Ambien Addiction
Ambien has been getting increasingly popular, especially among people with sleep issues. This is because the medication is commonly prescribed for problems like insomnia. The drug can help someone relax and be able to fall asleep, but also stay asleep for the right amount of time.
Insomnia is a problem that many individuals deal with – therefore, Ambien prescriptions are not uncommon. The medication is prescribed on a short-term basis, and the patient should only use the specified doses. Unfortunately, not everyone respects the prescription, and they end up developing an addiction. This makes it hard for them to respect the instructions, let alone stop using the drug.
Ambien can be addictive, and the addiction could lead to withdrawal. In some cases, the user may also overdose, something that could be fatal. For this reason, the addiction should be treated as soon as possible.
Explaining Ambien
Ambien, also known as zolpidem, is a sedative drug that affects certain chemicals in the brain. The chemicals may often be unbalanced in some people, which is what leads to insomnia. Therefore, Ambien is very commonly used in the treatment of insomnia, and doctors prescribe the drug to help patients with this issue.
Ambien has two forms. One of them is the immediate-release tablet form. It can help you fall asleep when you are going to bed.
Then, there is the extended-release form, respectively Ambien CR. This form has a first layer, which quickly dissolves to make someone fall asleep. The second lawyer is the next one to dissolve, but it does so very slowly, making sure the user stays asleep.
Which form of the drug is necessary will be determined by the doctor. Generally, it is only prescribed for a period of 1 or 2 weeks.
Developing An Ambien Addiction
Ambien is only meant for people who are at least 18 years old. It used to be considered a safer alternative to benzodiazepines, so many people thought that the addiction potential of the drug is very low.
This is not the case, though. The substance activates a neurotransmitter of the brain known as GABA. This neurotransmitter can slow down the brain and central nervous system. Therefore, it can result in calming effects that the patient will seek.
People who were given Ambien for short-term insomnia are at high risk of developing an addiction. They will not look at Ambien as a dangerous drug but will rather see it as a medication that is safe as the doctor is the one who prescribed it.
However, if the patient keeps using it for extended periods and increases the dose, this can result in an addiction. The body will develop a tolerance to the substance and will expect it all the time.
The Signs and Symptoms of Ambien Addiction
Someone who becomes addicted to Ambien will show some obvious signs. Their entire behavior and life will change. Suddenly, they will become focused on the drug alone, and all of their other interests will be off their radar.
Any person who develops a bad Ambien addiction may become unrecognizable to their loved ones – therefore, it’s not difficult to notice something is wrong. Here are some signs that someone is abusing Ambien:
- They isolate themselves
- All of a sudden, they start taking more Ambien than they were prescribed
- They refill their prescriptions way too often
- Cravings are a daily occurrence
- Large amounts of money are used on Ambien
- They start participating in risky activities but don’t remember any of them later
Ambien addiction will also result in concerning symptoms, including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Sleepwalking
- Coordination issues
- Delusions or hallucinations
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Amnesia or losing their memory for a short time
- Decreased heartbeat or breathing weakness
Overdosing on Ambien
Because Ambien may be habit-forming, misusing it can also result in an overdose. Being addicted to it can be terrible, mainly because the user will consume as much Ambien as they want, without caring about the consequences. If they consume more than their body can handle, they will overdose.
Overdoses can be very dangerous, and in some cases, they are even fatal. This is why people should never use more than the prescribed amount of Ambien. Also, they should never use it for longer than the doctor recommended. Doctors usually prescribe 5 milligrams of Ambien for women and 5-10 milligrams for men, which should be taken every night for 1-2 weeks.
If someone overdoses, they may experience the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Blurry vision
- Constipation
- Lacking balance
- Headaches
- Hallucinations
- Lightheadedness
- Neck or back pain
- Bad cramps or muscle aches
- Stomach pain
- Sleepwalking
- Pain or ringing in the ears
- A numbness, burning or pain in the hands, arms, legs, or feet
Ambien Withdrawals
Ambien withdrawal is something that happens in people who have been using the drug for too long and became addicted. Withdrawal symptoms can be quite painful and uncomfortable, and patients can hardly handle them alone. They generally happen in individuals who get off the drug suddenly.
Symptoms related to Ambien withdrawal include:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Hallucinations
- Restlessness
- Panic attacks
- Irritability
- Tremors
- Insomnia
- Stomach cramps
- Disorientation
- A higher blood pressure, pulse, breathing rate, and body temperature
- Seizures
Sometimes, withdrawal leads to the individual using Ambien once again in an attempt to relieve the discomfort. If not treated on time, it may be fatal in some people. A detox center may be the right place to treat a withdrawal.
Ambien Addiction Treatment
To treat Ambien addiction, an individual will have to stay under supervision. This is done in a rehabilitation center, where the addict can go through detox and follow a long-term treatment, which often involves medication and therapy.
Real Deal Therapy & Wellness Can Help
When you come to Real Deal for help, you can rest assured that you will see the results you are looking for. We are specialized in helping people dealing with drug addictions. You can get off the drug by going through detoxification, but you can also attend therapy sessions.
We know that mental health and the importance of good treatment cannot be overlooked – so, we do our best to help everyone experiencing addiction problems.
Call us as soon as you realize you or someone dear may be addicted to Ambien. You should treat it immediately to avoid the unpleasant consequences.