Physically exhausted but mentally wide awake. It's what insomniacs experience nightly.
The problem hits 40 million Americans. Women are more likely to have it than men. And those sleepless nights can lead to a dangerous, potentially deadly problem.
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Alesandra Rain started taking prescription sleeping pills after a bad car wreck and a wrecked marriage.
"I think between the pain and the stress of the divorce, I just wasn't able to sleep," says Rain.
Soon, she was hooked, taking 60 Ambien and 240 other sleeping meds every month. And on top of that, she was mixing those pills with hundreds more for pain and depression.
"And by the end I was on 1000 pills a month," says Rain. She goes on to say her skin turned gray and her health diminished.
A study by the National Sleep Foundation found 30 percent of American women use some sort of sleep aid, at least a few times a week. Other research shows 84 percent of new moms experience insomnia.
Sleep psychologist Dr. Kimberly Justice says just being a woman makes you more prone to sleep problems: from menstruation to pregnancy to menopause.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends using hypnotics like Ambien, Lunesta or Sonata only once or twice a week, for a few weeks.
"The reality is that many of these women are using those medications much more long term you know months to years," says Justice. She goes on to say that like cocaine and crystal meth, you can build up a tolerance to sleep meds.
"So, in order to get the same effect you actually have to increase the dosage," says Justice.
And that can lead to overdose, which could be deadly.
You should also avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while on sleep meds. The fruit can make the drugs absorb into your bloodstream faster and cause over sedation.
Justcec says there are safe ways to get a good night's sleep.
"So the general rule is that we use our bed for sleep and sex only," explains Justice. She goes on to say you should not read, watch television or think about your troubles while in bed.
"Our bed is supposed to be a cue for drowsiness and falling asleep. When we get into this anxious cycle what happens is bed becomes a place and a cue for staying awake and being anxious and worrying."
Justice also recommends quiting caffeine after 4pm. Also, stay off the computer, your iPad and smartphone around bedtime. The light can mess with your melatonin and make it tough to get to sleep.
Some people think a shower will help them sleep but Justice says showering and bathing can actually be pretty alarming to the body. Her best advice is to remember the 20-20 rule. If you can't sleep get out of bed for 20 minutes and do a calming activity in a low light environment. Then, get back in bed for 20 minutes. If you are still awake, try it again.
For Rain, rehab was the answer to her sleeping pill problem.
"I wished I had been hooked on heroin. I would have been through it a lot quicker. What started as my biggest mistake in life, was heading down this path has turned out to be this most enormous gift that I wouldn't change for anything," says Rain.
She now runs her own non-profit and helps others around the world overcome their prescription addictions.
Justice says after a person quits taking sleeping pills, there is a period of withdrawal called insomnia rebound, where the insomnia gets worse. She says it is important women know that will pass.
And, after you beat a sleeping pill addiction, you can get back to a normal, restful sleep cycle.