Sleeping Pills: How They Work, Side Effects, Risks & Types

August 13th, 2021

If you or someone you know is struggling with the misuse of sleeping pills, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Regardless of the specific treatment, the goal is to stabilize the patient, manage symptoms, and prevent further harm. Recovery from an overdose of sleeping pills can take time and may require hospitalization. Afterward, if the overdose was intentional or indicates a problem with substance misuse, additional treatment, such as counseling or addiction treatment, may be necessary.

Prescription Sleeping Pills

Contact one of our caring admissions navigators free at to learn more about treatment options and to check your insurance at an AAC facility so you can begin recovery today. Many sleep problems are actually due to an undiagnosed sleep disorder or medical condition. Conducting a sleep study or other tests can shed light on these problems, which may need to be treated along with the insomnia itself.

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No one should assume the information provided on Addiction Resource as authoritative and should always defer to the advice and care provided by a medical doctor. Remember that prescribed sleeping pills are intended for short-term use due to potential sleeping pills overdose, the risk of dependence and side effects. They are typically recommended when lifestyle changes and behavioral strategies are insufficient in addressing sleep issues. The dangerous side effects of misusing sleeping pills can begin long before an overdose occurs. Some users have gotten in vehicle accidents due to impaired judgment and coordination caused by sleep medications. Valerian is an herbal supplement often taken as a sleep aid or to treat anxiety symptoms.

The Importance of Safe Sleep Aid Use

Addiction Resource does not offer medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Only trained and licensed medical professionals can provide such services. If you or anyone you know is undergoing a severe health crisis, call a doctor or 911 immediately.

Understanding the Risks: A Comprehensive Guide to Sleeping Pills Overdose

• Your height and weight determine how quickly your body absorbs alcohol.
• When alcohol is mixed with a medication like Ambien, these effects are worse.
• They may be cut with other substances making users more likely to ingest high doses.
• You need a prescription from a healthcare provider to get these pills.
• In a Stanford University study, people with type 2 diabetes who took opioids post-surgery were 56% more likely to keep using them 3 months later than post-op patients without diabetes.

Another sleep aid, called Rozerem, acts differently from other sleep medicines. It affects a brain hormone called melatonin, and it’s not addictive. Belsomra and Quviviq are unique sleep aids that affect a brain chemical called orexin.

Consult with a medical provider about how any alcohol use may interact with your medications, including any supplements, vitamins, or contraception. Each person’s metabolism, alcohol tolerance, and other individual health factors will determine specifically how long you need to wait before it’s safe to drink. And because both substances impair memory (Rohypnol, the “date rape” drug, is a potent member of the same drug class https://ecosoberhouse.com/ as Xanax), the combination can cause users to forget their actions while under the influence. It can thereby lead them to reach for another pill, for instance, further increasing the risk for an overdose. Teenagers and young adults who drink may be at particular risk for alcohol overdose.

Deadly Duo: Mixing Alcohol and Prescription Drugs Can Result in Addiction or Accidental Death

• If you regularly have trouble either falling or staying asleep — a condition called insomnia — make an appointment with your health care provider.
• According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 15.6 million Americans aged 12 or older struggle with alcohol addiction.
• Daytime sleepiness, dizziness, or confusion can be another complication related to sleeping pills.
• People who use drugs without a prescription are likely to overdose, especially if they’re using multiple drugs at the same time.

If you’re an older adult, your health care provider may prescribe a lower dose of medicine to reduce your risk of problems. Anyone age 18 and older can buy OTC sleep medications at the drugstore or other retail locations. You don’t need a healthcare provider to write you a prescription for an OTC medication. Be sure to tell your doctor about all health conditions and all drugs that you’re using, including prescription, over-the-counter, and complementary medicines. If your doctor prescribes sleeping pills, they need to ensure that they won’t interact with other drugs or worsen any medical problems.

Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

Determining whether you can take medicine before or after drinking alcohol can depend on several factors. What tips the balance from drinking that produces impairment to drinking that puts one’s life in jeopardy varies among individuals. Age, sensitivity to alcohol (tolerance), gender, speed of drinking, medications you are taking, and amount of food eaten can all be factors. An overdose is often frightening for the individual and their loved ones, as it signifies the crossing of a dangerous and life-threatening limit. However, an overdose can also be the wake-up call a person needs to seek help or to alcohol and pills start making better choices. Addiction to drugs is one of the most common reasons people overdose, and breaking free of addiction can be tough without help.

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