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Sleeping Pill Addiction
Signs, Risks, and Treatment
Maybe it started after a stressful season, a difficult loss, or simply too many sleepless nights. A doctor prescribed something to help you rest, and at first, it worked. Sleeping pill addiction affects many people who never intended to become dependent on medication.
We meet patients at Agape Detox Center with compassion, dignity, and clinical excellence, and accompany patients as they find ways to recover from their addiction and regain sleep. This page will help you understand sleeping pill addiction, the risks involved with misusing sleeping pills, and how evidence-based treatment provides a safe and effective alternative to struggling with an addiction.
Key Points
- Prescription sleep aids like Ambien, Lunesta, and Restoril can be habit-forming even when taken as directed.
- Evidence of prescription sleeping pill abuse includes increasing doses, using medication in daytime hours, and being unable to sleep without it.
- Combining sleeping pills with alcohol slows breathing and heart rates, and is a serious overdose risk.
- It is possible to overdose on prescription sleep aids, especially when combined with other depressant drugs.
- Sleeping pills addiction treatment at Agape Detox Center begins with medically supervised detox, followed by individualized, evidence-based therapy.
What Are Prescription Sleeping Pills?
Prescription sleeping pills are commonly prescribed to treat short-term insomnia. These medications are classified as sedatives or hypnotics and work by reducing the activity within the brain and central nervous system (CNS, the brain and spinal cord) to cause drowsiness.
Z-drugs such as zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta) are among the most frequently prescribed. Benzodiazepines such as temazepam (Restoril) and triazolam (Halcion) are also prescribed, though less frequently than before due to their well-documented potential for dependence.[1]
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 12.9 percent of adult Americans reported taking some form of medication to help with sleep most evenings or every night during a 30-day period. [2] Although these medications may provide real relief for insomnia, they are not meant for long-term use and can create issues for those who take them regularly.
Sleeping Pill Addiction and Misuse
Addiction to prescription sleep aids typically develops gradually. Initially, an individual takes the prescribed amount of medication to help them fall asleep or manage a sleep disorder. A person takes the prescribed dose, sleeps better, and naturally wants to continue feeling that relief. Over time, the body adapts. Eventually, the same dose of medication no longer works effectively. The person now needs to take more of the medication in order to achieve similar results.
This is known as tolerance and is one of the earliest signs that physical dependence is forming. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), prescription sedative-hypnotic medications can result in both dependence and addiction.[3] In particular, these medications are considered at an increased risk for producing dependency when they are taken for more than a couple of weeks or at higher than recommended doses.
Risk Factors for Developing a Sleeping Pill Addiction
There are numerous factors that contribute to the development of sleeping pill addiction, and they include
- Personal or familial histories of drug or substance use
- Untreated anxiety or depression
- Chronic pain
- Prolonged insomnia
Signs of Sleeping Pill Addiction
Recognizing the signs of prescription sleeping pill abuse, in yourself or a loved one, is often the first step toward getting help. These signs can be subtle in the beginning and easy to rationalize away.
Examples of early warning signs include:
- Taking larger than recommended or prescribed doses
- Using sleep medications throughout the day
- Cravings for sleeping pills
- Inability to fall asleep without a prescribed sleeping aid
- Visiting multiple doctors or pharmacies to obtain additional prescriptions
- Experiencing memory lapses, binge eating, drinking, walking, or dressing while under the influence of sleeping pills, with no memory of these actions afterward [4]
- Continuing to use prescribed sleeping aids despite adverse impacts on job-related performance, interpersonal relationships, or overall health
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or physically uncomfortable when trying to stop or decrease use
- Combining sleeping aids and alcoholic beverages to enhance the effects of either
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The Dangers of Mixing Alcoholic Beverages and Sleeping Pills
A major concern regarding the use of sleeping pills is combining them with alcoholic beverages. Both substances function as CNS depressants, reducing brain activity, breathing rate, and heart rate. When sleeping pills and alcohol are taken together, the effects multiply and can be life-threatening.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers about the dangers of consuming alcoholic beverages in addition to prescription sleeping pills, noting that combining these substances can result in severe drowsiness, dizziness, slowed or repressed breathing, motor impairment, abnormal behavior, and memory impairment.[5] Additionally, even low consumption of alcoholic beverages when consumed prior to a sleeping pill can have a profound impact on your ability to breathe normally and safely during sleep.
Complex Sleep Behaviors
In addition to respiratory suppression and altered consciousness caused by consuming alcohol and sleeping pills together, another significant complication is referred to as “complex sleep behaviors.”[6]
Complex sleep behaviors refer to behaviors exhibited by individuals while in a sleep-inducing state that are abnormal or involuntary. Individuals have been known to drive, cook, or leave their home while in an altered state caused by the concurrent ingestion of alcohol and sleep aids, with no recollection of these events upon waking.
Due to concerns regarding complex sleep behaviors linked with Z-drug consumption, the FDA has placed a boxed warning on certain Z-drug formulations.[7] This warning states that complex sleep behaviors have resulted in injuries and deaths associated with their use.
Can You Overdose on Sleeping Pills?
