Written by:

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

August 18th, 2023

Zolpidem rehab

Zolpidem can be helpful for someone suffering from insomnia, but taking it too much or too frequently can lead to zolpidem addiction. What starts as something useful can become an entirely greater problem. However, it doesn’t have to be this way.

With our proven zolpidem rehab programme, Linwood House can help you regain control of your life. Find out more about how zolpidem rehab works and how it can make a difference to your recovery.

zolpidem rehab - one-to-one therapy

Do I need zolpidem rehab?

It can be very difficult to accept that you have a problem with zolpidem use. There are some questions you can ask yourself when you consider whether you need zolpidem rehab. These include:

Do I need zolpidem to get through the day or night?
Do I lie about my zolpidem use?
Have I tried to quit and not managed?

There are also other signs that you can look for in yourself or a loved one which include:

Secretiveness – lying to loved ones about substance use
Social withdrawal
Neglecting personal appearance
Decreasing performance at school or work
Neglecting responsibilities at school, work, or home

There may be things you tell yourself to convince yourself that you do not have a problem, for example:

I have control over my substance use
I only use zolpidem recreationally
I need zolpidem to sleep

Think seriously about these and whether they are excuses you are making to yourself. Recognising and accepting that you need zolpidem rehab is the first step towards recovery.

Zolpidem rehab at Linwood House

When you begin treatment, you will typically be offered inpatient or outpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment is where you spend the duration of detox and some of your following treatment in a treatment centre. You will have a strict routine to help you build new and healthy habits that do not involve drugs. Inpatient zolpidem rehab is generally more successful as it removes you from the environment in which you were taking zolpidem so that you cannot relapse. You will also receive twenty-four-seven support to manage your withdrawal symptoms as they appear. Inpatient treatment is particularly helpful for people who have complex issues such as co-occurring mental health conditions.

Detoxing from zolpidem

Your withdrawal symptoms and the length of withdrawal will vary depending on personal factors. These include metabolism, weight, age, how long and heavily you have been using, and mental and physical health.

Zolpidem has a relatively short half-life of 2.5 to three hours, so here is a rough idea of the timeline of zolpidem withdrawal:

Six to eight hours – withdrawal symptoms start within six to eight hours of your last dose
One to five days – symptoms peak
One to two weeks – symptoms subside

Some people will experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms. This is where psychological symptoms such as cravings, anxiety, and depression last for longer than is considered normal.

Therapy work at zolpidem rehab

While you are completing zolpidem detox, it is important to receive ongoing therapy. You may no longer be taking zolpidem, but your reasons for taking it have not disappeared. Ongoing support includes group meetings and workshops at Linwood House. You will learn about the roots of your condition, understand yourself better, and develop skills to maintain sobriety. One important factor is understanding your triggers, including people, places, or things. You may work out ways to reduce or avoid triggers to help reduce your chances of relapsing.

Tips for sleeping without zolpidem

Once you are no longer taking zolpidem, you may struggle with sleep at first. Here are some tips for sleeping without zolpidem:

Set consistent bed and wake-up times
Avoid long naps during the day
Block out light and sound at night – you may get thick curtains or use an eye mask. You could use earplugs, a fan, or a white noise machine.
Avoid screens before bed
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine
Reduce stress such as through meditation and exercise
Continue going to therapy
Try herbal medication such as valerian root or melatonin

The next steps

If you are ready to seek treatment, we are here to help at Linwood House. Our treatment programmes are designed to help you feel empowered in your choices. Our treatment includes medical detox for zolpidem, therapy sessions including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), twelve-step programmes, and group counselling. We also offer free aftercare for twelve months. Please get in touch with us if you want to find out more or if you are ready to seek support.

Frequently asked questions

Is zolpidem detox dangerous?

Detoxing from zolpidem with professional support is safe, but trying to do it alone or going cold turkey can be dangerous. Common withdrawal symptoms include rebound insomnia, nausea, vomiting and headaches. In extreme cases, you may experience seizures or hallucinations.

What are the best therapies for zolpidem rehab?

There is no single best therapy for zolpidem rehab. Instead, we use a proven combination of evidence-based therapies. This ensures that you receive 360° treatment, which covers every aspect of your physical and psychological cravings, including the factors that drive them. We use every tool available to help you maintain lifelong recovery.

How long does zolpidem rehab take?

Everyone recovers from zolpidem at their own pace. However, our zolpidem rehab programmes tend to run for two, four, eight, or twelve weeks. If you would like to know more about how much time you will need for zolpidem rehab, get in touch with us today.