Restoril (Temazepam) Addiction: Side Effects, Detox, Withdrawal, and Treatment

What is Restoril (Temazepam)?

Restoril is a brand name of the generic drug temazepam. It is a benzodiazepine that is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia.¹ Temazepam is a central nervous system depressant and it works by increasing the effects of GABA in your brain, which makes you feel more relaxed, calm, and sedated.

When temazepam was first discovered in the mid-1960s, it was marketed as being less addictive than barbiturates. However, now it is well-known that this drug can quickly cause dependence so it is generally only prescribed for 7 to 10 days. The dosage varies from person to person, but it is formulated in 7.5 mg, 15 mg, 22.5 mg, and 30 mg tablets.

Restoral has been known to produce strange side effects in users, such as eating, driving, or making phone calls while taking it but having no memory of the activities later.² Due to its ability to produce feelings of euphoria, misuse of temazepam is common but it can also produce uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if the user abruptly stops taking it.

If you are having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, Restoril may be a helpful short-term solution. However, you should always tell your doctor if you are taking any other benzodiazepines or illegal drugs before using Restoril because central nervous system depressants can produce dangerous side effects when they interact with other depressant drugs or herbal products.

Is Restoril (Temazepam) Addictive?

Yes, temazepam can be addictive. Like other benzodiazepines, temazepam is classified as a Schedule IV drug in the U.S. This means that although it does have legitimate medical and therapeutic uses, there is also a risk of abuse and/or addiction.

Slang for Temazepam

The following terms are street names or slang for benzodiazepines like temazepam:⁷

• Benzos
• Downers
• Nerve pills
• Tranks

How Common Is Restoril (Temazepam) Addiction and Abuse?

Restoril is one of the five most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines in the United States. As such, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it is also one of the most commonly abused benzos, alongside alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepam (Valium).³ People who misuse temazepam often use it simultaneously with other drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, opioids, or alcohol to enhance or decrease particular side effects.

Recent data from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that about 5.4 million Americans ages 12 or older abused prescription benzodiazepines like Restoril in the last year.⁴

Although temazepam is a highly effective drug that helps many people sleep better, it is only intended for short-term use. Any abuse of it can cause tolerance, physical dependence, addiction, or overdose. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported 74,050 case mentions, 26,868 single exposures, and 14 deaths associated with benzodiazepines like temazepam in 2016.³

Despite the risks, some people may misuse Restoril by:

• Taking someone else’s prescription
• Using Restoril for longer than prescribed
• Taking larger doses of Restoril than prescribed
• Getting multiple Restoril prescriptions from several different doctors
• Taking Restoril with alcohol or other drugs to enhance its effects

People who abuse temazepam may swallow large doses of Restoril tablets, consume it as a white crystalline powder, or dissolve the powder in water and inject it. When it is used in these ways, temazepam can be highly addictive.

What Are the Side Effects of  Restoril (Temazepam) Abuse?

Some of the common short-term side effects of Restoril (temazepam) abuse are:⁵

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Euphoria
• Lowered inhibitions
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty concentrating
• Confusion
• Impaired coordination
• Difficulty breathing
• Low blood pressure
• Slowed pulse

Long-term side effects of Restoril (temazepam) abuse include:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Weakness
• Anorexia

What Are Common Signs and Symptoms of Temazepam Addiction and Abuse?

Common signs that someone is abusing temazepam can include:

• Taking someone else’s prescription
• Using Restoril for longer than prescribed
• Taking larger doses of Restoril than is medically necessary
• Using Restoril with other drugs or alcohol
• Hiding Restoril use from loved ones
• “Doctor shopping” to get multiple prescriptions for Restoril

Symptoms of temazepam addiction include:

• Feeling unable to function normally without temazepam
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the effects of temazepam wear off
• Trying (unsuccessfully) to cut back or stop using temazepam
• Feeling strong urges and cravings to use temazepam
• Needing more temazepam to achieve the same effects
• Experiencing physical, emotional, relational, and/or financial problems due to temazepam abuse but continuing to use it anyway

What Are Temazepam Withdrawal Symptoms?

If you are addicted to Restoril and you abruptly stop using it, you will likely experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Temazepam withdrawal symptoms typically include:⁶

• Sweating
• Muscle and abdominal cramps
• Vomiting
• Tremors
• Dysphoria
• Insomnia
• Convulsions

Temazepam Detox

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can sometimes be very severe, so the recommended method for quitting Restoril is to gradually taper your dosage under the direct supervision of a doctor. You may also consider enrolling in a medical detox program, where you will receive round-the-clock medical and clinical treatment for your withdrawal symptoms and a monitored, gradual tapering regimen for a smooth and safe transition into sobriety. Temazepam detox in a medical facility is often the safest and most effective way to get sober.

Temazepam Withdrawal Timeline

There is no specific withdrawal timeline for benzos like Restoril because the intensity, duration, and type of withdrawal symptoms that present themselves often vary from person to person. However, the chart below is a general timeline of what you may expect to experience during temazepam withdrawal.

