Taking prescription sleeping pills for insomnia has become very controversial in our society today. Sleeping pills should only be taken on a short-term basis. They can be highly addictive and have dangerous side effects. Individuals who take sleeping pills for a prolonged period can very easily become dependent on them. They may not be able to fall asleep or stay asleep without them, even when they are taken as prescribed. Most sleeping pills are classified as “sedative hypnotics.”
Prescription Sleeping Pills for Insomnia May Not be the Answer
If you see a doctor who freely prescribes sleeping pills for you, you may want to second-think your decision. A physician should first look at what the underlying causes of your insomnia may be such as a recent death in the family, divorce, or other stressful situations.
For instance, your physician should ask if you are napping during the days. If so, this could be your problem with sleeping at night. If you are ingesting large amounts of caffeine during the day and night, the caffeine may be the culprit of your insomnia. Exercising regularly may be the answer to your insomnia. There are a number of natural remedies you can try before you resort to taking prescription sleeping pills for insomnia.
Side Effects of Prescription Sleeping Pills
- Feeling sleepy or groggy during the day
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Performance problems during the day
- Headache
- Gastrointestinal problems
You may also have other dangerous side effects like driving a car when you are not fully awake. Driving while still under the influence of sleeping pills can cause a number of dangers to you and to others. Your doctor should only prescribe sleeping pills to you on a trial basis until you know what kinds of effects you may have from this drug.
Abusing or Misusing Rx Sleeping Aids or Pills
Individuals build a tolerance to sleeping pills just as they do opioids or benzodiazepines if taken for a long period. Once this happens, a person may start to abuse the medication by taking more of it than the doctor is prescribing. Abusing prescription sleeping pills for insomnia will lead to a dependence on the drug or addiction.
Signs of sleeping pill abuse include, but are not limited to:
- Inability to focus
- Slurred speech
- Unsteady gait
- Uncoordinated movements
- Unusual euphoria
- Impaired memory
Other side effects might include depression, irregular heart rate, and high blood pressure. Once abusing prescription sleeping pills, you may find yourself craving them during the daytime only to receive the euphoric feelings from the drugs. You should remember that abusing prescription sleeping pills just as abusing any other prescription drug is extremely dangerous and can end in death.
Seek Help for Prescription Sleeping Pill Abuse or Addiction
If you find yourself abusing prescription sleeping pills, seek help from a licensed inpatient addiction treatment facility. There are many reputable addiction rehabs available from which to choose. These facilities have a staff on hand that will see you through a safe detoxification process to remove the toxins from your body.
After the detoxification process is complete, the specialists can design a treatment program that will fit your individual needs. Contact one of our representatives at New Beginnings to learn more about a program that can help you rid yourself of the addiction to prescription sleeping pills. You can live a healthy life being a productive member of society and remain drug-free in the future. Our informed representatives can answer any questions you may have about treatment programs that are offered.
- webmd.com – Understanding the Side Effects of Sleeping Pills
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