Miya Pearson
Sleep disorders and deprivation are estimated to affect 50-70 million Americans, with insomnia being the most common sleep complaint. While the use of sleep aids is prevalent in the United States, it is interesting to note that the rate of prescription sleep aid use is lower than the general prevalence of insomnia. In 2020, 8.4% of adults took sleep medication in the last 30 days, with women (10.2%) being more likely than men (6.6%) to do so. The use of sleep medication generally increases with age, with 11.9% of those aged 65 and over taking sleep medication. When it comes to prescription sleep aids, around 8% of adults in the United States reported using them in 2022, while 11% used non-medicinal sleep aids.
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What You'll Learn
- Prescription sleep aid use is higher among women than men
- Sleep aid use increases with age
- Non-Hispanic white adults use more sleep aids than non-Hispanic black and Mexican-American adults
- Sleep aids include hypnotic drugs and antidepressants
- Natural sleep aids are more popular than prescription sleep aids
Prescription sleep aid use is higher among women than men
In the United States, around 8% of adults reported using prescription sleep medication in 2022, while 11% used non-medicinal sleep aids. Prescription sleep aid use is generally higher among women than men, with reported usage by women ranging from 4% to 5% compared to 3.1% for men. The higher rate of prescription sleep aid use among women may be influenced by several factors, including biological, social, and cultural factors.
Firstly, insomnia, the most common sleep complaint, is more prevalent in women than men. Insomnia involves difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up too early, or feeling unrefreshed despite adequate sleep opportunity. As insomnia symptoms are more frequently reported by women, they may be more likely to seek prescription sleep aids as a treatment option.
Secondly, social and cultural norms may play a role in the higher prescription sleep aid usage among women. Women are often expected to conform to specific societal expectations and roles, which can result in additional stress, anxiety, and pressure. These factors can contribute to sleep difficulties, leading women to turn to prescription sleep aids for relief.
Additionally, biological factors unique to women, such as hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause, can impact sleep patterns and quality. These hormonal changes can disrupt sleep, leading to an increased need for sleep aids among women.
It is worth noting that prescription sleep aid use also varies with age, education level, and race/ethnicity. Older adults, those with higher education levels, and non-Hispanic white adults are more likely to use prescription sleep aids. Sleep duration also plays a role, with higher usage among those who sleep less than 5 hours or more than 9 hours.
While prescription sleep aids can provide temporary relief, it is important to address the underlying causes of sleep difficulties. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective long-term treatment for insomnia, helping individuals modify negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that impact sleep. Additionally, identifying and treating co-occurring conditions such as depression or chronic pain is crucial for improving sleep quality.
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Sleep aid use increases with age
Sleep is an essential factor in overall health, especially as we age. However, sleep issues are often not recognized as a health problem, with many people believing that a lack of sleep is a natural part of aging. This perception needs to change, as sleep difficulties can lead to various negative health outcomes, including an increased risk of injury, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression.
The use of sleep aids among Americans is quite common, with 81% of Americans having tried a natural sleep aid or supplement to help them fall or stay asleep. This includes natural supplements like melatonin, chamomile, and magnesium. While natural sleep aids are popular, around 8% of adults in the United States reported using prescription sleep medication in 2022, and 11% used non-medicinal sleep aids like tea or melatonin.
The use of sleep aids increases with age, and this trend is observed in both men and women. In 2020, 5.6% of adults aged 18-44 used sleep medication, while this number increased to 10.1% for those aged 45-64 and 11.9% for those aged 65 and over. Among men, the percentage increased from 4.7% for those aged 18-44 to 7.1% for those 45-64 and 10.1% for those 65 and over. Similarly, for women, sleep medication use was lower for those aged 18-44 (6.5%) compared to those aged 45-64 (13%) and those 65 and over (13.5%).
The use of prescription sleep aids is also influenced by factors such as gender, race, and education. Women are more likely to use prescription sleep aids than men, with 5.0% of women reporting use compared to 3.1% of men. Non-Hispanic white adults reported higher usage (4.7%) than non-Hispanic black (2.5%) and Mexican-American adults (2.0%). Additionally, the prevalence of sleep aids usage is higher among adults with less education.
While many people turn to sleep aids for help, it is important to recognize that they are not a cure for sleep problems. As Preeti Malani, M.D., a U-M physician, states, "sleep problems can happen at any age and for many reasons, but they can't be cured by taking a pill, either prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal." Instead of relying solely on sleep aids, individuals experiencing sleep difficulties should consult a doctor and consider other treatment options, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can effectively address the underlying causes of insomnia.
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Non-Hispanic white adults use more sleep aids than non-Hispanic black and Mexican-American adults
According to the CDC, around 8% of Americans used sleeping aids in 2022, with 8.4% of adults taking sleep medication every day or most days in 2020. While prescription sleep aids are one of the treatment options for sleep disorders, their long-term use has been associated with adverse health outcomes.
