Sedative-Hypnotic Use Disorder

What is sedative-hypnotic use disorder?

Sedative-hypnotic drugs are prescription medications used to slow down brain activity. These medicines can ease feelings of anxiety or stress and encourage restful sleep, but it’s possible to develop a tolerance with frequent use. Tolerance means your body adjusts to the medication, so you need a higher dosage to experience the beneficial effects.

To prevent tolerance, many people who use sedative-hypnotic drugs combine them with alcohol. Unfortunately, this can lead to potentially deadly side-effects, including heart attack or stroke. 

If you regularly take sedative-hypnotic drugs, and they don’t provide the same effects as they used to, a sedative-hypnotic use disorder may be to blame. To prevent symptoms from getting worse, make an appointment at The Transformation Center as soon as possible.

What are the symptoms of sedative-hypnotic use disorder?

The symptoms of a sedative-hypnotic use disorder include:

• Regular cravings 
• Inability to cut back on medication use
• Physical dependence, including cold sweats, irritability, or trembling
• A desire to take the drug, even if it negatively affects your relationships or life

Sedative-hypnotic use disorders affect everyone differently. Some people can take sedative-hypnotic medications as prescribed without any complications. Others become dependent over time and start utilizing more and more to achieve a specific “high.”

How is sedative-hypnotic use disorder diagnosed?

To diagnose sedative-hypnotic use disorder, the team at The Transformation Center reviews your medical and mental health history and asks questions about your symptoms and lifestyle, including how often you use, if you have a prescription, and if you take your medication with other substances like alcohol or cannabis. 

Though these questions may seem intrusive or embarrassing, try to answer them as honestly as possible. Your responses play a direct role in developing a custom treatment plan. The team doesn’t judge their patients in any way. Their team's only goal is to help prevent and treat addiction while restoring your health and quality of life.

On the day of your appointment, you should also make sure to bring a list of any prescription medications, vitamins, or nutritional supplements that you take regularly.

How is sedative-hypnotic use disorder treated?

The Transformation Center team treats sedative-hypnotic use disorder with a combination of counseling, psychiatric medications, and other holistic treatment methods. After conducting a comprehensive in-office evaluation, they might recommend:

• Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• 12-step program
• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Yoga

The goal of treatment is to minimize cravings and wean you off prescription sedative-hypnotics. By addressing your addiction, it’s possible to improve your health and life.

To explore treatment for sedative-hypnotic use disorder, schedule an appointment at The Transformation Center. Book a consultation online, or call the office nearest you to speak with a team member.