6-12 hours after the last dose	General symptoms of benzo withdrawal can last anywhere from one to four days.
2 weeks after the last dose	Temazepam withdrawal symptoms typically peak around this time but gradually subside.
Months after the last dose	Some withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety or insomnia can last for months after completing Temazepam detox if they are left untreated. Professional treatment can help reduce these symptoms.

Treatment for Restoril (Temazepam) Addiction

If your addiction to temazepam has made your life unmanageable, it may be time to seek professional help. Addiction is defined as a complex chronic disease of the brain and it is extremely difficult to overcome it on your own without any treatment or support.⁷ Much like other chronic diseases, effectively treating addiction requires ongoing and individualized care.

The first step in the addiction treatment process is often detox. A medical temazepam detox program can help you break your physical addiction to Restoril and begin healing physically and emotionally. After temazepam detox, long-term drug rehab can provide individualized support and treatment services that will help you address the underlying issues that contributed to your addiction, learn how to live a sober life, and gain valuable life skills that will help you sustain your recovery.

During temazepam rehab, a team of doctors, nurses, clinical therapists, addiction treatment specialists, and peers in recovery will help you work through the various aspects of rehab and gradually make positive changes to your mindset and lifestyle. Family support is also a big part of this process that fosters group healing and the restoration of family relationships after addiction.

Evidence-based and research-based drug rehab programs will provide comprehensive, individualized treatment plans that produce desirable, long-lasting results. This type of treatment for temazepam addiction typically includes:

• Educational lectures
• Structured recovery programming
• 12-Step facilitation therapy (or a similar recovery program)
• Life skills development
• Behavioral therapy methods such as contingency management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and rational emotive behavioral therapy
• Individual drug counseling
• Group counseling
• Family counseling
• Specialized therapies like music therapy, animal-assisted therapy, or art therapy

Inpatient Drug Rehab vs. Outpatient Drug Rehab for Temazepam Addiction

If you’re searching for a temazepam rehab program, it can be difficult to know which type of program is right for you. Fortunately, you don’t have to make that decision alone. Your doctor or an addiction treatment specialist can help you determine what type of temazepam treatment program that best fits your needs and circumstances. 

Inpatient residential drug rehab and outpatient drug rehab are two of the main types of temazepam treatment offered after detox. The chart below outlines the differences between the two.

Residential Temazepam Rehab Clients live in gender-specific housing at the rehab center while they complete treatment. Clients adhere to a structured daily schedule. Clients attend daily counseling sessions and participate in recovery-oriented group activities with peers. Clients have access to medical and clinical care services on-site.

Outpatient Temazepam Rehab Clients live at home or in a sober living house while enrolled in treatment. Clients attend regular outpatient group meetings hosted at a clinical treatment location. Clients complete recovery-related homework assignments independently. Clients maintain other obligations while completing rehab, like working, going to school, or caring for children.

Depending on the type of temazepam addiction treatment program you choose, the cost can vary greatly. Most temazepam rehab programs offer several different payment options to help reduce the financial burden of rehab. Once you decide on an addiction treatment program, it may offer one or several of the following payment options:

• Health insurance benefits
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Financed healthcare loans
• Credit cards
• Crowdfunding
• HSA funds

Continued Care Options for Restoril (Temazepam) Addiction Treatment

After temazepam rehab, many people also choose to continue their treatment for Restoril addiction with a continuing care program, such as a sober living program and/or aftercare.

Sober Living Programs

A sober living house is a safe and supportive, substance-free environment where people in recovery can receive ongoing support to maintain their sobriety after rehab. Sober living homes are typically gender-specific and are often located in residential neighborhoods.

Residents of sober living homes are expected to follow community rules and guidelines to maintain their residency. These rules often include maintaining a sober lifestyle, meeting all program requirements, and paying a monthly fee.

Many sober living homes also provide recovery support services, including:

• Structured programming
• Regular drug and alcohol testing
• Educational planning
• Employment assistance
• Volunteer placement
• Peer monitoring

Depending on the services offered, the home’s location, and its amenities, the cost of a sober living program will vary.

Aftercare Programs

Aftercare programs are designed to support men and women who are in long-term recovery. Treatment consists of a series of outpatient meetings where open and honest discussion is encouraged. Clients often use these meetings as weekly check-ins and receive consistent support and accountability from peers and treatment professionals in recovery.

If you are struggling with temazepam addiction, don’t wait any longer to get the help you need. Call Nova Recovery Center at (512) 605-2955today to speak with a representative about out temazepam treatment options. We can help you start a new life in recovery right away.

References:

1. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-9667/restoril-oral/details
2. https://www.drugs.com/restoril.html
3. https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/benzo.pdf
4. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHNationalFindingsReport2018/NSDUHNationalFindingsReport2018.pdf
5. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/benzodiazepine-abuse
6. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/018163s064lbl.pdf
7. https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/addiction-science

Nova Recovery Center offers a large range of substance abuse treatment services: detox, residential, outpatient and sober living.

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