{"id":14669,"date":"2024-05-03T04:59:30","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T04:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/?page_id=14669"},"modified":"2026-05-13T13:24:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T13:24:41","slug":"withdrawal-detox","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/sleeping-pills\/withdrawal-detox\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleeping Pill Withdrawal and Detox: Timeline &#038; Help"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Key Takeaways<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleeping pill withdrawal symptoms may begin within hours after stopping some drugs or appear days to weeks later. Timing varies by drug, dose, half-life and length of use. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK361010\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">InformedHealth.org, 2021<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common effects include rebound insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, trembling, dizziness, nausea, sweating, mood changes and cravings (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK361010\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">InformedHealth.org, 2021<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not stop sleeping pills abruptly without medical guidance. Sudden benzodiazepine discontinuation or rapid dose reduction can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, including seizures (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Brunner et al., 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A safer taper often starts with dose reductions of 5% to 10% every 2 to 4 weeks and generally should not exceed 25% every 2 weeks for physically dependent people (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brunner et al., 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical detox may be needed for severe symptoms, seizure risk, heavy use, polysubstance use or serious mental health concerns (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brunner et al., 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Combining benzodiazepines with opioids, alcohol or other depressants increases the risk of overdose and death (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CBT-I can help people stop sleeping pill use and manage insomnia. Research shows CBT-I plus tapering can improve short-term discontinuation outcomes for people stopping certain hypnotic drugs (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31648145\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Takaesu et al., 2019<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7853203\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Edinger et al., 2021<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Happens When You Stop Taking Sleeping Pills?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleeping pill withdrawal can happen when a person who has become dependent on a sleeping pill suddenly reduces their dose or stops use. Withdrawal symptoms may include rebound insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, nausea, sweating, tremors, mood changes, cravings and, in severe cases, hallucinations, delirium or seizures. Clinical guidance recommends gradual tapering rather than abrupt discontinuation for people who may be physically dependent on benzodiazepines or benzodiazepine receptor agonists, which include some drugs used for insomnia (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brunner et al., 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5951648\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Pottie et al., 2018<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not everyone who takes sleeping pills will have withdrawal effects. Risk increases when sleeping pills are taken for a long time, used in higher doses than prescribed or combined with alcohol, opioids or other depressants. The FDA warns that benzodiazepines can cause abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence and serious reactions when reduced too quickly, especially when combined with opioids, alcohol or other substances (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because sleeping pill withdrawal can be uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous, people should speak with a healthcare provider before stopping. Detox and professional treatment can help manage health risks, reduce discomfort and support long-term recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why Withdrawal Symptoms Happen<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Withdrawal is the body\u2019s reaction to no longer having a drug it has adapted to. Many prescription sleep aids slow activity in the central nervous system, which can make a person feel calm, drowsy or sedated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With repeated use, the brain and body may begin to rely on the drug to feel normal or fall asleep. When use stops suddenly, the nervous system can become overactive. This can lead to anxiety, restlessness, sweating, tremors and insomnia. Clinical guidance recommends that certain prescriptions should not be stopped abruptly in people who are likely to be physically dependent because sudden discontinuation can lead to serious effects (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brunner et al., 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This process can be physical, psychological or both. Physical effects involve the body, while psychological effects may include cravings, fear of not sleeping or feeling unable to function without the drug.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Sleeping Pill Withdrawal Timeline and Safety Signs<\/b><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Timeline<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Possible Symptoms<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Recommended Action<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hours to first few days<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rebound insomnia, anxiety, sweating, nausea, tremors, cravings<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact a healthcare provider before stopping or reducing your dose.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First 1\u20132 weeks<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms may peak; anxiety, irritability and physical discomfort may continue<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow a supervised taper or detox plan. Seek help if symptoms worsen.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weeks to months<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleep problems, mood changes or cravings may linger<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continue therapy, CBT-I or relapse prevention support.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emergency symptoms<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seizures, hallucinations, delirium, chest pain, severe vomiting or suicidal thoughts<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call 911 or seek emergency medical care.