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Sleeping Pill Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Written by
On August 12, 2024

Freeing yourself from an addiction to sleeping pills is crucial for reclaiming your health and well-being. But the path to recovery can be challenging.

Seeking support through a medically supervised program is the safest and most effective approach. Professional guidance can significantly improve your chances of successfully overcoming a sleeping pill dependence and set you up for long-term recovery.

Key Points:

  • Overcoming an addiction to sleeping pills is essential for health and well-being. Medical supervision is often crucial for a safe and effective recovery.
  • These medications, including prescription and over-the-counter, help manage sleep issues. They come in different forms, such as tablets, capsules, and liquids.
  • Tolerance and physical dependence can develop, leading to higher doses and potential misuse. Even though prescription sleeping pills are considered lower risk than some drugs, misuse and recreational use can increase addiction risk.
  • Indicators include frequent use, physical dependence, behavioral changes, neglect of responsibilities, altered sleep patterns, physical symptoms, social withdrawal, mood and cognitive issues, and deceptive practices like doctor shopping.
  • Common symptoms of withdrawal include insomnia, anxiety, irritability, tremors, sweating, nausea, headaches, muscle pain, dizziness, and in severe cases, hallucinations or delusions.
  • Effective treatments include medical detox, inpatient or outpatient rehab, and counseling.

What Are Sleeping Pills

Sleeping pills are medications that are designed to help you fall and stay asleep throughout the night. These drugs come in both prescription and over-the-counter forms. Their requirements depend on their strength and formulation. Prescription sleeping pills are relied upon for severe sleep disorders and require a doctor’s approval before treatment can begin.

In many cases, benzodiazepines are prescribed as a sleep aid or for insomnia. Benzodiazepines are often tablets or capsules, which are usually taken orally.[1] Some formulations are designed to dissolve under the tongue or come as liquids.

Sleeping Pill Addiction and Abuse

Sleeping pills work on your body by influencing your brain to slow down your central nervous system and promote sleep.[2] Most prescription sleeping medications are Schedule IV controlled substances. This indicates a lower abuse potential compared to other drugs. However, the risk still exists, and the use of the medication demands careful management.

It is possible to become addicted to sleeping pills.[3] Over time, your body may develop a tolerance. This means you need higher and higher doses for the same effect. Physical dependence can occur as your body adapts to the drug’s presence. It’s important to note that some individuals misuse sleeping pills recreationally or to self-medicate for sleep and anxiety issues, which increases the risk of addiction.

Signs of Sleeping Pill Abuse

Sleeping pill abuse can be a serious issue. Various warning signs may indicate a substance abuse problem is developing. Here are some crucial signs to keep an eye out for.[4]

  • Frequent use: If you find yourself taking sleeping pills more often than prescribed or in larger quantities than recommended by your physician, this could be a sign of abuse.
  • Physical dependence: You might notice that you need to take more and more pills to achieve the same effect. You may also find yourself experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you don’t use them.
  • Behavioral changes: If you’re experiencing mood swings, irritability, seeking substances for abuse, or you’re being secretive about your pill use, these could be signs of dependency.
  • Physical symptoms: Experiencing drowsiness, cognitive impairments, and potential dependency, which align with symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and coordination problems.
Addiction Treatment by Substance

Sleeping Pill Quick Reference Chart

Drug Category
Benzodiazepines/Z-drugs
Commercial & Street Names
Restoril, Xanax, Lunesta, Ambien
DEA Schedule
Schedule IV
Administration
Orally

Sleeping Pill Withdrawal Symptoms

If you have a sleeping pill tolerance and stop taking them, you may find yourself experiencing multiple withdrawal symptoms. These can vary depending on the type of sleeping pill you’re taking and how long you’ve been using it. The most common symptoms are as follows.[5]

Insomnia

After stopping the use of sleeping pills, your sleep patterns might be disrupted, causing you to experience longer periods of consciousness or more frequent awakenings throughout the night. This is called insomnia, and it’s a chronic condition.

Heart palpitations

Rapid or irregular heartbeat.

Sweating

You might experience excessive sweating, especially at night (night sweats). This can lead to discomfort and disrupt your sleep, making it harder to get restorative rest.

Muscle pain and stiffness

You might experience muscle weakness, aches, fatigue, or discomfort. This can make it difficult to engage in physical activities and may contribute to your feelings of fatigue.

Weight loss

As your body reacts to the lack of sleeping pills or benzodiazepines in your system, it could influence weight loss.

Anxiety and panic attacks

You might feel heightened levels of anxiety (rebound anxiety) or nervousness. This can appear as worry, restlessness, or impending doom.

Difficulty concentrating

As your body adjusts to the lack of sleeping pills, you may find it more difficult to concentrate when needed.

Nausea or dry heaves

Nausea can make you feel unwell and may lead to vomiting. This can affect your appetite and overall well-being.

