Sleeping pills are a category of prescription drugs that includes many distinct chemicals. Your exact withdrawal timeline will depend on several factors, including the exact type of drug you have been using. Other factors may be the size of your last dose, the amount of time you have been dependent on the drug, and the size of the dose you were used to. Generally, people who have been using a high dose for a long time will experience symptoms quickly, and those symptoms are more severe. Every person is different, so your experience may not be the same as someone else’s. Before attempting to stop using a sleeping pill, speak to a doctor or medical professional. They may be able to help you wean off of the drug without encountering some of the most intense symptoms. Here’s what could happen if you quit using sleeping pills cold turkey after becoming dependent: The first symptoms will appear within the first 24 hours of your last dose. If you were used to a large dose, or if your last dose was smaller than usual, symptoms may show up sooner. Your first symptoms may be similar to a hangover, where you feel a mental fog, fatigue, difficulty focusing, memory issues, headaches, and a lack of alertness. At this point, you may experience rebounding symptoms like insomnia and anxiety. In addition to the uncomfortable feelings you may have already experienced, you may also experience some psychological symptoms like irritability and agitation. Within three to seven days, your side effects will peak, and you’ll start to experience the most intense symptoms. Cravings to use may also be severe at this point. As a central nervous system depressant, sleep aids might cause paranoia, confusion, seizures, or delirium. These symptoms are more likely if you were also drinking alcohol with sleep aids. After your symptoms peak, they will start to taper off, and your risk of severe symptoms will lower. Most of your physical symptoms will be gone by the end of the second week, though you may still experience insomnia. Sometimes insomnia and psychological symptoms last for much longer than your detox and may even linger for months unless they are treated. However, in addiction treatment, many of these persistent symptoms can be addressed and alleviated.