4.1% of people use sleeping pills for a variety of reasons. One thing that is cause for concern when it comes to pills is sleeping pills overdose.
If you’re reading this, it’s safe to assume you’re interested in educating yourself about sleeping pill abuse and other things that have to do with this type of addiction.
Below we’re going to provide you with the comprehensive guide you’ve been looking for.
Reasons People Use Sleeping Pills
As mentioned above, there are several reasons that people use sleeping pills. One reason is their experiencing issues getting to sleep at night and staying asleep.
Sleeping pills are supposed to be a way of helping people improve their cycle of sleep and get into a better routine that helps improve their overall wellbeing, but this doesn’t always work, especially when a person begins to abuse the pills.
While someone might begin using sleeping pills for the right reasons, it’s not uncommon for them to begin abusing the pills. If you or someone you know experiences chronic sleep loss, there can be several reasons to occur.
If you’re experiencing any physical pain, whether from surgery, injury, or chronic bodily pains, the discomfort can cause you to lay awake at night, looking for ways to get comfortable before going to sleep.
If your family has a history of struggling with issues like insomnia, this might be a reason you’re using sleeping pills. We all experience stress in our daily lives, but for some, the stress is higher than it should be.
Due to the stress you might experience in your life, it could cause you not to get the right amount of sleep at night. Stress can keep your mind racing and make it challenging for your body to prepare for a restful night of sleep.
Side Effects of Sleeping Pills
Much like with any medication you might be taking, there are bound to be some side effects. These side effects can be adjusted or minimized depending on how many pills you’re taking or the dosage your doctor has prescribed to you.
If you’re unsure if someone in your life is using sleeping pills, there are some signs of this abuse.
Increased Clumsiness
When a person is under the influence of sleeping pills, you can expect an increase in clumsiness. This is partially due to fatigue that a person is experiencing and the increased drowsiness of sleeping pills.
If someone is acting as if they’re drunk in excess, this is a sign that they’re using more sleeping pills than they’re being prescribed.
Pain in the Abdominal Region
There are several reasons that a person might experience abdominal pain when abusing sleeping pills. One common reason is constipation that often occurs when you’re taking any medication.
Another reason that you might experience abdominal pains is if you’ve lost your appetite. You could have abdominal pains because when you don’t eat, the acid in your stomach doesn’t go away, increasing the amount of irritation you might feel.
Breathing Inconsistencies
Sleeping pills affect the way someone breathes. Someone that is under the influence of sleeping pills might have slow breathing.
When a person is overdosing on sleeping pills, one of the signs is slow or nonexistent breathing. If you notice that someone has stopped breathing before calling 911, you need to administer CPR.
Commonly Abused Sleeping Pills
There are several types of sleeping pills that people might abuse. Some of the sleeping pills people use are known as Z-drugs. Barbiturate is a sedative that is beneficial for people that suffer from seizures and anxiety.
However, one risk of taking this medication is developing an addiction because of how powerful the drug is. Another commonly abused sleeping pill is known as Benzodiazepines.
While this is the official name for these pills, you might find several other names, , Diazepam/ Valium, and Klonopin. This is another sedative.
But can make it easier to control panic attacks and other sleep problems that a person might be experiencing.
OxyContin isn’t a sleeping pill but is known as a painkiller. It’s typically given to people the following surgery as a way to manage pain or discomfort they might endure.
What To Do?
Equipped with this information, the next step for yourself or someone you know is abusing sleeping pills is to seek help. Admitting you’ve got a problem is the first step into getting your life back on track.
When you enter treatment, the first thing that will happen is detox. You can’t be open to the things you’ll learn in treatment and ways to cope with your triggers if your mind is clouded by the sleeping pills lingering in your system.
After you’ve made it through detox, you can then begin to take part in both individual and group therapy sessions. During group therapy sessions, you’ll get to share your experiences with others that have been in the same situation as you.
During individual sessions, you will work with a counselor to dive deeper into your addiction and gain more understanding about ways to cope with potential triggers, and beginning taking steps to learn better and healthier habits.
Sleeping Pills Overdose: What You Need to Know
Sleeping pills overdose will occur if you don’t stop using or don’t get your loved one the help they need. Several types of sleeping pills are prescribed to help with several issues, from anxiety to sleep problems.
Are you ready to take the next step and seek treatment? If so, contact ReAlign Detox.
We’re here to help you and offer the resources you need to get sober and remain sober.