Evie Summers
Sleeping pills can be a helpful short-term solution for insomnia, but they can also be highly addictive. Many people develop a dependence on sleeping pills, and the risk of addiction is higher with certain types of pills and longer-term use. While newer medications like Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata may be less likely to be habit-forming, they can still cause physical dependence over time. Older types of sleeping pills, such as benzodiazepines, are highly addictive and can lead to withdrawal symptoms similar to alcohol withdrawal. It's important to follow a doctor's instructions when taking sleeping pills and to be aware of the signs of addiction, such as steadily increasing one's dosage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Side effects | Constipation, Diarrhea, Muscle weakness, Digestive problems, Worsening of snoring and sleep apnea, Dizziness, Poor memory, Brain degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, Risk of accidental falls, Respiratory depression, Depression |
| Withdrawal symptoms | Trouble sleeping, Restlessness, Anxiety, Shivering, Dizziness, Fainting |
| Dependency development | Using sleeping pills for too long, Using high doses, Using specific types of sleeping pills (e.g. Benzodiazepines, Z-drugs) |
| Treatment for dependency | Gradual reduction of dose, Psychological or therapeutic support, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Professional medical support |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping pills are habit-forming
Sleeping pills are often prescribed to treat insomnia, restless sleep, or difficulty falling asleep. While they can be effective in the short term, sleeping pills are habit-forming and can lead to dependence and addiction if used for too long or at too high a dose. This is especially true for certain types of sleeping pills, such as benzodiazepines and Z-drugs.
Benzodiazepines, including medications such as Ativan, Librium, Valium, Xanax, alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam, are a powerful class of sleeping pills that can help people fall asleep, relieve anxiety, and improve learning and memory. However, they are potentially addictive and can cause problems with memory and attention. They are usually not recommended for long-term treatment due to the risk of dependence and other side effects.
Z-drugs, such as zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta), are another type of sleeping pill that works by slowing down brain activity. While they may be somewhat less likely than benzodiazepines to be habit-forming, they can still cause physical dependence over time. It's important to use these medications with caution and only as directed by a healthcare provider to minimize the risk of dependence and addiction.
The risk of developing a sleeping pill dependence is higher for those who use these medications for an extended period. Dependency can develop quickly, sometimes within just a few weeks of use. However, it's quite common for people to take sleeping pills for several months or even years. When a person becomes dependent on sleeping pills, they may experience rebound insomnia, which is when insomnia returns worse than before after stopping the medication. Other withdrawal symptoms can include trouble sleeping, restlessness, anxiety, shivering, and dizziness.
To avoid dependence and addiction, it's important to use sleeping pills only as directed by a healthcare provider and for the shortest effective duration. If you need to stop taking sleeping pills, it's best to gradually reduce the dose over time rather than quitting abruptly. Professional support, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can also help individuals stop taking sleeping pills and improve their sleep habits.
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Withdrawal symptoms and rebound insomnia
Withdrawal symptoms from sleeping pills can vary from person to person, with some experiencing moderate symptoms and others facing more severe, dangerous symptoms such as hallucinations and seizures. In general, those with severe sedative-hypnotic use disorders will experience more intense withdrawal symptoms. Users with multiple addictions and/or co-occurring mental health problems may also go through a more serious and complicated withdrawal process.
Withdrawal symptoms can begin within a few hours of stopping the medication, but they may also start later, sometimes even weeks after. Typical withdrawal symptoms include trouble sleeping (rebound insomnia), restlessness, anxiety, shivering, and feeling dizzy and faint. These symptoms are similar to those that the sleeping pills were originally meant to treat, which can create a vicious cycle where people start using the pills again to relieve these symptoms. To avoid such relapses, it is recommended to keep withdrawal symptoms to a minimum when stopping the medication, by gradually reducing the dose over several weeks. Abrupt cessation can make withdrawal symptoms much more intense and longer-lasting.
Rebound insomnia is a common withdrawal symptom of sleeping pill dependence. It occurs because the user's body has become dependent on the drugs to fall asleep, and when they quit taking them, their insomnia returns, often worse than before. Rebound insomnia can be almost unbearable, and without proper help, patients can relapse or develop dangerous hallucinations. The duration of rebound insomnia depends on the half-lives of the medication, as well as the frequency and dosages that were taken. Drugs with shorter half-lives will leave the body faster, and while the rebound effects may be more intense, they will also resolve faster, often fading within a few days to a week.
To prevent rebound insomnia, doctors suggest slowly lowering the dose of sleep medications, especially for benzodiazepines. If rebound insomnia does occur, relaxation training and other natural strategies may help patients cope. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is another form of psychological support that can help people cope with withdrawal symptoms.
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Benzodiazepines are highly addictive
Sleeping pills can cause dependence and addiction, especially when used long-term. Prescription sleeping pills are stronger than over-the-counter ones, and providers typically recommend them only for short-term relief.
Benzodiazepines are a type of prescription sedative drug commonly prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders. They are highly addictive and can cause problems with memory and attention. They are usually not recommended for long-term treatment of sleeping problems. Benzodiazepines work by stimulating a chemical in the brain called GABA, which leads to sedation, muscle relaxation, and reduced anxiety.
