Zopiclone Addiction | Symptoms, Effects and Causes

Zopiclone has been a blessing for many people who have insomnia, helping to whisk users off to interrupted sleep. However, this powerful sleep aid also has a major downside – the risk of developing an addiction. Zopiclone addiction can have severe repercussions on your health and personal well-being and can even put your life in danger. Awareness and preventive measures are critical to ensure that zopiclone is used safely and that professional help for zopiclone addiction is available to whoever needs it.

Zopiclone-tablets-on-bottle

What is zopiclone?

Zopiclone is a sleeping pill that is part of a group of drugs which are commonly known as “Z-drugs”. It is sold under the brand name Imovane and like other Z-drugs, was designed to help with insomnia without the side effects of older sleeping pills.

Zopiclone works by calming overactive brain activity by affecting the levels of a chemical called GABA. It is usually given to people who find falling asleep difficult or who are unable to sleep through the night.

Zopiclone and other Z-drugs have become the most widely prescribed sleeping pills in the UK because they are generally less risky than others. However, there are still some zopiclone side effects to be aware of including:

A metallic taste in your mouth
Constant cotton or dry mouth
Daytime grogginess
Lightheadedness
Zopiclone addiction

Because of these risks, zopiclone is a Class-C substance in the UK with strict rules and regulations about its prescription and use.

What is zopiclone addiction?

Zopiclone addiction often begins with a legitimate prescription for insomnia. However, as you continue using zopiclone, you will soon find that the amount used to work no longer does. At this point, the best thing to do is to speak to your doctor, but what some people do is up their zopiclone dosage without consulting them.

This ramps up levels of zopiclone in the system, tricking the brain into believing zopiclone is supposed to be there. You can then become totally dependent on zopiclone as part of your nightly (and daily) routine. This dependency manifests both physically – compelling you to keep using zopiclone to avoid withdrawal symptoms – and psychologically – where you feel emotionally unable to function without zopiclone.

When zopiclone addiction takes hold of both your body and mind, controlling its use becomes increasingly difficult. This compulsive use is a clear sign of sleeping pill addiction, where the urge to consume zopiclone overshadows the awareness of its harmful effects.

The signs and symptoms of zopiclone addiction

Recognising zopiclone addiction early is essential for effective treatment, even though signs can be subtle. This is especially true when you are using zopiclone for valid health reasons but some common addiction signs and symptoms can include:

Needing to increase your zopiclone dosage to get the same sleepy effects.
Your supply of zopiclone running out too quickly.
Using zopiclone not just at bedtime but feeling like you need it to cope during the day.
Experiencing strong zopiclone cravings or withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, anger or restlessness when you try to cut back.
Problems with your memory or forgetting things you normally wouldn’t.
Performance dipping at school or work because you’re feeling out of it all the time.
Feeling the need to keep your zopiclone use a secret or lying about how much you use.
Ignoring the negative impacts and continuing to use zopiclone anyway.

If you notice these signs, seeking help sooner rather than later is very important because it can significantly improve your recovery outcomes.

What causes zopiclone addiction?

Zolpidem is designed to affect your brain’s chemicals, and it’s these very effects that might lead some people to overuse or abuse it. But an addiction to zopiclone often stems from more complex underlying problems, which may include:

Stress and anxiety: Sometimes, people use zopiclone to take the edge off when they are feeling very stressed or anxious. This may start off as a useful way to help sleep but can quickly turn into a need to use zopiclone all the time.
Mental health complications: If you are struggling with feelings like sadness or depression, you might start using zopiclone to sedate yourself or just feel better for a little while. Unfortunately, this can make it really easy to start relying on it too much which can escalate to zopiclone addiction.
Chronic insomnia: Zopiclone is not intended for lifelong use, but if you are having trouble sleeping night after night, it can lead to long-term reliance and then addiction.
An easily available supply: If it’s easy to grab zopiclone, it can be tempting to use it or overuse it even when problems start arising.
Addiction in your family: If your family has a history of struggling with addiction, it might be easier for you to get addicted, too.
Not knowing the risks: Not really understanding how risky zopiclone can be might lead you to use it without any concerns, which can sneak up on you as an addiction.

