• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Vomiting
• Delusions
• Memory loss
• Poor coordination

Ambien Dependence and Overdose

Because of the likelihood of dependency, it is recommended that Ambien be taken for the shortest possible amount of time at the lowest dosage. A tolerance for Ambien can quickly be developed, as the drug loses its effectiveness over time. Patients may be tempted to increase dosage, but this practice can result in overdose. Ambien overdose can cause coma or death and is indicated by the following symptoms:

• Excessive sedation
• Respiratory depression
• Pin-point pupils

This could result in an increase of the dosage on the patients part, which may result in an over dosage. It is very possible that an over dosage of this sedative will cause the patient to fall into a coma, which may eventually lead into death.

Ambien Withdrawal Symptoms

Ambien withdrawal symptoms will occur whenever use is abruptly stopped. Withdrawal often leads to rebound, as users will return to the drug to alleviate the discomfort of withdrawal. Other Ambien withdrawal symptoms include the following:

• Aggressive behavior
• Insomnia
• Hallucinations
• Sweating
• Confusion
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts

Long-Term Recovery from Ambien Addiction

Professional help provides the safest and most successful Ambien addiction recovery. Medical professionals can gradually reduce dosage to prevent the worst withdrawal symptoms from occurring and provide supervision during the detox process and beyond. Long-term recovery will require psychological addiction counseling after detox. This counseling will help uncover personal issues that may contribute to addiction and will equip recovering users with the tools and resources necessary for long-term sobriety.

Need Ambien Addiction Help?

If you are struggling with Ambien addiction, we can help. Call our toll-free helpline to learn more about addiction and find the treatment options that can get you started on the road to long-term recovery. We are available 24 hours a day, so now is the time to call and get the help you need.

However, abuse of Ambien can lead to addiction which is a very serious and sometimes life-threatening problem. In addition to the fact that the addiction can be devastating to your health, relationships, work, finances and your goals, Ambien can sometimes temporarily impact a person’s memory.

Ambien Side Effects

Studies reveal that the most common Ambien side effects include the following symptoms:

• Daytime drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty with coordination
• Lightheadedness
• Dry mouth
• Allergic reaction
• Heart palpitations
• Tiredness
• Unexplained rash
• Abnormal dreams

Some Ambien side effects require immediate medical attention including the following:

• Suicidal thoughts
• Confusion
• More outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal
• Strange behavior
• Depression
• Hallucinations
• Agitation or restlessness
• Fainting
• Slurred speech
• Coordination problems
• Vision changes

Ambien Overdose Help

Unfortunately for many addicts, it is only when an overdose of Ambien occurs that they feel that they must seek help. People who take too much Ambien may become excessively sleepy or even go into a light coma; other overdose symptoms may include these:

• Confusion, dizziness, clumsiness, or staggering
• Severe nausea or vomiting
• Difficult or slow breathing, slowed heart rate
• Unconsciousness

The symptoms of overdose are more severe if the person is also taking other drugs, especially benzodiazepines, opiate painkillers or alcohol that depress the central nervous system. Those who overdose on Ambien can experience heart failure, coma and even death.

Evaluating Treatment Services

Drug rehab centers have been very successful in helping addicts recover from a pattern of addiction to live productive and healthy lives. When evaluating drug rehab centers, be sure to look for the following:

• Medical / inpatient drug detox services – medically supervised detox gives you confidence knowing that you are being treated by a physician trained especially to deal with detox
• Individualized treatment planning – no two addicts are the same which makes individualized treatment planning critical to the success of the addict recovering and maintaining sobriety.
• 24 hour support staff on premises – nurses, counselors, and other support staff available at any hour
• Dual diagnosis treatment programs – many substance abusers felt driven to drugs due to a mental health issue, therefore, a program that offers treatment for both issues simultaneously provides the greatest benefit
• Comprehensive family recovery program – drug addiction does not just impact the addict, but also their family and friends who are often unsure how to help the addict. Family recovery assistance guides all impacted people in how best to help themselves and the addict.
• Relapse prevention course and aftercare planning – as many as 80% of recovery addicts suffer through at least one relapse, so coupling relapse prevention with aftercare planning helps reduce the odds of a relapse.

Get Help for Ambien Abuse

You don’t have to make one of the most important decisions of your life alone. We can help you explore your options for treating your Ambien addiction, so please call our toll-free number today. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about Ambien treatment services. We are here to help.

Ambien should not be prescribed for longer than five weeks, and if insomnia persists, doctors should seek alternate solutions. However, because Ambien so easily relieves insomnia, doctors are often tempted to allow patients to continue using the drug. Unfortunately, prolonged use leads to physical and psychological dependency and tolerance, which increases the potential for patients to develop a dangerous addiction that may be life threatening.

Health Risks and Effects of Ambien Abuse

Ambien addiction may lead to misuse, such as snorting crushed pills or drinking water mixed with powder from the pills. This type of abuse leads to the following side effects:

• Severe confusion
• Abnormal behavior
• Hallucinations
• Allergic reactions
• Temporary amnesia
• Slowed or difficult breathing
• Overdose

These side effects are very dangerous and overdose may even lead to death. If you are misusing Ambien and fear you have developed an addiction, seek help immediately. There are many treatment programs available that curb drug cravings and offer emotional support that leads to recovery.

