Many people use prescription medication to help with insomnia and disruptive sleep patterns. These medications known as sleeping pills are designed for short-term use to help a patient sleep through the night. As with other drugs, many of the prescription sleeping pills are addictive when taken longer and more often than needed.

There are many reasons why people have difficulty sleeping at night. Work and stress affect sleep patterns and can cause insomnia. Substance abuse is another reason. People who excessively use other drugs, alcohol, coffee, or smoke are at risk of developing insomnia.

Medical illness, pain, anxiety, and obesity can make falling asleep challenging.

Sleeping pills are usually safe when they are taken as prescribed. When sleeping pills are taken with other psychiatric or pain medications, they can be deadly. Sleeping pills often have side effects that can affect daily activities. Some of the side effects are:

• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Poor work performance
• Poor coordination
• Drowsiness during the day
• Accidents
• Interactions with other medications
• Increased risk of death

For some people, insomnia is a symptom of a psychiatric disorder or substance abuse problem. A person’s insomnia could be cured with the diagnosis and treatment of a psychiatric disorder. Discontinuing the sleeping pills should be done gradually by lowering the dose because some individuals experience uncomfortable withdrawals.

Some sleep medications cause parasomnia, which is an abnormal behavior that a person does not remember after taking the medication. This is a common side effect of sleep medications. Some people eat, walk, and even drive while sleeping. Individuals who exhibit these behaviors are not in control of their own actions and are a threat to themselves and others.

Individuals might use sleeping pills to enhance the effects of drugs or alcohol. Sleep medication will intensify the effects of drugs or alcohol, which is a deadly combination. A person can be tempted to abuse these substances as a way to escape problems and stress.

Treatment is available for people with a sleeping pill addiction. The treatment process will help individuals return to healthy sleep patterns, increase energy, and better concentration.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, get help now. Cypress Lake Recovery specializes in holistic treatment for addiction and addictive behaviors with a focus on healing the mind, body, and spirit. The staff at Cypress Lake Recovery is compassionate and committed to the overall health and well-being of every client.

Cypress Lake Recovery specializes in addiction treatment and is located in a serene, remote, lush-green, oxygen enriched environment. The program encompasses holistic addiction therapy and offers yoga and meditation for the mind, body, and soul. The focus is on physical, mental, and emotional well-being by generating the balance of life-enriching treatment, wellness, and healthy, sober, sustainable relationships. Call us to get started: 409-331-2204