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Common Sleeping Pill Medications<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several sleeping pills can lead to dependence or withdrawal, especially when they are used long term or outside of medical guidance. These may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benzodiazepines, such as Halcion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-benzodiazepine sleeping pills, also called Z-drugs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zolpidem, sold under the brand name Ambien<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eszopiclone, sold under the brand name Lunesta<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zaleplon, sold under the brand name Sonata<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Barbiturates<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sedating drugs sometimes used off-label for sleeping problems<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benzodiazepine receptor agonists and Z-drugs are commonly used for insomnia, and deprescribing guidelines identify them as drugs that may require slow tapering when discontinuation is appropriate (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5951648\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pottie et al., 2018<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/12\/7\/2493\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Watson et al., 2023<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The FDA has also warned that Z-drugs, including zolpidem, eszopiclone and zaleplon, can cause serious complex behaviors such as sleepwalking, sleep driving and other activities performed while not fully awake (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/safety\/medical-product-safety-information\/certain-prescription-insomnia-medicines-new-boxed-warning-due-risk-serious-injuries-caused\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2019<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The risk depends on the sleeping pill, dose, length of use and a person\u2019s overall health. People who take these drugs daily or feel unable to sleep without them should talk with a medical professional before making changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Signs of Addiction or Dependence<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dependence can be hard to recognize because many people begin taking a sleeping pill for a legitimate sleeping problem. Dependence may develop when the body or mind starts relying on it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Signs of dependence may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeling unable to sleep without a sleeping pill<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking more than prescribed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking pills more often than directed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Running out of pills early<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeling anxious when you do not have access to pills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Needing a higher dose to feel the same effect<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trying to stop but returning to use because of symptoms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visiting multiple doctors to get prescriptions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mixing pills with alcohol or other substances<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having trouble functioning at work, school or home without pills<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dependence is not a personal failure. It means the body and brain have adapted. Medical support can help make stopping safer and more manageable, especially when pill addiction, addiction risk or another substance use disorder is involved.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Symptoms and Withdrawal Effects<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Effects vary from person to person. Some people have mild problems, while others experience severe withdrawal symptoms that require medical care.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common effects include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rebound insomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anxiety<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restlessness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irritability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mood swings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drug cravings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea or vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headaches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sweating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tremors or shakiness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle aches or tension<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased heart rate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart palpitations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memory problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trouble concentrating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe effects may include hallucinations, delirium, convulsions or seizures. FDA safety guidance notes that stopping certain drugs abruptly or reducing the dosage too quickly can cause reactions, including seizures, which can be life-threatening (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Is Rebound Insomnia and How Does It Affect Your Sleep?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rebound insomnia is a temporary worsening of sleeping problems after stopping a sedating drug. It is one of the most common reasons people return to use during withdrawal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rebound insomnia can make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep or feel rested. For some people, it feels worse than the insomnia they had before taking sleeping pills. This can create a cycle: the person stops taking the drug, sleep gets worse, anxiety increases and they feel pressure to start taking pills again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A gradual taper can help reduce rebound insomnia and other effects. Clinical deprescribing guidance supports tapering slowly rather than stopping abruptly, and sleep medicine guidance recommends combining tapering with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia when appropriate (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5951648\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pottie et al., 2018<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/12\/7\/2493\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Watson et al., 2023<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why Symptoms Can Feel Intense<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This process can feel intense because the brain is trying to rebalance after repeated exposure to a sedating drug. When a person stops suddenly, the body may no longer have the calming effect it has become used to.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This can lead to a temporary surge in anxiety, restlessness, sweating, tremors and sleeping problems. These effects can be especially strong in people who have taken a sleeping pill for a long time, used high doses or combined it with other substances. Tapering guidance recommends monitoring for symptoms with each dose reduction and adjusting the plan based on response (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brunner et al., 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The process may also feel emotionally difficult. A person may worry that they will never sleep normally again. Treatment can help address both the physical effects and the fear or anxiety that often comes with stopping sleeping pills.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Timeline: What to Expect<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The timeline depends on the sleeping pill, dose, length of use, metabolism, health history and whether other substances are involved. Some people begin feeling symptoms within hours, while others may not notice them until later. The FDA notes that withdrawal symptoms can vary widely, with some reports describing problems that begin after abrupt discontinuation or rapid dose reduction and last from weeks to longer periods in some cases (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>First Few Days<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms may begin within the first few days after the last dose, especially with shorter-acting sleeping pills. Early symptoms may include anxiety, restlessness, rebound insomnia, sweating, nausea, headaches, tremors, mood changes and cravings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This stage can be difficult because the body is beginning to adjust to functioning without the drug.