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Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions

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DON'T WANT TO TAKE SLEEPING PILLS

My daughter was recently involved in a car accident and she's still in intensive care. It's all been very distressing. My GP prescribed me some sleeping pills, but was at pains to tell me they are addictive and not to take them every night. They've frightened me so much that I haven't taken them. How soon can you get addicted?

Sleeping pills are indeed addictive and they're only licensed short term, but they'd be appropriately used in exactly this scenario. If you did take them every night for four weeks or longer, you could become dependent. Using them every night is generally discouraged. If you just take them two to four times per week, that would be best.

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