Sleeping Pills are used to help individuals who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep on their own. Sleeping pills are hypnotics, meaning that they promote or extend sleep.

Since 2007 the United Kingdom has seen a massive increase in the use of ‘sleeping pills’. The United Kingdom now rivals America in the number of sleeping pill prescriptions written for conditions such as insomnia.

It is estimated 10% of UK citizens will consume some form of sleeping pill at some point throughout their lifetime. These pills are chemically classed as tranquillisers or sedatives.

How Sleeping Pill Addiction develops

Developing an addiction to sleeping tablets may happen slowly over time. The individual usually starts taking these substances as prescribed, however many who started taking sleeping pills with good intentions often develop an addiction.

Within a month of consuming sleeping pills, users build up a tolerance. This means ever greater quantities of sleeping pills are required in order to get ‘high’.

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The Side Effects of Sleeping Pills

Sleeping pills can interfere with normal breathing and can be dangerous in people who have certain chronic lung problems such as asthma, emphysema, or forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The common side effects of prescription sleeping pills are changes in appetite, heartburn, dizziness, unusual dreams, weakness and more.

Types Of Sleeping Pill Addiction We Treat

Common sleeping pills consumed in the United Kingdom include Xanax, Temazwpan, Sonata and Lunesta. These drugs roughly fall into three categories: barbiturates, benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines.

Assessment Upon Arrival

On arrival a full psychological and physical examination takes place. Sleeping pill addicts experience painful withdrawal symptoms during detox.

The process is eased by prescribing a range of medications. Many sleeping pill addicts suffer from a range of co-occurring disorders. These disorders generally include anxiety, depression or an addiction to other substances such as alcohol.

Sleeping Pill Detox

Following initial assessment, clients must tackle sleeping pill detoxification. Here clients flush all sleeping pill toxins from their blood. A number of physical and psychological withdraw symptoms arise, potential putting clients in acute discomfort.

A list of withdrawal symptoms associated with a sleeping pill detox includes:

  • Seizure
  • Hallucinations
  • Anxiety
  • Fever
  • Rebound insomnia
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Tremors
  • Confusion
  • Flashbacks

To combat symptoms clients are prescribed medications designed to ease associated discomfort. Chronic sleeping pill addicts may be offered a tapered detox regime. Here sleeping pill dosages are slowly reduced over a period of time.

Fully Residential Sleeping Pill Rehabilitation

To treat sleeping pill addiction Ocean Recovery Centre offers a comprehensive residential rehabilitation programme. Patients move into the centre during their treatment. Thus treatment and living quarters are located only a few yards away from one another.

This set-up removes clients from bad influences and ‘addiction triggers’ existing in the outside world. Patients receive an enhanced level of medical support during detox and rehabilitation. All clients’ food, laundry and housekeeping tasks are completed by support staff. This means clients are fully focused on tackling their recovery goals.

Counselling & Therapy Support

Once withdrawal symptoms arrest clients attend counselling and therapy sessions. Therapy attempts to heal the emotional component of addiction not addressed during detox. Therapies take the form of psychotherapy and holistic therapies.

Psychotherapy typically entails cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT aims to address negative thoughts and emotions that trigger addictive behaviours. Thoughts and emotions are therefore the cause of addiction.

Addiction behaviours are merely the symptom of these triggers. CBT aims to address the underlying causes of insomnia. Patients are taught how to sleep without resorting to sleeping pill consumption.

Modern Holistic Approach

Patients also benefit from holistic therapies. Holistic therapies aim to improve clients’ overall sense of wellbeing. Holistic therapies arm clients with a number of relaxation techniques. These techniques help clients fall asleep without resorting to sleeping pill consumption. Holistic therapies is an activity that aims to treat the mind and soul.

Aftercare Support

Once rehab draws to a close relapse prevention and aftercare plan is put in place. This plan helps clients apply knowledge learnt during rehab in ‘real world’ situations. Aftercare includes twenty-four-hour telephone support and weekly sessions taking place at the rehab centre.

Ocean Recovery Centre tailors aftercare plans for the individual. The aftercare plans help clients avoid relapse in the 12 months after leaving the clinic. The plans factor in the unique challenges that clients will face in ordinary life. Our extended aftercare lasts up to 12 months after in-client rehab ends.

Contacting Ocean Recovery Centre

Contact Ocean Recovery today to find out more. Alternatively, complete the enquiry form and a member of the team will respond shortly. We maintain clinics across the United Kingdom.

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: December 22, 2023

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.

Dr Adel Ghaly

Dr Adel Ghaly - Clinical Reviewer - Last reviewed: December 18, 2023

MB BCh, Psychological Medicine (Substance Misuse Psychiatry) from 2002

Dr Adel Ghaly is a registered Doctor who is a specialist psychiatrist. Dr Ghaly gained an MB BCh in 1982 from Assiut University and has since become a substance misuse specialist and psychiatrist. After gaining his qualification in Psychological Medicine (Substance Misuse Psychiatry) in 2002, Dr Ghaly has worked in hospitals and as a specialist trainer recognised by the GMC.