A study released by Thomson Reuters’ healthcare business on Thursday showed that the use of sleep aids in young adults has nearly tripled between 1998 and 2006.

The study finds that adults under 45 are using the drugs for a longer period of time. In 1998, the average duration of use was 64 days. Nearly a decade later, in 2006, that number rose to to 93 days, an increase of more than 40%

“Insomnia, a condition traditionally associated with older adults, appears to be causing larger numbers of young adults to turn to prescription sleep aids, and to depend on them for longer periods of time,” said William Marder, senior VP and general manager for the health care business of Thomson Reuters.

The data for use of sleep meds in 18-24-year-old college students have nearly tripled since 1998.

There were 1,524 users per 100,000 in 2006, drastically different from the 599 per 100,000 users in 1998.

According to Donna Arand, a sleep specialist at Kettering Hospital Sleep Disorder Center in Dayton, Ohio, she has seen a lot of students turn to sleep meds because their sleeping patterns have been disrupted by their schedule.

“I find it very worrisome that young people who should have a very strong and healthy sleep system are now finding they are turning to medication to help them get to sleep,” said Arand.

Arand added that once their schedules normalize, these students will have a harder time adjusting to a regular sleeping pattern.

Our Take:

The numbers are surprising, but the reasons probably are not. College students typically have different schedules and different demands and responsibilities every quarter. So it makes sense that a lot of them need to turn to medications for help. I know that I feel like I need it sometimes, when one day I sleep at 5 in the morning because I can’t fall asleep, and the next day, I sleep at midnight.

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