Ambien Addiction
Ambien is a powerful sedative prescribed to people who have acute insomnia. Users can become addicted if they use Ambien for longer than two weeks or at higher than prescribed doses.
What Is Ambien?
Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) is a type of sedative medication intended for short-term use to help with sleep. People can become physically dependent on Ambien when it is used chronically, even when used as prescribed.
Ambien and other sleeping aids are often referred to as “Z drugs.” It is sold as an immediate-release or extended-release tablet in three different doses.
Ambien works by binding to the same location as benzodiazepines, having effects on the GABA receptors throughout the brain and body. Thus, its effects may compound the effects of other central nervous system (CNS) depressants that work on the same receptor, by slowing down or “depressing” the brain and body’s activities, which occurs naturally in sleep.
Ambien Effects And Prescription Uses
The intended effects of prescription Ambien are to help with sleep onset or sleep maintenance. It is only intended for short-term use, although sometimes the root cause of a person’s sleep difficulty is not solved in a short time.
Manufacturers recommend taking the drug for as short a duration as possible. If one’s sleep problems are not resolved in 7 to 10 days, you should call a health provider to search for another condition that may be causing insomnia.
This ambiguity in defining “short-term” may contribute to the population of people who end up taking the medication for years because the root cause of their sleep difficulties is not resolved. This can lead to dependency.
Additionally, Ambien effects may be pleasurable to some people, which can lead them to misuse it. Misuse of Ambien and similar medications can lead to increased side effects and risk of addiction.
Side Effects Of Ambien Abuse
The effects of Ambien may vary depending on the dose, biological differences per person, and whether other substances are taken simultaneously. Side effects of CNS depressants, such as Ambien, include:
- Drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling confused
- Dizziness
- Problems controlling movement
- Memory impairment
- Lower blood pressure
- Slowed breathing
- Physical dependence
- Addiction
- Overdose
These side effects may be increased when taken with alcohol, opioids, and other CNS depressants, leading to a greater risk of death by overdose. Death could result from excessive slowing of the heart rate and breathing during overdose.
Can You Be Dependent On Ambien?
Physical dependence on Ambien is rare when taken at prescription doses but can occur, as a person’s risk of dependence increases with the dose and frequency at which it is taken.
If you are concerned about your dependence or tolerance to Ambien, never increase your dose on your own. Instead, talk to your doctor about your concerns and how to treat them.
How To Know If Someone Is Abusing Ambien
For some, it may be difficult to discern when their Ambien use has become a problem. However, it can help to know the line between proper use and misuse. Once a person begins to misuse a substance, the development of an addiction can be subtle. Misuse of prescription sedatives includes:
- Taking a sedative in a manner or amount other than what is prescribed.
- Taking someone else’s prescription sedative.
- Taking a sedative to feel euphoria (to experience a high).
If you are concerned that a loved one is misusing a drug such as Ambien, there may be behavioral signs that indicate drug misuse. Some signs of substance misuse and possible addiction include:
- Drop in performance at school, loss of interest in school-related activities.
- Drop in performance at work, chronic tardiness, poor performance reviews, and lack of interest or effort toward work duties.
- Loss of attention to personal hygiene, more commonly wearing inappropriate or dirty clothing.
- Increased desire for privacy.
- Significant changes in otherwise healthy relationships.
- Lack of energy in performing daily activities.
- Increase in spending or requests to borrow money.
- Financial problems, such as no longer paying bills on time.
- Changes in appetite, possibly with weight loss.
- Appearing more tired, with bloodshot eyes.
- Defensive response to inquiries about substance use.
If your loved one is exhibiting any of these behaviors, they could be addiction symptoms. However, many other life events, medical conditions, or even normal teenage development could cause these changes in behavior. It is important to look at the whole picture and get a professional assessment if you are concerned.
Ambien Addiction Signs
Mental health professionals have a series of eleven criteria as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition) (DSM-5) that help them identify and diagnose substance use disorder. Though not all eleven have to be present for diagnosis, the criteria are:
- Taking more of a substance or taking a substance for a longer time than originally intended.
- Desiring to cut back or stop using a substance but being unable to.
- Spending an increased amount of time using, obtaining, or recovering from a substance.
- Having strong cravings for a substance.
- Failing to fulfill duties at home, work, or school due to ongoing substance use.
- Continuing to use the substance despite its role in ongoing social or relational problems.
- Giving up previously important events or commitments due to substance use.
- Using the substance(s) in physically dangerous situations.
- Continuing to use the substance despite knowing that it causes or worsens recurrent physical or psychological problems.
- Developing tolerance to the substance.
- Experiencing Ambien withdrawal symptoms when substance use is stopped or drastically reduced.
Only a professional can diagnose a substance use disorder, but knowing the criteria can help. Reach out to your primary care doctor, a mental health professional, or local treatment center to receive an assessment and learn how to get help.
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Ambien Addiction Statistics
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 5 million people over the age of 12 misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives (like Ambien) in 2022.
Approximately 144,000 people began prescription sedative misuse for the first time that year. The age group with the highest percentage of use was adults between 18 and 24, with 2.4% of people in that age group misusing them.
According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 2.4 million people had a prescription sedative use disorder or tranquilizer use disorder.
Though there are risks associated with prescribed use, unwanted side effects increase with misuse.
What To Do If You’re Addicted To Ambien
If you believe that you or a loved one is addicted, evidence-based Ambien treatments are available. Many treatment centers offer medical detox as the first step, a particularly useful tool for sedative use disorder.
Sedatives like Ambien can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped abruptly. To ensure safety during detox, patients should go through detox with medical supervision and gradual tapering of their doses. After detox, continuing care under the guidance of a medical professional can ensure better long-term recovery.
The level of addiction treatment necessary depends on each individual’s needs. Some people may be able to taper off Ambien at home under a medical professional’s guidelines, while others may need to detox at a treatment center and then work through an inpatient or outpatient program.
Inpatient, outpatient, or intensive outpatient programs may be appropriate for individuals who are abusing other drugs or alcohol alongside Ambien.
Featured Centers Offering Treatment for Ambien Addiction
Finding A Sedative Addiction Treatment Program
Each person has unique needs when approaching addiction treatment, and plans of care are individualized from the beginning. Wherever you are on your recovery journey, it is never too late to get started.
Contact a treatment provider today to discuss your treatment options and find freedom from Ambien misuse. Action today could save your life tomorrow.