All of us have trouble sleeping from time to time. Whether it’s a restless night before a big day or just feelings of not being tired, sleep evades us all sometimes.
Instead of being a living zombie the next day, many people turn to sleeping pills when counting sheep just is not enough, but is this safe? Are sleeping pills addictive? How frequently should you take them?
At Seaside Palm Beach, we are a luxury rehab in Florida that helps people who struggle with various substance abuse problems. While substances like cocaine, meth, or alcohol may be the first to come to mind, there are plenty of seemingly harmless drugs that people can become addicted to.
Can You Get Addicted to Sleeping Pills?
Yes. Sleeping pills are meant to be a short-term sleep aid, but they can be addictive, especially if taken longer than recommended. You may become addicted to sleeping pills without even realizing it until it starts to interfere with your life. It is estimated that 4% of adults in the United States have used prescription sleep aids in the last month, and sleep aid prescriptions have tripled from 1998 to 2006.1 The exact number of people who are addicted is unknown.
If you or a loved one is showing signs of a sleeping pill addiction, get help now. Our Florida luxury detox program can help reduce your body’s dependence on the drug and eventually eliminate it before addressing substance abuse as a whole.
Signs of Sleeping Pill Addiction
There are plenty of different sleep medications out there, but not all of them are addictive. They also may have different effects, but in general some of the most common signs of sleeping pill addiction include:
- Inability to go without taking a sleeping pill
- Cravings for the drug
- Disregarding recommended prescription instructions
- Visiting multiple doctors for more sleeping pills than necessary
- Frequent memory loss
- Feeling lightheaded of dizzy
- Inability to focus
- Poor coordination
If this sounds like you or a loved one, reach out for help immediately before your addiction leads to more serious problems. Our residential luxury rehab help people just like you.
Danger of Sleeping Pill Addiction
When someone continues to abuse sleeping pills, it can be dangerous and have devastating consequences for their health including:
- Rebound insomnia – issues sleeping that are even worse than the original problem
- Shallow breathing and chest pain
- Possible seizures
- Hallucinations
- Development of sleep disorders
- Nausea
- Overdose
If taking a sleeping pill before bed is no longer a sleep aid but a necessity for adequate sleep, then you may have a problem. Do not be afraid to get help. Contact us today at 561-677-9374 to get started and to regain control.
Sources:
CDC – Prescription Sleep Aid Use Among Adults: United States, 2005–2010
