Herbie Murray
Sleep medication use has been on the rise in the United States, with millions of Americans taking sleeping pills to get a good night's sleep. According to recent surveys, around 1 in 10 women and 1 in 12 men take sleep medication regularly, with usage increasing with age. The prevalence of sleep difficulties and medication use varies across different demographic groups, and experts emphasize the potential side effects and addictive nature of these drugs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Americans taking sleeping pills | 18% or nearly 20% |
| Percentage of Americans taking sleeping pills (by gender) | Women: 10.2% or 10.4% |
| Men: 6.6% or 8% | |
| Percentage of Americans taking sleeping pills (by age) | 18-44 years: 5.6% |
| 45-64 years: 13% (women), 7.1% (men) | |
| 65 years and above: 11.9% or 13.5% (women), 10.1% (men) | |
| 65 years and above: 13% (prescription sleep medication) | |
| Percentage of Americans taking sleeping pills (by race) | Non-Hispanic White: 10.4% |
| Non-Hispanic Black: 6.1% | |
| Hispanic: 4.6% | |
| Non-Hispanic Asian: 2.8% | |
| Percentage of Americans taking sleeping pills (by family income) | Less than 100% of FPL: Men less likely than women |
| 200% of FPL or more: Men less likely than women |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping pill use among different races
According to a report by the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, about 8.4% of American adults take sleep medications most nights. This percentage has doubled since the period between 2005 and 2010, when only 4% of adults used sleep aids. The use of sleeping pills is more common among women, older adults, and white adults.
The use of sleeping pills varies among different racial groups in the US. According to a 2020 CDC report, the prevalence of sleep medication use was highest among non-Hispanic White adults (10.4%), followed by non-Hispanic Black adults (6.1%), Hispanic adults (4.6%), and non-Hispanic Asian adults (2.8%).
Among men, non-Hispanic White men (8.0%) were the most likely to use sleep medication, while non-Hispanic Asian men (1.7%) were the least likely. Similarly, among women, non-Hispanic White women (12.6%) had the highest rate of sleep medication use, followed by Hispanic women (5.4%) and non-Hispanic Asian women (3.9%).
Overall, men were less likely to take sleep medication than women across all racial groups. Income levels also played a role, with men from higher-income groups being less likely to use sleep medication than those from lower-income groups.
The increased use of sleeping pills among certain racial groups may be influenced by various factors, including underlying health conditions, mental health issues, and the unique stressors of current life, such as the pandemic. However, it is important to note that sleep medication may not be the best solution for insomnia or sleep difficulties, and other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) should be considered first.
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Age groups and sleeping pill consumption
The percentage of Americans taking sleeping pills has doubled since 2010, with about 8.4% of adults using them according to the CDC. This includes those who take sleep medication most nights (6%), every night (2%), or some nights (10%). Overall, the use of sleeping pills increases with age, with 5.6% of people between the ages of 18 and 44 taking sleeping pills, compared to 11.9% of people aged 65 and older.
Breaking this down further by age and gender, we can see that among men, the percentage taking sleep medication increased with age, from 4.7% of men aged 18–44, to 7.1% of men aged 45–64, and 10.1% of men aged 65 and over. For women, the use of sleep medication was less common among those aged 18–44 (6.5%), and more common in those aged 45–64 (13%) and 65 and over (13.5%). Thus, men were less likely to take sleep medication than women across all age groups.
In a 2013 survey, the use of prescription sleep aids was examined across different age groups. It found that about 2% of people in the youngest age group (20–39) reported using sleeping pills, while the rate of use increased to 6% for those aged 50–59 and 7% for those aged 80 and over.
While sleeping pills can be effective in treating sleep disorders like insomnia, they are typically designed for short-term use. Health experts advise against long-term use due to possible side effects, interference with other medications, and the risk of dependence and addiction. Instead, individuals struggling with sleep are encouraged to adopt better habits and educate themselves about sleep.
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Gender differences in consumption
According to a 2023 report by the CDC, women are 1.3 times more likely to experience insomnia and related sleep problems than men. This has resulted in women being more likely to use prescription sleeping pills than men. A 2020 study found that women were over 50% more likely to use prescription sleeping pills than men. This is also due to environmental and social circumstances that cause women to sleep less and have their sleep interrupted more than men. For example, women with children report much worse sleep quality and more frequent awakenings during the night than their male partners.
