Nitrazepam Addiction | Signs, Symptoms & Effects

Nitrazepam, also known by brand names like Mogadon, was first introduced in the 1960s as part of the benzodiazepine family. These drugs were originally developed as safer alternatives to barbiturates, which had a higher risk of overdose and addiction.

Like all benzos, Nitrazepam is a GABA enhancer. This means it boosts the effects of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps slow down brain activity, reduces anxiety and brings on sleep.

Nitrazepam is mostly prescribed for the short-term treatment of severe insomnia, but it can also be used to manage anxiety disorders and sometimes to control seizures in people with epilepsy.

While these medical uses can help many people, Nitrazepam’s side effects can be significant.

There are three main ways that people develop a Nitrazepam addiction: prescription use, self-medication and recreational abuse. Here are some common scenarios:

1. Prescription Nitrazepam use

Sarah is a 45-year-old teacher struggling with severe insomnia. Her doctor prescribed Nitrazepam to help her get the rest she desperately needed. Initially, the medication worked wonders, allowing her to sleep through the night for the first time in years. However, after a few months, she found herself needing higher doses of Nitrazepam to sleep.

Despite her doctor’s warnings, Sarah began taking more than the prescribed amount and eventually, couldn’t sleep without Nitrazepam at all. As Sarah became more and more dependent on Nitrazepam, she started experiencing withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and tremors if she missed a dose and began to take it to deal with the stress of teaching.

2. Self-medication

John, a 30-year-old software engineer, has been battling anxiety and panic attacks for years. He decided to self-medicate with Nitrazepam after reading about its calming effects online and managed to buy the drug from an overseas pharmacy.

At first, Nitrazepam seemed like a miracle cure, helping John stay calm during stressful situations. But soon, his previous dose no longer worked so he started taking more when he felt an attack of anxiety or panic coming on. John began to recognise his growing dependence, but his anxiety worsened whenever he tried to stop, trapping him in a cycle of Nitrazepam use.

3. Recreational Nitrazepam abuse

Emma, a 22-year-old university student, was introduced to Nitrazepam at a party. She enjoyed the relaxed, euphoric feeling it gave her and started using it recreationally on weekends.

Over time, Emma’s occasional use turned into a regular habit. She began taking Nitrazepam to cope with exam stress and social anxiety, finding that her doses were increasing all the time. Eventually, Emma started to experience severe cravings and withdrawal symptoms when she didn’t take Nitrazepam, and she began to take it to feel like herself.

In all these cases, Nitrazepam addiction began with initial use, escalation due to tolerance and eventual dependency and addiction. This is typical of benzodiazepine addiction and is why Nitrazepam use requires strict medical supervision and prescription guidelines. In the UK, for example, Nitrazepam is classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, making it illegal to possess or supply without a prescription.

The way Nitrazepam affects GABA means that it has the potential to cause addiction in anyone who takes it. However, there are lots of people who can take Nitrazepam safely, never increasing their dosage and never developing an addiction.

That is because Nitrazepam addiction risks increase with certain factors that some people have and others don’t. These include:

Nitrazepam addiction and abuse really can affect your health, relationships and all other parts of your life. Here is what you know about the potential health dangers:

Risk of Nitrazepam overdose

Taking too much Nitrazepam can result in an overdose. This can be fatal, especially if you mix Nitrazepam with other drugs or alcohol.

Physical health issues

Misusing Nitrazepam can cause serious health problems like liver damage, stomach issues and a weak immune system, making it easier for you to get sick.

Mental problems

Using Nitrazepam for a long time can make mental health problems worse and create new mental issues. It can also make it hard for you to concentrate, remember things and think clearly.

Mood swings

Long-term use of Nitrazepam can make your emotions unstable, and you may feel anxious, depressed or moody for no reason.

Sleep problems

Even though Nitrazepam is supposed to help you sleep, using it for too long can actually mess up your natural sleep patterns, making it hard to get good-quality sleep.

Nitrazepam addiction treatment involves a few key steps to be effective. First is detox, where doctors help you safely stop using Nitrazepam by supervising you through withdrawal. Next comes benzodiazepine rehab, which includes therapy and counselling to understand why you became addicted to Nitrazepam and how you can live life without it. Finally, aftercare provides ongoing support to help you stay on track.

If you or someone you care about is having a hard time with Nitrazepam addiction, it’s really important to get help. Reach out to Linwood House today and we can help you plan your recovery path. Remember, asking for help is a brave step and can make a huge difference in getting your life back on track.