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>First One to Two Weeks<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms may become more noticeable during the first week or two. Rebound insomnia, anxiety, irritability and cravings may intensify. Physical effects such as sweating, tremors, nausea, muscle tension and increased heart rate may also continue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People who used sleeping pills heavily or for a long time may have a higher risk of severe symptoms during this stage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>After the Acute Period<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical effects may begin to ease after the acute period. However, psychological symptoms can continue. Some people still experience anxiety, depression, cravings or disrupted sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support during this phase is important because lingering problems can increase the risk of returning to sleeping pill use.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Longer-Term Symptoms<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many acute problems improve within a few weeks. However, some people experience ongoing sleep problems, mood changes or cravings for weeks or months.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These longer-lasting issues may require therapy, sleep support, relapse prevention planning and treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions. Behavioral and psychological care, including CBT-I, is recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for chronic insomnia disorder in adults (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7853203\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edinger et al., 2021<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Long Symptoms Last<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Withdrawal often lasts days to weeks, but the full timeline can vary. Rebound insomnia, anxiety, depression and cravings may last longer, especially for people who used sleeping pills heavily or for an extended period.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms may last longer depending on:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The type of sleeping pill used<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether the drug is short-acting or long-acting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dose<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequency of use<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Length of use<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical health<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental health history<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use of alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines or other substances<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A healthcare provider can help estimate what pill withdrawal may look like and recommend the safest way to stop. Tapering guidelines emphasize individualized plans because risk factors, drug type and response can vary (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brunner et al., 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Sleeping Pill Safety Risks<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Withdrawal can be dangerous for some people. The risk is higher when a person stops suddenly after long-term or high-dose use, has a history of seizures or uses sleeping pills with alcohol, opioids or other depressants.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Possible risks include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe rebound insomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panic or intense anxiety<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dehydration from vomiting or sweating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion or disorientation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hallucinations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delirium<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seizures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relapse<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accidental overdose after relapse<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overdose risk may increase if someone returns to sleeping pill use after a period of detox. Tolerance can decrease during a period of abstinence, so taking a previous dose may be more dangerous than expected. The FDA warns that drug misuse can result in overdose or death, especially when combined with opioids, alcohol or illicit drugs (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why You Should Not Quit Cold Turkey<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quitting cold turkey means stopping suddenly without gradually reducing the dose. This can trigger stronger symptoms and increase the risk of complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A gradual taper is usually safer. During a taper, the dose is slowly reduced over time so the body can adjust. This may help lower the risk of severe rebound insomnia, anxiety, cravings, tremors and seizures. Deprescribing guidelines recommend slow tapering to reduce withdrawal symptoms and improve the chances of successful discontinuation (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5951648\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pottie et al., 2018<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The 2025 Joint Clinical Practice Guideline also states that certain sedative prescriptions should not be discontinued abruptly in people likely to be physically dependent (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brunner et al., 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People should not create their own tapering schedule without medical guidance. A safe taper depends on the drug, dose, length of use and health history.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Can You Detox at Home?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people may be able to taper off a sleeping pill at home with close medical guidance. However, detoxing alone or stopping suddenly is not recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At-home detox may be unsafe if you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a sleeping pill every day<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have taken it for a long time<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take more than prescribed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have had symptoms before when reducing or stopping<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mix the drug with alcohol or other substances<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use opioids or other sedatives<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a history of seizures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have severe anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a co-occurring substance use disorder<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A healthcare provider can help determine whether outpatient tapering, medical detox or a higher level of care is the safest option. Tapering guidance notes that while many tapers can be managed in outpatient settings, a more intensive level of care should be considered when risk cannot be safely managed in a lower level of care (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brunner et al., 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Medical Detox<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical detox is the process of reducing or stopping sleeping pill use while managing symptoms. A sleeping pill detox plan may involve medical monitoring, symptom management and a gradual taper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A medical detox plan may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A physical and mental health assessment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A personalized tapering schedule<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitoring for severe symptoms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support for insomnia, anxiety, nausea or tremors<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medication management when appropriate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydration and nutrition support<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Planning for continued treatment after detox<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detox helps the body stabilize, but it does not treat all the reasons a person became dependent on sleeping pills. Ongoing care can help address insomnia, anxiety, trauma, depression, addiction or substance use patterns that may contribute to continued use.