Dizziness

Feeling lightheaded is another potential symptom

Seizures

An increased risk of seizures is one of the more serious potential reactions to sleeping pill withdrawal.

Irritability

You may become easily frustrated or upset over minor issues. This moodiness is a side effect that can affect your interactions with others and may lead to conflicts or discomfort in social situations.

Hand tremors

Shaking is a side effect that might occur, particularly in your hands.

Headaches

Headaches are a common symptom during withdrawal. These headaches may range from mild to severe.

Perceptual changes and psychotic reactions

In more severe cases, withdrawal might lead to visual or auditory hallucinations or perceptual changes. This can be alarming and may significantly impact your perception of reality. If you think you might be hallucinating, call the emergency department right away.

When You Need Help

Are you or someone close to you struggling with a sleeping medication dependency or another substance use disorder? Perhaps it’s hard to tell. Dependence on sleep aids can be subtle and progressive. It often starts as a solution to insomnia and then quickly escalates into a cycle that affects both physical and mental health.

Our specialized treatment facilities provide diverse therapeutic approaches and tailored recovery programs to address your needs. Recognizing and acknowledging the need for support marks the beginning of your journey towards recovery. With professional guidance, it’s possible to overcome dependence on sleeping pills.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sleeping Pills

What detox treatments are available for sleeping pill addiction?

If you’re dealing with a sleeping pill addiction, you may require treatment. There are several options available to help you safely withdraw from the medication.[6]

  • Medical detoxification: This involves supervised withdrawal in a healthcare setting. Medical professionals and physicians monitor your health, manage your withdrawal symptoms, and sometimes even provide medications to ease the process. This is often recommended if you have a severe dependence.
  • Inpatient rehab: Inpatient or residential treatment programs offer a structured environment where you live at the facility while undergoing detox and therapy. These programs provide around-the-clock medical supervision, support, and counseling.
  • Outpatient rehab: An intensive outpatient rehab allows you to receive treatment while continuing to live at home. This may include regular visits to a clinic for medical supervision and therapy sessions.
  • Counseling: Individual or group therapy can help address the psychological aspects of addiction. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is particularly effective in helping you understand and change the thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to your addiction.

How addictive are sleeping pills?

Sleeping pills can be addictive if you use them in higher doses than prescribed by your doctor. Here’s an explanation of how dependence on certain types of sleeping pills can develop.[7]

  • Benzodiazepines: These are a class of sleeping pills that include drugs like temazepam, diazepam, and alprazolam. They are known for their potential for addiction and dependence. Long-term use can lead to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms if the medication is stopped suddenly.
  • Z-drugs: Medications such as zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta) fall into this category. They are considered to have a comparable or lower risk of addiction than benzodiazepines, though dependence can still occur.

What are the health risks of sleeping pill addiction?

Sleeping pill addiction can have many health risks, both physical and psychological.[8] Here’s a look at the risks associated with addiction to sleeping pills.

  • Dependence: Over time, you may develop a tolerance to the medication. This can lead to physical dependence. This means your body becomes reliant on the drug to function normally.
  • Withdrawal symptoms: If you stop taking sleeping pills suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and nausea. Severe withdrawal can also include hallucinations and seizures.
  • Cognitive impairment: Long-term use of sleeping pills can impair cognitive functions, including memory, concentration, and coordination. This can affect your daily activities and overall quality of life.
  • Drug interactions: Sleeping pills can interact with other medications, leading to potentially dangerous effects. For example, combining sleeping pills with alcohol or other sedatives can enhance their effects. This may increase the risk of overdose.
  • Mood changes: Addiction to sleeping pills can lead to mood swings, irritability, depression, and other changes in your mental health.
  • Anxiety: Prolonged use and subsequent withdrawal can exacerbate anxiety and lead to panic attacks.
  • Psychosis: In severe cases, addiction to sleeping pills can lead to symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions.
  • Sleep disturbances: You might experience a rebound effect of your insomnia or a worsening of your original sleep issues.

Sources

[1][2]Bounds, C. G. (2024a, January 30). Benzodiazepines. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470159/

[3]Benzodiazepines. DEA. (n.d.). https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/benzodiazepines

[4]Longo, L. P., & Johnson, B. (2000, April 1). Addiction: Part I. benzodiazepines-side effects, abuse risk and alternatives. American Family Physician. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2000/0401/p2121.html

[5]H;, P. (n.d.). The benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Addiction (Abingdon, England). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7841856/

[6]U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2021, August 24). Using medication: Learn more – what can help when trying to stop taking sleeping pills and sedatives?. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK361010/

[7]U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2021a, August 24). Using medication: Learn more – what can help when trying to stop taking sleeping pills and sedatives?. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK361010/

[8]Brett, J., & Murnion, B. (2015, October). Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence. Australian prescriber. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657308/