Dependence on sleeping pills and sedatives

High risk of addiction to sleep and sedatives

05/12/2014

Sleep problems and inner restlessness or increased nervousness are relatively widespread complaints. Many Germans resort to sleep and sedatives here, in order to arrive carefree through everyday life. But the funds carry a high risk of dependency, warn the Barmer GEK, the German main office for addiction issues e. V. (DHS) and the German Medical Association (BÄK) in a recent information campaign.

The aim of the campaign is to increase the awareness of patients and doctors about the risks of sleeping pills and sedatives, according to the Barmer GEK. At present, around 1.2 million people in Germany are dependent on sleeping pills and sedatives. Til today „Many people are not aware of the addictive potential of the drug group belonging to the so-called benzodiazepines preparations“, explains Andrea Jakob-Pannier, addiction prevention expert at Barmer GEK in the current press release. „Sometimes it is enough to take the medication for three to four weeks to develop a dependency“, Jakob-Pannier continues.

The body gets used to the medication
Although it is possible to achieve very convincing effects with sleeping pills and tranquilizers in the short term, „After just two weeks, the body begins to get used to a drug“, explains Dr. Raphael Gaßmann, expert of the DHS. Many would then feel that the drug is not strong enough and increase the dose. For this reason too, the use of benzodiazepines should, in the opinion of Dr. med. Christoph von Ascheraden, board member of the German Medical Association, „always under medical supervision and only to bridge crisis situations.“ In addition, the expert emphasizes that the drug should never be discontinued abruptly after prolonged ingestion.

Rules for the use of sleeping pills and sedatives
Practical help for the correct intake of medicines is offered by Barmer GE on their website. In addition, the experts also refer to the so-called „4K rule“, which provides a good guide to the prescription and use of sleeping pills and tranquilizers. The four „K“ stand for kclear indication, klast necessary dose, kUrze application time and ka sudden discontinuation of the medication, according to the announcement of the Barmer GEK. (Fp)