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How To Stop Safely<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The safest way to stop taking a sleeping pill is to talk with a healthcare provider first. Stopping suddenly can make symptoms worse and may be unsafe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safe strategies may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following a medically supervised taper<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking pills only as prescribed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding alcohol and other sedatives<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping a consistent bedtime and wake schedule<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creating a calming bedtime routine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limiting caffeine, especially later in the day<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercising regularly when medically appropriate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Practicing relaxation techniques<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using therapy to address insomnia, anxiety or stress<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeking treatment for co-occurring mental health or substance use disorders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People should not replace prescribed pills with alcohol, opioids or other sedatives. This can increase the risk of overdose and make withdrawal more dangerous. FDA safety communications warn that combining benzodiazepines with opioids, alcohol or illicit drugs can increase the risk of serious outcomes, including overdose and death (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Treatment After Detox<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detox can help a person stop using sleeping pills safely, but ongoing treatment helps support long-term recovery. Treatment can address the physical, emotional and behavioral patterns connected to sleeping pill use, pill addiction or another substance use disorder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treatment after detox may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individual therapy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Group therapy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cognitive behavioral therapy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medication management when appropriate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dual diagnosis treatment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relapse prevention planning<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Family support<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aftercare planning<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can be especially helpful for people who started taking sleeping pills because of chronic sleep problems. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that CBT-I combined with gradual tapering was more effective than tapering alone for short-term discontinuation of hypnotic drugs and for improving insomnia symptoms (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31648145\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Takaesu et al., 2019<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). A randomized clinical trial also found that a structured receptor agonist taper combined with CBT-I-based behavioral intervention helped many adults discontinue these drugs (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamainternalmedicine\/fullarticle\/2824755\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fung et al., 2024<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Preventing Dependence and Future Symptoms<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to prevent withdrawal is to reduce the risk of dependence. Sleeping pills should be used only as directed and usually for the shortest time necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ways to reduce risk include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not increase your dose without medical approval<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not take pills more often than prescribed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid mixing pills with alcohol or other substances<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask your doctor about non-drug treatments for insomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Practice healthy sleeping habits consistently<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tell your provider if the drug stops working<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seek help early if you feel unable to sleep without pills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not stop suddenly without medical guidance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If dependence has already developed, a healthcare provider can help create a safer plan for tapering or detox. Clinical guidelines support shared decision-making, gradual dose reduction and behavioral support when discontinuing sedative prescriptions (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brunner et al., 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5951648\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Pottie et al., 2018<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/12\/7\/2493\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Watson et al., 2023<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Recovering From Drug Addiction<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, it might be time for professional treatment. The experts at The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health are able to identify and treat substance use disorders as well as other co-occurring mental health conditions.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/contact-us\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today to learn more about treatment programs that can work well for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Frequently Asked Questions<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>What are the first signs?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Early signs may include rebound insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, sweating, nausea, headaches, irritability, tremors and cravings. Symptoms may begin within hours or days after the last dose, but the timing varies by drug and person.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Can it be life-threatening?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Withdrawal is not always life-threatening, but it can become dangerous. Severe effects may include hallucinations, delirium, convulsions or seizures. The risk is higher when sleeping pills are mixed with alcohol, opioids or other substances (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brunner et al., 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Should I stop cold turkey?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. Stopping suddenly can cause symptoms and may be unsafe. Clinical guidance recommends tapering certain sedative prescriptions slowly when stopping is appropriate, rather than abruptly discontinuing them (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brunner et al., 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5951648\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Pottie et al., 2018<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/12\/7\/2493\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Watson et al., 2023<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>How long does rebound insomnia last?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rebound insomnia may last a few days to several weeks, depending on the sleeping pill, dose, length of use and individual health factors. Therapy and sleep-focused treatment can help if insomnia continues.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Do I need detox?