Sleep problems are among the cruelest conditions a human being can face. Without rest, we cannot function. However, what option are you left with if you cannot sleep each night? Unfortunately, this problem affects a large portion of our society. According to the Sleep Foundation, between 10 percent and 30 percent of adults struggle with chronic insomnia, and 30 to 48 percent of older adults experience insomnia. These are substantial figures. Sleep problems are notorious for causing severe medical complications, such as heart problems, obesity, and mental health issues, to name a few. However, advancements in modern medicine have made sleep easier to achieve.
There are various drugs used to manage insomnia, such as benzodiazepines, sedative-hypnotics like Z-drugs, and, less common today but used in severe cases, barbiturates. Central nervous system (CNS) depressants are critical in battling these overactive nervous system conditions. However, they can turn from useful tools to dangerous weapons when misused or abused. One such drug, Halcion, is used to manage the symptoms of insomnia and other circadian rhythm disorders. The drug shares many similarities with other benzodiazepines and sleep aids.
Drugs like Halcion are relatively safe when used as prescribed. However, when misused or abused for its effects, it can turn dangerous fast. Halcion overdose is possible, and it’s important to always follow your doctor’s instructions if they prescribe this medication. Halcion can also cause other long-term effects, such as chemical dependency and a substance use disorder (SUD). You’re more likely to become addicted to Halcion when you take the drug in a manner considered unsafe, such as more often or in higher doses than prescribed.
Understanding Halcion overdose and addiction and the severe consequences that can follow is vital, especially if you’re prescribed the drug or know someone else who is taking it. Halcion misuse can lead to financial and relationship issues. The most severe consequence is overdose, which can be fatal. Although use is considered relatively safe in small doses, high doses are an issue.
Below, we’ll delve into Halcion overdose and what you can do in the event someone encounters this potentially fatal problem.
Signs and Symptoms of a Halcion Overdose
Halcion is a benzodiazepine that’s highly effective in managing insomnia symptoms. In many cases, this medication is a lifesaver for those
genuinely unable to fall asleep each night. Unfortunately, it can be an incredibly dangerous drug in the wrong hands. Although benzodiazepines were synthesized as a safer alternative to barbiturates, they were potent depressants that produced similar effects up to an overdose. In many ways, they are less harmful. However, fatal overdoses are still a reality, especially when misusing Halcion. Unfortunately, overdoses are far more common than most people realize.
If you’re prescribed Halcion, doctors acknowledge that your insomnia is severe enough to warrant benzodiazepine intervention. In most cases, doctors would attempt to treat it with Z-drugs like Ambien first and will exhaust all other resources before reaching this point. They will prescribe the lowest dose of Halcion at the beginning to see how you respond. If it doesn’t manage your symptoms, they will either increase your dose or consider another medication for your treatment.
If you start taking more Halcion without their approval, it could put you on the fast track to addiction or an overdose. The longer you take this drug, even as prescribed, the greater the odds are chemical dependency, where your body needs it to feel normal. If you run out of your prescription too soon or stop abruptly, you could experience withdrawal symptoms. You might respond by taking more, which can lead to an overdose.
Halcion overdose is a result of taking more of the medication than your doctor prescribes. It can also occur when you take it with other drugs, such as Z-drugs, alcohol, or opioids. A staggering 16 percent of all overdose cases were caused by benzodiazepines and opioids being taken together. Experts found that your odds of overdosing increases10 times when mixing these two drugs.
It’s important to note that overdose symptoms appear differently in everyone, especially when they’re taking a combination of drugs like opioids or alcohol. Knowing the ones that might occur is vital in the event you witness one. Common Halcion overdose symptoms include the following:
- Uncoordinated muscle movements
- Lethargy
- Altered mental state
- Falling unconscious
- Cannot wake up
- Overwhelming sense of dizziness
- Confusion or disorientation
- Blurred or double vision
- Coma
Severe complications are rare because of a Halcion overdose. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t happen. It’s most likely to occur when someone loses consciousness and oxygenated blood. Respiratory distress can cause this. It can also cause brain damage, pneumonia, muscle damage, or coma. You must act quickly in the event of an overdose.
Is Halcion Overdose Fatal?
In short, yes, you can easily lose your life because of a Halcion overdose. These drugs have the potential to be incredibly dangerous, especially if you’re taking Halcion with barbiturates, opioids, or alcohol. If you take more than prescribed, snort or inject the drug, or take higher doses than your doctor recommends for your weight, you’re at a profound risk of losing your life. It’s not worth it.
These are powerful drugs that must be treated with respect. Each person who uses them will endure a different effect, which is why you must not overdo it. Benzodiazepine overdoses have risen dramatically in the past few years. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed a 519.6 percent increase in illicit benzodiazepine overdose deaths, demonstrating their dangers.
Halcion Overdose Statistics
Unfortunately, a 519.6 percent increase in overdose deaths speaks volumes about the current crisis we’re facing. Another study found that 46.3 percent of respondents were benzodiazepine misusers, with only 20 percent of them acquiring drugs like Halcion through the proper channels. Even worse, 11.8 percent were abusing the medication because they were addicted and wanted to get high. Halcion is an exceptional drug to help you fall asleep, but it can also be misused. Please, don’t become a statistic. Seek help if you’re struggling with Halcion addiction.
Treatment for Halcion Overdose
If you’re present for a Halcion overdose, you must take action quickly. Stay calm, as overreacting will only make the situation go from bad to worse. Call 911 immediately. The sooner you get first responders dispatched to your location, the better, as it will decrease the chances of someone becoming a statistic. You also need to provide the following information to the dispatcher, including:
- The current status of the individual – are they conscious? Breathing? Responding to questions?
- Give their height, weight, and age to the dispatcher.
- Tell them if they’ve been abusing other drugs or alcohol throughout the day.
- Thoroughly explain their symptoms.
- Tell them the amount of Halcion taken that led to the overdose.
- Provide details on whether it’s illicit Halcion or if it came from a pharmacy – this can indicate a potential fentanyl overdose if the drug is illicit.
When an ambulance arrives, paramedics will stabilize the individual before they’re brought into the hospital. In these situations, seconds matter, and they will do everything in their power to revive the person. Upon arrival at the hospital, the individual will be assessed by the emergency room physician to determine their condition and see what support they need. It’s likely they’ll require respiratory support and intravenous fluids. In the event of a severe Halcion overdose, a drug called Flumazenil may be administered to reverse the effects. If the patient receives this drug, they must remain in the hospital for some time to recover. Their stay is dependent on how fast treatment is provided and the severity of their overdose.
The only thing that matters during an overdose is to get help right away. The longer you wait can result in permanent damage. If you’re prescribed Halcion for sleep issues, it’s critical that you listen to your doctor. You should never misuse any drug, but Halcion is one to treat with respect and understand its potency. Insomnia is an awful condition to be diagnosed with, but it doesn’t give you a pass to start abusing hard drugs. Try to seek other options before taking this medication. It’s not worth developing a substance use disorder or, even worse, losing your life.