Despite being viewed by many as milder compared to other scheduled substances, prescription sleeping pills can still present a risk for overdose, particularly when taken at large doses or when combined with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines.[8]
Symptoms associated with a potential sleeping pill overdose can range from mild to severe and can include:
- Extreme drowsiness
- Slowed or shallow respiration
- Slower heart rate
- Cyanosis, or blue tinting of fingers, toes, or lips
- Unconsciousness or coma
- Breathing cessation
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has classified zolpidem and eszopiclone as Schedule IV controlled substances, primarily due to their risk of dependence, misuse, and higher risk for overdose at elevated doses.[9]
If you believe you or someone else may be experiencing an overdose on prescription sleep aids, contact 911 immediately. An overdose represents a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention to preserve life.
Sleeping Pill Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have developed a physical dependence on prescription sleeping pills, it’s possible to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you attempt to discontinue use abruptly, regardless of whether you stopped using after longer periods on higher doses or brief and standard dosages.[10] These symptoms can be intense enough for individuals to seek medical attention immediately.
Common withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Rebound insomnia, or insomnia symptoms that exceed those originally presented by the individual
- Anxiety, irritability, tremors, sweating, nausea, and rapid heart rate
- Seizures, in rare instances
We advise against discontinuing the use of sleeping pills without consulting a physician, especially benzodiazepines. Sudden discontinuation can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms in addition to potentially causing seizures in extreme cases.[11] Medical supervision and tapering can facilitate a smooth and more comfortable detoxification process.
Sleeping Pill Addiction Treatment at Agape Detox Center
Recovering from prescription sleeping pill addiction requires addressing two critical components: the first is addressing the physical dependence on the prescribed sleep aid, and the second is addressing the underlying reasons why an individual began using prescribed sleep pills. Agape Detox Center provides a comprehensive range of services designed specifically for treating individuals struggling with sleeping pill dependency.
Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for her contributions.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleeping Pill Addiction
Can I become addicted to prescribed sleeping pills if a doctor prescribed me?
Yes. Use of prescribed sleep aids can lead to physical dependence and addiction regardless of whether they were obtained legally from a licensed practitioner. Becoming dependent on a prescribed medication is not a moral failure. It is a medical issue and should be professionally treated.
How long does sleeping pill detox generally last?
The length of time required for sleeping pill detoxification varies depending on the prescribed sleep aid, dosages, duration of use, and health status. Typically, acute withdrawal will resolve itself within a couple of weeks; however, some individuals may continue experiencing withdrawal symptoms for longer. Based on the client’s individualized treatment plan, our trained medical team will establish a customized detoxification schedule focusing on client safety and comfort.
Should I quit taking my prescribed sleeping pills cold turkey?
We highly recommend against stopping sleeping pills abruptly, especially benzodiazepines, without medical supervision. Discontinuing these medications abruptly may result in extreme withdrawal symptoms and severe complications, including seizures.
Will I be able to go to sleep without medication again?
Yes. One of our main goals at Agape Detox Center is assisting you in achieving this objective. Many individuals who have previously believed they would never be able to fall asleep without medication subsequently learn how to develop natural sleep patterns through behavioral modifications, stress management skills, and treating underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Will my insurance cover treatment for sleeping pill addiction at Agape Detox Center?
We work with many major insurance providers, and our admissions team can confidentially verify your benefits and walk you through what is covered. There is no cost or pressure to find out what your plan offers.
Sources
[1] Wilson, S. J., Nutt, D. J., Alford, C., Argyropoulos, S. V., Baldwin, D. S., Bateson, A. N., Britton, T. C., Crowe, C., Dijk, D.-J., Espie, C. A., Gringras, P., Krystal, A. D., Nash, J. R., Selsick, H., Sharpley, A. L., & Wade, A. G. (2010). British Association for Psychopharmacology consensus statement on evidence-based treatment of insomnia, parasomnias and circadian rhythm disorders. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 24(11), 1577–1601. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/pnp.502
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Health, United States, 2012: With special feature on emergency care. National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/hestat116.htm
[3] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). What classes of prescription drugs are commonly misused? National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/what-classes-prescription-drugs-are-commonly-misused
[4] Krystal, A. D. (2009). A compendium of placebo-controlled trials of the risks/benefits of pharmacological treatments for insomnia: The empirical basis for U.S. clinical practice. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 13(4), 265–274. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3504423/
[5] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). Certain prescription insomnia medicines: New boxed warning due to risk of serious injuries caused by sleepwalking. https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/certain-prescription-insomnia-medicines-new-boxed-warning-due-risk-serious-injuries-caused
[6] [7]Hoque, R., & Chesson, A. L., Jr. (2009). Zolpidem-induced sleepwalking, sleep related eating disorder, and sleep-driving: Fluorine-18-flourodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography analysis, and a literature review of other unexpected clinical effects of zolpidem. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 5(5), 471–476. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2762721/
[8] [10] U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Zolpidem: MedlinePlus drug information. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a693025.html#side-effects
[9] U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Drug scheduling. U.S. Department of Justice. https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
[11] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). FDA requiring boxed warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class. https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/benzodiazepine-drug-class-drug-safety-communication-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use