Sleeping Pills Addiction Treatment In Los Angeles
Sleeping Pill Addiction
Prescription sleeping pills are sedative medications that help slow down brain activity and make it easier for someone to fall asleep and stay asleep. Mostly, sleeping pills are used to treat insomnia, one of the most common sleep disorders among adults, but sleeping pills can also be used to treat other sleep disorders, like restless leg syndrome. Unfortunately, sleeping pills can be extremely addictive, and sleeping pill addiction is common in today’s day and age.
Risk Factors for Sleeping Pill Addiction?
About 4% of the U.S. population uses sleeping pills each month. Women are more likely than men to use prescription sleeping pills as well. Caucasian men and women as well as older, more educated consumers are the most likely to take a prescription sleep med. These demographic groups, since they are the most exposed to sleeping pills, are also the most likely to struggle with sleeping pill addiction. However, young college-aged consumers are likely to abuse sleeping pills too. An estimated half a million people in the U.S. currently abuse sleeping pills. Ambien is the most common sleeping pill medication responsible for ER visits related to sleeping pill abuse and overdose.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleeping Pill Addiction
Because sleeping pills are a legal prescription, many people are misinformed about the risks of taking the pills. A lot of insomnia patients may think that a legal prescription like sleeping pills can’t be addictive, but that’s not true.
Misuse of the pills and long-term use of sleeping pills increases someone’s chances of becoming physically dependent and psychologically addicted to sleeping pills. Since people take the pills as part of a nightly routine, it can be difficult for them to realize they have a physical dependence on the drugs. Below are some of the common signs of sleeping pill addiction:
- Developing a tolerance to the drug and requiring ever-increasing doses to get the same effect
- Taking more sleeping pills than prescribed without input from a doctor
- Attempting to quit or cutback, but being unable to
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when quitting or cutting back
- Using the pills, but forcing themselves to stay awake to get “high.”
- Cravings for sleeping pills
- Doctor shopping to get more prescriptions
- Continued use of sleeping pills despite negative consequences
- Memory loss
- Engaging in risky behaviors while on sleeping pills, like driving
Sleeping pill addiction is a severe problem. It can increase the chances of fatal falls and accidents or overdose. While insomnia may be a terrible condition to have, overmedicating with sleeping pills, or replacing insomnia with an addiction disorder is not the answer. Fortunately, there is help for people with insomnia and sleeping pill addiction.
Are you or a loved one struggling with cravings and withdrawal symptoms from sleeping pill misuses? We can help. Contact the dedicated addiction counselors at Launch Centers today to explore your treatment options.
