Ambien may be habit-forming; It says so right on the label. Addiction to Ambien or the generic zolpidem is very rare, it can happen in extreme cases of long-term use or abuse.
Millions of Americans take Ambien or another sleep aid every night to get a little shuteye, according to NBC News. If you need zolpidem or any sleep aid to fall asleep and have become addicted, Florida drug rehab can help you eliminate them and learn new coping mechanisms that encourage healthy sleep without drugs.
Ambien Abuse Can Lead to Addiction
It is rare, but it can happen. Patients can become addicted to zolpidem or Ambien if they take more than the prescribed dose or if they take the medication for too long. The best use is short-term, only.
Ambien addiction may cause these withdrawal symptoms:
- Drug cravings
- Agitation
- Worsened insomnia
- Delirium
- Nervousness
For people with chronic insomnia, that advice may seem nonsensical. Naturally, everyone needs sleep. If Ambien causes sleep and it is not very addictive, what is the problem? Mayo Clinic says it is twofold. Sleep aids can disguise other medical conditions and possibly create new ones. If the trouble you experience sleeping is related to another condition, Ambien could mask the problem. It can also trigger a serious allergic reaction.
Other possible side-effects include:
- Lingering drowsiness throughout the next day
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Amnesia
- Hand/eye coordination problems
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Sleepwalking
Ambien Has Unusual, Known Side-Effects
Ambien might not be as addictive as Xanax or similar drugs, but that does not mean it is free from bizarre side-effects. People throughout Florida and around the country have reported unusual behaviors while taking the drug for sleep disturbances.
The most common side effect might not seem strange to an observer, at least not until the next day. The person taking Ambien may go about seemingly ordinary activities without knowing it. People have reported driving a vehicle, cooking meals, and doing other activities with no memory of it the next morning. Mayo Clinic says that is because they are not really awake at all.
Where There Is Ambien Dependence, Drug Addiction May Follow
Dependence is not the same as addiction, but Ambien dependance may accompany addiction to another drug. Partnership for a Drug-Free America says Khurshid A. Khurshid, M.D., University of Florida College of Medicine Department of Psychiatry associate professor, spoke about the connection between sleep disorders and addiction at the 2013 Florida Society of Addiction Medicine annual meeting.
Dr. Khurshid explained that addiction is as much as 10 times more likely in people who suffer from insomnia than people who do not. Additionally, insomnia may be a psychiatric disorder risk factor. Co-occurring disorder diagnoses are common in Florida drug rehab.
Everyone needs a generous amount of sleep on a regular basis. When that is not possible, sleep aids such as Ambien may help. The key is temporary use. If you have taken Ambien long-term, you may already be addicted or have a higher risk of developing an addiction.
If you or any of your loved ones have an addiction to Ambien or another sleep aid, Florida drug rehab can help you leave the drug behind. Contact us for more information about residential care and individualized therapies designed for you.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.