Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping pills are a common intervention for insomnia and other sleep disorders, but they come with a risk of overdose and addiction. An overdose can occur due to misuse, accidental ingestion, or combination with other substances, and can lead to severe health complications, including death. While modern sleeping pills are safer than their predecessors, death from an overdose is still possible, especially if combined with other substances. Taking eight sleeping pills would likely result in a severe overdose, causing serious health complications and possibly death.
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What You'll Learn
You could overdose
While modern sleeping pills are safer than their predecessors, it is still possible to overdose on them, especially if you take them with other substances. Sleeping pills work by depressing the central nervous system, and an overdose can slow body functions to a dangerous degree, causing unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and even death.
An overdose occurs when someone takes too much of a substance, and accidental overdoses on sleeping pills can happen when someone becomes dependent on the medication but then finds that they need to take more to get the desired effect. This can lead to them taking too much. Mixing sleeping pills with other drugs or alcohol can also cause an overdose, and this combination can be fatal. Mixing sleeping pills with opioids, for example, has been the cause of many sedative-related overdose deaths. Mixing sleeping pills with alcohol can cause someone to stop breathing and may result in death.
The signs of a sleeping pill overdose can be physical or psychological. Physically, someone may experience extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, trouble breathing, and clumsiness. Psychologically, they may experience severe drowsiness, confusion, and unresponsiveness. If someone is displaying these symptoms, it is important to call emergency services immediately. Treatment for a sleeping pill overdose may involve administering naloxone or flumazenil, which can reverse the effects of the overdose, although this should only be done by someone who is trained.
It is important to note that sleeping pills are recommended for short-term use only and should be used in conjunction with other treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy. They can be addictive, and dependence and withdrawal symptoms are possible side effects.
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You could experience parasomnias
While the number of pills required for an overdose varies depending on the type of medication and the dose, taking eight sleeping pills is likely to result in an overdose, which can have serious health consequences. One of the side effects of taking sleeping pills is parasomnias, which are movements, behaviours, and actions that occur during sleep that the individual is unaware of, such as sleepwalking. These complex sleep behaviours can be dangerous and are considered a potentially harmful side effect of some sleeping pills.
Parasomnias are challenging to detect once the medication takes effect, and the likelihood of their occurrence increases with dosage. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the prescribed dosage to minimise the risk of experiencing parasomnias and other adverse effects.
The occurrence of parasomnias during sleep can be concerning, as individuals may engage in activities that can potentially harm themselves or others without being conscious of their actions. While the person experiencing parasomnia is asleep and unaware of their surroundings, they may exhibit behaviours that can lead to injuries or accidents. This can include getting up and walking around, engaging in routine activities, or even performing complex actions that require a certain level of alertness, all while remaining asleep.
The unpredictability of parasomnias can pose challenges in managing and preventing them. Once an individual starts experiencing parasomnias, it becomes difficult to intervene or wake them up. This is because they are in a state of sleep, and their actions are beyond their control. As a result, ensuring the safety of the person experiencing parasomnias and those around them becomes a priority.
The specific actions and behaviours exhibited during parasomnias can vary widely. While some individuals may engage in relatively harmless activities, such as sleepwalking to the kitchen or engaging in repetitive movements, others may perform complex and potentially dangerous tasks, such as cooking, driving, or handling sharp objects. The range of possible behaviours during parasomnias highlights the importance of seeking medical advice and taking sleeping pills only as directed by a healthcare professional.
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You could become addicted
While taking eight sleeping pills would likely constitute an overdose, which can be fatal, this answer will focus on the prompt's request to discuss the risk of addiction.
Sleeping pills are recommended for short-term use only, often as part of a broader treatment plan that includes lifestyle modifications and, in some cases, cognitive behavioural therapy. Healthcare providers recommend trying other methods to improve sleep before turning to sleeping pills. This is because the long-term risks often outweigh the benefits of taking sleep aids, and the body may become dependent on them. This is known as rebound insomnia, and it can make insomnia worse than before.
