Many people who suffer with disruptive sleep patterns take prescription medication for insomnia. Sleeping pills are designed for short-term use to help a person sleep. Just like other drugs, sleeping pills can be addictive when taken longer and more often than needed.
There are many reasons why people have difficulty sleeping. School, work, and stress affect sleep patterns and can cause insomnia. Using drugs, alcohol, coffee, and tobacco can also contribute to sleep problems. Certain medical conditions, pain, and obesity can also make falling asleep challenging.
Sleeping pills are usually safe when they are taken as prescribed. When sleeping pills are combined with other psychiatric or pain medications, they can be deadly. Sleeping pills often have side effects that can affect daily activities. Sleeping pills can cause confusion, memory loss, poor work performance, accidents, interactions with other medications, and risk of death.
For some people, insomnia is a symptom of a psychiatric disorder or substance use disorder. A person’s insomnia could be cured with the diagnosis and treatment of a psychiatric disorder. Discontinuing the sleeping pills should be done gradually by lowering the dose because some individuals have uncomfortable withdrawals. During withdrawal, users can experience physical and psychological discomfort. Symptoms of withdrawal vary for each individual.
Some sleep medications cause parasomnia, which is an abnormal behavior that a person does not remember after taking the medication. This is a common side effect of sleep medications. Some people eat, walk, and even drive while sleeping. Individuals who exhibit these behaviors are not in control of their own actions and are a threat to themselves and others.
Sleeping pills are sometimes misused to enhance the effects of drugs or alcohol. Sleep medication will intensify the effects of drugs or alcohol, which is a deadly combination. A person can be tempted to abuse these substances as a way to escape problems and stress.
If you or a loved one is suffering with addiction, do not wait to get help. Make today the first step toward recovery. Addiction is treatable and recovery is possible.
Cypress Lakes Lodge specializes in addiction treatment and is located in a serene, remote, lush-green, oxygen enriched environment. The program encompasses holistic addiction therapy and offers yoga and meditation for the mind, body, and soul. The focus is on physical, mental, and emotional well-being by generating the balance of life-enriching treatment, wellness, and healthy, sober, sustainable relationships. Call us to get started: 409-331-2204