If you’re taking zopiclone, you’re already struggling with sleepless nights. If you’re wondering how long zopiclone stays in your system, you may be worrying about an upcoming drug test at work, be concerned about mixing it with alcohol or have begun to think you may be developing a dependence.
Zopiclone can stay in your system for up to 35 hours, but can be detectable in drug tests, depending on the sample taken. This can depend on individual factors, which will also impact how long zopiclone stays in your system.
You shouldn’t worry more than you have to, so we’re going to take a closer look at how zopiclone is metabolised, how long it stays in your system and what the next steps are if you’re worried about your use of the drug.
What Is Zopiclone?
Zopiclone is a prescription medication that is used to treat severe insomnia. When prescribed, you only take one tablet a day, no more than an hour before sleeping.
Small doses are prescribed because zopiclone is only used for short-term treatment. It is unlikely to be prescribed for more than a month because your body can quickly build a tolerance to the medication, stopping it from working as well as it should.
Zopiclone is classed as a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic that works by slowing down brain activity to help people fall asleep faster. It is part of a class of prescription medications used as “z-drugs”, called this because the most well-known products, zopiclone and zolpidem, begin with the letter Z.
How Zopiclone Is Metabolised by the Body
How long a drug stays in your system is measured by its half-life. The half-life is roughly how long it takes for your body to clear 50% of the substance dose.
The half-life of zopiclone is around 5 hours, which is relatively short compared to other similar drugs such as benzodiazepines. For an older person, the half-life is longer, roughly around 7 hours.
The half-life can change due to how well your body processes zopiclone. Zopiclone is typically broken down in the liver, turning it into inactive byproducts that are excreted from the body via urine, breathing and faeces.
Because the liver is central to metabolisation, if it isn’t working efficiently, zopiclone may not be cleared from your body as quickly as it should.
How Long Does Zopiclone Stay in Your System?
How long zopiclone remains detectable in your body depends on the type of test taken. The type of sample taken will also be dependent on various factors that we’ll get into a little later.
In Blood
If zopiclone is detected in the blood, that means that the substance has recently been taken. This is because zopiclone goes into the bloodstream first, so the detection window is shorter.
With a blood test, zopiclone is detectable for up to a day.
In Urine
A urine test is the standard form of drug test in workplaces because it is convenient for both and provides a longer detection window than a blood test.
With a urine test, zopiclone is detectable for up to several days after taking a dose.
In Hair
Hair testing is less common but more concrete. There is a much larger detection window if you test a hair follicle, and zopiclone is detectable in this type of sample several months after using the substance.
A specialist is needed to perform this test, and it is not typically more common in criminal investigations.
Regardless of what test is used, most standard workplace drug tests do not look for zopiclone, so unless the test you undergo is specifically looking for it, it’s not likely to show up.
Factors That Affect How Long Zopiclone Stays in Your System
As stated above, these detection windows are rough guidelines and at the mercy of various factors that can widen and narrow them. How a person interacts with and processes any substance, including zopiclone, can vary wildly.
Dosage and Frequency of Use
If you take a single dose of zopiclone, your body’s focus is on that dose, clearing it as efficiently as possible. With higher doses, it takes your body longer to metabolise and clear it.
If you take nightly doses of zopiclone, it may accumulate, and your body has to work harder to metabolise it, affecting efficiency so that the substance stays in your system longer.
Age and Metabolism
As you age, your body works less efficiently. Your metabolism slows down, which is why it is easy to put on weight, but it also means that substances take longer to clear, as it takes your body longer to process them.
Liver and Kidney Function
The liver is mainly responsible for breaking down zopiclone. Studies have found that those with liver disease break down zopiclone much more slowly. A small percentage of zopiclone leaves via the urine, so if you have impaired kidney function, this can cause the drug to stay in your system longer.
Signs of Zopiclone Dependence
Zopiclone may initially help with your sleeping but can quickly become something you depend on. It isn’t healthy to have this relationship with any substance, so you should be aware of the signs that you may be developing a dependence.
Signs of zopiclone dependence include:
- Building tolerance
- Needing it to get any amount of sleep
- Taking more than prescribed
- Running out of your prescription early
- Becoming anxious when you don’t have it
If you recognise any of these signs, it’s best to speak to a professional who can offer more concrete support.
Getting Help for Zopiclone Addiction
Professional help for zopiclone addiction involves working through a structured programme at a sleeping pill rehab or something similar.
This usually means undergoing medical detox to help end your physical dependence on zopiclone. Going through withdrawal unsupervised or stopping abruptly can be dangerous, so it’s advisable to taper gradually whilst under medical care to ensure you are as safe as possible.
You’ll also participate in psychological individual and group therapies to help you better understand the underlying reasons behind your addiction, work on healthier coping mechanisms and prepare yourself for life after rehab.
Talk to Your Zopiclone Use with Asana Lodge Today
If you are worried about your zopiclone use, get in touch with Asana Lodge now for a confidential assessment.
Asana Lodge is a drug rehab that can help you or a person you know with treatment options and the first step towards recovery that can be undertaken confidentially and with compassion.
Call us now at 01908 489 421 for a chat.
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