Addiction Signs, Symptoms, and Treatments

Sleeping pills are medications used to treat short-term insomnia and other sleep-related difficulties. Most of these medications work by acting on the central nervous system, slowing brain activity to promote relaxation and make it easier to fall and stay asleep through the night.[1]

Prescription sleep medications include:

• Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Restoril, Halcion)
• Non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata)
• Barbiturates and anti-depressants that can produce sedative effects.

Although prescription sleeping pills work well to treat acute sleep issues, the FDA and other health professionals recommend that they be used only for the short term.[2] In many cases, however, people use prescription sleeping pills every night for extended periods of time, resulting in physical or psychological dependence, turning their legitimate use into an addiction to sleeping medications.

OTC (over-the-counter) sleep aids like ZzQuil and Unisom that have an antihistamine in them also tend to develop dependence with side effects when used for the long term.[3] The warnings on the labels of these medications generally state that you should consult your doctor if you plan to take them for extended periods. Still, many individuals don’t consult medical professionals before taking OTC sleep aids regularly.

Many people use sleeping pills (or light sedative-hypnotics) for the treatment of insomnia. A sleeping pill may provide short-term relief, but they also carry with them both short-term and long-term side effects.[7]

Short-term side effects include:

• Drowsiness or excessive sleepiness (drowsiness may last into the next day)
• Dizziness or loss of coordination (can cause falls or accidents)
• Impaired ability to remember things or perform tasks
• Experiencing episodes of impaired consciousness in which activities such as walking, eating, or driving occur without awareness or recall
• Slowed heart rate or breathing
• Changes in mood, including irritability

Chronic or long-term use can lead to:

• Frequent memory loss and impaired cognitive skills
• Increased risk of falls or accidents
• Depression or other mental health problems
• Gastrointestinal problems and changes in body weight
• Worsening ability to sleep (rebound insomnia) when trying to taper off
• Development of a physical dependence

Combining sleeping pills with other substances like alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines increases the risk of respiratory depression, overdose, or death.[8]

To overcome sleeping pill addiction, you need an all-inclusive treatment that covers both your substance use disorder and any sleep disorders that may have contributed to taking the medication. At Agape Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale, we offer this through our specialized sleeping pills addiction program.
Many who are addicted to sleeping medication have mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. By treating substance abuse and mental conditions together, we can identify and treat the underlying issues currently causing issues with your sleep patterns. Beyond traditional addiction treatment, we will teach you useful skills for achieving a healthy sleep pattern. Skills such as good sleep hygiene, relaxation techniques, stress reduction, and other lifestyle changes promote natural rest.