Get Off Sleeping Pills

Getting off sleeping pills

Also called Tapering benzos and Z-drugs, Sleeping pill withdrawal, Benzo taper, Rebound insomnia

3 min plan63 min with every studyUpdated Sep 28, 2026

Who it's forA man who has taken a sleeping pill or a benzo most nights for months or years and cannot sleep without it.

When to see a doctor

A seizure, confusion, or seeing things while cutting down: call 911.
Very sleepy, hard to wake, or slow breathing after these pills, above all with alcohol or opioids, or an overdose: call 911.
Never stop a benzodiazepine or Z-drug suddenly after taking it most days. Withdrawal can be life-threatening, with seizures and delirium. Talk to the prescriber first.
Taking them with opioid painkillers, alcohol, or pills not from a pharmacy. Tell the doctor now; ask about naloxone if you take opioids.
A past withdrawal seizure or delirium, a very high dose, or heavy drinking too. Ask about a supervised withdrawal unit.
Sleep-walking, sleep-driving or doing things you do not remember on a sleeping pill. Stop it and call the doctor.
Low mood, hopelessness or no interest in things, most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks.
Waking choking or gasping, breathing that stops and starts in sleep, or feeling very tired every day. This can be sleep apnea.
Still not sleeping after 2 weeks on a pharmacy sleep aid. See a doctor.
Feeling drowsy the morning after a dose. Do not drive.

I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice. This is self-education. Never stop or change a prescribed sedative without the doctor who prescribes it: stopping suddenly after regular use can cause seizures. Every dose and pace on this page is the one a label or guideline states, quoted from it. It is not a prescription.