Sleep problems are more common than you might think—more than one in five people in the Netherlands aged 12 and older struggle with them. When we talk about sleep problems, we often mean difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. These issues say a lot about the quality of your sleep. And it's not just the Dutch who face this challenge.

According to research by IQVIA, 2.3 million Belgians were prescribed benzodiazepines in 2022. Benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos,” are addictive sleep and anti-anxiety medications that should really only be used in exceptional cases. Multiple experts have voiced concern over the fact that nearly one in five Belgians receives a benzodiazepine prescription from their doctor or psychiatrist. The overuse of benzodiazepines has been a known issue for years.

Benzodiazepines are a group of medications used to treat anxiety and insomnia. They have a sedative effect, making you feel drowsy and sleepy. Doctors prescribe benzodiazepines for mental health issues or for the short-term treatment of severe insomnia that disrupts daily functioning or causes significant distress.

These medications are commonly prescribed because of their calming and anxiety-reducing effects. Examples include oxazepam, temazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam. Benzodiazepine agonists like zolpidem and zopiclone are also frequently prescribed.

However, these medications can be highly addictive and should only be used under close medical supervision. Stopping benzodiazepines abruptly can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms.

Increase in use among young people

The use of benzodiazepines among young people has increased significantly in recent years.

In 2022, more than 41,000 Belgian adolescents were prescribed a benzodiazepine at least once, according to official data. The COVID-19 pandemic may be one of the reasons behind this sharp rise, although this cannot be said with certainty.

Older adults aged 65 and over are still the most frequent users. More than half of all benzodiazepine use comes from this age group. A similar increase in usage is also visible in the Netherlands: in 2021, 1.37 million people were prescribed a benzodiazepine.Wanneer is het gebruik van benzodiazepines nuttig?

Het gebruik van benzodiazepines kan erg verslavend zijn en abrupt stoppen kan leiden tot ernstige ontwenningsverschijnselen. Daarom worden benzo’s alleen voorgeschreven in ernstige gevallen, als je echt niet kunt slapen of om iemand te kalmeren bij paniekaanvallen. De duur van het gebruik van deze medicijnen is ook erg belangrijk. Na één week moet de arts met de patiënt in gesprek gaan en de gezondheidsrisico's bespreken.

The alternative to addictive sleeping pills

Using benzodiazepines is not recommended if you're simply experiencing a period of poor sleep. It's better to try natural sleep aids first. Mother Nature can support you in falling asleep or staying asleep more easily.

There are several natural ingredients known to have a positive impact on your sleep quality.

DroomSap

A natural alternative to addictive benzodiazepines is DroomSap. DroomSap is a blend of seven organically grown herbs, pure bee honey, and a low dose of doxylamine. It is used both to help you fall asleep and to stay asleep throughout the night. You’ll enjoy restful sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and energized.

The use of sleep aids has been on the rise in recent years—not just natural remedies, but also prescription sleep medications. Prescription sleep aids are only intended for short-term use, as they can be addictive and harder to stop using over time.

This blog is based on an article from Vrt.be.

Droomsap: the alternative to addictive sleeping pills

What are benzodiazepines?

Increase in use among young people

The alternative to addictive sleeping pills

DroomSap

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