Written by: THE BALANCE
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Boss, MD
Last updated: January 19, 2026
Fact checked
Quick Summary
  • As a popular benzodiazepine, Temazepam is regularly prescribed across the United States to manage insomnia and other associated sleep disorder.
  • With thousands of people using it on legitimate prescriptions, many remain unaware of what constitutes abuse and might be shocked to realize that their use has progressed to a crippling Temazepam addiction.
  • Fortunately, no matter how uncomfortable and debilitating, the condition can be overcome with the right support and treatment.

As a popular benzodiazepine, Temazepam is regularly prescribed across the United States to manage insomnia and other associated sleep disorder. With thousands of people using it on legitimate prescriptions, many remain unaware of what constitutes abuse and might be shocked to realize that their use has progressed to a crippling Temazepam addiction. Fortunately, no matter how uncomfortable and debilitating, the condition can be overcome with the right support and treatment.

Temazepam or Restoril belongs to a category of central nervous system depressants called a benzodiazepine. The drug lies among the top five benzodiazepines to be prescribed and ironically shares a similar rank in the list of most commonly encountered drugs in the illicit drug market. As a generic version of Restoril, a Hypno-sedative that many people use as a short-term remedy for insomnia, it is quite popular among people seeking intoxication.

Americans using Temazepam or other benzodiazepines often mix them with other substances like opioids, cocaine, or alcohol to increase or decrease the effects of each. The phenomenon is known as polysubstance use, and it may quickly result in polysubstance addiction with the worst possible outcomes in the long run. Some people routinely mix Temazepam with other central nervous system depressants, like heroin, to increase the euphoria. In contrast, others may abuse it to wean off an illicit substance while avoiding the withdrawal symptoms. (source: MedlinePlus, n.d.)

Regardless of why someone abuses Temazepam, they may develop specific symptoms indicating an underlying addiction. Some of these most common Temazepam addiction symptoms include:

  • An intense craving for Temazepam whenever its effects wear off
  • A feeling that Temazepam is not producing the same effect that it once did, a phenomenon known as tolerance
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the effects of Temazepam wear off
  • Exhibiting drug-seeking behavior, for example, visiting more than one doctor to get repeat prescriptions or buying it illegally from somewhere else
  • Inability to make good decisions
  • Taking unnecessary risks while under the influence of Temazepam
  • Constantly neglecting responsibilities at work or home
  • Struggling with finances

Abusing Temazepam, in the long run, leads to the development of psychological and physical (source: NIH (NCBI), 2023)

dependency. In such circumstances, if an individual stops using this drug all of a sudden, they are likely to experience a broad range of withdrawal symptoms, such as:

  • Hallucinations
  • Rebound insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Depression
  • Headache
  • Irritability
  • Confusion
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Anxiety
  • Muscle spasms
  • Fatigue
  • Nightmares
  • Vomiting
  • Uncontrollable crying

Temazepam withdrawal syndrome is quite similar to that of alcohol and barbiturates. The process can be difficult and extremely uncomfortable, especially without professional help. The withdrawal symptoms from Temazepam addiction may last up to three weeks, and the severity of these symptoms depends on the length of the addiction and the frequency of the drug being consumed. For someone who has been abusing Temazepam in higher doses for months or years, the withdrawal symptoms are likely to be more severe than that of an individual with a shorter history of abuse. 

Mentioned below is a Temazepam withdrawal timeline to explain when the withdrawal symptoms kick in and how they progress. (source: NIDA, 2024)

6 to 24 hours

The earliest withdrawal symptoms begin to manifest in most abusers, most of them being mild in severity.

Day 1 to 4

Symptoms like tremors, nausea and excessive fatigue begin to kick in. (source: SAMHSA, 2023)

Week 2

The withdrawal symptoms peak at the beginning of week two and continue to subside by the end. Most of the psychological symptoms, however, continue to persist for a little longer.

Month 6

Most of the lingering psychological symptoms due to Temazepam addiction resolve with appropriate treatment

The timeline mentioned above only occurs in people who suddenly quit the use of Temazepam. The withdrawal symptoms are likely to be minimal for someone who quits it through a proper tapering schedule. (source: NICE, 2022)

Temazepam addiction treatment usually takes place in a residential center or an inpatient facility, especially for those fighting severe forms of this abuse. Such a facility provides a controlled environment conducive to healing with access to 24/7 medical care from specialists.

