Written by:

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

March 25th, 2025

Halcion (Triazolam) addiction

Halcion addiction has been a national health concern since the 1980s. Eight hundred thousand people were regularly using Halcion in the UK right up until it got banned in 1991. At the time, it was the world’s most popular sleeping pill, with seven million prescriptions in the US alone. If you are dealing with a Halcion addiction, understand you are not alone; plenty of people are dealing with the addictive nature of Halcion and many are seeking professional medical treatment to overcome it.

On this page we define what Halcion addiction is, how Halcion addiction develops, the health risks involved and the warning signs to look out for.

Defining Halcion addiction

Halcion addiction is induced through continued Halcion abuse over a long period. When you increase the amount of Halcion and start using more effective methods of delivery, your Halcion addiction will progress exponentially. Halcion abusers will continue to use the substance despite knowing the consequences the aftermath inflicts.

What is Halcion?

Halcion is used to treat acute insomnia caused by jet lag or in the treatment of other circadian rhythm sleep disorders that affect the timing of sleep. Halcion is a fast-acting benzodiazepine and has a short half-life, which means the effects wear off quickly. It is this feature that makes it an ideal drug to help individuals sleep for short periods. However, this comes with the risk of developing a Halcion addiction if you are not aware of the dangers posed by its consumption.

As well as being useful in treating certain sleep disorders, it can be used to help relax those requiring anaesthesia before surgery or for those suffering anxieties before other medical procedures, such as an MRI or dental work.

Halcion is a brand name for Triazolam. Other brand and street names are:

Apo-Triazo
Hypam
Trilam
Chloroxanax
Chlorotriazolam
2-chloroxanax
Triazolam
Up Johns

A closer look at Halcion addiction

As a benzodiazepine drug, Halcion is extremely addictive and should only be used for a short period. When Halcion is abused or when taken for a prolonged period, tolerance can occur, which is typically followed by physical dependence.

Once physical dependence develops, a Halcion addiction often follows as users tend to get caught in a cycle of Halcion abuse and withdrawal, which can be almost impossible to break free from without the help of a medical professional.

Halcion addiction: Brain chemistry impact

It is the overactivity of chemicals in the brain that leads to anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Benzodiazepines such as Halcion work by slowing down this activity in the brain by enhancing the production of the brain’s natural calming chemical, GABA (gamma-amino-butyric acid). GABA brings on feelings of pleasure and relaxation, distracting you from any anxiety or stress.

Halcion addiction: development

As you may be aware, insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, but being unable to sleep can take its toll on physical and mental health. Most people find that they can’t function properly without enough sleep, which can lead to anxiety and depression.

Unfortunately, some believe Halcion to be completely safe, which immediately places them at risk of Halcion addiction as they are unaware of the dangers posed by it. When the effects of Halcion diminish, you will feel the need to increase your dosage to experience the relief you initially did, which is textbook Halcion abuse.

The health risks of Halcion addiction

Due to Halcion’s potency, prolonged use is ill-advised. After just one week of use, you may notice the effects of Halcion diminish. This is because your body and brain have adjusted to it and will no longer be producing the same amount of GABA as before.

If you increase the dosage, you run the risk of your body becoming dependent on the drug to the point of you feeling you cannot function without it. When you try to quit or cut back on your usage of Halcion at this stage, you might notice that you experience withdrawal symptoms; the only way to relieve these symptoms is by abusing more Halcion. A cycle of Halcion abuse and withdrawal often begins at this point.

It is important to remember that dependence on Halcion is not always the result of abuse. It can occur even among those who are taking the drug exactly as prescribed by their doctor.

Short-term health impacts

The purpose of a Halcion prescription is for it to help you sleep; as you can probably imagine, its effects can include drowsiness and sedation. However, there are other short-term effects of Halcion as well, including:

unsteadiness
shakiness
problems with muscle control
light-headedness
headache
depression
blurred vision
memory problems
numbness
nervousness
irritability
excitability

Long-term health impacts

Perhaps the most common side effect of long-term abuse is Halcion addiction. After a couple of weeks, Halcion becomes less effective, yet many people continue to take it in the hope that it will provide the relief they are looking for. Like all Benzodiazepine addictions, long-term use of Halcion can cause the following issues:

hallucinations
amnesia
aggression
hostility
depression
confusion
rage
anxiety
insomnia

The long-term effects of Halcion can lead to dependence and possibly to co-occurring disorders. Overall, long-term use is not recommended unless it is advised so by a medical specialist.

Signs and symptoms of Halcion addiction

Most of those who develop a Halcion addiction to any mood-altering substance will find it hard to come to terms with the fact that their use has become a problem. Halcion addiction comes with a lot of stigmas and most people are not ready to admit that they have a Halcion addiction, especially if they have only ever taken drugs prescribed by a doctor.

Nevertheless, spotting the signs of Halcion addiction and dependence is important because you must get treatment as soon as possible. Overcoming a Halcion addiction can be a challenge and so early intervention is often the key.
Common signs and symptoms of Halcion addiction include:

Anxiety when trying to stop using
Headaches
Irritability when you don’t take the usual dose

Did you know?…

Since it was approved for the treatment of insomnia in 1982, it is estimated that there have been 11 billion prescriptions for Halcion filled around the world.
Halcion has been banned in the UK, Brazil, Norway, Argentina, and Denmark since 1991.
Halcion causes a greater degree of sedation and impairment of cognitive functioning in healthy elderly people than it does in younger patients. This means that a fifty per cent reduction in dosage is necessary for older patients.
In 1991, when Halcion was banned by various countries, it was the most widely prescribed hypnotic agent in the US.

Your next step

The next step would be to start the recovery process, which can be difficult if attempting it alone. Vitally important is to understand you are not alone, and that you are fortunate enough to have professional help nearby, ready and waiting to help you make a full recovery.

You can overcome Halcion addiction by seeking help and professional treatment. It is a step-by-step process that starts with you contacting a professional today, and getting the help you need to regain your strength and health. After deciding to quit Halcion, you are on your way to regaining your health.

Frequently asked questions

How do I avoid a Halcion addiction?

To minimise the risk of Halcion addiction, it should only be consumed as the doctor prescribed. When taking Halcion in therapeutic doses over a short period, it is considered a safe drug. The potential for Halcion addiction exists if you are abusing it or taking it for an extended period. This can result in physical dependence and Halcion addiction.

Is Halcion safe?

Halcion is a drug and should be treated just like any other pharmaceutical or illicit drug. Consuming drugs of any kind always presents risks, rarely making it safe. It is important to understand what Halcion abuse is and to avoid it at all costs, as Halcion addiction can quickly ensue.

Do you need treatment for Halcion addiction?

Physically you’ll need medical treatment to safely overcome the withdrawal symptoms of Halcion addiction. Psychologically, it’s highly advised to surround yourself with a strong support group at a Halcion rehab clinic. Professional guidance from those that can offer first-hand advice helps you to implement routine and reinforces that you are not alone and can recover from the psychological and physical effects of Halcion addiction.