Non-Hispanic white adults were more likely to use sleep aids (4.7%) than non-Hispanic black (2.5%) and Mexican-American adults (2.0%). This disparity is consistent with the overall trend of higher sleep aid usage among non-Hispanic white adults compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
Several factors contribute to the variation in sleep aid usage across different racial and ethnic groups. Cultural differences in sleep habits and practices, as well as disparities in access to healthcare and treatment options, may play a role. Additionally, socioeconomic factors, such as income and education levels, can influence an individual's ability to seek professional help for sleep issues and access sleep aids.
Furthermore, the prevalence of sleep disorders and deprivation may differ across racial and ethnic groups, impacting the need for sleep aids. Stress, trauma, and environmental factors can also contribute to variations in sleep patterns and the need for sleep aids among different populations.
Addressing these disparities requires a comprehensive approach that includes improving access to healthcare services, promoting cultural competency in sleep medicine, and addressing the social determinants of health that impact sleep habits and disorders. By understanding and tackling the underlying factors contributing to these disparities, we can work towards ensuring equitable access to effective sleep treatments for all populations.
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Sleep aids include hypnotic drugs and antidepressants
Sleep aids are used to induce or maintain sleep by suppressing activities in the central nervous system. In 2022, around 8% of adults in the United States reported using prescription sleep aids, while 11% reported using non-medicinal sleep aids. Prescription sleep aid use is higher among women (5.0%) than men (3.1%), and among non-Hispanic white adults (4.7%) compared to non-Hispanic black (2.5%) and Mexican-American adults (2.0%). Sleep aids can include hypnotic drugs and four types of antidepressants or sedative medications commonly prescribed for insomnia or depression. Hypnotic sleep aids include zolpidem, which has a rapid onset and short duration of action, making it a good choice for treating sleep-onset insomnia. It produces no significant residual sedation in the morning. The extended-release version, Ambien CR, is useful for insomnia characterised by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance. The higher-dose sublingual product, Edluar, is also available for sleep-onset and/or sleep-maintenance insomnia.
Antidepressants are also used as sleep aids, particularly for people who have both depression and a sleep problem. Mirtazapine, for example, has sedative properties that can help with sleep-onset insomnia. Trazodone, a non-tricyclic antidepressant, also has sedative effects and is used to consolidate sleep. It is an antagonist at the type 2 serotonin (5-HT2) receptor and inhibits the reuptake of 5-HT. It has negligible affinity for cholinergic and histaminergic receptors. Amitriptyline is another tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) with sedative effects. While these medications can be effective in treating insomnia and promoting sleep, it is important to note that sleeping pills can have side effects and are not recommended for long-term use. They may be helpful in certain cases, but providers typically prescribe them for short-term relief only.
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Natural sleep aids are more popular than prescription sleep aids
Sleep disorders and deprivation affect 50-70 million Americans, with insomnia being the most common sleep complaint. While prescription sleep aids are one of the treatment options, they are not the most popular. In fact, a CDC analysis found that the rate of prescription sleep aid use is lower than the general prevalence of insomnia.
Natural sleep aids and supplements are more commonly used than over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids. A Sleepopolis survey found that 81% of Americans have tried a natural sleep aid or supplement to help them fall and/or stay asleep. Melatonin was the most popular, with 71% of those surveyed having tried it. Other natural sleep aids include chamomile, magnesium, and individual nutrients.
In contrast, only 6% of survey respondents said they take a prescription sleep aid, and 7% take over-the-counter medication. While prescription sleep aids are less popular, they are still used by a significant number of Americans. According to a 2020 National Health Interview Survey, 8.4% of adults took sleep medication in the last 30 days, with the percentage increasing with age. Among older adults, 14% regularly took a prescription sleep medication, prescription pain medication, OTC sleep aid, or herbal supplement to help them sleep.
There are several reasons why natural sleep aids are more popular than prescription sleep aids. Firstly, natural sleep aids are generally considered safe for long-term use, whereas prescription sleep aids are typically recommended for short-term use. Additionally, natural sleep aids are easily accessible and do not require a prescription. Furthermore, some people may prefer natural remedies over pharmaceutical interventions due to concerns about side effects or interactions with other medications.
It is important to note that while natural sleep aids are popular, they may not be effective for everyone. As Michael A. Grandner, PhD, director of the sleep and health research program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, notes, "most sleep aids are probably safe long-term, but if you feel like you need them for a long period of time, I would suggest you seek out a sleep specialist." Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective long-term treatment for insomnia that involves modifying attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that negatively impact sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2022, 8% of American adults used prescription sleep medication, while 11% used non-medicinal sleep aids.
In 2020, 6.3% of Americans 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. The use of prescription sleep aids is higher among women (5%) than men (3.1%).
81% of Americans have tried a natural sleep aid or supplement.
One in three older Americans take something to help them sleep.
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