How many sleeping pills can you take

If you need help longer, they suggest you only take the medication as needed, such as three nights weekly. Quitting abruptly can cause rebound insomnia — three to four days of more severe insomnia than usual. Patients can even experience rebound insomnia even after only brief use.

Instead, Dr. Vensel-Rundo says, gradually wean yourself off over days or weeks. If you take a sleep aid nightly, reduce the dose for a week or two. Repeat this pattern until you no longer need the medication. Insomnia is fairly common, with nearly 50 percent of Americans reporting occasional insomnia.

More than 20 percent struggle with it every night. Women are slightly more likely to experience it than men, as are adults older than age Eventually, insomnia can lead to heart disease, depression, and injury due to falls or other accidents.

Someone who is addicted to sleeping pills will experience intense drug cravings, be unable to sleep without taking a pill, and lie to their loved ones or doctor about their drug use. People who are addicted to sleeping pills are more likely to take a higher dose than they should or to mix their pills with drugs and alcohol, therefore, increasing the risk of overdose and other negative consequences.

Once addicted, people will experience withdrawal symptoms if they attempt to stop taking the drug abruptly. These withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous but medical detox programs can provide support and monitoring to keep individuals safe and comfortable. Many people get addicted to their sleeping pills without knowing the possible risks of overdose, dependence, withdrawal, and more.

Fortunately, people just like you have overcome their addiction and have learned to live sober. Call now to speak to a dedicated treatment provider.

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. She currently practices in the public domain in South Africa. She has an interest in medical writing and has a keen interest in evidence-based medicine. Popular Post Recent Post. Most people would assume… Read More. Addiction Treatment. This substance is a… Read More. Does Everyone Abuse Adderall?

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Sedative-hypnotic sleeping pills are not recommended for long-term use, as they can actually start to hinder sleep if they are used regularly for an extended period of time or cause withdrawal if a person suddenly tries to stop using them. Sleeping pills can also cause negative side effects, even if they are used as directed. For example, sleeping pills can sometimes make people feel tired, drowsy, or groggy during the day.

They can also cause:. Taking too many sleeping pills at once or taking sleeping pills and alcohol simultaneously can cause a deadly overdose. Many sleeping pill overdose deaths may be accidental, but some are intentional suicides. If a person becomes severely depressed, he or she may abuse sleeping pills with other drugs to intentionally overdose. In , 47, Americans died by suicide and Alternatively, not all sleeping pill overdoses result in death. Many drug overdoses cause brain damage or physical injury that can leave a person dealing with painful side effects for hours or indefinitely.

Although the sleeping pills prescribed today are safer than some of the ones previously prescribed in the past, there is still a risk of overdose with very high doses of drugs like Ambien, Sonata, and Lunesta, among others. If someone becomes addicted, he or she may have cravings for sleeping pills, be unable to ever fall asleep without them, take larger or more frequent doses than necessary, or keep taking sleeping pills despite the negative consequences.

Once a person becomes addicted to sleeping pills, he or she may experience moderate or severe withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit or cut back. Sleeping pill withdrawal symptoms may include:. People often turn to sleeping pills because they are struggling with insomnia and are suffering physically and psychologically from a severe lack of sleep.