Sleeping pills such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines can be addictive, and this risk increases when a person takes more than the prescribed dose or combines sleeping pills with other substances. Dependence and withdrawal can also occur when people take their medication as prescribed. Around 60% of people who take benzodiazepines for longer than six months experience mild withdrawal symptoms, while 40% experience moderate to severe symptoms. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be life-threatening, so it is important to only stop taking them under the supervision of a doctor.
If misuse turns into addiction, drug rehab centres can provide the support needed to recover safely.
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You could suffer side effects like drowsiness
While the number of pills that constitute an overdose varies depending on the type of medication and the dose, taking eight sleeping pills is likely to result in an overdose, which can have severe health complications and even be life-threatening.
Sleeping pills can also cause parasomnias, which are movements, behaviours, and actions that occur during sleep that the person is unaware of, such as sleepwalking. These side effects are rare but become more likely if you increase your dosage.
It is important to note that sleeping pills are recommended for short-term use only and should be part of a broader treatment plan that includes lifestyle modifications and, in some cases, cognitive behavioural therapy. Healthcare providers often advise against the habitual use of sleeping pills, suggesting they be used only as needed, generally no more than two to three times a week.
If you or someone you know is experiencing negative side effects from taking sleeping pills, it is important to seek medical advice.
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You could experience withdrawal
While the number of sleeping pills that would constitute an overdose varies depending on the type of medication, taking 8 sleeping pills would likely result in an overdose, which can lead to severe health complications and even death. Sleeping pills work by depressing the central nervous system, and an overdose can slow body functions to the point of causing unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and death. Mixing sleeping pills with other substances, especially depressants like alcohol or opioids, can be particularly dangerous and increase the risk of a fatal overdose.
Sleeping pills can be addictive, and dependence and withdrawal symptoms can occur even when individuals take their medication as prescribed. Withdrawal symptoms can include rebound insomnia, which is when your insomnia comes back worse than before. This can happen when your body becomes dependent on the sleeping pills, and you may experience worsened sleep issues if you reduce your dose or stop taking the medication. It is important to consult a healthcare professional if you plan to stop taking sleeping pills, as they can advise you on how to do so safely.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal, in particular, can be life-threatening, and medical supervision is strongly recommended when discontinuing this type of medication. Around 60% of people who take benzodiazepines for longer than six months experience mild withdrawal symptoms, while 40% experience moderate to severe symptoms. Tapering the medication gradually under the direction of a doctor can help mitigate the risks associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal.
The risk of addiction and withdrawal is greater when individuals take more than their prescribed dose or combine sleeping pills with other substances. It is important to follow the prescribed dosage and avoid mixing sleeping pills with other drugs or alcohol to reduce the risk of overdose and addiction.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of sleeping pill and the dose. Sleeping pills are generally safe at the recommended dosage, but taking too many can lead to an overdose, which can be fatal. An overdose may occur if you take too much of the drug or combine it with other drugs that enhance its effects. If you or someone you know has taken 8 sleeping pills, seek immediate medical attention.
Signs of a sleeping pill overdose can manifest physically and psychologically. They include slowed breathing, unresponsiveness, severe drowsiness, confusion, extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, breathing trouble, and clumsiness. If any of these symptoms are observed, call emergency services immediately.
If you suspect someone has overdosed on sleeping pills, immediately call emergency services and provide any relevant information about the number of pills taken and any other substances that may have been involved. Do not leave the affected individual alone and ensure they are breathing adequately. If they are not breathing, administer rescue breathing by tilting their head back, pinching their nose closed, and giving two slow breaths followed by one breath every 5 seconds.
To prevent a sleeping pill overdose, it is crucial to follow the prescribed dosage, avoid mixing sleeping pills with alcohol or other drugs, and store the medication securely. Sleeping pills are recommended for short-term use only and should not be used long-term without consulting a healthcare professional. If you are experiencing sleep issues, consider trying other methods to improve your sleep, such as changing your sleeping environment or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
