Insomnia Medications - Are You Addicted?

The Truth About Sleeping Pills, Sleep Aids and Medications Side Effects

Insomnia is a common disorder wherein people resort to taking different kinds of insomnia medication to overcome this disorder. If insomnia medications are taken for a long period, there is a tendency that they can become addictive, physiological or psychological, and lead to insomnia relapses.

Research has proven that insomnia medication containing ingredients such as benzodiazepine medication can be addictive and lead to various side effects. Most people are able to overcome insomnia through proper diagnosis by a doctor who will enable the patient to take corrective measures as well as proper insomnia medication.
Insomnia medication if stopped immediately after prolonged use, can result in:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Withdrawal symptoms

Some of the common reasons for insomnia are:

• physical side effects
• development of drug tolerance
• development of drug dependence
• chemical reaction with other drugs and affecting the body
• rebound insomnia
• arthritis
• chronic pain
• thyroid disorders

However, depression, anxiety and insomnia go hand-in-hand and tend to become a vicious circle. Chronic insomnia leads to increased stress, which in turn leads to depression and anxiety.

• arthritis
• chronic pain
• thyroid disorders

Common side effects of insomnia medications are:

• dizziness
• lethargy
• forgetfulness
• drowsiness
• constipation
• dry mouth and throat
• blurred vision
• urinary retention

How to overcome addiction 

It is tempting to take a dose when you cannot fall asleep and crazy thoughts come into your mind. Before you know it, the giving into the temptation is less a control of exercising the will and more of giving in to biological craving that can only be medically treated.
To encounter the initial temptations:

• Patients suffering from depression should perform relaxation exercises such as yoga and meditation.
• Follow the prescribed instructions by the doctor and the literature on insomnia medication.
• Inform the doctor of the other medications taken along with insomnia medications to avoid any side-effects or reactions.
• The insomnia medications should not be taken for long period and should be taken only when there is dire necessity.
• Patients should avoid alcohol consumption during medication.

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