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.

The Widespread Problem Of Addiction To Sleeping Pills

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.