Can You Die from Sleeping Pills?

Facts About Spleeping Pills

About 9 million Americans, or 4 percent of adults in the U.S., use prescription sleeping pills to help them sleep at night. But are these drugs safe?

In 2019, after 20 deaths and 46 serious injuries linked to these drugs, the FDA required black-box warnings. These warnings highlight the serious risks of using these sleep aids. These black-box warnings are now found on the packaging for eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien). However, that may not keep some people from abusing these sedatives.

A sleeping pill overdose can kill you. In fact, 11,537 drug overdose deaths were caused by benzodiazepines in 2017. One study published in the British Medical Journal also found that people taking hypnotic sleeping pills like Ambien, Sonata, Doral, Halcion, Lunesta, Ativan, and Librium (among several others) had a four times greater risk of death and had a more than 35 percent increase in risk of cancer than people who did not.

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What Are Sleeping Pills?

Sleeping pills are medications that are used to alleviate symptoms such as insomnia, nighttime restlessness, depression, or anxiety. They work by interacting with certain neurotransmitters in the brain and suppressing the nervous system. Some sleeping pills are highly addictive and can cause tolerance and dependence.

Sedative-hypnotic sleeping pills are not good for long-term use. They can make sleep worse if used too often. Stopping them suddenly can also cause withdrawal symptoms.

Sleeping pills can also cause negative side effects, even if they are used as directed. For example, sleeping pills can sometimes make people feel tired, drowsy, or groggy during the day. They can also cause:

• Confusion
• Memory problems
• Balance problems
• Performing certain activities while sleeping (driving, walking, eating, etc.)
• Withdrawal symptoms

Although sleeping pills can help you sleep well for a short time, they can cause serious health issues. Using them for a long time can hurt your sleep or lead to addiction.

List of Sleep Aid Drugs

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Statistics on Sleeping Pills

Sleeping pills might not seem dangerous. They can be a good short-term solution. However, the statistics below show the serious risks of using them for a long time or misusing them.

• People who take 1-18 sleeping pills annually are 3.5 times more likely to die within a two-and-a-half year follow-up period. The likelihood of death increases with the number of sleeping pills taken annually.
• One study found that people who took the most sleeping pills were 35 percent more likely to get cancer. This was compared to those who did not use these pills after about 2.5 years
• One in six people with a diagnosed sleep disorder and one in eight people who report having trouble sleeping use sleep aids.
• According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey:
  • The percentage of adults using a prescription sleep aid drug increased with age and education. More adult women (5 percent) used prescription sleep aids than adult men (3.1 percent).
  • Non-Hispanic white adults were more likely to use sleep aids. About 4.7 percent of them used these aids. In comparison, only 2.5 percent of non-Hispanic black adults and 2 percent of Mexican-American adults used them
  • The use of prescription sleep aids varied based on how long people sleep. It was highest among adults who sleep less than 5 hours or 9 or more hours a night

Sleeping Pill Overdose

aking too many sleeping pills at once or taking sleeping pills and alcohol simultaneously can cause a deadly overdose. Many sleeping pill overdose deaths may be accidental, but some are intentional suicides. If a person becomes severely depressed, he or she may abuse sleeping pills with other drugs to intentionally overdose.

In 2017, 47,173 Americans died by suicide and 13.9 percent of those deaths were caused by poisoning. An overdose can happen with a high dose of sleeping pills. However, a deadly overdose is more likely when alcohol is involved.

Alternatively, not all sleeping pill overdoses result in death. Many drug overdoses can cause brain damage or physical injury. This can leave a person with painful side effects for hours or even longer. If you think someone is overdosing on sleeping pills, it’s important to seek medical help immediately.

Sleeping Pill Addiction, Withdrawal, and Detox

Misusing sleeping pills or using them on a long-term basis can increase a person’s risk for sleeping pill addiction. If someone becomes addicted, they may crave sleeping pills. They might find it hard to sleep without them. They could take larger doses or use them more often than needed. They may continue using sleeping pills even when it causes problems.

