Sleeping Pill AddictionSleeping pills are generally seen as a harmless substance that are sold legally both over the counter and through prescription, and are therefore safe for consumption. Yet, while millions of Americans are prescribed sleeping pills, the necessity to watch themselves for addiction symptoms is often the last thing on their minds. Interestingly, sleeping pills are one of the most highly addictive substances on the market, and has one of the highest addiction margins of any substance, mainly due to the fact that many people start using sleeping pills because of an actual need for the product.
A person may start their use of sleeping pills after a few bad nights of sleep, searching for an over the counter product that will help them get at least a few hours of rest. After discovering that they fall asleep more quickly, and sleep more deeply while using the medication, they may begin to use it every night to avoid having any bad nights of sleep. Soon, they will rely on the product to even fall asleep at all, and over the counter products will no longer have the same effect, leading them to seek prescription-strength sleeping pills. Unfortunately, at this point the person is often exhibiting addiction symptoms, yet because they are only taking a recommended medication, think nothing of it. In March of 2011, a 13 year old student at a middle school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma took seven prescription sleeping pills and had to be transported to a hospital. Besides addiction possibilities and like every medication, there is a chance of overdose. Many have died of an overdose from sleeping pills, this Oklahoma City girl is very fortunate. Actor Heath Ledger died from a simple cocktail of prescription sleep aids like Ambien with a booster on a non-prescription sleep aid: Unisom.
Prescription-strength sleeping pills such as Ambien, Sonata, and Lunesta are highly advertised, and some even offer free week-long samples – just enough to give a person time to begin developing dependence and start to feel addiction symptoms. In some cases, a person may plan their activities according to when and where they will take their sleeping medication, they may not attempt to fall asleep without them for fear that they will just have to get up and take them anyway, and they may have anxiety over acquiring enough medication or planning ahead in order to ensure they will have medication. These are all addiction symptoms related to sleeping pills.
If you suspect that you or a loved one may be exhibiting addiction symptoms as a result of short-term or long-term use of sleeping pills, whether over the counter or prescription-strength, contact Vista Taos Addiction Center and stop the co-dependency of sleep medications.