In 2020, 8.4% of American adults took sleep medication in the last 30 days either every day or most days. Women (10.2%) were more likely than men (6.6%) to take medication for sleep. Among men, the percentage who took medication for sleep increased with age, from 4.7% of men aged 18–44, to 7.1% of men aged 45–64, to 10.1% of men aged 65 and over. Among women, sleep medication use was less likely among those aged 18–44 (6.5%) than those aged 45–64 (13%) and those aged 65 and over (13.5%).
Sleeping pill use was also found to vary by race and ethnicity. Sleep medication was most commonly used by non-Hispanic White adults (10.4%), followed by non-Hispanic Black adults (6.1%) and Hispanic adults (4.6%), and least commonly by non-Hispanic Asian adults (2.8%). Among men, non-Hispanic White men (8%) were most likely to use sleep medication, while non-Hispanic Asian men (1.7%) were least likely. Among women, non-Hispanic White women (12.6%) were most likely to take sleep medication, while Hispanic women (5.4%) and non-Hispanic Asian women (3.9%) were least likely.
In addition, men with the highest incomes were less likely to take sleep medication than those in lower- and middle-income groups. This is in contrast to women, where there was no significant difference in sleep medication use between income groups.
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Side effects of sleeping pills
In 2020, 6.3% of American adults took sleep medication every day in the past 30 days, 2.1% took medication most days, 10% took medication some days, and 81.6% never took medication. The percentage of men who took medication for sleep increased with age, from 4.7% of men aged 18–44, to 7.1% of men aged 45–64, and 10.1% of men aged 65 and over. Among women, sleep medication use was less likely among those aged 18–44 (6.5%) than those aged 45–64 (13%) and those aged over 65 (13.5%). Overall, men were less likely to take sleep medication than women across all age groups.
Sleeping pills can cause a range of side effects. Firstly, they can be habit-forming, and taking them for too long can lead to dependence. When you stop taking the medication, your insomnia may come back worse than before, in what is known as rebound insomnia. Sleeping pills can also cause constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, digestive problems, and worsen snoring and sleep apnea. Benzodiazepines, a common type of sleeping pill, can cause problems with memory and attention and may lead to overdose if mixed with alcohol or other medications. Older adults are more susceptible to the side effects of sleeping pills, including confusion, memory issues, and balance problems, which can increase the risk of falls and hip fractures.
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Sleeping pill alternatives
According to a 2020 National Health Interview Survey, 6.3% of American adults took sleep medication every day in the last 30 days, 2.1% took medication most days, 10% took medication some days, and 81.6% never took medication. Among men, the percentage who took medication for sleep increased with age, from 4.7% of men aged 18–44, to 7.1% of men aged 45–64, and 10.1% of men aged 65 and over. For women, sleep medication use was less likely among those aged 18–44 (6.5%) than those aged 45–64 (13%) and those aged over 65 (13.5%). Overall, men were less likely to take medication for sleep than women across all age groups.
Sleeping pills are not always the best solution for insomnia and other sleep problems. Before taking any sleep medication, it is important to consult a doctor first to understand the options, benefits, and risks. There are many alternatives to sleeping pills, including non-medicated methods and over-the-counter and prescription medication. Here are some sleeping pill alternatives:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is a form of talk therapy that can help improve insomnia and other sleep problems. Research suggests that CBT can be more effective than prescription sleep medicines.
- Healthy Sleep Habits: Good sleep habits, such as avoiding electronics before bedtime, sticking to a sleep-wake routine, avoiding caffeine in the late afternoon, and limiting naps, can improve your quality of sleep.
- Physical Activity: Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.
- Melatonin Supplements: Melatonin helps control the sleep-wake cycle. It doesn't directly make you sleepy but helps promote sleep. It is most helpful if taken an hour before bedtime and comes in short-acting and long-acting forms.
- Other Over-the-Counter Options: There are many over-the-counter sleep aids available, such as antihistamines, that can help with occasional sleeplessness. However, it is important to be aware of potential side effects and risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Research suggests that around 20% of Americans take sleeping pills, with a report from the CDC in 2020 finding that 8.4% of American adults use sleeping medication most nights or every night, and 10% on some nights.
Women are more likely to take sleeping pills than men, with 10.2% of women routinely using sleep medication compared to 6.6% of men.
Sleeping pill use increases with age, with 5.6% of people aged 18-44 taking sleeping pills compared to 11.9% of people 65 and older.
Yes, sleeping pills can be addictive, with many people becoming psychologically dependent on them, believing they can't sleep without them.
Sleeping pills can cause side effects such as rebound insomnia, hallucinations, depression, and suicide ideation. They can also create a dependency and may disguise deeper health issues.
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