/assets/images/provider/photos/2743055.jpeg)
Sleeping Pill Dependence: Warning Signs and Treatment Options
Do you feel like you’re not getting the sleep you need to feel alert and energetic the next day? You’re definitely not alone. In fact, data show more than half of Americans are deficient in sleep, leaving them fatigued and at a higher risk of illnesses and accidents.
There are many reasons people don’t get enough sleep. Stress is a major cause of sleep problems, along with busy lifestyles, poor diet, too much screen time, and not enough exercise.
For many, turning to sleeping pills might seem like a simple way to catch those z’s and feel more rested during the day. But over time, sleeping pills can lead to a cycle that leaves you feeling dependent on the medication and unable to manage sleep on your own.
At Atlanta Insomnia and Behavioral Health Services, our team helps women and men deal with insomnia and other sleep issues with cognitive behavioral therapy designed specifically for sleep problems (CBT-I).
In this post, we review the cycle of sleeping pill dependency and how CBT-I can help you beat it.
How sleeping pill dependence happens
Sleeping pills are available over the counter, and that means many people don’t appreciate how dangerous they can be. Even so-called sleep supplements featuring melatonin can lead to dependence when used too frequently.
Like other types of medication, sleeping aids create a cycle in which your body can become psychologically or even physically dependent on them. That means when you try to stop taking them, you may find your sleep problems return, sometimes even stronger than they were initially.
Typically, dependence begins with intermittent use of sleep aids to treat occasional insomnia. As use increases, the body develops a dependence on medications — a dependence that can even become addictive.
Physical and psychological dependence makes it harder to taper off on your own, and decreasing your dose too quickly can lead to other symptoms, like irritability, tremors, and cramps. Your symptoms of insomnia and other sleep disorders can increase, too.
Signs of dependence
Knowing the signs of sleeping pill dependence is important for seeking help early. One of the earliest signs is increased tolerance, meaning you need to take more medication to achieve the desired effects.
Likewise, using more of a medication than what’s recommended indicates a problem.
Other symptoms include:
- Withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using the medication
- “Doctor shopping” for prescription medications
- Problems sleeping without medication
- Problems at work or in social settings
Like other types of addiction, symptoms tend to get worse without proper treatment.
Treating sleeping pill dependence
Medical intervention for sleeping pill dependence and addiction is aimed at eliminating the need for medication by promoting healthy sleep habits and relieving the underlying cause of sleep problems.
Our team specializes in psychotherapy focused on sleep health, including CBT-I. CBT-I gets to the root cause of sleep issues and helps patients develop behaviors that support normal, healthy sleep.
With therapy, we help women and men identify anxieties and stressors that underpin many sleep disorders, then we use therapeutic techniques to help you replace negative thought patterns with healthy behaviors conducive to sleep.
At the same time, we teach healthy lifestyle habits that promote better sleep, including an optimized bedtime routine, stress management activities, and key changes to your sleeping environment.
That might include eliminating electronic use an hour or more before bedtime, cutting back on caffeine, and establishing regular sleeping times to set the stage for sleep.
Over time, you learn how to fall asleep and stay asleep on your own, for better quality sleep without the need for medication.
Kick your sleeping pill habit
Sleeping pills and supplements might seem like an easy fix, but they can quickly lead to more problems than you bargained for.
To learn how CBT-I can help you enjoy better sleep naturally, request an appointment online or over the phone today with our team at Atlanta Insomnia and Behavioral Health Services in Decatur, Georgia.