It is important to only take what the doctor prescribes. When deciding to discontinue use after several days or weeks, it is important to not stop all at once or else symptoms of withdrawal will occur. In some cases, the insomnia worsens when the patient stops taking Ambien. Since it is a dependent drug, it is important to keep it away from children and those with a history of drug abuse.

Ambien and Teens

In 2004, Medco Health Solutions, a large managed-care company presented the results of their study on teenage usage of sleeping pills. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any prescription sleep aids for people under 18, the Medco study showed that more than 180,000 people in the United States under the age of 20 take sleep medications.

While statistically that only represents one in every 500 adolescents, the more alarming statistic showed that usage was up by 85 percent since 2000.

Generally speaking teenagers are inclined to stay up late; however, they are also inclined to sleep later in the morning, so their natural internal clock is slightly altered from that of an adult. Add to that the additional stimulation of television, homework, instant messaging and soft drinks spiked with caffeine and you have a formula for teen’s ability to sleep.

Most physicians are extremely cautious about prescribing sleep aids for teens and strive to find the cause of the sleeplessness versus just medicating the child. However, there are times when it makes sense to prescribe sleeping pills for children but most physicians agree that these drugs should be used in combination with behavioral strategies in an effort to battle insomnia. Some suggestions include cutting out caffeinated drinks, finding ways to quiet down before bedtime, establishing a consistent wake time and otherwise making changes in behavior to get more sleep.

Sleep specialists say newer sleeping pills like Ambien may in some cases be better choices for adolescents because they act more narrowly on areas of the brain that regulate sleep.

Ambien Treatment

When an addict decides to discontinue use, it is important to find a rehab facility that fits. There are several steps to the treatment plan. First, figure out what kind works best. The two basic kinds of treatment plans are outpatient and residential treatment. In an outpatient plan, the patient comes in at particular times but remains at home for the majority of the time. The residential plan provides round-the-clock care for the patients. Then comes the detox process. It is important to be under the care of a professional for the detox process. After the user has been detoxified, additional treatment is essential in order to keep from relapsing. It is important for a former addict to learn techniques for coping with the compulsion to use again.

Ambien Detox

The detox process is the most physically difficult process of quitting the addiction. 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 such as:

• Behavior changes
• Stomach pain
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Tremors
• Seizures

Going through this process under the care of a professional is much more successful and it is safer than attempting to do it alone. Professionals are able to monitor and ease the side effects to ensure a safe detoxification. However, detox alone is not enough to stay drug free. It is essential to continue counseling sessions to learn how to resist going back to the addiction.

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.

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.