An estimated 50 to 70 million people in the United States didn’t get proper sleep last night, and according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “insufficient sleep in a public health epidemic.”
People who do not get enough sleep experience a wide range of symptoms that can compromise our well-being as well as shorten the length of our lives.
If you can survive a car accident and lead a life without proper rest, you may suffer from a compromised immune system, a problem that can occur as a result of sleeplessness. When you can’t get the recommended amount of sleep each night, your body will have problems fighting off disease. Insomnia can cause a decrease in performance at work or school and even lower one’s sex drive.
Projections show that by the middle of the 21st century, sleeplessness statistics are set to nearly double to an estimated 100 million people who struggle with sleep disorders. It is essential to get the right amount of sleep, and that is why medications such as Sonata have had so much money to put into their creation.
Originally, barbiturates were used to treat sleep problems, but they caused more harm than good. Substitutes known as benzodiazepines were synthesized and developed as a less addictive means of treating sleep disorders, but unfortunately, these created the same type of problems. In more recent times, sedative-hypnotic medications known as Z-drugs were established to address sleep problems such as insomnia.
Drugs like Sonata were boasted as miracle drugs for giving someone their sleep cycle back without being addictive. While the latter is nearly true, there is still a cause for concern if you use Sonata.
Z-drugs are scientifically proven to be less addictive than the drug(s) preceding it, but they still can cause dependence, which can result in withdrawal. Sonata works by increasing levels of gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) that induce feelings of sleepiness. It has a similar function to benzos, but the difference is it works on a specific receptor in the brain meant for producing sleep. For this reason, it causes less risk of developing an addiction. While it may occur, it is less likely, but since it works on GABA, it creates the chance for dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
How Does Sonata Work?
Sonata works similarly to benzodiazepines when it enters into our brain. The drug, however, is very different than a typical benzo interaction. They are identical in how they stimulate GABA in our central nervous system (CNS). GABA is comprised of chemicals that inhibit nerve impulses, and it blocks feelings that create stress or anxiety. GABA is produced naturally to achieve anxiolytic feelings.
Sonata achieves this by effecting a specific GABA receptor to block stress signals. Its primary use is to slow down chemicals and create feelings of sedation that assist in getting you to sleep fast. By increasing production of these feel-good chemicals, it can bring you into a sleepy state, and keep you there for the night.
What Are The Sonata Withdrawal Symptoms?
Sleeping pill withdrawal can cause adverse effects that cause psychological as well as physical discomfort. Due to our unique chemistry, our bodies respond to withdrawal differently.
While one individual has mild effects, someone who takes the same dosage can experience severe symptoms. Some factors influence these outcomes and can include mental health disorders, how much was ingested at the last dose, how long the medication has been used, and how large their standard dose was.
The most common side effects that can be experienced during Sonata withdrawal include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Nausea
- Hallucinations
- Rebound insomnia
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Delirium
- Memory loss
What Are The Stages In The Sonata Withdrawal Timeline?
Early Sonata withdrawal symptoms, which are similar to other benzos or Z-drugs, include:
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Shakiness
- Trouble swallowing
- Panic attacks
- Trouble sleeping
- Heart palpitation
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Flushing
- Feeling like you’re choking
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Seizures
- Bowel and/or bladder problems
- Appetite changes
- Poor concentration
Once the initial symptoms have dissipated, there are still long-term effects one can experience. These include:
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Depression
- Psychosis
- Paranoid delusions
- Rebound insomnia
- Poor memory and mental ability
- Muscle pain, twitching, and weakness
- Seizures
Should I Detox?
Physicians and addiction specialists alike will strongly advise against stopping the use of drugs on your own. The process, known as cold turkey, is often painful and can be downright dangerous. It is necessary to be in the presence of a medical professional during this transition into sobriety. Without medical help, this can be a challenging process that pushes you right back into using Sonata.
It is imperative to find a medical detoxification center that can support you during Sonata withdrawal. Detox will ensure you are monitored around the clock for three to seven days while your body goes through the rigorous process. It also offers the necessary support that gives you a better shot at lasting recovery due to the structure provided.
Anyone who is serious about long-term sobriety will make sure they begin the continuum of care in detox and follow the treatment plan the team puts into place for you.
What Is The Next Treatment Step?
Treatment must be tailored to your specific needs to be effective. Just as withdrawal symptoms vary from one person to another, the type of treatment people require must also suit their specific needs. One person may benefit from a residential treatment center while others may thrive in outpatient. It is all about finding out during a thorough assessment where you will end up. Residential treatment will see the client living on-site for a period of up to 90 days or less depending on what the team decides.
You may participate in various therapies geared toward dealing with triggers and changing your behaviors. Some of these will include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
Outpatient treatment is often a more viable solution for those using their career or education as a barrier to treatment. It will allow you to continue in your career while attending therapy sessions. Upon completion of therapy, you will be allowed to go home and practice what you have learned outside the confines of treatment. The most important aspect is to continue your treatment after detox. The detox period is a stepping-stone that allows your mind and body to stabilize for the next levels of care.
