Last week’s Daily Mail headline highlighted the growing problem of becoming addicted to sleeping tablets. This is something that we have noticed here at The Haynes Clinic. We have many clients coming in for rehab with this addiction. For instance, for some it is their sole dependency; for others, it comes alongside some other addiction be it alcohol, other prescription medications or the use of illegal drugs.
Side effects
Side effects of sleeping tablets include daytime drowsiness. Although this may improve after a few days, higher doses may leave users feeling sleepy well into the morning. Other side effects include problems with coordination, memory loss and a bitter taste in the mouth.
If you take sleeping tablets for any length of time, your body will become accustomed to the drug in your bloodstream. In addition, because your body comes to expect the medication, not taking it will cause withdrawal. So your issues will become a lot more than ‘just’ having difficulty sleeping.
Addiction is generally a physical and psychological illness and addiction to sleeping tablets is no different. Patients feel that they are unable to cope without the drug, and the physical symptoms of withdrawal will bear this out. Many doctors continue to renew prescriptions without offering adequate support and information on withdrawal.
Withdrawal should be supervised by a doctor as symptoms include anxiety, tremors, sweating, mood changes, loss of appetite, headaches and mental problems, as well as a return of the original insomnia.
Help with coming off sleeping tablets
Although many people take sleeping pills for a week or so and then find they are able to find other ways to help them sleep. There are others who continue to take pills and have difficulty coming off them. The rate of reduction and coming off the tablets will depend on the individual. for example how long the medication has been taken, the dosage taken and the properties of the drug.
A gradual reduction should be undertaken supported by counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy. It is easier to have a totally supervised detox from the tablets. As a result, it can be difficult to adhere to the proposed reduction regime (as addiction has already been established).
Dependency to sleeping tablets is an addiction
Dealing with a dependency on sleeping tablets is in many ways similar to dealing with any other addiction. It is safer and more effective to detox in a rehab clinic. While detoxing, the issues leading to the individual taking the medication in the first place can be addressed if necessary, alongside any other issues that have affected their psychological well being since then.
Sleeping pills should really only be prescribed for short term help in times of crisis and should never be used by those who have addictive personalities or a past history of addiction. Prescription drug addiction and misue is a growing problem.
We can help people who suffer from addiction to alcohol, drugs, food and gambling. You can book a free assessment with us and come and look around our clinic with no obligations. You can alternatively just call us. If rehab is not an option and we can guide you to the services that are available to you in your area.
Call the Haynes Clinic on 01462 851414 for confidential advice with your addiction.
