Hey guys! :)

I'm a 6'6" teenager, and I've noticed I've started having a "sleeping pill" problem haha.

I've always been a "night" person, and so for a while now I've noticed that I get a boost of energy late at night...so I've been taking sleeping pills on a regular basis for a long while now. First I started out with two Sleepy Time...then 3...4...and now I'm taking about 6-7 every night to get tired and sleep. I'm a bigger body build, so I haven't overdosed, though I did just about overdose when I took 10 to get so sleep (I woke up sweating and sooo exhausted, but not able to sleep).

I've never done drugs or smoked, and I'm a respected guy and class president of my Junior class...I want to be healthy, and I'm not really sure what to do...this past week, I went to a Music Camp, and I forgot my sleeping pills at home...every night, I couldn't sleep (get tired) till about 3am, and I was waking up at 8am each morning. What should I do, and is totally abandoning the pills really the safest thing right now?

Thanks guys
~Izzy, a Jesus Freak

Izzy-
I am not coming down on you, but please, PLEASE stop taking those sleeping pills. You are treading in dangerous waters here. Sleeping medications, even over the counter ones are addictive, so please stop now. Please talk with your parents about the problems you are having getting a good night of natural sleep. Ask them to take you to the doctor about this. You may have some kind of insomnia that can be helped safely under the guidance of a qualified doctor.

I can also tell you that many of the sleeping meds at the stores are basically made of Benadryl, and that stuff can have the opposite effect on some people. They can actually make you hyper and unable to sleep.

I don't know how your parents feel about you taking natural supplements, but Melatonin is something I've used in the past when I'm having problems getting some sleep. Melatonin is a substance your body produces on it's own to trigger your body to get sleepy. AGAIN though, I MUST stress, that since you are a teenager, this should be done with the approval of a doctor.

Again, please stop taking those sleeping pills because you may harm your healthy body. Also, you do NOT want to have an addiction because that, in itself is harmful.

Take care, and please talk with your parents about this. They would want to know you are having problems getting a good night's rest. You need that rest!!