Information on Sleeping Pill Addictions

 

Sleep is an important part of life. In fact, to be healthy, you need to sleep a certain amount each evening in order to be alert and refreshed the next day. For most people, eight hours is the magic number. However, for a number of reasons, there are those that simply can't get as much sleep as they need or want at night. If this applies to you, you may have even tried (or thought about trying) sleep medication to help make the situation more bearable.

While these medications can help, there is also a hidden danger. Sleeping pills like Lunesta, Sonata and Ambien are addictive; it is possible that by taking the medication to help yourself sleep, you may become dependent on the pills. In addition, some patients do not follow the instructions on the packaging and take many more pills than they should to achieve a good night's sleep. This is often because their bodies have started to build a tolerance to the product, meaning that it does not work as well as it used to. Obviously, it is very dangerous not to follow the instructions as they pertain to any medication. An overdose is certainly possible under these circumstances.

Patients that are addicted to sleeping pills often feel panic at the thought of not having them by their side. They go through withdrawal if they run out of the product, a process that is very difficult on the body. However, it is important to remember that all hope is not lost for these individuals. A medical professional can point patients in the right direction and assist them in getting help for their addition. If you feel you might have a sleeping pill addiction, do not wait to get help. Similarly, if you fear for a friend or family member, reach out to them as soon as possible.