A typical treatment plan to manage Temazepam addiction includes the following: (source: AHRQ, 2015)

Detoxification

Detoxification is the first and most important step in addiction treatment which allows you to rid the body of all Temazepam traces effectively. It usually takes place in the form of a medically assisted detox program which takes place under the supervision of addiction experts in a comfortable environment so that you do not mentally dwell on cravings. Many people also receive medically-assisted therapy as a part of their detox program to hasten their recovery while managing uncomfortable detox symptoms. Some common medications used in this context involve:

  • Diazepam as a replacement
  • Buspirone to manage anxiety
  • Paroxetine to control low mow
  • Trazodone to treat insomnia
  • Carbamazepine and valproate to manage seizures and fits

Once detox is complete, you will enter into rehabilitation to minimize the risk of relapse while getting you back to good psychological and physical health.

Temazepam Tapering Plan

An effective recovery plan that most patients go through as a part of their Temazepam addiction treatment program involves tapering. Tapering refers to the gradual reduction of drug use until you completely wean it off. In some instances, an expert may suggest another drug, like diazepam, as a replacement medication before commencing tapering to make the withdrawal more comfortable.  (source: Cochrane, 2012)

  • Tapering usually occurs as a part of the detox program in either of the following ways: 
  • A Temazepam taper in which an expert gradually reduces the daily dose of Temazepam until complete weaning occurs
  • A replacement drug taper in which an expert first replaces Temazepam with another long-acting medication (phenobarbital or diazepam) before gradually lowering the dose of this replacement drug
  • The length of the tapering process depends on the severity of the withdrawal symptoms and addiction on the whole.

Therapy

Therapy is an important part of the long-term rehabilitation program for Temazepam addiction. Sometimes, experts may also invite your family members to attend these counseling sessions and learn how to support you during recovery. You are likely to go through different types of counseling sessions in individual and group settings and get access to several evidence-based therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy, to identify and manage the root causes of addiction. (source: FindTreatment.gov, n.d.)

Depending on the nature and severity of Temazepam addiction, any of the following therapies or a combination of them might be offered to you for easier and more comfortable recovery:

  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Family Counseling
  • Individual and group counseling
  • Psychoeducation
  • Life skills instruction and training
  • Yoga and mindfulness
  • Adventure therapy
  • Alumni groups

Once the formal treatment concludes, you can return home and continue engaging in recovery activities through an aftercare program. These aftercare programs have proven to be highly beneficial in the maintenance of long-term sobriety and routinely involve follow-up sessions with therapists and participation in 12-step meetings in the local community.

FAQs

Why do people use Temazepam?
People have been using Temazepam for years to treat severe insomnia and other disabling sleep disorders. It is also an effective medication for managing anxiety disorders. As a treatment for insomnia, the drug significantly decreases the number of awakenings throughout the night, improving the quality of sleep. However, people to its addictive properties, experts usually prescribe it as a short-term treatment that does not exceed two to four weeks in most instances.
How long does Temazepam take to produce effects, and can it be detected in the body?
Temazepam is a short- to intermediate-acting benzodiazepine which begins to work in the body within 20 minutes after ingesting its therapeutic dose. Its peak pharmaceutical benefits occur within one and a half hours after use.
How long temazepam stays in your system?
Most of the drug you ingest makes its way out of the body through urine while the rest stays inside and breaks down within the liver. Different methods of drug testing can detect these levels of Temazepam over different time frames, for example, blood and urine tests.
How does someone develop Temazepam addiction?
When Temazepam enters the brain, it stimulates the production of a GABA neurotransmitter. Once the levels of GABA increase in the brain, you start experiencing feelings of relaxation, contentment, and well-being. With long-term use of this drug, the brain becomes accustomed to its presence and its effects on stimulating the neurotransmitters in the brain. When you reach this slippery slope, the risk of addiction becomes very high. In most people, Temazepam addiction occurs as a result of self-medication. This drug’s pleasurable effects may encourage you to keep consuming it, even when you no longer need it for its therapeutic benefits. Many indulge in this practice to block out their traumatic memories, while others distract themselves from current issues at work or in their personal life. Eventually, physical dependence kicks in, which triggers withdrawal symptoms as soon as you stop taking Temazepam. These symptoms alleviate as soon as you take another drug dose, pushing you into a cycle you can only break with professional support.
Is it possible to overdose on Temazepam?
Yes, it is possible to overdose on Temazepam alone if you accidentally take too much of it because of your addictive urges. When this happens, the central nervous system depresses significantly, resulting in symptoms like hypotension, impaired reflexes, confusion, respiratory distress, or even coma. However, if recognized timely, Temazepam overdose is reversible with certain drugs that counteract its effects on the brain.
What are the short and long-term side effects of using Temazepam?
The short-term health implications of Temazepam abuse include memory loss, poor coordination, extreme drowsiness, and trouble with concentration. These signs are usually the earliest to appear as you abuse the drug. The long-term health impacts of this drug abuse include:
Shakiness
Headaches
Slow breathing
Unusual drowsiness
Forgetfulness
Sleep problems
Slurred speech
Tremors
Lack of hygiene due to decreasing energy levels and motivation

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