Written by:

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

March 25th, 2025

Temazepam addiction

Temazepam is classed as a benzodiazepine and is regularly prescribed to treat insomnia. There are currently 300,000 people in the UK on long-term prescriptions for benzodiazepine – many of whom are unaware of what constitutes abuse and are shocked to realise their use has progressed to a potentially crippling temazepam addiction.

This page will explain everything you need to know about temazepam addiction, including how it develops, the signs and symptoms, and where to get help.

What is temazepam?

Temazepam, more popularly known by its brand name, Restoril, is a pharmaceutical drug prescribed for insomnia. It has been popular in the UK for decades, claiming nearly two thousand lives since 1993. Temazepam affects chemicals in the brain that are unbalanced in people with a sleep disorder.

Some common brand names for temazepam are:

Restoril
Normison
Nortem
Temaze
Norkotral

Some common street names for temazepam are:

Jellies
Edinburgh eccies
Mazzies
Tams
Temmies
Tummies

Knockouts
The Mazepam
Terminators
Brainwash
Green eggs

What is temazepam addiction?

Temazepam addiction is a condition that causes you to become physically and psychologically dependent on temazepam. When you are addicted to temazepam, you will feel an overwhelming need to continue using these drugs, even knowing when doing so is likely to cause harm to yourself and others.

The development of temazepam addiction

When temazepam enters your brain, it stimulates GABA releasing neurotransmitters. Once stimulated, you will experience feelings of contentment, relaxation and well-being. When using temazepam long-term, your brain becomes accustomed to the drug stimulating your neurotransmitters. This is a slippery slope which can lead to addiction.

Temazepam addiction primarily occurs when you self-medicate. Addiction is usually a result of unresolved trauma. Pleasurable feelings stimulated by the drug may encourage you to keep consuming temazepam, even when you no longer require its medical benefits, as it blocks out memories or distracts you from issues at home. Eventually, physical dependence occurs, and you will experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug. These withdrawal symptoms will dissipate when you take your temazepam medication, leaving you in a cycle that can only be broken with professional support.

Keeping safe on temazepam

It is of utmost importance to consult your medical professional before increasing your dosage, as pharmaceutical drugs can lead to temazepam addiction, just as any other illegal drug. Taking more temazepam than prescribed is classified as abuse, as is taking someone else’s medication.

Short-term health impact of temazepam abuse

While sedation is the aim of drugs such as temazepam, abuse can lead to:

extreme drowsiness
poor coordination
problems with concentration
memory loss

These are usually the first signs that appear when abusing the drug.

Long-term health impact of temazepam abuse

Some certain signs and symptoms occur with chronic long-term abuse of temazepam. These can include:

slow breathing
shakiness
forgetfulness
slurred speech
sleep problems

tremors
headaches
unusual drowsiness
lack of hygiene and a lack of grooming due to decreasing energy and motivation

Long-term abuse of temazepam can harm both physical and mental health. The longer you abuse this medication, the more likely it is you will suffer from symptoms such as depression and anxiety.

Warning signs of temazepam addiction

Some warning signs of temazepam addiction include:

An intense craving for the drug whenever the effects wear off.
The presence of withdrawal symptoms when the effects of the drug wear off.
A feeling that the medication is not having the same effect that it once did; is known as an increased tolerance.
Being unable to make good decisions. You might be taking unnecessary risks while under the influence of the medication.
Exhibiting drug-seeking behaviour. You might be visiting more than one doctor to get repeat prescriptions or buying temazepam elsewhere.
Neglecting your responsibilities at home or work. This can lead to relationship problems.
Struggling with finances. As you spend increasingly more time under the influence of the medication, your inability to work properly could be affecting your income. You might also be spending more money sourcing the medication you crave, leaving you in financial difficulty.

Why is temazepam addiction so prevalent?

Temazepam continues to be prescribed as a medication to relieve the symptoms of short-term sleeping problems, despite the dangers associated with it. Furthermore, temazepam is still commonly used for non-medical purposes by those looking to create a feeling of relaxation and well-being or those who want to escape a painful reality. Examples include those crushing up their pills and snorting the resulting powder and others mixing the powder with a liquid and then injecting the solution. Doing either is highly dangerous and could lead to an overdose, particularly if other substances are also being abused at the same time.

Temazepam is a depressant drug, so mixing it with other depressants such as opiates or alcohol can result in an overdose that can lead to a fatal shutdown of your heart or respiratory system.

How to overcome temazepam addiction

With the help of a solid support system, whether that is family and friends or a fellowship, you can overcome temazepam addiction. By seeking professional medical help, you are giving yourself the best opportunity to overcome temazepam addiction.

It is essential to acknowledge quitting is the first step to making a full recovery. UKAT offers professional and proven recovery methods; read on to the temazepam detox page to learn what you need to do next and what to expect from temazepam rehab.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do environmental factors contribute to temazepam addiction?

One of the main contributing factors to temazepam addiction is genetics, as addictive genetic traits are passed from generation to generation. It is important to take note of environmental factors that can encourage a temazepam addiction, with the most common contributing environmental factors being peer pressure, especially prevalent amongst children, being unemployed and having a low socioeconomic status. These are the most common environmental factors contributing to temazepam addiction.

Is temazepam safe?

It is important to understand temazepam is still a drug and should be treated as such. Using drugs always presents risks, rarely making it safe. Even prescription drugs have risks if not used properly. Always strictly follow the doctor’s orders and never consume more than the prescription states.

Do I need help for a temazepam addiction?

Like many Benzo addictions, temazepam addiction is a serious medical condition which requires professional medical assistance. When you decide to quit abusing temazepam, especially after long-term abuse, you will experience severe withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms will have a devastating impact on your physical and psychological health if left untreated. Before attempting to quit abusing temazepam, it is highly advised to seek help from your local GP doctor first, as he would be able to provide you with a list of treatment options in your area.

How to avoid a temazepam addiction?

The most obvious and easiest way to avoid a temazepam addiction is to never consume the drug. If you have been prescribed the drug by a medical professional, you can safely consume temazepam by strictly following the dosage instructions and not self-medicating. Always contact your medical professional before increasing your dosage. Avoid a temazepam addiction by never consuming temazepam for a long period and using it for no longer than two weeks at a time.