Sleeping Pills.

[*@ngel*]

I was wondering what the short and long term effects of using sleeping pills are.
Its not a general question, I know someone who is addicted {partially} to Stilnox. Its more of an I-cant-sleep-each-night-so-i-need-some-help....
Including that, if he's all out of pills, he'll crush up a panadol or some other drug he can find in the cupboard and mix it with some scotch....{crazy talk}.
He is dealing with a tough degree and a bit of bad depression due to girls and the like...{yeah I know we suck} which is kinda bringing this all on, so I was wondering if you guys could help me understand if excessive use can have anything to do with mood changes/depression levels/extreme anger and the like.
I just want to know if it's safe on him psychologically and physiologically...not that it will help him stop, that takes a bit more.
I just want to be able to enlighten him with the dangers, rather than him heading into something else blindfolded.
Stilnox...I don't know the active ingredient, but could always find out I guess.
Anyway, thanks kiddies...
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*Immerse Your Soul In Love*

 

[Tarsarlan]

Sorry I don't have any factual evidence, but I can say that my housemate has had a similar experience in the past... She is naturally full of energy and doesn't need much sleep... In the past she had used sleeping pills to help her sleep and it became harder and harder for her to sleep at all without them... These days she hardly ever uses them because she knows it won't be worth it in the long run...
If nobody else can help out with links etc., if you go a search in any web based search engine you should be able to find out about dependance on sleeping pills...

 

[BigTrancer]

OK, here's the best I can find at present. "Stilnoct" has the active ingredient zolpidem tartrate, and is marketed under the names Stilnoct/Stilnox in Europe and under the name Ambien in the USA. Zolpidem tartrate is a 'non-benzodiazepine hypnotic' of the imidazopyridine class of chemicals.
The recommended prescription for this kind of tablet is "no more than a 1-month supply", however the failure of insomnia to ease after 7 to 10 days of treatment could indicate that a deeper psychological or medical condition exists.
From RxList.com:

Studies of abuse potential in former drug abusers found that the effects of single doses of zolpidem tartrate 40 mg were similar, but not identical, to diazepam 20 mg, while zolpidem tartrate 10 mg was difficult to distinguish from placebo.
Sedative/hypnotics have produced withdrawal signs and symptoms following abrupt discontinuation. These reported symptoms range from mild dysphoria and insomnia to a withdrawal syndrome that may include abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, tremors, and convulsions. The U.S. clinical trial experience from zolpidem does not reveal any clear evidence for withdrawal syndrome.

That being said... there is sufficient evidence to suggest that since zolpidem tartrate is a CNS-depressant, all other CNS-depressants (ie. alcohol, benzodiazepines, GHB and analogues) should be avoided as they may dangerously potentiate the depressant effects. When used alone zolpidem seems to be fairly 'safe' ("individuals have fully recovered from zolpidem tartrate overdoses up to 400 mg (40 times the maximum recommended dose). Overdose cases involving multiple CNS-depressant agents, including zolpidem, have resulted in more severe symptomatology, including fatal outcomes.")
The best advice I could give would be for the person to talk the issues over with their GP, so they could receive confidential advice specific to their own medical history.
Take care, BigTrancer

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Load universe into cannon. Aim at brain. Shoot.

 

[Miss Flea]

Sleeping pills have their good & bad side. I'm onto my second prescription of Temazepam (a mild sleep inducer) in six months.
Earlier this year I was suffering from severe depression and it was affecting my sleep. Taking sleeping pills made getting to sleep easier, and I found that as well as being physiologically addictive, it was also psychological.
That's to say that it was easier to pop a pill before I went to bed, knowing that I would knock myself out, than to actually attempt to go to sleep naturally.
The dependancy was partly on the Temazepam, and partly on the gentle floaty feeling it created (knowing I would soon be out like a light).
It's all about moderation and in agreeance with BigTrancer, professional medical advice is always the best way to go.

 

[bitch1]

Have a couple of bongs...that will get him off the sleeping tabs..and he will be knocked out quiet fast.

Glad i could help.

 

[Sugarfoot]

l'm sorta in the same boat.
It guess that it's NOT from depression though...l'm like so full of energy and can't stop thinking how good life is going...that l just can't sleep at nite. This is no shit.
After Godskitchen (6 or so pills) l didn't get to sleep until Monday morning around 3am...had to drink until l couldn't dirnk anymore
So, l thought, l'll have a break. BUT, l still can't sleep very well. I was taking my brothers sleeping pills ( Restavit - active ingrediant - Doxylamine Succinate). I have just finished the pak and l'm forcing myself not to go and buy another pak.
It's hard...but l think that it's the only way out.
Why is life treating me sooo good at the moment........???????????

 

[BigTrancer]

Doxylamine succinate is an anti-histamine similar to diphenhydramine HCl and diphenhydramine citrate.
There is some information and strategies suggested for self-treating sleeplessness here.
BT

 

[*@ngel*]

P.S...... Thankyou so much for your help guys, he actually asked me about the post realised a few things which were affecting him and didnt realise...which was way cool. {but that doesnt mean he's stopped}
And, thankyou bitch1 for that amazing analogy....we do it when we can

hehe

 

[Sherbert_Ass]

There were about six months when I just couldn't sleep normally at all (maybe 3 hours a night) and as such I decided to start taking something to help [should have seen a doctor but I didn't]. anyways I started a cycle of Zolpidem (Ambien et.al) and 1,4B -- needless to say this knocked me out very well each night however I found that when I actually needed to sleep without them I absolutely couldn't sleep at all. I've been off both for about a month and am just starting to resume normal sleep patterns.
Try get him to stay clear of sleeping pills etc. they make it very hard to return to normal. Pot is also not a good cure as being a bit of a pothead I would smoke at night and the sleep that results doesn't really leave you feeling as rested as normal sleep. Alcohol's shocking also...
Ok, I just realised I was rambling a fair bit -- best of luck with your friend... if he's up to admitting it bring him on here and I'd be more than happy to spout my situation if it helps him!

 

[MAX]

I have been using stilnox for over a year, the doctor's tell me 1 tablet a week will have no affects and they are not addictive, but a see a few to get the quantity i use which is generally 1 every 2nd or 3rd night.. i can go a couple of weeks without any if the situation needs. i dont feel dependant on them as i can stop but they are very handy.
Also after a big night on goe and or mdma i take a couple and sleep for several hours and wake up feeling fine.
also try taking 2 or 3 and ataying awake or trying to walk or even better have sex....

 

[Cowboy Mac]

Doxylamine succinate is an anti-histamine similar to diphenhydramine HCl and diphenhydramine citrate

A people have previously mentioned in the thread,using any substance that is not physically addictive can still cause you to become dependant and reliant on them to fall asleep. If you are having them frequently and cannot sleep without some kind of aid, you should talk to your doctor about ways to taper your medication down to try to achieve sleep without them.

 

[Urbanhog]

My grandmother once told me if you can't sleep, don't TRY to sleep, try to STAY awake instead and that will make you tired of staying awake and you will nod off :D