MenuClose

Dalmane Abuse

Attachment Large Size Large Wp Image 3138

Providing Trusted, Evidence-Based
Treatment for Three Decades and Counting

If you or a loved one is experiencing addiction, we’re here to help.

Does it seem like the world is moving a little too fast?  One generation ago, we lived in a world that seemed a little slower and a little less hectic.

We filed important papers in a filing cabinet and if we wanted to retrieve them, we had to physically get up from our desk and find them. If we wanted to read a book, we had to go to the library or the bookstore and find one. Today, in some cases, we don’t even need to know how to alphabetize, let alone know how to use the Dewey Decimal System. We type a search item into a computer and our files appear or our books download. If we have to wait more than a few seconds, we are frustrated and impatient. In fact, research has shown that certain technology is actually addictive in its own right.

Man at doctor for Alcohol abuseThese advancements in technology and the way we live our lives, from waking in the morning to preprogrammed coffee to allowing our cars to parallel park for us, were meant to make our lives easier. For some people, the high-paced world we live in can make us feel like we’re in overdrive all the time. For others, even falling asleep is a huge problem. In an effort to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, many individuals turn to prescription sleep medications, such as Dalmane, for relief.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, sleeping medications are some of the most abused prescription drugs today. They are taken responsibly by a great number of individuals every night at bedtime, but they are also so popular among illicit drug users that many of them have street names. Research published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine has indicated the amount of prescription sleep medications provided to our nation’s youth is of concern for children as young as six years old. In some cases, individuals abuse their prescription medications without even realizing it by increasing their dosages without consulting their doctors.

Dangers of Abusing Dalmane and Other Sleep Medications

dalmane abuseDalmane is the trade name of a drug with the active ingredient flurazepam, or flurazepam hydrochloride. One of the first dangers of Dalmane abuse is rather subtle. In some cases, a sleep disturbance is caused by another problem, either an illness or mental health issue. When individuals choose to abuse Dalmane by taking it without a prescription, they are ignoring the fact that there may be a more dangerous condition lurking behind their insomnia. When doctors prescribe this medication, they ask very specific questions and may conduct a physical examination as well. If, after a period of a week or so, the insomnia continues, additional tests may be warranted.

Suppose an individual is having trouble sleeping, and a friend who has been diagnosed with insomnia shares his or her medication. All the symptoms may be the same. It may seem like a reasonable decision to save a few dollars by trying the drug without a prescription. If it works, the problem seems to be solved. Unfortunately, even if Dalmane works to help this person sleep, the real reason for his or her insomnia is left unchecked.

Other dangers of Dalmane abuse are more obvious. Dalmane, or flurazepam, can cause:

  • Sleep driving – driving a car while seemingly awake but actually being severely affected by the drug with no memory of the incident the following morning
  • Sleep eating – consuming food during the night, which can be especially dangerous for individuals who are on a restricted diet for other medical conditions, such as diabetes
  • Having sex – depending upon the situation, this can be dangerous due to transmission of STDs or unwanted and unplanned pregnancy
  • Drowsiness
  • Falling
  • Lethargy
  • Disorientation
  • Coma

A long-term risk of Dalmane abuse is addiction. Addiction occurs when an individual has become so dependent on a drug that he can’t function properly without it.

Recognizing Addiction in Yourself or a Loved One

recognizing addictionIf you suspect that you are, or someone you care about is, suffering from addiction, you might feel frightened and overwhelmed. It is important to remember that you are not alone and that help is available. It is also important to recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse and addiction as early as possible so treatment can begin quickly.

Each person is unique. There is no picture of an addict that will fit everyone. Some individuals who suffer from addiction hold down responsible, demanding jobs. Some individuals find it far too difficult to maintain steady employment. Parents suffering from addiction may find that they are still capable of meeting most of their children’s needs without fail, while others may be unable to provide even adequate care on an emotional, financial or physical level to their children.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, an organization of mental health professionals that periodically releases the definitive diagnostic tool for mental illnesses, a person needs only to meet two or three of the criteria from a list of 11 symptoms in order to receive a diagnosis of a mild substance use disorder. The very best way to determine whether you or someone you love may have developed an addiction to Dalmane is to speak with someone trained in the diagnosis of abuse disorders – for instance, your family doctor, a trained psychologist or an established treatment center, such as Michael’s House.

Effective Therapies for the Treatment of Dalmane Abuse

Treatment programs are generally as varied as the people who use them. They are a mix of methods and protocols that can be mixed and matched to meet the needs of each individual. The types of treatment, however, are less complex when broken down into specific categories. For instance:

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has found that one of the most effective treatment principles, believe it or not, is simply having treatment available when you need it. If you think Dalmane abuse and addiction is an issue in your life, now is the time to act. The longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to convince yourself or your loved one that help is needed. The longer you wait, the harder the recovery process will be. On the other hand, the sooner you get treatment, the better the chances are that you can make the positive and healthy changes you need to find recovery.

If you have any questions about Dalmane abuse, or if you’d like to learn more about our offerings here at Michael’s House, please contact us.

LIVE CHAT