What is Halcion and how does it affect your body? If you are suffering from insomnia, Halcion may give you a quick solution, but you should know the facts first. This is a powerful and addictive drug.
Keep reading below to learn more about the long and short-term health effects of Halcion.
What is Halcion?
Your doctor may prescribe you with Halcion to treat sleep problems. It is one of many sedatives like Xanax that became popular in the 80’s, belonging to the Benzodiazepine drug group.
Definition
Halcion is the brand name for a chemical substance known as Triazolam. Triazolam is a powerful benzodiazepine that affects the central nervous system. Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are the most widely used tranquilizers.
Benzodiazepines include Xanax and are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world. Since Halcion is a prescription drug, taking it without a prescription is a dangerous misuse that can lead to addiction.
While doctors prescribe Halcion to treat severe insomnia, benzodiazepines have a range of other properties and are highly addictive. In addition to being a powerful sedative, Halcion also has anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxing properties.
How Is It Taken?
Doctors prescribe Halcion as an oral medication. They advise to take it orally, with or without food, just before you get into bed. Doctors also advise not to eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while using Halcion because it may increase its side effects.
Use of Halcion should not exceed a period of one to two weeks. Patients who use Halcion for more than three weeks must consult with their doctor for other treatment options.
People who abuse Halcion may take it throughout the day. This is dangerous as it can cause severe sleepiness while driving.
Who Takes It?
Halcion is a powerful drug that treats sleep problems. Doctors prescribe it for people who have trouble falling asleep. Halcion may help you sleep faster, deeper, and longer.
Children and women who are pregnant or lactating should not take Halcion.
Questions About Treatment?
If you or your loved one is struggling with addiction, you probably have many questions regarding your options for treatment. Our admissions counselors are standing by to answer your questions!
GET HELP NOWA Brief History of Halcion
Triazolam was first patented in May 1976 by Upjohn, a company that specialized in the manufacture of hypnotic drugs. Triazolam got the brand name Halcion and hit the US market in 1982.
Halcion was one of many benzodiazepines that became popular in the 80’s as a viable alternative to barbiturates. Benzodiazepines are generally safer and more efficient than barbiturates.
Consequences of Halcion Misuse
Halcion interacts with the central nervous system in multiple ways. In addition to inducing sleepiness, the drug can cause a range of other effects.
Effects on the Mind and Body
Some of the most common side effects of Halcion include:
- Tiredness
- Daytime sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Excitability
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Poor coordination
- Headaches
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Itching
- Memory problems
- Blurred vision
- Sexual dysfunction
- Menstrual cycle disruption
Halcion is highly addictive and will cause withdrawal symptoms when you quit it. These include a general sense of depression and inability to live normally without using more Halcion.
One rare but documented side effect of Halcion is sleepwalking. Rarely, Halcion users have reported sleepwalking and even driving in their sleep.
Let Us Help You!
Regardless of where you live, there is a treatment center nearby that can help you overcome your addiction. Call us today for assistance in finding the best treatment for your situation!
GET HELP NOWShort-Term and Long-Term Health Effects
Halcion is not meant to be used for more than a couple of weeks. People who abuse the drug are likely to develop an addiction and suffer a range of dangerous health effects. These include:
- General exhaustion
- Hostility
- Double vision
- Memory loss
- Libido loss
- Psychosis
- Seizures
- Depression
- Respiratory problems
- Suicidal thoughts
The most serious side effects of Halcion abuse is suicidal thoughts and respiratory problems. When the latter becomes too severe, it may lead to death through respiratory depression.
Respiratory depression happens when a person stops breathing in their sleep. This can lead to coma and death regardless of age and underlying health conditions.
If you have been using Halcion for more than two weeks, please contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you experience one or more of the above side effects, seek help immediately.
Questions About Insurance?
Navigating your insurance plan to determine what type of substance abuse coverage you qualify for can be overwhelming. Our insurance specialists are available 24 hours a day to assist you.
GET HELP NOWUsing Halcion With Other Drugs
As a prescription drug, drug users often combine Halcion with other narcotics to enhance the psychoactive experience or self-medicate. However, certain drug cocktails that contain Halcion are not only dangerous but potentially deadly.
Which Drugs Are Commonly Used With Halcion?
Although these combinations are dangerous, some people who misuse Halcion also misuse alcohol or opioids, especially painkillers.
Combining alcohol with Halcion increases the danger of respiratory problems and coma as alcohol is also a nervous system depressant.
Mixing opioids like heroin with Halcion is a potentially fatal combination. This combination can lead to profound sedation, and total respiratory depression.
No doctors will prescribe opioids and Halcion together unless it is in a controlled hospital environment and only in extreme cases. This is a deadly drug mix.
Treating Halcion Addiction
Halcion is among the most powerful sedatives one can obtain legally. The potential for misuse is great, and everyone can get addicted.
If you or a loved one suffer from addiction to Halcion or other benzodiazepines, know that you are not alone. Benzodiazepines are the most commonly abused prescription drugs in the US.
Here at Addiction Treatment Services, we aim to empower families to help their loved ones who struggle with benzodiazepine abuse. Overcoming drug addiction means detoxing your body, but also having the right tools to live a drug-free life without fear of relapse.
We realize that the first step in a person’s recovery is always the most difficult one. That is why we are here to help you or your loved one get the level of care they need to be healthy again.
If you or a loved one suffer from Halcion, feel free to contact us with any questions about their addiction, and to learn more about the possible treatment options.
