We have all had those nights where we toss and turn but cannot get a wink of sleep. People frequently turn to sleeping pills to minimize the frequency of these sleepless nights. While these pills can seem like a harmless sleep aid, they may not be as innocent as they seem. This habit can take a turn for the worse, resulting in a person being addicted to sleeping pills before they realize what has happened. Banyan Treatment Centers Chicago is diving into the signs of such an addiction and how you or your loved one should respond to this situation.
Are Sleeping Pills Addictive?
Sedative hypnotics, another name for sleeping medications, have a history of dependence and addiction. These drugs operate by reducing brain activity, enabling the body to unwind and sleep. They are not intended for long-term usage, despite the fact that they can be beneficial for the short-term treatment of insomnia. The body may become tolerant to the medication over time, requiring higher doses to produce the same results.
If overused or taken for extended periods of time, all prescribed sleeping medications have the potential to become addictive. Benzodiazepines like temazepam (Restoril) and triazolam (Halcion), as well as non-benzodiazepines like zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta), are some of the most frequently prescribed examples that have a higher risk of addiction and dependence. Due to their potential for abuse, these drugs are listed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as Schedule IV restricted narcotics.
It's critical to stick to the recommended dosage and duration when using these medications and to only do so under the direction of a medical practitioner. Alternatives to these drugs, like cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation exercises, and excellent sleep hygiene, might also be successful in treating insomnia without the danger of sleeping pill abuse or addiction.
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Signs of Sleeping Pill Addiction
All too quickly, people can develop an addiction to sleeping pills and end up taking them every night. Drawing the line between innocuously taking sleeping pills and developing a serious problem can be difficult, so our drug rehab in Chicago is here to help.
Some signs of a sleeping pill addiction can include:
- One of the first signs of a sleeping pill addiction is when you have trouble sleeping without taking the pills. Of course, you may use the excuse that you take sleeping pills for that reason, but when this becomes a common occurrence, you may be addicted.
- You crave these pills and struggle to go a night without taking one. Drug cravings are your body’s way of telling you that you are becoming dependent on the drug.
- When you start to develop memory problems or mental impairments, this is a serious sign of a sleeping pill addiction. One of the negative consequences of sleeping pill abuse is frequent memory loss. If you begin to notice these issues, you have a problem.
- When you have to go to more than one doctor to get sleeping pills, you should begin to recognize that you may be addicted to sleeping pills. Going to more than one doctor means that you are probably taking a much higher dose than is recommended, and you are more likely to become or already are dependent on the drug.
- Using sleeping pills for reasons other than to sleep. If you take sleeping pills to only force yourself to stay awake to try and experience euphoric effects, you are abusing these drugs. Also, if you take these pills because you are feeling depressed or start to become withdrawn, you should get help immediately. Our options for dual diagnosis treatment at our Illinois drug rehab will help you combat your poor mental health along with your addiction.
- With long-term abuse, you may begin to start experiencing side effects like slurred speech, lightheadedness, constant drowsiness, and poor coordination or movement.
- If you start mixing sleeping pills with other drugs like alcohol, this is a serious red flag. Combining drugs can be detrimental to your health. A drug and alcohol treatment center like ours can help you address both of these addictions.
Sleeping pills may seem harmless, but they can still be addictive and cause serious side effects in the long term. Without proper prescription pill or benzo addiction treatment, this bad habit has the potential to spiral out of control.
At Banyan’s Chicago addiction treatment center, we want to help you or your loved one struggling with substance abuse. Do not wait to get better. Call us today at 888-280-4763 to get more information about our addiction programs and to get started.
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