When taking sleeping pills turns into abuse

Sleeping pills are some of the most widely used medications in America. For many people, they provide relief from insomnia or other sleep issues. However, far too often, the beneficial use of these medications turns into an addiction. By knowing how problems develop, you increase the odds that you will remain unaffected. This means that you can escape the need for sleeping pill addiction treatment.

Fortunately, if treatment is required, effective recovery options are available. At Women’s Recovery, we specialize in outpatient sleeping pill addiction treatment for women. We also provide longer-term help designed to promote your ongoing sobriety. Our combined approach makes it easier to recover from addiction and restore your sense of day-to-day well-being. To learn more about the risks of taking sleeping pills, reach out to an addiction specialist by calling 833.754.0554.

Most prescription sleeping pills available today are part of a group of substances called benzodiazepines. Common medications belonging to this large category:

• Xanax, or alprazolam
• Versed or midazolam
• Librium, or chlordiazepoxide
• Ativan, or lorazepam
• Halcion, or triazolam
• Valium, or diazepam

Doctors may also prescribe sleeping pills from another group of substances called barbiturates. Barbiturates have been around longer than benzodiazepines. However, their use comes with a higher risk for serious side effects.

Medications in both groups can help you sleep, but they are also addictive. For this reason, doctors only prescribe them in limited doses. In addition, they only prescribe them for limited amounts of time.

If you stick to the terms of your prescription, sleeping pill use is typically safe. But the situation changes when you misuse or abuse these medications. There are several ways to do this, including:

• Taking sleeping pills in higher doses than prescribed
• Using them more often than prescribed
• Consuming sleeping pills without a valid prescription
• Taking them for recreational purposes
• Crushing your pills or doing other things to speed up their effects

Sleeping pill misuse is not uncommon. In fact, it happens every day, and millions of Americans are affected. Statistics show that women take sleeping pills more often than men. This means that women have a higher rate of exposure to misuse of these medications.

If you abuse an addictive sleeping pill often enough, it will begin to alter your normal brain function. Soon, you may find that your actions are no longer voluntary. Instead, you have entered a state of involuntary sleeping pill dependence. Addiction occurs when dependence takes center stage and drives your everyday thoughts and behaviors.

Sleeping pill addiction is a treatable condition. If you are severely affected by addiction, you may need help from an inpatient program. However, many people can recover in an outpatient or intensive outpatient program. These programs allow you to seek treatment while still living at home.

Effective treatment usually involves both medication and psychotherapy. Medication is mostly used to help you avoid severe withdrawal symptoms.

The bulk of recovery is based on therapy. Therapy enables you to understand your addiction. It also allows you recognize thoughts and behaviors likely to keep you going back to drug and alcohol use. In addition, therapy helps you avoid future problems by developing new ways of thinking and behaving.

To learn more about the dangers of sleeping pills, contact Women’s Recovery today. We’ll help you understand your risks and avoid problems. You can also turn to Women’s Recovery for sleeping pill addiction treatment. Our specialized outpatient services provide the help you need to break the cycle of sleeping pill misuse. Furthermore, you can continue your recovery in our gender-specific supportive housing facilities. For more details, call us at 833.754.0554 or take a few minutes to fill out our online form.