How to Prevent Dependency In Using Prescription Sleep Aids

Prescription sleeping aids, while effective in relieving insomnia and other conditions that make sleep difficult, also raise concerns regarding drug dependency and abuse. This article provides tips on using prescription sleep aids effectively while preventing dependency.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pc
• internet
• credit card
• money

1. 1. Consult your primary care physician before taking any sleeping aid.
   The abundance of over-the-counter sleeping medications can tempt you to try and buy a quick relief for lack of sleep. However, restrain the desire to do so. Consult your doctor prior to taking and using any sleep medication. This allows your doctor to evaluate whether you are suffering from insomnia or just random lack of sleep. This way, you can avoid taking medication if your condition does not warrant it yet. This also prevents possibly dangerous drug interactions between a sleeping medication and other prescription drugs you may be taking.

2. 2. Follow instructions carefully.
   If your doctor prescribed prescription sleeping aid, take care to follow the given instructions carefully. Most doctors only prescribe taking a low dosage of sleeping drugs only when you really need to sleep but cannot do so. If the instruction is such, avoid taking any medication just because it is your bedtime. Taking sleeping medication haphazardly and without consideration for instructions will make you prone to possibly dangerous side effects like palpitations, general weakness, difficulty in breathing, and heart failure. Consult your doctor if you can take your medications intermittently rather than nightly, in order to decrease the negative effects and to increase the effectiveness when you do use them.

3. 3. Try alternative sleep-inducing techniques before resorting to medications.
   If your doctor requires some time before passing judgment on whether you have insomnia or not, try alternative sleep-inducing techniques in the interim. Some sleep-inducing techniques you can try include developing a sleep routine. Setting an hour or two before your bedtime to condition yourself to sleep by reading, listening to soothing music, or meditating can help a lot. Other ideas you can try include taking a hot bath and drinking calming tea or milk before sleeping.

4. 4. Pay attention to how your body responds to medications.
   Your body is the final arbiter whether a medication is good for you or not. Pay attention to how your body responds to the sleeping aid. If you wake up more groggy than refreshed after your drug-induced sleep, you might want to ask your doctor to change your prescription. You can also request a change in prescription if the side effects of your medication affect and interfere with your daily activities. Side effects such as drowsiness, poor coordination, blurred vision, and nausea can limit your ability to drive, operate machinery, or perform activities that require keen attention and concentration.

5. 5. Taper off your intake gradually.
   Gradually lower the dosage of your medication so as to avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you finally stop taking medication. You can try taking lower dosages or taking sleeping pills less frequently. Get your body accustomed to sleeping without the help of sleeping medications to make stopping intake easier.

Tips & Warnings

• The promise of quick relief for insomnia is the main selling point of most sleep medications. However, these medicated sleeping aids are only designed for temporary relief of insomnia and any prolonged use can result in abuse and dependency. If you are using prescription sleep aids but would like to avoid dependency and having to suffer from withdrawal symptoms when it is time to quit.

Resources

• Discount Pharmacy

[taishan]

on 6/21/2008 thank you for this useful information.also I think
that there may be some alternatives for this problem.