Sedative use disorder is when someone becomes addicted to sedatives. Sedatives are a drug class that is often prescribed to treat social and anxiety disorders or other illnesses that affect the brain. It is common for people to get addicted to the chemicals in sedatives, as well as the effect that it has on the brain. This happens when people rely too heavily on sedatives to treat their disorders.
Sedative use disorder is very dangerous and can lead to overdose if it gets out of control. Even when it does not lead to overdose, people who are addicted to sedatives are irritable, irrational, unable to perform activities of daily living, and are difficult to be around. Therefore, it is important to seek treatment for sedative use disorder so you can overcome your addiction.
Detoxification is the first treatment phase for anyone with a substance use disorder, including sedatives. Detoxification is a painful process where your body and mind “detoxify” from the sedatives you were taking. Detox can also be dangerous because it typically causes fevers, chills, seizures, and more. Therefore, it is important to go through detox with help from medical professionals so that they can help you if something goes wrong.
The best way to detox from sedatives is through the use of medications. This process, known as medication-assisted detox, will help wean you off of sedatives by easing the symptoms of detoxification and by allowing the drugs to exit your system slowly and steadily. You can receive medication-assisted detox at a medical facility in either an inpatient or outpatient setting.
Every medical facility will use different drugs and methods for medication-assisted detox. The most common medications to treat sedative use disorder are IM-buprenorphine, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. These medications relieve the pain and discomfort that accompanies detoxification and help wean you off of your sedative addiction.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is typically administered by a professional psychologist, psychiatrist, or counsellor. The goal of cognitive behavioural therapy is to help you work through the thoughts and feelings that make you want to take sedatives. By understanding these feelings and not allowing them to control you, you can overcome your addiction.
Cognitive behavioural therapy also teaches you coping mechanisms that help you deal with your cravings.
While detoxification is the first and most dramatic step to recovering from a sedative use disorder, it’s just the beginning. Addiction recovery is a lifelong process. While your cravings for sedatives may become less frequent and severe, they do not ever completely go away. Because your cravings will be ongoing, so, too, will your treatment.
Professional counselling and group therapy are great ways for you to talk about your emotions and feelings with people who understand your struggles. Self-help programs are also good options for teaching you discipline and coping mechanisms.
Sedative use disorder is one of the most common and unfortunate forms of drug addiction. In most cases, people start using sedatives because they are unable to cope with the stress and anxiety of daily living. Unfortunately, they get so addicted to how sedatives make them feel that they start to overuse and abuse them, which leads to addiction.
While sedative use disorder is difficult to overcome, it is possible with the right support system and treatment plan. People can recover from sedative use disorder on their own, but it is extremely difficult. Therefore, the best way to recover from sedative use disorder is at an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation facility. If you cannot afford rehab, you can also go through detox at a hospital and continue your recovery elsewhere.