Are Sleeping Pills Addictive?

Millions of people suffer from temporary or long-term insomnia. There are several prescription medications to help insure a good night's sleep. However, sleeping pills used in abundance can be detrimental to one's health and state of being. They can even become addictive. The main prescription sleeping pills are well known: Ambien (zolpidem), Lunesta (escopiclone), and Sonata (zaleplon). These are commonly referred to as Z-drugs, or hypnotics. The attractive effect from these kinds of drugs is the way they dampen arousal, thereby allowing sleep to set in and stay for an extended period of time (usually 8 hours).

When used as directed (and prescribed by a certified physician), most sleep medications allow for a very safe way of relieving insomnia. When used correctly, there is an extremely rare possibility of a physical or chemical addiction. However, when used frequently and/or in excessive doses, this type of addiction can occur. Also, as with any kind of drug use, sleeping pills can be exceedingly habit-forming, causing a psychological addiction. The user may develop a dependence on the substance, and begin to crave the constant and continual use. However, this dependence is different than an actual impulse to keep taking the drug.

There are many different ways to work with a physical dependence. Much of the treatment for the dependence of sleeping pills resides in the possibility of other psychological or behavioral therapies. Also, a major factor in the want to continue with the medication is in the way that insomnia returns after stopping the usage. This will prompt the individual to want to keep taking the medication. Some people are at a higher risk for dependence and possible addiction than others, as it is with any type of medication/drug.

It is common knowledge that Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and possibly Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose on sleeping pills, sometimes mixed with other substances. It is extremely dangerous to mix these drugs with any other substances, especially and most often, alcohol. For some people, sleeping pills can open doors to more dangerous and lethal substances like the abuse of OxyContin, Vicodin, and even heroin.

Sleeping pills, when used correctly, are extremely beneficial and helpful. However, the potential for abuse does exist. Often times, people who tamper with other prescription medications will start to try sleeping pills, or vice versa. It is common for addicts of other substances to abuse sleeping pills along with their drug(s) of choice. Even if this is not your or a loved one's problem, it is necessary to get help with any kind of dependence on any type of substance abuse. With sleeping pills, behavioral and cognitive therapies are extremely necessary. That is what you should look for in the treatment center that will help you with your addiction to sleeping pills. It is tough to break such a strong psychological habit such as a sleeping pill dependency, but it is always possible. If you think you have a problem, don't wait. Get help today.

A New Generation Of Heroin Users

When heroin started becoming exceedingly popular, it was the early 1970's. People who did heroin generally lived in urban communities, spending $30 on a bag of 28% pure heroin. Today, almost anywhere in America, heroin can be found for as little as $4 for a bag of 80-90% pure heroin. That is cheaper than a six-pack of beer and stronger than it has ever been before. Exceedingly cheap and exceedingly pure, heroin is causing an addiction epidemic throughout America. In the 70's, an average heroin user was from 28 to 30 years old and lived in inter-city locations. Now, the average user is a middle-class teenager.

Massachusetts is an extreme example of what America is dealing with. More than 4% of the state's high school boys have reported their use of heroin. In Boston alone, the number of 18 and 19 year olds that have received emergency room treatment related to heroin use has doubled between 2000 and 2002. In 2003, Massachusetts saw 36,000 admissions into treatment programs regarding heroin abuse and addiction.

The most common “cause” of heroin addiction is reported to be work-related injuries. An individual may have gotten injured, and received a prescription for painkillers from a doctor. They then got hooked on these painkillers such as vicodin, oxycontin, and morphine, but these medications are expensive and have a time frame. When they couldn't afford these prescriptions, or weren't permitted to get them renewed, they turned to the cheaper, more available illicit drug – heroin.

There are many different treatment options available for those addicted to heroin. Most commonly opted for is the methadone or Suboxone treatment, which requires the supervised administration of a specific amount of a synthetic opiate into the addict's system. This allows them to function normally in society, while coping with their heroin addiction. However, in rural areas, this option is somewhat unrealistic. Methadone clinics are few and far between out in the country. Many recovering addicts are forced to commute hours just to receive their medication. Thankfully, there are treatment centers available in most areas that promote a 90+ day residential treatment option that allows for a complete stop of substance use and abuse. Holistic treatment is highly promoted for heroin addicts.

If you or someone you love is suffering from the seemingly never-ending battle with heroin, don't forget that there are options out there. Although the heroin epidemic is rising, that is no reason for you to lose yourself among the numbers. Get treatment, get therapy, and get out of that life. You still possess the power to define who you are. Don't let a substance take that power away from you. Call Ambrosia Treatment Center or any treatment center and start your path towards recovery.