Methods of Ambien Addiction Treatment and Recovery

Ambien addiction treatment is similar to many types of drug addiction treatment; treatment programs are found in drug rehab centers. Before drug rehab begins, each patient is evaluated and offered a personalized treatment plan based on his or her particular situation, because rehab professionals recognize patients as unique individuals and treat them carefully and considerately.

Treatment typically begins with detox, or the cleansing of the toxins found in Ambien from the patient’s body. Though detox may be a difficult time due to withdrawal symptoms, medical supervision and attentive care, offered in a rehab center, helps make this time as comfortable as possible. As well as around the clock medical care, drug rehab patients also receive constant emotional and psychological support through many hours of therapy and recreational activities. After drug rehab treatment is complete, follow up and aftercare programs ensure that patients stay comfortably sober. However, if relapse occurs, the patient need not fear; some people attend rehab a few times before achieving lifetime recovery.

Need Help Finding an Ambien Addiction Treatment Program?

If you need help finding an Ambien addiction treatment program, please call our toll-free number today. We will answer your questions and locate a rehab center that offers Ambien addiction treatment. We are available 24 hours to answer your questions and offer help and support. Please take advantage of this opportunity and begin recovery. Call us now.

Ambien is only recommended for short-term use until a person’s natural sleep cycle allows them to get a full night’s sleep.

Insomnia Types

Insomnia types are often based on how long the insomnia lasts and how often it occurs. These types include:

• Acute insomnia is short-term, lasting up to two weeks. It is often caused by emotional or physical discomfort and can be related to a single specific event.
• Transient insomnia comes periodically and happens when a person experiences phases of good sleep followed by a period of insomnia.
• Chronic insomnia happens when a person experiences difficulty sleeping for a month or longer.

Ambien Side Effects

Research studies show that there is a relationship between the number and severity of side effects and the dosage of Ambien used. Therefore, it is recommended that a person take the smallest amount of Ambien to achieve the results of getting a full night’s sleep. Regardless of what dosage one is taking, there are possible side effects. Some of them include the following:

• Hallucinations, through all physical senses, of varying intensity
• Delusions- a false belief strongly held in spite of invalidating evidence, especially as a symptom of mental illness
• Euphoria and/or dysphoria (the opposite of euphoria)
• Impaired judgment and reasoning
• Uninhibited extroversion in social or interpersonal settings
• Increased impulsivity
• When stopped, rebound insomnia may occur
• Poor motor coordination, difficulty maintaining balance
• Decreased libido
• Increased appetite
• Anterograde amnesia- loss of memory for events immediately following a trauma

Ambien Withdrawal Symptoms

If a person experiences any of the side effects associated with Ambien use, it is appropriate to consider discontinuing the use of Ambien. However, it is not recommended that you simply stop taking the drug because you may experience any of the following withdrawal symptoms:

• Sweating
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Stomach cramps
• Panic attack
• Vomiting
• Tremors
• Seizures

Get Help for Ambien Abuse

If you or someone you know is addicted to Ambien, call our toll free number today at (888) 371-5716. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about Ambien addiction treatment. We are here to help.

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat

Serious side effects include:

• Depressed mood (thoughts of hurting yourself)
• Unusual thoughts (risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger)
• Anxiety
• Aggression
• Feeling restless or agitated
• Hallucinations (confusion, loss of personality or memory)
• Fast pounding heartbeat
• Chest pain

Less serious Ambien side effects may include:

• Daytime drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Feeling “drugged” or light-headed
• Lack of coordination
• Amnesia, forgetfulness
• Vivid or abnormal dreams
• Nausea and/or constipation
• Stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Blurred vision

Some of these rare yet possible Ambien side effects include, but are not limited to:

• Amnesia
• Sleepwalking
• Impotence (also known as erectile dysfunction, or ED)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Constipation

Remember that a doctor can prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to an individual is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Rarely, after taking this drug, people have gotten out of bed and driven vehicles while not fully awake (“sleep-driving”). People have also sleepwalked, prepared/eaten food, made phone calls, or had intercourse while not fully awake. Often, these people do not remember these events. This problem can be dangerous to them or to others. It’s important to notify a medical professional if any of these activities occur. The risk is increased if alcohol or other medications that can make you drowsy while taking zolpidem is consumed.

Management of Side Effects

To manage these side effects while you are taking this medicine keep the following things in mind:

• When someone first starts taking Ambien or any other sleep medicine, until he/she knows whether the medicine will still have some carryover effect the next day, they must use extreme care while doing anything that requires complete alertness, such as driving a car, operating machinery or piloting an aircraft.
• Drinking alcohol is prohibited while being treated with Ambien or any sleep medicine. Alcohol can increase the side effects of using sleep aid supplements.
• Do not take any other medicines without asking a healthcare professional first. This includes medicines that can be bought without a prescription. Some medicines can cause drowsiness and are best avoided while taking Ambien CR.
• Always take the exact dose of Ambien prescribed by the healthcare professional. Never change the dose without talking to a healthcare professional first. The tablet must be swallowed whole and not divided crushed or chewed.
• In two clinical studies of patients with insomnia, a rebound effect was only observed on the first night after an abrupt discontinuation of Ambien CR. On the second night, there was no worsening of insomnia.

Ambien Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you know is struggling with an Ambien addiction, we can help. Please call our toll free number at (888) 371-5716. We are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions on Ambien addiction and treatment.