Insomnia is a modern epidemic, and doctors are prescribing more sleeping pills that ever before. In the short term, this is a safe solution that can bring the insomniac some much needed rest. But figures indicate that for an increasing number of people, taking drugs such as Lunesta is leading to dependency and addiction.
Contemporary sleeping pills - which commonly include Ambien and Sonata - are much less addictive than those which were prescribed a decade ago. However, it is impossible to eliminate all risk of addiction. The nature of sleeping pills means that they have a relaxing effect on the body. This is a pleasurable experience for the brain, and so it can crave further exposure to the drug - an addiction to sleeping pills develops.
Once an addiction to sleep medication has taken hold, the addict will often increase their intake to counteract the tolerance their body starts to build up to the drug. This will make it harder to overcome the addiction, because the withdrawal symptoms will be more pronounced, should the sufferer attempt to cease the medication.
Common withdrawal symptoms are nausea, vomiting, sweating and muscle tremors. The sufferer will also suffer psychological symptoms as well. They may become aggressive towards those who are trying to support them. Anxiety, depression and even panic attacks are also normal emotional responses to the denial of the usual drug fix.
Since the physical and psychological effects of tackling sleeping pill addiction are very hard for an individual to deal with, professional support should be sought. In some ways, addiction to sleep meds is more difficult to overcome than other medication addiction because without the drugs, insomnia can reoccur and become worse. The family doctor should be the first point of contact. He can advise on the best course of action for beating addiction.
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