you engage in doctor shopping, trying to obtain multiple prescriptions. This is prescription fraud. The costs of doctor shopping can also be quite extensive. Paying for travel, several prescriptions, tests, and consultations can add up.
Psychological Effects of Long-Term Lunesta Use
Several psychological symptoms occur because of long-term Lunesta use. These can include anxiety, cravings, mood swings, depression, altered emotional regulation, and irritability. You may also experience cognitive impairment, including memory problems and reduced concentration.