Tips for Falling Asleep Without Prescription Drugs, Part 2: OTC Options
Thursday, August 27th, 2009If you have to stop taking prescription drugs for insomnia because the addiction is ruining your life, congratulations! As great a decision as that is, that now means that you’re back to square one as far as dealing with your original sleeping issue, except now you have addiction issues as well, which makes it all the more difficult.
Insomnia is a problem that is often cured by prescription painkillers and benzos. Lack of sleep may be enough to warrant the prescription but in most cases, difficulties sleeping begin when prescription drug use for another issue stops. One side effect of prescription painkillers and anti-anxiety medication is their ability to knock you out. When you stop taking the drug, you find that your body has forgotten how to fall asleep naturally. So how do you fix this problem?
The other day, we looked at non non-narcotic options for inducing sleep. Here are a few more:
Commercial Yet Non-Narcotic Options for Sleep
- Melatonin – These little pills will help you sleep if you take them right before you lay down. Available in slow release capsule. (about $7)
- Valerian Root – Don’t be put off by the stinky feet smell of these guys. They come in capsule form or you can buy the tea… or the herb to make the tea… or in tincture form. (about $7)
- Good Night Pills – A bunch of companies have created their own sleepy time formula and most combine melatonin and valerian with other calming herbs (about $15)
- Kava Kava – Best in tincture form, it’s also available in capsules and pretty much all it’s good for is helping you sleep. (about $7)
- Lavender – They say that lavender is soothing and you can find a range of sleep pillows, eye masks, lotions, bed linen scents, candles, aromatherapy oils and more that are scented with the stuff to help you sleep. (about $5 to $20 depending upon quality of herb and the item)
- Good Night Tea – There are a number of different brands that cater to getting you ready for bed but the best include a combination of chamomile, catnip, hops and passionflower (about $4 to $6).
Of course, if you’re hooked on 5 Oxys every night or take 8 Xanax just to calm down, chances are these little over the counter remedies won’t be much help. But every little bit counts and as your body adjusts to being without prescription drugs, these herbs and exercises will have a greater effect.
Anyone else have any suggestions about how to get to sleep when you’re trying to break your prescription drug addiction?

