The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend that it is important to firstly carry our a comprehensive assessment to ascertain whether a person is suitable for a Temazepam detox.
This will help to identify if they are exhibiting symptoms of anxiety or insomnia, or have any other medical conditions that needs to be taken into account when formulating a treatment plan. (6)
The main guiding principle for treating any patient going through a benzodiazepine detox is to utilise reducing doses of the drug that they have been taking (in this case Temazepam).
This happens over a period of time. If that is not possible, then a long acting benzodiazepine such as Diazepam can be used.
Temazepam detox treatments – Diazepam
Diazepam has a half life of over 20 hours, and up to 100 hours, meaning the drug stays in the body for a longer period of time and controls the withdrawal symptoms for longer than a shorter acting drug with a shorter half life (such as Temazepam). (4,10)
The term half life refers to the amount of time it takes for half the amount of the drug taken to be removed from the body. Temazepam possesses a significantly shorter half life than diazepam.
Temazepam has a half life ranging from 8-22 hours whereas Diazepam is a slower acting drug that stays in the body and satisfies withdrawal for a longer period of time due to its longer half life. (9)
Drugs with a shorter half life tend to be more addictive than those with a longer half life as they may need to be taken more often for someone to keep obtaining the desired effect of the drug.
It is therefore common practice amongst medical practitioners to switch to a slower acting benzodiazepine like diazepam as it will only need to be taken once to satisfy withdrawal if people are finding it difficult coming off Temazepam (4)
At OK Rehab, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard it can be to change your relationship with addiction.
To find out more about Temazepam detox, simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 326 5559.
Temazepam Detox – Factors to consider
There are several important factors to take into account which affect how long the detox process for Temazepam will take for each person and is also reflected in the severity of the withdrawal symptoms the person experiences and how long they experience them for.
The relevant factors include the pattern of Temazepam use (the frequency of drug consumption), the amount of Temazepam (dose strength) consumed and the length of time the person has been taking Temazepam for (duration). (10)
Therefore, a person who has been taking higher doses of Temazepam more than once a day for up to, or over a year may find their detox treatment will take longer than less regular users.
At OK Rehab, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard it can be to change your relationship with addiction.
To find out more about Temazepam detox, simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 326 5559.
Temazepam Detox should be a gradual process
It has been recommended that any detox procedure for Temazepam should be a slow, gradual process, taking place over a period of at least three months and up to a year if not longer. (1)
This is important, because slowly decreasing the amount of the drug from your body allows the blood levels of Temazepam to disappear slowly which will greatly reduce the chances of the person experiencing any unpleasant side effects.
Anyone who stops consuming Temazepam immediately or rushes too quickly through their detox treatment will more than likely experience confusion, toxic psychosis and experience symptoms similar to a condition called Delirium Tremens.
The symptoms of Delirium Tremens distort our perceptual abilities, for example people may experience auditory confusion and start to hear sounds which aren’t real or feel like there are things crawling on our skin. (1,10)
At OK Rehab, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard it can be to change your relationship with addiction.
To find out more about Temazepam detox, simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 326 5559.
Temazepam Detox – Schedule
To manage withdrawal from Temazepam it has been recommended that for 20mg a day dose or less that the scheduled treatment doses should be reduced by one quarter of a 10mg tablet, every 2 weeks which equates to 2.5mg.
So someone who had been regularly consuming a 10mg dose daily would initially take a 7.5mg dose a day for 2 weeks, then have the dose reduce to 5mg per day for the next 2 week block and then continue with this pattern until the smallest dose possible is reached.
However, it is vital that the dose does satisfy the withdrawal symptoms. (1,10)
If there are any problems stopping at the lowest dose using this approach then a Temazepam liquid (10mg tablet being equal to 5ml of liquid) can be utilised to help with the process.
It is common for people to take the lowest dose for the longest period of time, and the taper always tends to be slower nearer the end and it is the last dose that people find the most difficult to finish. (1,10)
The total detox period of tapering down the drug consumption should be at least 16-20 weeks but could also be longer depending on individual circumstances. (1,10)
Essential Information
It is essential for patients to stick rigidly to their schedule and not to miss any doses or be tempted to try and hurry up the process on their own, as there is a strong likelihood that this will lead to them experiencing strong withdrawal symptoms. (1,9)
It is strongly recommended that a person attempting detox from a benzodiazepine like Temazepam access counselling support before the detox begins, as the psychological support it provides will be invaluable for them throughout the whole process of tapering off the drug. (1,9)
It has been recommended that people who have been consuming very high levels of Temazepam should be closely monitored in an inpatient setting when they begin the process of tapering off the drug. (1,10)
Temazepam Detox – Withdrawal Symptoms
When withdrawing from Temazepam people will experience several withdrawal symptoms which include the following below, although these will differ from person to person.
