Spain sees rise in sleeping pill and anxiety medication use

Data from the Esvidas addiction centers network indicates a significant rise in the use of hypnosedatives in Spain. According to the 2025 OEDA report, 27.4% of the population has consumed these drugs at some point in their lives, marking a historical peak.

Further statistics from the 2024 EDADES survey show that approximately 456,000 people began consuming hypnosedatives, with or without a prescription, during the last year. Additionally, an OCU survey reports that 22% of Spaniards aged 18 to 70 use sleeping pills or anxiety medication, with nearly half of those users taking them daily.

Specialists warn that these medications are becoming normalized in social environments, often transitioning from temporary aids for stress or insomnia into long-term routines. Approximately 5% of the population admits to having used these drugs without a medical prescription.