💤 A Few Pills for Sleep… Until It’s No Longer a Few

In today’s high-pressure world, many people in Chennai—from students to homemakers to IT professionals—struggle with sleep. The solution often comes in the form of sleeping pills, commonly prescribed or bought over-the-counter:

• Zolpidem (Stilnoct, Zolfresh)

• Alprazolam (Xanax, Alprax)

• Clonazepam (Clonotril)

• Etizolam, Nitrazepam, or even antihistamines misused for sedation

Initially, they work. But over time, the body adjusts. The dose increases. Sleep worsens. And suddenly, what was meant to help becomes a habit that feels impossible to break.

⚠️ When Does Sleeping Pill Use Become Abuse?

Sleeping pill abuse doesn’t always mean high doses. Even one tablet a night, taken long-term without medical supervision, can lead to dependence.

Red flags include:

• Needing higher doses for the same effect

• Anxiety or agitation when a dose is missed

• Hoarding or hiding tablets

• Using the pills to “escape” from thoughts or stress, not just for sleep

• Memory lapses, poor concentration, or daytime sedation

• Using pills with alcohol or other substances to “feel calm”

In Chennai’s urban and semi-urban setups, many professionals and women use sleeping pills silently—without realizing they’ve become dependent.

🧠 What Do Sleeping Pills Do to the Brain?

Most sleeping pills act on the GABA system, the brain’s primary “calming” neurotransmitter. Over time, this system gets desensitized. The brain forgets how to fall asleep naturally.

Long-term use can lead to:

• Cognitive dulling and memory loss

• Mood changes—especially irritability and depression

• Withdrawal insomnia if you try to stop suddenly

• In older adults: falls, confusion, and risk of dementia

• In some: emotional blunting or emotional outbursts

⏳ Why Quitting Suddenly Can Be Dangerous

Many people try to “go cold turkey” and stop sleeping pills in one go. But that can lead to:

• Severe rebound insomnia

• Anxiety, panic attacks

• Shivering, tremors, palpitations

• Seizures in high-dose benzodiazepine users

This is why medical supervision is essential.

🛠️ Recovery Is Possible — With the Right Plan

At Apollo Clinic, Velachery & Tambaram, we offer structured recovery programs tailored for sleeping pill dependence.

🔹 Step 1: Assessment

• Sleep history

• Duration, type, and dose of medication

• Co-existing anxiety, depression, or trauma

• Lifestyle and family factors

🔹 Step 2: Gradual Tapering Plan

• Safe, slow reduction to avoid withdrawal

• Cross-tapering (if needed) to safer alternatives

• Monitoring for psychological and physical symptoms

🔹 Step 3: Restoring Natural Sleep

• CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia)

• Sleep scheduling and light therapy

• Relaxation training and mind-body interventions

• Melatonin (in selected cases)

🔹 Step 4: Emotional Support and Relapse Prevention

• Stress management

• Addressing underlying anxiety or burnout

• Identifying triggers and non-pharmacological coping

• Family involvement and boundary-setting

“Recovery doesn’t mean living without sleep—it means regaining natural, refreshing, pill-free rest.”

🧘 Who Should Consider Stopping Sleeping Pills?

• Anyone who has been using them for more than 4 weeks

• People experiencing daytime drowsiness, forgetfulness, or irritability

• Patients with heart, liver, kidney problems or elderly adults

• Individuals combining pills with alcohol or other sedatives

• Anyone feeling emotionally or physically dependent on the pills

📞 Break the Cycle. Rebuild Your Sleep. Reclaim Your Life.

Sleeping pill dependence is treatable. And you don’t have to go through withdrawal alone.

📍 Apollo Clinic – Velachery & Tambaram
📱 8595155808
🌐 www.srinivasaiims.com

“You were meant to rest, not rely.”

✍️ About the Author

Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T, MBBS, MD (Psychiatry)
Consultant Psychiatrist | Apollo Clinic, Velachery & Tambaram
Faculty, Sree Balaji Medical College & Hospital
Trained at AIIMS & NDDTC – India’s apex addiction centre

With specialized training in managing prescription drug dependence, Dr. Srinivas provides safe, structured tapering and recovery programs for individuals misusing Zolpidem, Alprazolam, Clonazepam, and other sedatives. His approach combines medical expertise with CBT-based emotional rehabilitation, helping patients rediscover life—awake, alert, and independent.