Sleeping pills are some of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States. Approximately 4% of adults report having used them in the past month. While sleep aids can be beneficial when used occasionally, you can become addicted to sleeping pills if you use them too often. Although many patients start taking sleeping meds for legitimate reasons, they quickly develop a dependency, increase the dosage, and start using them recreationally. Knowing which sleeping pills are most commonly abused and the symptoms they create can help you avoid taking a medication that will cause severe issues in the future.

Common Types of Sleeping Pills

You’ve probably seen a variety of commercials touting the benefits of using one type of sleeping pill over another. Some common sleeping pill types include: 

• Ambien
• Lunesta
• Sonata
• Xanax
• Valium
• Ativan

Again, while these medications can be helpful, you should never use them long-term because they have addictive properties. 

Signs You are Addicted to Sleeping Pills

While some may believe taking sleeping pills for a prolonged period is just a habit that they can easily break, they ignore a real problem and extend a potentially painful recovery by dismissing it as a minor inconvenience. Unfortunately, for most addicts, being addicted to sleeping pills is a struggle every waking moment. To help you recognize the issue, here are nine signs of sleeping pills dependence.

You find it difficult to get by without sleeping pills.

When you remove the substance, the coping skills are lost. This is true for sleeping pills, as it is for any other illegal drug. 

You undergo withdrawal symptoms.

When you stop taking sleeping pills, you may experience severe physical withdrawal symptoms. This happens because, after a long enough use, your body develops a physical dependency on the chemical, as it does with most drugs. 

You are obsessed with obtaining these drugs.

It is no secret that when you become addicted to sleeping meds, you will become obsessed with obtaining more of the drug, just like any other addiction, whether you’re looking for sleep, going through withdrawal, or simply needing to feel normal.

Tolerance to the pills has increased.

After using sleeping pills for an extended period and becoming addicted to them, your tolerance for the medication’s effects will increase. Your body becomes accustomed to the chemical reaction, and you will require an increasing amount of the substance to achieve the desired upshot. 

Loss of enthusiasm for hobbies.

One of the most underappreciated aspects of any addiction is how it influences what we care about the most. For example, when you become addicted to sleeping pills, you lose interest in your hobbies and the things that make you happy in life. Instead, your attention will be drawn to those pills, how to obtain more, and how to sleep them off in between uses.

Hygiene degeneration.

When we devote our full attention to chasing and abusing drugs, we start to neglect our health. One of the most striking things addiction to sleeping pills does is taking a toll on hygiene and grooming. 

Defensiveness or denial.

Drug addicts are notorious for refusing to acknowledge their issues. Instead, they frequently fight back, becoming overly protective of their drug use. They can spend a significant amount of time in denial that there is even an issue. This may be especially true for those addicted to sleeping pills because they believe it is necessary to sleep and that these drugs are the only way to do so. Unfortunately, this denial will prevent most people from receiving practical assistance. 

Lack of Responsibility.

Allowing everything you are responsible for to suffer due to a sleeping pill addiction, indicates that you need help. When you put your job, home, or family at risk because of sleeping pills, you’ve crossed a line. Getting help is critical. 

Inability to decrease the dosage.

When you cannot stop taking as much as you have become accustomed to or even reduce the dosage slightly without experiencing painful and distressing withdrawal symptoms, you should seek help. This inability demonstrates that you are physically and psychologically addicted to sleeping pills, with physical dependence being more deadly.

Sleeping Pills Addiction Side Effects to Take Seriously

Most sleeping pills cause constipation, confusion, dizziness, and next-day drowsiness. Another issue to be concerned about is the “hangover effect.”  This effect causes impaired stability, coordination, and driving performance the following day after taking the drug. In addition, long-term use of certain sleeping pills leads to an increased risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. 

Get Help With MD Home Detox 

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, there are ways to get help – and a good night’s sleep. If you’ve been taking sleeping meds for a long time, don’t try to stop on your own. Instead, contact MD Home Detox about how to taper off your addiction safely, reducing the severity of any withdrawal symptoms. We provide you with a nurse or access to a recovery guide throughout your detox period at your own home so you can feel more comfortable and at peace while following the treatment. Besides offering you a comprehensive detox plan, we also provide mental health stabilization, family therapy, and aftercare services. Don’t hesitate to contact us to start the journey towards a healthier life and a better mental being.