Gina Johnson
Sleeping pills are often used to help people get a good night's rest and overcome insomnia. However, they can be highly addictive, and overdose is common. Taking too many sleeping pills can lead to death, and some individuals intentionally use them to commit suicide. Mixing sleeping pills with other drugs or alcohol increases the risk of overdose and death. Studies have shown that prescription sleeping pills are associated with suicidal thoughts and attempts, and long-term use can lead to increased mortality and suicide rates. While researchers have made sleeping pills safer, the problem of tolerance and dependence remains, and the potential for harm is still present.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can a person commit suicide with sleeping pills? | Yes, a person can commit suicide with sleeping pills. |
| Sleeping pill overdose | It can lead to death. |
| Factors that increase the risk of suicide | Long-term use, erratic behaviour, dependence, tolerance, mixing with other drugs or alcohol, grapefruit juice, mental health disorders, insomnia, sleep disturbances, and sociodemographic factors. |
| Drugs associated with suicide | Zolpidem, Zaleplon, Eszopiclone, Trazodone, Triazolam, Temazepam, Flurazepam, and Benzodiazepines. |
| Preventative measures | National Suicide Prevention Hotline, early psychiatric referral, and correcting circadian rhythms. |
| Treatment for overdose | Flumazenil, stomach pump, CPR, and intensive care monitoring. |
| Side effects of overdose | Extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, breathing trouble, and clumsiness. |
| Number of overdose deaths | More than 64,000 deaths in 2016. |
| Drugs to combat insomnia | Ambien, Lunesta, Rozerem, and antidepressants. |
| Effect of sleeping pills on the body | Increased rates of physical illness, several cancers, infectious diseases, and dementia. |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping pills and suicide risk
Sleeping pills can be extremely dangerous if taken in a quantity exceeding the prescribed dose. An overdose of sleeping pills can lead to death. Mixing sleeping pills with other drugs or alcohol can also be fatal. In addition, the likelihood of death by overdose increases when sleeping pills are taken with alcohol, as it can cause the person to stop breathing.
Sleeping pills are associated with an increased risk of suicide. Several studies have found a link between prescription sleeping pills and suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. For example, a study in Taiwan reported a 2.08-fold increase in suicide or attempted suicide among those taking zolpidem compared to those not taking it. Another study from Korea found that zolpidem prescriptions more than doubled the risk of suicide death during long-term follow-up. Additionally, the use of sleeping pills was found to increase the incidence of dementia.
The association between sleeping pills and suicide may be due to the development of tolerance and dependence over time. As the body develops a tolerance to sleeping pills, higher doses are required to achieve the same effect. This can lead to a cycle of increasing dependence on the medication, which can be harmful to both the body and mind. Erratic behavior under the influence of sleeping pills can also lead to problems such as binge eating or suicide.
Furthermore, insomnia itself may be an underlying factor in the relationship between sleeping pills and suicide. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are associated with insomnia and other mental health disorders. Therefore, it is important for clinical practitioners to recognize that patients taking sedative-hypnotics are at an increased risk for suicidality.
It is worth noting that while melatonin is a common ingredient in sleeping pills, an overdose is highly unlikely and has not been known to cause death.
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Overdose and death
It is possible to overdose on sleeping pills, and this can lead to death. An overdose occurs when a person takes too much of a substance at once. In the case of sleeping pills, an overdose can be accidental, or it can be intentional in the case of suicide. Mixing sleeping pills with other drugs or alcohol can also increase the risk of overdose and death.
The physical signs of a sleeping pill overdose include extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, breathing trouble, and clumsiness. A person who has overdosed on sleeping pills may stop breathing and die as a result. It is important to note that the outcome of a sleeping pill overdose can vary depending on the type of medication and the dose taken. For example, while a benzodiazepine overdose is rarely fatal on its own, it can be deadly when combined with other substances such as opioids.
In terms of treatment, if someone is suspected of overdosing on sleeping pills, it is important to call for emergency medical assistance immediately. While waiting for paramedics to arrive, the person should be placed in the coma position: face down, with the head turned to one side, and one knee slightly bent. It is also crucial to check the person's airway, breathing, and pulse. If there is no pulse, CPR should be administered, and the person should be turned onto their back. Any empty bottles or packets of pills that the person may have taken should be shown to the paramedics.
Sleeping pills have been associated with an increased risk of suicide. Studies have found a link between the use of prescription sleeping pills and suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. Long-term use of sleeping pills can lead to tolerance and dependence, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. This can result in a cycle of increasing dosage, which can be harmful to both the body and mind. Additionally, erratic behavior under the influence of sleeping pills can increase the risk of suicide.
