Over-the-counter sedatives: the dangers of self-medication and addiction

According to the World Health Organization, more than 65% of people suffering from alcohol addiction regularly use over-the-counter sedatives. In Ukraine, this figure is even higher – about 78% according to the Ministry of Health data for 2023.

“Patients often don’t understand that sedatives are not a solution to the problem, but merely masking symptoms, which can lead to the formation of a new addiction,” comments Alina Gruzina, narcologist-psychiatrist at TRANSFORMATION Medical Center.

Why Do People Choose Self-Medication?

According to research by the National Institute of Mental Health of Ukraine:

  • 47% try to cope with hangover syndrome
  • 38% mask anxiety symptoms
  • 29% use for sleep normalization
  • 23% combine with alcohol to enhance the effect

Dual Addiction: A Road to Nowhere

“Over the past 5 years, we’ve observed an alarming trend: more than 40% of patients seeking help for alcohol addiction already have a concurrent dependence on sedative medications,” notes Tatiana Gurenko, narcologist at TRANSFORMATION clinic.

Studies show that the combination of alcohol and sedative medications increases the risk of fatal outcome by 16 times. Meanwhile, 89% of people using such combinations are unaware of the real danger.

Popular Medications and Their Hidden Threats

Medication Type Purchase Frequency Addiction Risk Danger When Combined with Alcohol
Herbal Sedatives 45% Medium High
Combined Sedatives 35% High Critical
OTC Sleeping Pills 20% Very High Fatally Dangerous

Signs of Developing Addiction

“Unfortunately, most patients seek help too late,” says Alexander Dzyaba, anesthesiologist-resuscitator. “The first signs of addiction can be noticed after just 2-3 weeks of regular sedative use.”

Statistics of complications from self-medication (Ukrainian Ministry of Health data for 2023):

  • 34% of cases require emergency hospitalization
  • 28% lead to severe mental disorders
  • 22% end in coma or death

Professional Approach to Problem Solving

At “TRANSFORMATION” Medical Center, we’ve developed a comprehensive program for treating dual addiction, with effectiveness proven by years of practice. According to clinic statistics, 87% of patients who complete the full course of treatment achieve stable remission.

Stages of Professional Treatment

“Treating dual addiction requires a special approach,” explains the clinic’s chief physician. “You can’t just abruptly stop all medications. This can lead to severe consequences.”

Primary Diagnostics:

  • Comprehensive examination
  • Analysis of medication use history
  • Assessment of addiction severity

According to clinic data, proper initial diagnosis increases treatment effectiveness by 64%.

Inpatient Treatment

TRANSFORMATION clinic provides all conditions for comfortable treatment:

  • Modern medical equipment
  • 24/7 specialist supervision
  • Individual and group sessions with psychologist
  • Comfortable rooms of various categories

“The uniqueness of our approach lies in its comprehensiveness,” emphasizes Alina Gruzina. “We don’t just treat addiction, we help people return to a full life.”

Guarantees and Results

Statistics of successful treatment at TRANSFORMATION clinic:

  • 92% of patients successfully complete detoxification
  • 87% achieve stable remission
  • 76% return to normal social life within 6 months

Take the First Step to Freedom from Addiction

Don’t let self-medication destroy your life. Professional help is a safe and effective path to recovery.

Expert Opinion

“The main danger of self-medicating with sedatives is that people don’t notice when addiction forms,” concludes Tatiana Gurenko. “When patients finally seek help, they often require much longer and more complex treatment than would have been necessary with early intervention.”

Remember: seeking professional help in time is not a sign of weakness, but a demonstration of care for your health and future.

Our address

t. Dnipro, Dmytro Yavornytskyi Avenue, 82
Phone for consultations: (066) 103 05 05

Work schedule:
Mon.- Fri. from 10-00 to 19-00. Sat. – Sun. from 10-00 to 17-00 Record by phone: (066) 103 05 05

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