When someone is addicted to sleeping pills, they might experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be mild or severe. This often happens when they try to stop using the pills or cut back on them.Sleeping pill withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Anxiety
• Shakiness
• Agitation
• Insomnia
• Overactive reflexes
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased body temperature/sweating
• Hallucinations
• Cravings
• Seizures

Quitting sleeping pills suddenly can be risky. A medical detox program or a drug rehab program offers 24/7 medical help and care for those experiencing withdrawal. Depending on how serious a person’s sleeping pill addiction is, medical detox may be needed. This helps keep them safe and comfortable during withdrawal.

What Are Effective Alternatives to Sleeping Pills?

Many people use sleeping pills because they have insomnia. They feel bad both physically and mentally from not getting enough sleep. Doctors often give sleeping pills to people with serious sleep issues. However, for many with milder sleep problems, there are other effective treatments. Here are some healthy sleep tips from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. These tips may help you reduce or stop using sleeping pills

• Practice good sleep habits. Avoid stimulants before bed. Set a bedtime routine. Spend time outside during the day. Exercise regularly. Make your sleep environment comfortable
• Practice meditation
• Attend individual counseling/therapy
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Cut back on caffeine
• Engage in relaxing activities before bedtime
• Practice stress management techniques
• Take a warm bath or shower before bed
• Avoid screen time within an hour of your bedtime

Overcome Your Addiction to Sleeping Pills

If you are already addicted to sleeping pills, it’s not too late to change your life. You can get sober, experience a full recovery, and get a good night’s rest again. Call (512) 605-2955 to speak with an admissions representative at Nova Recovery Center today. We can provide the right support and treatment you need to overcome your sleeping pill addiction.

Sleeping Pills and Suicide Risk: What You Need to Know

Sleeping pills carry serious risks beyond overdose. When combined with alcohol, opioids, or other sedating substances, or when taken in ways other than prescribed, they can impair judgment and lower inhibitions, increasing the risk of self-harm and suicidal behavior. This risk is especially acute for individuals already struggling with depression, anxiety, or substance use disorder.

Warning signs that sleeping pill misuse may be escalating into a mental health crisis include:

• Taking larger doses than prescribed or more frequently than directed
• Combining sleeping pills with alcohol or other drugs
• Expressing hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, or talk of not wanting to be alive
• Increased isolation or withdrawal from family and friends
• Changes in mood, irritability, or sudden calmness after expressing despair
• Giving away possessions or saying goodbye

If you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts, seek immediate help. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. Crisis counselors are trained to help, and the call is free and confidential.

At Nova Recovery Center, we recognize that sleeping pill misuse often co-occurs with depression, anxiety, and other substance use disorders. Our clinical team specializes in treating the underlying mental health conditions that drive medication misuse and self-harm behaviors. Evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed care address root causes and rebuild hope and coping skills.

When to Seek Help for Sleeping Pill Misuse and Mental Health Concerns

If you’re struggling with sleeping pill dependence, misusing medications to cope with emotional pain, or having thoughts of self-harm, professional treatment can make a life-changing difference. Don’t wait for a crisis. Reach out now.

Call Nova Recovery Center at (512) 605-2955 to speak with an intake specialist. We offer inpatient rehab in Austin and Wimberley, Texas, as well as outpatient and online intensive outpatient programs (IOP) in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Colorado Springs. Our team will work with you to address both substance misuse and mental health in one comprehensive, compassionate treatment plan.

Related Resources for Recovery

• Dangerous Drugs: Facts, Risks, and Recovery Options
• Dual Diagnosis: Depression and Addiction Treatment
• 5 Signs You Might Be Self-Medicating to Deal with Stress
• Therapy and Counseling for Addiction Recovery
• How to Choose an Addiction Treatment Center That Meets Your Needs

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