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Mixing sleeping pills with other substances
It is possible to overdose on sleeping pills, which can lead to death. Mixing sleeping pills with other substances, such as alcohol or grapefruit, can increase the risk of overdose and cause respiratory depression, leading to death.
People who struggle with depression or suicidal thoughts may be at a higher risk of overdosing on sleeping pills or mixing them with other drugs or alcohol. It is important to seek help if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or tendencies.
Combining sleeping pills with opioids can be particularly dangerous. The rate of overdose deaths from combining sedatives and opioids has doubled between 2002 and 2015. Mixing sleeping pills with alcohol can also cause the person to stop breathing and may result in death.
Grapefruit should also be avoided when taking sleeping pills as it increases the amount of the drug that is absorbed into the bloodstream, prolonging its effects and causing over-sedation. This can lead to an unintentional overdose.
Other substances that may interact with sleeping pills include other medications, such as antidepressants or benzodiazepines, which can also have dangerous side effects when mixed with sleeping pills. It is important to speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking sleeping pills with any other medication to avoid potential drug interactions.
In addition to the immediate risks of mixing sleeping pills with other substances, long-term use of sleeping pills has been associated with increased rates of physical illness, mortality, and suicide. This is due to the development of tolerance and dependence, where the dose must be increased over time to achieve the same effect. This can eventually lead to a cycle of needing more and more sleeping pills, which can be harmful to both the body and mind.
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Side effects of sleeping pills
Sleeping pills can cause a range of side effects, including:
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Muscle weakness
- Digestive problems, including gas, heartburn and nausea
- Worsening of snoring and sleep apnea
- Dependence, with rebound insomnia when trying to stop taking them
- Parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder causing dangerous behaviours while still mostly asleep, such as sleepwalking, eating, taking medications, talking or driving
- Interference with normal breathing, which can be dangerous for people with certain chronic lung problems such as asthma, emphysema, or forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- Confusion and memory issues, which can be particularly dangerous for older adults, increasing the risk of falls, broken hips, and car accidents
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty urinating
Sleeping pills can also be habit-forming, and in some cases, people intentionally overdose on them to commit suicide. Mixing sleeping pills with alcohol or other medications can lead to overdose and death.
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Tolerance and dependence on sleeping pills
Sleeping pills are powerful sedatives that help relieve short-term insomnia and other sleep-related issues. They are prescription medications containing tranquilizers to treat insomnia, restless sleep, or difficulty falling asleep. While they can be effective in the short term, long-term use can lead to dependence and other problems.
Certain types of sleeping pills, such as benzodiazepines, carry a higher risk of dependence and addiction. Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety medications that increase drowsiness and promote sleep. While they can be beneficial in the short term, they are potentially addictive and can cause problems with memory and attention. They are usually not recommended for long-term treatment of sleep issues.
Other types of sleeping pills, like barbiturates, are less commonly prescribed as sleep aids due to their potential for abuse and dependence. Barbiturates depress the central nervous system, causing sedation. While they were once commonly used as a means of suicide, newer medications have replaced them, reducing the likelihood of fatal overdoses.
Non-benzodiazepine Z-drugs, such as Zolpidem, Ambien, and Zopiclone, are fast-acting and induce sleep without the grogginess sometimes associated with other sleep aids. This class of drugs has minimal side effects, a low potential for drug tolerance, and a lower risk of addiction compared to benzodiazepines.
Overall, while sleeping pills can be effective for short-term relief from sleep issues, they should be used cautiously and only as directed to minimize the risk of tolerance and dependence. It is important to follow a doctor's instructions and not exceed the recommended dosage to avoid the potential for overdose and other adverse effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a person can commit suicide with sleeping pills. However, if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
An overdose occurs when a person takes too much of a substance at once. Overdoses often lead to death. Taking more than the prescribed dose of sleeping pills can cause an overdose.
The physical signs of a sleeping pill overdose include extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, trouble breathing, and clumsiness.
If you think someone has overdosed on sleeping pills, turn the person into the coma position with their body face down, head turned to one side, and one knee bent. Check their airway to ensure it is clear and that they are breathing regularly. Check for a pulse in the neck and wrist. If there is no pulse, start CPR, turn the person on their back, and call an ambulance.
Yes, sleeping pills can be addictive. Dependence occurs when a person cannot sleep without sleeping pills. This can lead to a cycle of needing more and more sleeping pills, which can be harmful to the body and mind.