The development of tolerance to benzodiazepines is a medical condition known as physical dependence. Tolerance occurs when the brain becomes increasingly accustomed to the drug and requires higher doses to achieve the same effect. When the brain does not receive its familiar dose, withdrawal symptoms may occur, including cravings for the drug. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be particularly dangerous and even life-threatening.
Benzodiazepines are widely available and can be obtained through prescriptions, friends or family members, or purchased on the street. They are also widely used for recreational purposes, and vulnerable individuals may become addicted. The neural basis for the addictive nature of benzodiazepines is still not fully understood, but research suggests that they share pharmacological features with other addictive drugs, including increasing levels of dopamine and triggering long-lasting synaptic adaptations in the mesolimbic reward system.
If you or someone you know is struggling with benzodiazepine dependence or addiction, it is important to seek professional help. Medical, psychological, or psychotherapeutic support can aid in successfully stopping benzodiazepine use.
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Z-drugs: Psychological dependence
Z-drugs, such as zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta), are commonly prescribed to treat insomnia. They are non-benzodiazepine hypnotics that act by enhancing the GABA-A receptor activity. Z-drugs have a sedative effect, making users feel drowsy and relaxed, thus helping them fall asleep.
While Z-drugs can be effective in treating insomnia, they also carry a risk of psychological dependence and abuse. Medical and non-medical users of Z-drugs have been found to have a higher risk of psychological distress compared to non-users. This distress may be related to self-medication, where individuals seek psychoactive substances to relieve their distress. Z-drugs are often misused or abused, and they have been associated with dependence and withdrawal issues. This is particularly true for zopiclone, which has been associated with a high risk of dependence and overdose.
The potential for Z-drug abuse and dependence has been a growing concern, with clinical reports indicating their misuse, abuse, and involvement in adverse drug reactions. Z-drugs are known to be habit-forming, and users may experience dangerous withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking them suddenly. This reinforces the abuse potential of Z-drugs, as the discomfort of withdrawal may drive individuals back to regular use.
To avoid dependence and withdrawal issues, it is important to use Z-drugs with caution and only as directed by a healthcare professional. They are typically prescribed for short-term relief of insomnia and should not be used long-term. If you need to stop taking Z-drugs, it is recommended to gradually reduce the dose under the guidance of a doctor to minimise withdrawal symptoms. Psychological support, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), can also help individuals successfully stop taking Z-drugs.
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Therapy and medical support to quit
Sleeping pills can cause dependence if used for too long or at too high a dose. Dependency can develop quickly, sometimes after just a few weeks of use, and it is quite common for these drugs to be taken for several months or even years. If you have developed a dependence on sleeping pills, it is important to seek medical and therapeutic support to quit safely and effectively.
Quitting sleeping pills can be challenging, and seeking professional help can increase your chances of success. Here are some steps and strategies to consider:
- Gradual dose reduction ("tapering"): Under the guidance of a doctor, gradually reducing the dose of sleeping pills over several weeks or months can help minimise withdrawal symptoms. This is considered the best way to stop taking sleeping pills.
- Medical supervision: Regular brief contacts with doctors, either in person or through letters, can provide support and motivation during the quitting process.
- Psychological or therapeutic support: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most successful form of psychological support when quitting sleeping pills. It can help address the underlying causes of insomnia and provide tools to improve sleep without medication. Other forms of therapy, such as behavioural therapy, can also be beneficial.
- Addiction counselling: If you feel you have lost control over your medication use, contacting an addiction counselling centre can provide specialised support and guidance.
- Family therapy: Family therapy sessions can be beneficial for those in recovery from addiction, as they provide a supportive and understanding environment to address the impact of addiction on the individual and their family.
- Alternative treatments: Exploring alternative treatments for insomnia can help improve sleep without relying on medication. This may include behavioural changes, improving sleep hygiene, avoiding large meals and alcohol before bed, reducing caffeine intake, quitting smoking, and incorporating relaxation techniques such as meditation or soothing music.
- Outpatient withdrawal programs: Outpatient settings can provide monitoring and support during the withdrawal process, although there is limited research on the best length of time for these programs.
It is important to be well-informed about medication dependence and the steps needed to quit. If you are struggling with sleeping pill dependence, seeking professional help from a healthcare provider or addiction specialist is crucial to developing a safe and effective plan for quitting.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no set number of times or days that can determine the development of sleeping pill dependence. Dependency can develop quickly, sometimes within a few weeks, and it is common for these drugs to be taken for several months or even years. It is recommended that sleeping pills be used for short-term relief only.
If you have been taking sleeping pills for a while, you may be dependent on them if you are steadily increasing your dosage. This is a classic sign of addiction, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). You may also be dependent if you have tried to quit but cannot.
Sleeping pills can have both short-term and long-term side effects. Short-term side effects include constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, digestive problems, and worsened snoring and sleep apnea. Long-term side effects include poor memory, brain degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and an increased risk of accidental falls.
If you think you are dependent on sleeping pills, do not stop taking them on your own. Talk to your healthcare provider about tapering off safely to minimise any withdrawal symptoms. Psychological or therapeutic support can also help, with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) being the most successful form of psychological support.
