Sleeping Pill Overdose
Sleeping pills are used by people who have short-term problems with sleep, such as when their sleep is disrupted by stress or travel. They are prescription medications and vary in terms of their chemical properties. For example, you may be prescribed particular antidepressants, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, orexin receptor antagonists, or melatonin agonists.
The risks associated with sleeping pills depend on the type you are taking. The risks are higher if you are consistently abusing them, if you are addicted to them, or if you are mixing them with other drugs or alcohol. If you are taking sleeping pills and you are worried about your usage, read on to find out more about them and how to get help – recognizing the signs of misuse and addiction can help you get the support you need.
Types of Prescription Sleeping Pills
There are many different categories of prescription sleep aids. The aim of them is to help you fall asleep earlier, stay asleep longer, or both. Some work by making you feel drowsy, while others work to inhibit the part of the brain that keeps you alert.
Z-drugs are drugs that have a similar structure to benzodiazepines but do not fall into that category. They work by interacting with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and are sedative-hypnotic drugs. Examples of Z-drugs include eszopiclone, zaleplon, and zolpidem.
Benzodiazepines are depressants that have sedative properties. They work by increasing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the central nervous system. This is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter, so it causes sedation. Since benzodiazepines are highly addictive, they are only used to treat severe or debilitating insomnia. Examples of benzodiazepines used for this include temazepam. Triazolam is a benzodiazepine derivative that is also used for insomnia.
Not all antidepressants are used to treat insomnia, but an example of one is doxepin which is a tricyclic antidepressant. It works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. It also works on histamine receptors – how this produces sleepiness is discussed below.
Melatonin agonists are also used for sleep. Melatonin is a hormone whose production is stimulated by darkness and inhibited by light. It causes sleepiness and acts as an antioxidant. An example of a melatonin agonist is ramelteon.
Orexin receptor antagonists are also used as sleeping pills. Orexin neuropeptides promote wakefulness, so antagonizing this receptor causes sleepiness. Examples of orexin receptor antagonists include daridorexant, lemborexant, and suvorexant.
Over-the-counter and herbal medications include antihistamines. Histamine neurons are involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and promoting arousal. Therefore, antihistamines cause drowsiness by inhibiting them. Herbal medications include kava and valerian. It is important to be aware that they can cause adverse drug reactions by interacting with other drugs, so you should speak to a doctor before taking them if you are on other medications.
Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction
It is important to note that not all sleeping pills lead to dependency and addiction – doxepin, ramelteon, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines do not. However, many prescription sleeping pills can lead to dependence which develops gradually – your brain is very good at adjusting to changes so that it can maintain a balance. Therefore, when you take sleeping pills for a prolonged period, it adjusts to this. When you stop taking them, you experience withdrawal symptoms as your brain thinks it needs them to function normally. Some sleeping pills are preferred over others due to having a lower risk of dependency – for example, Z-drugs are preferred over benzodiazepines.
Most sleeping pills can also lead to addiction. This is a brain disease that also develops gradually. It is defined as losing control over your substance use despite negative consequences. These consequences can be very damaging to both your physical and mental health as well as your personal life and relationships.
Risk Factors for Addiction
Not everyone has the same chance of developing an addiction. Some will be able to take sleeping pills for a while, whereas others may develop an addiction quickly. Benzodiazepines have a particularly high risk of causing addiction. It is typically not recommended to take them for longer than two weeks.
Factors that increase your risk of developing an addiction include:
- Having a mental health disorder
- Genetics
- Childhood trauma
- Environmental factors such as being exposed to drugs at home or among friends
Side Effects
The side effects of sleeping pills will depend on the specific types.
Some common side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Anterograde amnesia – memory loss of things that happen after you take them
- Confusion
- Somnambulism – doing things like eating or driving when not fully awake
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Prolonged drowsiness
- Muscle weakness
- Changes in thinking and behavior, such as hallucinations, agitation, memory problems, and suicidal thoughts
It is important that you speak to a doctor if you are getting unusual side effects after taking sleeping pills. Side effects may be worse for people who suffer from particular conditions. Therefore, sleeping pills may not be suitable for those with low blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, kidney disease, or a history of seizures.