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not everyone needs inpatient detox, but medical guidance is recommended. Detox may be especially important for people who have used sleeping pills heavily, taken them long term, mixed them with other substances or had withdrawal symptoms before.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Can therapy help?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. Therapy can help people manage cravings, anxiety, stress, addiction and insomnia without returning to sleeping pill use. Research suggests that CBT-I, especially when paired with gradual tapering, can improve short-term discontinuation outcomes for people stopping hypnotic drugs (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31648145\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Takaesu et al., 2019<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). AASM guidelines also recommend behavioral and psychological treatments for chronic insomnia disorder in adults (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7853203\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edinger et al., 2021<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What should I do if someone I love is having symptoms?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourage them to contact a healthcare provider before stopping or reducing their dose. If they experience confusion, hallucinations, seizures, severe vomiting, chest pain or suicidal thoughts, seek emergency medical help.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>References<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brunner, E., Dopheide, J. A., Winstanley, E. L., et al. (2025). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joint clinical practice guideline on benzodiazepine tapering: Considerations when risks outweigh benefits<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><b>Journal of General Internal Medicine, 40<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2814\u20132859.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12463801\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edinger, J. D., Arnedt, J. T., Bertisch, S. M., Carney, C. E., Harrington, J. J., Lichstein, K. L., Sateia, M. J., Troxel, W. M., Zhou, E. S., Kazmi, U., Heald, J. L., &amp; Martin, J. L. (2021). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Behavioral and psychological treatments for chronic insomnia disorder in adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><b>Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 17<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(2), 255\u2013262.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7853203\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7853203\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fung, C. H., Alessi, C., Martin, J. L., Josephson, K., Kierlin, L., Dzierzewski, J. M., Moore, A. A., Badr, M. S., Zeidler, M., Kelly, M., Smith, J. P., Cook, I. A., Der-Mcleod, E., Ghadimi, S., Naeem, S., Partch, L., Guzman, A., Grinberg, A., &amp; Mitchell, M. (2024). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Masked taper with behavioral intervention for discontinuation of benzodiazepine receptor agonists: A randomized clinical trial<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><b>JAMA Internal Medicine, 184<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(12), 1448\u20131456.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamainternalmedicine\/fullarticle\/2824755\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamainternalmedicine\/fullarticle\/2824755<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">InformedHealth.org. (2021). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using medication: Learn more \u2014 What can help when trying to stop taking sleeping pills and sedatives?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> National Center for Biotechnology Information.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK361010\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK361010\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pottie, K., Thompson, W., Davies, S., Grenier, J., Sadowski, C. A., Welch, V., Holbrook, A., Boyd, C., Swenson, R., Ma, A., Farrell, B., &amp; Martin, P. (2018). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists: Evidence-based clinical practice guideline<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><b>Canadian Family Physician, 64<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(5), 339\u2013351.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5951648\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5951648\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Takaesu, Y., Utsumi, T., Okajima, I., Shimura, A., Kotorii, N., Kuriyama, K., Yamashita, H., Suzuki, M., &amp; Watanabe, N. (2019). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Psychosocial intervention for discontinuing benzodiazepine hypnotics in patients with chronic insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><b>Sleep Medicine Reviews, 48<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 101214.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31648145\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31648145\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Certain prescription insomnia medicines: New boxed warning due to risk of serious injuries caused by sleepwalking, sleep driving, and engaging in other activities while not fully awake<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/safety\/medical-product-safety-information\/certain-prescription-insomnia-medicines-new-boxed-warning-due-risk-serious-injuries-caused\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/safety\/medical-product-safety-information\/certain-prescription-insomnia-medicines-new-boxed-warning-due-risk-serious-injuries-caused<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FDA requiring boxed warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watson, N. F., Benca, R. M., Krystal, A. D., McCall, W. V., &amp; Neubauer, D. N. (2023). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alliance for Sleep clinical practice guideline on switching or deprescribing hypnotic medications for insomnia<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><b>Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(7), 2493.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/12\/7\/2493\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/12\/7\/2493<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Sleeping pill withdrawal symptoms may begin within hours after stopping some drugs or appear days to weeks later. Timing varies by drug, dose, half-life and length of use. (InformedHealth.org, 2021). Common effects include rebound insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, trembling, dizziness, nausea, sweating, mood changes and cravings (InformedHealth.org, 2021). Do not stop sleeping pills abruptly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":4026,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14669","blog","type-blog","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"written_by":13525,"enable_medically_and_up":["Yes"],"medically_reviewed_by":325,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. <a href=\"\/research\/\">View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"<i>Last Updated<\/i> - <b>07\/13\/2024<\/b>","page_first_published_date":"20240503","page_last_edit_date":"20240713","highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling <a href=\"tel:5613407269\"><b>561-340-7269<\/b><\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"","source":{"source_label":"","source_content":""},"staff_member_heading":"Authorship","staff_member":[{"staff_member_title":"Writer","select_staff_member":13525},{"staff_member_title":"Medically Reviewed By","select_staff_member":325}],"insurance_label":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/14669","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14669"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/14669\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/4026"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/325"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/13525"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}