Ambien Addiction

Though Ambien can be helpful in treating insomnia, it has the potential for addiction. It should be prescribed with great caution and only for short-term or occasional treatment of sleeping problems. Users can easily build up a tolerance for the drug. If a person is taking Ambien more frequently or in greater dosages than prescribed, there may be an addiction present.

Recovery from Ambien Addiction

If someone is addicted to Ambien and has been taking the drug for more than a few weeks, he or she will likely experience withdrawal symptoms when the drug is no longer being taken and should consult a doctor before abruptly putting a stop to the drug’s use.  In order to recover from Ambien addiction, a person may need to go through detox. In addition to medical doctors, a recovering Ambien addict might consider the aid of other professionals to help with the process. Counseling would be a good option.  There are drug counselors specifically trained to deal with those recovering from addiction. One might also consider seeing a psychiatrist, especially if there are associated psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, which are common in ambient addicts. Yet another option would be to see a psychotherapist, someone who specializes in increasing an individual’s sense of their own well-being.  Finally, a recovering Ambien addict might consider seeing a sleep therapist in order to develop and maintain healthy sleeping habits.

Family and friends should be a large part of the recovery process. A recovering addict should intentionally seek out the help and support of those closest to him or her. One should never try to go it alone when dealing with addiction. It’s all too easy to become discouraged. Recovering is much easier when one is surrounded by people who can encourage and comfort, as well as hold you accountable. A person might also consider the support of a faith community. Recovery from drug addiction is a great time to focus on building positive relationships in one’s life.

Another way to continue the addiction recovery process is joining a support group. There are organizations such as Narcotics Anonymous which provide a safe place to discuss the realities of life after addiction. These groups can be very healing. One can gain tremendous insight and encouragement from those who have experienced what they are going through and know what they are feeling. It is also a great place to get ideas about how to stay clean from those who have done it successfully. These meetings should be a priority in the life of a recovering addict.

Ambien Recovery Help

Are you or a loved one suffering from an addiction to Ambien?  Our helpline is toll free and we are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about Ambien addiction and recovery. We want to partner with you and support you in this process. Please don’t hesitate—call today.

During this process, the addict rids the body of all the chemicals and toxins from the drugs. It is physically straining because the body suffers withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are the reason detox is so difficult and often unsuccessful. Many users are unable to get through the process on their own and end up going straight back to drugs. Some symptoms of withdrawal that Ambien addicts will experience include:

• Behavior changes
• Stomach pain
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Tremors
• Seizures-in severe cases

Once the detoxification process is complete, it is essential for the former addict to continue treatment by going to counseling sessions. These sessions help with coping techniques for re-entry into society. Without continuing treatment, the rate for relapse is quite high.

Ambien Dependency

Ambien is a highly dependent drug. Drug dependency is when a user feels as though they physically need to take the drug in order to function despite its negative and sometimes dangerous effects. Many patients may become addicted to Ambien accidentally by misreading or abusing their prescription. It is also easy for teenagers to obtain because many parents do not properly store their prescription medication.

When Ambien is not taken as prescribed, the user may become addicted to the drug because their bodies become dependent on the drug. Once addicted to the drug, the user will have to go through treatment in order to be independent of the drug.

Ambien Facts

Ambien provides short-term relief for patients with insomnia, a disorder that causes the person to be unable to fall asleep. Ambien is classified as a sedative or hypnotic, so it is important to be able to devote seven to eight hours of sleep before taking Ambien because it will cause the patient to fall asleep.

Ambien works by affecting chemicals in the brain that have become unbalanced, causing the person to have sleep problems. It is important to only take the dosage that the doctor prescribes for as long as the doctor prescribes because Ambien can become highly addictive. Typically, Ambien is not prescribed for longer than four to five weeks.

After the certain amount of time, it is important to discontinue use properly or else withdrawal symptoms may occur. In some cases, the insomnia worsens when the patient stops taking Ambien. It is important to keep Ambien away from children and those with a history of drug abuse. Keep all medications in a locked cabinet and dispose of all unused prescriptions properly. The federal government suggests that unused prescription medication should be flushed down the toilet if clearly labeled. Otherwise, crush them and mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter.

Ambien Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one is addicted to Ambien, it is important to seek help. Ambien is a highly dependent drug. Once addicted, the effects are devastating. If you are interested in receiving information on Ambien detox or rehab, please call our toll free number at (888) 371-5716. We’re here to help.

Since Ambien is a prescription medication, it may be difficult to determine if someone has actually formed an addiction. While the signs are not as clear as in illegal drug addiction, there are certain things one can look for. Ambien addiction is probably most clearly defined by the withdrawal symptoms one experiences if he/she goes too long without it. Other signs of needed Ambien treatment are that more of the drug is being taken than needed, having prescriptions refilled early or consistently because of over use, and having to take higher doses of the Ambien to achieve its initial effects. Essentially this means that a tolerance has developed. If any of these symptoms fit this means abuse of Ambien is taking place or an addiction to it has formed.

Ambien Withdrawal Symptoms

When a person is addicted to a medicine, if the medicine is stopped, the body is not able to function properly and withdrawal symptom can occur. Some Ambien withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Sweating
• Abnormal aggression
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Stomach cramps
• Panic attacks

Dangers of Ambien Addiction

Addiction to Ambien can be deadly. It can enhance suicidal tendencies, and risk of overdose is higher among people with depression. Too much of it can cause excessive drowsiness, even coma. Even at therapeutic dosages, it can cause some people to “sleep-drive” or engage in other complex behaviors while not fully awake, putting themselves and others at risk. Most have no memory of the episode afterward.

In cases where the drug is not deliberately crushed and snorted or abused with alcohol, Ambien dependence generally occurs when it is taken for longer than the recommended time period (10 days), or in greater dosages than recommended (5-10 mg). Users find they cannot go to sleep without it or begin to crave the euphoria brought on as the drug begins to act upon the central nervous system.

When these problems occur, people often feel like they need to stay on their medicines just to prevent these symptoms from occurring again. Usually the symptoms of Ambien withdrawal are not life-threatening but are generally so unpleasant that it is difficult not to give in to the cravings to make them stop. If a user is increasing doses of Ambien or feels like he/she cannot stop the medicine, he/she may need to talk to a healthcare provider. An addiction to Ambien is a serious problem that requires treatment.

Ambien Addiction Treatment

Treatment for Ambien addiction is therefore the province of medical professionals, who can manage the withdrawal and ease the addict off the drug in a manner that does not lead to further abuse. Treatment depends upon the severity of the abuse. Sometimes inpatient care in a detoxification center or another addiction treatment program is required. Supervision by a qualified physician is necessary both to manage physical symptoms and to provide counseling and support for any emotional dependency which has developed. Users should seek help immediately if they encounter difficulties stopping an Ambien regimen.

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.