Many people live stressful lives that can result in periods of restlessness and insomnia. As a result, sleeping pills are one of the most commonly prescribed medications today. Unfortunately, they come with plenty of risks just like any other prescription medication. In fact, a sleeping pill overdose can lead to severe complications or even death. Many people are blissfully unaware of the risks these common medications pose to those who use them. The following material will talk about sleeping pill addictions, and it will also cover important information regarding getting professional help for these substance abuse problems.
Facts About Prescription Sleeping Pills
Sleeping pills are classified as sedative-hypnotics. This category also includes anxiety medication like Xanax. The only difference is that sleeping pills are not classified as a benzodiazepine, so they have fewer side effects.
For the millions of people who suffer from regular or occasional insomnia, sleeping pills such as Ambien can seem miraculous. Sleeping pills are supposed to be used on a short-term basis to help an individual with their insomnia. But people often abuse these drugs because they believe they cannot sleep without them. When used at high dosages, these drugs can become addictive because of the “feel-good, drowsy” effect they produce.
These powerful sedatives can come with many different side effects and problems. For example, a sleeping pill overdose can lead to depressed breathing patterns, a coma, or eventual death. Outside of the risks of an overdose, continual use of sleeping pills can lead to severe addiction.
Sleeping Pill Addiction
Substance addiction is an act that starts with a choice but ends up being something that is out of the person’s control. When defined, addiction is when someone is physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance. Addiction is an illness and a long-lasting brain disorder, but not every person who partakes in drug use will become addicted.
The reason some individuals are more likely to become addicted to a substance often is related to their genetics. If they have family members who have also had addiction problems in the past, they are usually more likely to develop one as well. Mental health problems are also a large cause of addiction. Because mental disorders are so hard to cope with, individuals may turn to easily accessible prescription pills like Ambien to relieve them of their everyday struggles and worries.
Sleeping Pill Overdose Signs and Symptoms
Do you know how to recognize the common signs and symptoms of an overdose or serious prescription drug addiction? The following list will touch on several of these common clues:
Excessive Daytime Drowsiness: The strong sedating effects of sleeping pills do not always wear off by morning. Someone who is facing a sleeping pill overdose may be difficult or impossible to awaken during the day.
Loss of Memory: Some people experiencing problems with sleeping pills will engage in certain behaviors without remembering them later on. For example, sleepwalking or eating while asleep can be signs of a problem.
Extreme Isolation: Those facing sleeping pill overdose can begin to isolate themselves from loved ones. They also may stop engaging in many of their favorite hobbies.
Dangerous Activities: Some people have been known to drive under the influence of powerful sleeping pills, creating potentially life-threatening situations. Additionally, the sedating effects of these drugs can increase the risks of serious accidents and falls.
The Dangers of Sleeping Pills
People often mistake sleeping pill use in North Carolina for not being dangerous. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. Therefore, the need for an effective prescription addiction treatment center in North Carolina is even more necessary. Because it can also take longer for the effects of sleeping pills to kick in than other drugs, people continue to take them until they feel the effects, which can cause them too many and accidentally overdose.
Trying to stop taking prescription sleeping pills is another danger as many people experience severe withdrawal symptoms. They severely alter the chemical balance in the brain, which causes detoxing from the drug to be not only painful but dangerous. The risk of relapse is also very common, so people can continue craving the drug months after detox.
Detox for Prescription Drugs
Once an individual who is suffering from an addiction to prescription drugs, and go to a rehabilitation center in North Carolina, the first step to recovery will be a process called detox. Detoxification is the medical process of slowly weaning an addicted individual off of the substance they have been abusing. Over time, this process eliminates drugs or alcohol from the patient’s body.
During this process, the patient will experience physical and mental symptoms called “withdrawal symptoms.” The symptoms can be very painful and include things like increased heart rates, profusely sweating and even seizures in some cases. Once this process is all done, the individual can begin the treatment process.
Here at CVRC, we never recommend individuals to try to detox by themselves at home. We partner with a detoxification facility that will offer the length of stay our clients will need. This detox center will also oversee each stage of the process to ensure detoxification completion.
Inpatient Treatment
Residential treatment, or inpatient treatment is the highest level of treatment available, and it is what people typically associate with the word “rehab.” This type of care is recommended to anyone with a more severe prescription addiction problem, and patients will spend long lengths of time in our treatment facilities. Medical professionals monitor patients around the clock to ensure their safety, as well.
Because sleeping pills are so easily accessible, we believe our residential rehab is usually a better fit in these types of cases. With prescription addiction, relapsing is very common after completing time in rehab. This is also another reason why we believe inpatient treatment is probably the best option to recover fully.
Treatment in inpatient facilities is intensive enough for these individuals because they require constant supervision in order to not fall back into old patterns. It is also a great option for people who face constant temptation in their everyday lives like living with friends or family members who also abuse prescription medications.
Treatments for Sleeping Pill Addiction
Now that you understand the risks of Ambien addiction, you may be ready to discover how to get help with your dependency. When seeking treatment, a professional center like CVRC can make the process easier. Withdrawal symptoms from Ambien are often painful and can even be deadly, but professional addiction therapy services can help you to achieve long-term recovery. We can guide you through your treatment program to help ensure you reach through to recovery on the other side.
Highlights we offer for sleeping pill addiction treatment include but are not limited to:
- Rehab treatment: the typical treatment people think of when rehab centers are talked about where patients are treated inside of the facility
- Intensive outpatient program: outpatient programs are created for individuals who need to attend school or work to provide for their families while also receiving treatment
- On-site psychologists: professionals who are able to help patients realize where past trauma started that may have caused their substance abuse or mental disorder
- 9-step and 12-step programs: programs designed to teach patients about a power higher than themselves
- Family therapy: therapy that gets patient’s family members and friends involved in the recovery process
- Group therapy: therapy that allows the patient to understand there are others exactly like them who are struggling with the same disorders
- Yoga and meditation: a creative outlet designed to allow the patient to become one with their thoughts and spirituality
- Acupuncture therapy: needle therapy that releases unwanted stress and anxiety through placement over certain pressure points
Here at Crest View, the amount of guidance and assistance our staff can offer is endless. We are here to ensure you every step of the way that you can overcome your addiction and recover completely.
Sleeping Pill Rehab Center in Asheville, NC
A sleeping pill addiction can be an overwhelming problem to deal with. However, it is important to remember that many types of addiction treatment programs are at your disposal for sleeping pill overdose. Through careful research, you can identify a drug rehab facility that can help you address your specific challenges in the best way. Have an honest talk with your immediate family about your issues, and try to work together toward finding the ideal solutions for your entire household.
Crest View Recovery Center is a drug rehab treatment facility in Asheville, North Carolina. This rehab center offers a serene environment that is conducive to overall healing. Additionally, our professional treatment team relies on both innovative and standard protocols to address all of your urgent treatment needs.
Don’t let sleeping pill overdose ruin your quality of life. The right rehab center can help you overcome these challenges. Contact us by calling (866) 327-2505 to learn more about the treatment options available at Crest View Recovery Center. Allow our programs to help you begin your path to a brighter future.
