Over The Counter Sleeping Pill Abuse

The number of attractive advertisements on the television, Internet and magazines about over the counter (OTC) sleep aids that work, often tempts people struggling with sleep problems to try these over the counter drugs. Stress, altered work schedules and the overall jet speed pace of life often leaves people to struggling to sleep at night. Occasional lack of sleep affects most individuals, however, people affected by insomnia or lack of sleep on a regular basis is a cause of concern. Such people sometimes have their mind racing, while their bodies are exhausted. People with these types sleeping problems often reach for over the counter sleeping pills. Often times, individuals desperate for a good night's sleep, began to abuse these OTC's. Most over-the-counter sleeping pills are intended to be used for only two to three nights at a time. Taken too often, over the counter sleeping pills may cause rebound insomnia (sleeplessness that returns in full force when you stop taking the over the counter sleeping pills). In the worst case scenario, the user will begin to abuse, and develop an addiction to these over the counter sleeping pills. Brand names of some of these over the counter sleeping pills include Excedrin PM, Ambien, Dalmane, Sominex, Sonata, Restoril, and Tylenol PM.

Even short term use of over the counter sleeping aids can result in some side effects. OTC sleeping pills may be harmful in excess as they can cause problems with sleep habits, weaken areas of the body, or create the condition narcolepsy (this condition causes an uncontrollable, unpredictable desire to sleep). These over the counter sleeping pills should never be taken with alcohol. Even a small amount of alcohol with an OTC sleep aid could make the user feel dizzy, confused or faint. The most common side effects after taking these over the counter sleeping pills are drowsiness, constipation, dizziness, reduced mental concentration, dry mouth, forgetfulness and lack of co-ordination. These symptoms from taking over the counter sleeping pills can prove dangerous, especially if the individual's job involves driving or working with dangerous machinery. The drowsiness caused by over the counter sleeping pills can cause a lapse in concentration and lead to fatal accidents. Another side effect of these over the counter sleep aids is that, it causes drug tolerance. This means if you take a particular dose now, the same dose will not prove as effective some time later. A higher dose is required to bring about the same amount of sleep. Sadly, with these over the counter sleeping pills, drug tolerance is reached within a very short period of time.

Addiction is one of the most common long term problems associated with OTC sleeping pills. Once you get hooked on these over the counter sleeping pills, your body seems to need them to be able to sleep. Some of the over the counter sleeping pills have synthetic sedatives in them, and when an individual tries to stop taking these OTC sleep aids, after abusing them for long periods of time, they may experience extreme withdrawal symptoms. Nausea, sweating, and tremors are just a few of the possible side effects that may take place in withdrawing from these OTC sleeping pills. Sometimes stopping the medication makes the sleeplessness condition even worse. Over the counter sleeping pills can also interact with any other drugs taken by the person and can cause additional adverse conditions.

OTC sleep aids were originally developed to treat occasional sleeplessness; however, abuse of these over the counter sleeping pills can be detrimental to your body. OTC sleeping pills are not solutions to chronic insomnia problems. In the long run, abusing OTC sleeping pills will only result in more problems than just losing some sleep. If you or someone you love is addicted to over the counter sleeping pills, getting professional help at a drug treatment center without delay will be the best possible option for recovery.