- Panic attacks – Many people withdrawing from benzodiazepines experience panic attacks, this is a result of reactions to the changes in adrenaline that occur in the body when withdrawing and the resulting hyper-ventilating that can also occur (1,10)
- Vivid dreams / nightmares – This can occur when a person’s sleep pattern is returning to a healthier state. The body gets use to sleeping whilst under the influence of Temazepam and people taking the drug are unlikely to dream whilst sleeping because of the drug’s chemical properties. Withdrawing from the drug therefore increases the likelihood that you will start to experience more natural sleep and hence begin to dream again. While this occurs though people may find themselves having some vivid and emotionally powerful dreams (1,8)
- Agoraphobia – This starts to fade as a person progresses through the detox treatment
- Aches and pains – This is a very common symptom and can be alleviated by over the counter products from your local pharmacy
- Hot flushes and shivering
- Sinus problems
At OK Rehab, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard it can be to change your relationship with addiction.
To find out more about Temazepam detox, simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 326 5559.
Important advice when coming off Temazepam
Do not stop suddenly taking them – Not under any circumstances should anyone attempting to come off Temazepam stop suddenly.
Withdrawal should be a slow, gradual process. The longer a person gives themselves, the better the chances of a successful outcome.
Consult / develop a relationship with your doctor
Your GP / medical practitioner will be able to provide you with all the essential information that you require to detox from Temazepam.
They will know all the information regarding exactly how long you have been taking the drug, the strength and the frequency of the dose you have been taking.
They can use this information to calculate the exact schedule for you to follow in order to come off the medication safely and comfortably. (1,10)
Stick to the agreed plan
Do not deviate from the plan you agreed with your GP / medical practitioner as this could interfere with the whole process.
Even if it is tempting to take a small amount just to help you when things are becoming stressful in the short term, this can unfortunately hinder your progress. (1)
Have counselling / therapy
Having psychological therapy can prove to be hugely beneficial in helping you deal effectively with any short term stress or mini crisis that may occur during this time.
The therapist will work with you to help you develop strategies to cope with these short term stressors which will eradicate the need you feel to take extra doses of Temazepam. (1,9)
Devise a plan and keep records
Going through a detox is a stressful time both physically and emotionally, and there is a lot to think about.
It may be a good idea to make a note of every aspect of the process in order to monitor your progress. This can help to avoid any confusion that may occur as the weeks go by.
It’s important to stick to the schedule rigidly to avoid any problems so people can identify the exact dose strength they should be taking each day.
It is so important that people keep track each week of the exact dose that they should be taking and when the dose strength you should be taking changes. (1)
Promote good sleep hygiene
This will help people understand why they have been unable to sleep and providing them with important advice and guidance will enable them to adopt their own strategies to obtain a better quality of sleep without taking Temazepam. (9)
At OK Rehab, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard it can be to change your relationship with addiction.
To find out more about Temazepam detox, simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 326 5559.
Temazepam Detox – References
(1) Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group NHS (2021) Coming off Benzodiazepines and “Z” drugs: A guide for patients
Available online @ getresource.axd (cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk)
(2) Kahan, M. (2014) Physical Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs. In Herie, M. & Skinner, W. (ed) Fundamentals of Addiction: A Practical Guide for Counsellors. CAMH. Canada
(3) McHugh, R. K. et al (2021) Sex Differences in Benzodiazepine Misuse in Among Adults with Substance Misuse Disorders. Addictive Behaviours. Vol 112. January 2021
(4) Moss, A, Dyer, K (2010) The Psychology of Addictive Behaviour. Palgrave McMillan. New York
(5) NHS (2021) Temazepam: A medicine to treat sleeping problems
Available online @ Temazepam: a medicine to treat sleeping problems (insomnia) – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
(6) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2019) Benzodiazepine and Z drug Withdrawal
Benzodiazepine and z-drug withdrawal | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
(7) Newton, D.E. (2016) Prescription Drug Abuse. ABC-CLIO California
(8) Southend Clinical Commissioning Group NHS (2021) Withdrawal of Benzodiazepines
(9) Wales NHS (2021) Hypnotics and Anxiolytics Practice Guide.
Available online @ Guide_Hypnotics & Anxiolytics Practice Guide_version02.pdf (wales.nhs.uk)
(10) Wirral NHS (2021) Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
Available online @ BenzoWithdrawalGuidance.pdf (wirral.nhs.uk)
