Clinically Reviewed by
Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner)
All information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
Last Reviewed: 18th December 2023
Sleep is a necessity for productivity. Sleeplessness and suffering from general fatigue can often lead to sleeping pill use. When these pills are regularly used, they are detrimental to a person’s health. Two main options for struggling with sleep are over-the-counter medication and prescription drugs. The latter is used for long-term, ongoing sleep disorders.
Sleeping pills are commonly prescribed to treat sleeping disorders like insomnia. Still, once the sleeping disorder has lessened or been overcome, a patient can remain addicted to the tablets.
In the United Kingdom, one in ten people admit to taking sleeping pills, with half the adults admitting they don’t get the right amount of sleep.[1] The biggest health ambition for adults in the UK is improved sleep, so we need to address the dangers of regular use of sleeping pills and how private drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres, like Cassiobury Court, can help if you’re worried about your own addiction or a loved one’s.
Contact our team for advice and information on sleeping pill addiction and how to help yourself or a loved one.
We can offer assistance for clients who have developed an addiction to a wide range of different sleeping pills, for example:
The sedatives above can lead to physical and psychological dependence, especially when used over two weeks.
Sedatives taken regularly can have serious consequences during use and if immediately stopped. Those signs can be:
When a person becomes addicted to sedatives dangers of taking them regularly can increase to:
The brain is also heavily affected by consuming sedatives over a long period of time. The GABA receptors in the brain are activated, which causes sedation and relaxation and reduces anxiety – all elements promote sleep.
Once the brain and body are accustomed to the effects of sedatives, some people may suffer from rebound or compounded insomnia when the tablets are not consumed. The ability to sleep will worsen.
Cassiobury Court can assist those who are addicted to sleeping pills. We can take immediate action with our drug and alcohol rehab treatments with 24hr professional supervision and help available.
Upon your arrival at our clinic, a doctor will perform a full examination of your health, and we will draw up a treatment plan based on the conclusions made in this report. We treat every one of our clients as individuals, so you can be assured your treatment plan will not be identical to any other client.
You will then be invited to tour Cassiobury Court’s rehab centre and meet your key workers. They will administer your treatment and assist you in your recovery.
We offer sleeping pill rehab on a residential basis, which means you will be in our care. With a 28-day commitment to our residential sleeping pill rehab, we can free you of your addiction. Be aware that depending on the severity of the addiction, it may be discussed about longer treatment for your best interest.
The initial step to rehabilitation is the drug detox. The detox process is a difficult experience but be assured our team will be on hand to support you and guide you through this time. The toxins built up during your sleeping pill addiction will be flushed out of your body, creating a fresh foundation to build your addiction-free life.
The approach for sleeping pills is a more tapered detox, as withdrawal symptoms can be extremely difficult and dangerous. Examples of sleeping pill withdrawal symptoms are anxiety, insomnia, convulsions, hallucinations, digestion problems, and muscle pain.
We provide continual care during the detox, and if deemed necessary, our medical team will issue prescription drugs to make the process more comfortable.
Your specific therapy programme will begin after the detoxification. Our clients receive a combination of individual and group most commonly used is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This type of therapy is to enable change in thoughts and behaviours that trigger addiction.
You will learn to tackle external stimuli that promote and promote further addictive behaviours and how to control them.
In group therapy sessions, helpful coping strategies are taught, and as you are in sessions with your fellow recovering addicts, it can be a bonding experience, too. This is an ideal opportunity to learn from the experience of others, allow others to learn from your experiences and create a support network for when you leave our care.
When your therapies have been completed, we will create a secondary care plan with you before you leave our care – aftercare. This is essential to ensure you continue living free of sleeping pills. You will have access to regular follow-up sessions and a 24-hour helpline, which you can use if you feel yourself struggling to avoid sleeping pill use.
We will also put you in touch with your local Narcotics Anonymous group, as we believe that continuing to share your experiences with others is an important part of your recovery.
Sleeping pill addiction can ruin someone’s life and the lives of those around you. We can offer a no-obligation consultation over the telephone, so you can ask any questions about our rehab.
Call Cassiobury Court on 0800 001 4070 or text HELP to 83222; take the first steps to live a life free from sleeping pill addiction.
John Gillen is a leading addiction treatment expert with over 15 years of experience providing evidence-based treatment methods for individuals throughout the UK. John also co-authors the book, The Secret Disease of Addiction, which delves into how the addictive mind works and what treatment techniques work best.
Dr. Olalekan Otulana MBChB, DRCOG, MRCGP, DFSRH, FRSPH, MBA (Cantab)
Dr Otulana is a highly experienced GP and Addiction Physician. He has a specialist interest in Substance Misuse Management and he has a wide range of experience in the assessment, management (including detoxification) and residential rehabilitation of clients with various drug and substance addiction problems. His main aim is to comprehensively assess patients with addiction problems and determine their treatment needs for medical detoxification treatments and psychological interventions. He is also experienced in managing patients who require dual drug and alcohol detoxification treatments.
A strong healthcare services professional with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from Cambridge University Judge Business School.