Zopiclone-pill

What does zopiclone do to your health?

Addiction to zopiclone can lead to serious physical and psychological health issues which can have immediate and long-term impacts. Some of the most worrying impacts of zopiclone addiction include:

Zopiclone overdose

Overdosing on zopiclone is a serious danger, particularly when combined with other depressants like alcohol or when taken in larger quantities than prescribed. Overdosing can lead to disorientation, unconsciousness, coma or even death.

Dangerous respiratory problems

When zopiclone is taken in large doses or combined with other depressant drugs, it can cause respiratory depression. This means your breathing can become dangerous, particularly for anyone with respiratory conditions.

Psychological troubles

Chronic use of zopiclone can trigger or intensify psychological issues such as depression and anxiety. This might lead to increased use of zopiclone as you attempt to self-medicate these escalating symptoms, further entrenching the addiction.

Memory issues and other mental problems

Regular use of zopiclone may also lead to significant cognitive issues. You could face memory gaps, decision-making troubles and in worse cases, symptoms that resemble dementia.

How to overcome zopiclone addiction

Prescription drug detox is the foundational step for overcoming zopiclone addiction. This takes place in a controlled medical setting where your zopiclone dosage is slowly tapered down to help avoid the intense difficulties associated with stopping ‘cold turkey.’ You may even receive medications to ease withdrawal symptoms but this is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Full recovery then requires prescription drug rehab to uncover and settle the underlying reasons behind your zopiclone addiction. You can undergo rehab at a private centre or through publicly funded NHS services, both of which have their own pros and cons. Inpatient rehab is often seen as the most beneficial approach because there is no access to drugs and no external distractions.

Where to get help for zopiclone addiction

If you find yourself overwhelmed by zopiclone addiction, effective assistance is readily available with Addiction Helper. Contact us now to discuss the treatment options available to you and begin the journey to overcoming zopiclone addiction. Help is only one call away.

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Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is contaminated zopiclone?

In Teeside in 2024, one man died, and seven other people were hospitalised after taking zopiclone. At the time, the police and medical personnel suspected a batch of contaminated zopiclone, although the source was unclear. No confirmed source has been found to date, but this is just another example of why extreme caution is required when taking zopiclone.

Zolpidem vs zopiclone: Differences and similarities?

Zolpidem and zopiclone are both “Z-drugs” used to treat insomnia, and they work similarly by calming the brain to help you fall asleep. The main difference is how long they stay active. Zolpidem acts quickly and is out of your system by morning, so it’s better for people who have trouble falling asleep. Zopiclone, on the other hand, lasts longer, making it helpful for those who wake up in the middle of the night. However, both can be addictive if misused and should only be taken as prescribed.

How to help someone with a zopiclone addiction

If someone you care about is struggling with a zopiclone addiction, the first step is to approach them with understanding, not judgement. Let them know you are there to support them and encourage them to talk to a doctor or an addiction specialist like Addiction Helper. You can also help by being patient and encouraging healthy sleep routines to show them they don’t have to rely on zopiclone to cope.

(Click here to see works cited)

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UK Addiction Treatment Centres. “Zopiclone addiction | Zopiclone abuse signs and symptoms | UKAT.” UK Addiction Treatment Centres, 8 January 2024, https://www.ukat.co.uk/addiction/drug/prescription/sleeping-pills/zopiclone/. Accessed 29 January 2025.
Cimolai, Nevio. “Zopiclone: is it a pharmacologic agent for abuse?.” Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien vol. 53,12 (2007): 2124-9. Accessed 7 August 2024.
NHS. “Zopiclone: medicine used for sleeping problems (insomnia).” NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zopiclone/. Accessed 29 January 2025.
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