Zopiclone Addiction | Signs, Symptoms & Effects

Zopiclone can feel like a miracle when you’re lying awake night after night, desperate for sleep. But while zopiclone is effective in the short term, using it for too long or in the wrong way can make it become a crutch. This is when zopiclone addiction takes hold, often creeping in quietly but causing serious personal harm and health issues. Fortunately, Linwood House has helped many people overcome addiction to zopiclone and with the right knowledge and professional support, you can get your life and your nights back on track.

What is zopiclone?

Zopiclone is a sleep medication used to treat short-term insomnia that is often sold in the UK under the brand name Imovane. It is part of a drug class colloquially called Z drugs (because they all begin with the letter Z), which were designed to be gentler alternatives to traditional sleeping pills like benzodiazepines.

Zopiclone helps you wind down by boosting GABA, a chemical that slows your nervous system and helps bring on sleep. It can be very effective though it is usually only meant for short-term use. This is because if you take zopiclone for too long or in larger amounts, it can become habit-forming, which can then lead to addiction.

What is zopiclone addiction?

In the simplest terms, zopiclone addiction means you can’t stop taking it even if you want to or know that it’s not doing you any good. Even though zopiclone is a prescription medication, sleeping pill addiction develops in generally the same way as other drug addictions.

In most cases, zopiclone is prescribed for a genuine issue with insomnia (though there are some people who take it recreationally or for “self-medication purposes). At first, there are no problems, and you may sleep better than ever. But over time, your body gets used to zopiclone, and suddenly, your prescribed dose doesn’t cut it anymore. You can then start depending on zopiclone not just to sleep but to feel “normal,” and without it, you feel anxious, restless or even ill (a physical aspect of addiction known as dependence).

However, the real trap of drug addiction is that it is both physical and psychological. It can become more than a sleep aid as you begin to rely on zopiclone to function and feel physically okay. Before you know it, zopiclone is your primary form of stress relief, mood enhancer and eventually, a part of your daily routine. Once it has become a crutch, giving up zopiclone can seem completely beyond your power without professional help.

Am I addicted to zopiclone?

Zopiclone addiction can be subtle at first, especially when it was prescribed to you by a doctor. But if you are noticing any of these red flags, it could be time to get professional rehab treatment and drug detox:

Increasing your zopiclone dosage on your own without medical advice
Feeling anxious, restless or struggling to sleep without zopiclone
Ignoring the harm zopiclone is causing because you feel like you can’t stop
Letting all your duties and responsibilities at work, school, home or in your social life suffer
Acting in risky or out-of-character ways when on zopiclone
Becoming more distant from family and friends to keep your zopiclone use from them
Dropping hobbies or activities you used to care about
Noticing all these problems, but taking zopiclone anyway

Zopiclone UK fact sheet

Zopiclone is one of two Z drugs available in the UK alongside zolpidem.
The zopiclone UK dosage recommendation is usually one 7.5mg pill or a 3.75mg pill for older adults.
Zopiclone dosage should be taken when you are ready to sleep.
Zopiclone is usually prescribed for only a 2-4 week course to prevent tolerance, side effects and dependency.
Zopiclone is usually used as part of a wider treatment programme, including cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and lifestyle and sleep habit changes.

Why is zopiclone addictive to some users more than others?

Not everyone who tries zopiclone will become addicted, but certain factors can make it much more likely. Understanding these can help you stay aware and shape the right kind of support in recovery. These include:
Inherited tendencies toward addiction from your family
Using zopiclone or other drugs at a young age while your brain is still developing
Struggling with past trauma, depression or anxiety and turning to zopiclone as a crutch or to numb the pain
Growing up in an unstable or high-stress environment
Pressure from friends or partners who are using or encouraging drug use
Relying on zopiclone solely for insomnia without therapy or lifestyle changes
Being able to obtain zopiclone easily
Not understanding the risks of zopiclone

What harm do zopiclone abuse and addiction cause?

Zopiclone abuse and addiction can create a storm of problems that reach far beyond insomnia. These are some of the most worrying dangers you should be aware of:

Zopiclone overdose danger

Taking too much, especially alongside other substances, can overwhelm your system and lead to zopiclone overdose. This can cause blackouts, coma, severe respiratory depression or even death if you don’t get help in time.

Memory and focus issues

Long-term zopiclone abuse can leave your brain feeling permanently foggy. You may struggle with memory lapses, decision-making or staying focused, which can make your life difficult and affect everything from work to education.

Odd or reckless behaviour

People addicted to zopiclone sometimes engage in strange or unsafe activities while half-asleep, like sleep-eating or even sleep-driving, which can lead to serious consequences.

Worsening anxiety or depression

While zopiclone may help you in the short term, it can make your underlying mental health issues worse over time. This then locks you in a cycle of zopiclone abuse as you keep chasing relief through increased dosages.

Legal and financial setbacks

Buying extra zopiclone pills, visiting multiple doctors or breaking the law to get zopiclone can put you in real financial trouble or land you in legal hot water.

What does treatment for zopiclone addiction involve?

Recovering from zopiclone addiction takes time, support and the right plan—so at Linwood House, we break zopiclone addiction treatment down into three stages: detox, rehab and aftercare. You will begin with a medical detox where our team will help you safely manage withdrawal and get your body stable.

Then, you will start therapy where we will work together through therapy sessions to figure out what’s really behind your zopiclone use.

Finally, our aftercare programme offers long-term support and check-ins to help you adjust to life after sleeping pill addiction treatment, manage co-occurring mental health and addiction issues and stay on track.

Seek help for zopiclone addiction today

If zopiclone has taken more from you than it ever gave, now is the time to get help. At Linwood House, we will guide you through each stage of recovery with real care, expert support and a space where you can finally start to breathe again and find rest at night without zopiclone. Contact us today, and your recovery can start right here.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if you take zopiclone and stay awake?

If you take zopiclone and try to stay awake, you’re fighting against what the drug is designed to do. This can lead to grogginess, confusion, slowed reaction times and even dangerous behaviours like sleepwalking or memory blackouts. It is not safe and can increase your risk of accidents or doing things you don’t remember.

Is zopiclone a ‘controlled drug’?

Yes, in the UK, zopiclone is classed as a controlled drug under Schedule 4 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. This means it’s recognised as having potential for misuse and dependence, and doctors need to be careful with how they prescribe it. You should only use it as directed by your healthcare provider and could face legal penalties if you don’t.

Can you take zopiclone to treat anxiety?

Zopiclone is not designed to treat anxiety; it’s a sleeping pill, not an anti-anxiety medication. While it might help you fall asleep when anxiety is keeping you awake, it doesn’t treat the root causes of anxiety and can lead to addiction if used long-term.

(Click here to see works cited)

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UK-Rehab. “Sleeping Pills Addiction Information | UK Rehab.” UK-Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/sleeping-pills-addiction/. Accessed 14 April 2025.
NHS. “Zopiclone: medicine used for sleeping problems (insomnia).” NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zopiclone/. Accessed 14 April 2025.
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