Sleeping Pill Overdose
A sleeping pill overdose occurs when you take too many sleeping pills so that your body cannot process them and stops functioning normally. Depending on the type of pill and the person, a sleeping pill overdose will vary. There is not a lot of evidence that overdosing on orexin receptor antagonists or melatonin agonists leads to severe adverse responses. However, overdosing on Z-drugs, benzodiazepines, and tricyclic antidepressants can be very dangerous.
Sleeping Pill Overdose Symptoms
Z-Drug Overdose
The main symptoms of a Z-drug overdose are sedation and coma. With the right support, most people will survive this. Flumazenil works to reverse sedation for Z-drugs but should not be used for people who are at risk of seizures.
Benzodiazepine Overdose
Signs of overdosing on benzodiazepines also include sedation and, in large doses, can cause respiratory depression and coma. The way to manage this is to maintain the airway and respiration.
Tricyclic Antidepressant Overdose
Overdosing on tricyclic antidepressants has additional symptoms. Signs include coma, hypotension, seizures, and unusual heart rate. This tends to be treated with sodium bicarbonate.
What to do if Someone is Overdosing
If you see someone overdose on sleeping pills you should call the emergency services immediately at 911. The quicker they can get support, the better their prospects. If you know what the person has taken and how much this is helpful for the medical team.
Risks for Overdosing
The more you abuse sleeping pills, by having an addiction that causes you to compulsively take them, the more likely you are to overdose. Even if you use them inconsistently, there is increased risk. For example, if you take sleeping pills a lot for a week, your tolerance will build. If you take a break and start taking them again at the same dosage you ended with, there is a much higher risk of overdosing.
Mixing sleeping pills with other sedatives and alcohol leads to a greater risk of overdosing. This can cause your body to slow down to unsafe levels, so you may have difficulty breathing or it may even stop completely. Mixing with other stimulants is also dangerous, as the results can be unknown and unpredictable.
Signs of Sleeping Pill Addiction
Being able to recognize the signs of a sleeping pill addiction could help you prevent a sleeping pill overdose in either yourself or a loved one. You can also look at the list of side effects to recognize if a loved one is using sleeping pills to the point of addiction.
Signs of addiction include:
- Doctor shopping
- Obsession with getting the next dose
- Loss of control over drug use
- Secretiveness
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Neglecting personal appearance and hygiene
- Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed
- Lower inhibitions and risky behaviors – this might be seen as getting in trouble with the law and things such as driving under the influence and unprotected sex
Addiction Treatment
Getting treatment for an addiction can be very difficult. Sadly, one of the biggest barriers is the stigma that surrounds addiction. While it is a disease, it is often treated as a personal fault or moral failing. This is a damaging and untrue narrative. If you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction, understand that it is not your fault and that you deserve to get the treatment.
When you go to a treatment facility, you will first detox from the substance. This is when you stop taking it so that the toxins leave your body. At this point, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. It is recommended that you speak with a medical professional before you detox so that they can advise you about the best option for you. It can be a very difficult process, particularly for certain substances. For example, withdrawing from benzodiazepines can be dangerous and even fatal, so it is strongly recommended you get support at a treatment center.
Treatment at Brookdale
At Brookdale, we understand that seeking support for addiction is difficult. We provide discrete treatment so that you can own your recovery journey and choose whether you want to share it with others. Our center is placed in a soothing environment in the Pocono Mountains, overlooking a private lake.
Our professionals are trained in treating substance use, mental health, trauma, family dynamics, co-dependency, sex and relationship, gambling, and work addiction. Some of our treatment options include:
- Individual therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, wellness therapies, holistic therapies, gender-specific therapy
- 12-step programs
- A personalized aftercare plan
- Dietary planning
Our luxury amenities include:
- A private cabin
- Sauna and indoor & outdoor pool
- A recreation center and sports such as tennis and yoga
- Fishing
Please visit our website or call us at (570) 646-3949 to find out more. We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to Brookdale!