Ambien Addiction

What Is Ambien?

Ambien is a prescription sleep aid that is used to treat sleep disorders like insomnia. Ambien is classified as a sedative-hypnotic drug, which means that it affects the brain by reducing anxiety (sedative) and promoting sleep (hypnotic).

In addition to being a sedative-hypnotic, Ambien is also classified as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. A drug that is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant works by attaching to brain receptors called GABA, resulting in sedation. Benzodiazepines (like Xanax or Valium) plus opioids are also CNS depressants.

Sleeping pills like Ambien are categorized as Schedule IV drugs by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) due to their high potential for abuse and physical dependence.

Ambien Prescriptions

Most prescription sleep medications, including Ambien, are designed to be used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Long-term use can lead to dependence and addiction.

People with an Ambien prescription should use this medication only as directed and report any behavioral concerns to their doctor or healthcare provider. Additionally, users with Ambien prescriptions should not share this medication with others.

Prescriptions for Ambien may appear under its generic name, zolpidem.

Other popular prescription sleep medications besides Ambien include:

• Lunesta (eszopiclone)
• Restoril (temazepam)
• Sonata (zaleplon)

Side Effects of Ambien Use

Ambien is a powerful sleep medication designed to help users fall asleep. However, Ambien may also cause additional side effects. Ambien also has the potential to be habit-forming and can lead to physical dependence.

Short-term side effects of Ambien may include:

• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness

If you feel groggy the next morning after taking Ambien, the FDA warns that you should NOT operate a vehicle or perform any dangerous activity until you are fully awake.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescription Ambien is fast-acting and should only be taken right before bed. In addition, the FDA reports possible serious side effects, including abnormal behavior or thinking.

Some Ambien users experience performing certain activities after taking Ambien without any recollection of having done so the next day.

The most commonly reported activities are:

• Driving
• Preparing and/or eating food
• Sleepwalking
• Talking on the phone
• Engaging in sexual activity

In addition, these serious (but less common) side effects may occur after taking Ambien:

• Memory loss
• Anxiety
• Allergic reactions
• Confusion, agitation
• Hallucinations
• Worsening of depression
• Suicidal thoughts

Higher doses of Ambien increase the potential for any of these side effects. You should only take Ambien as prescribed by your doctor and should avoid it completely if you do not have a prescription.

Ambien Abuse and Addiction

Ambien abuse occurs when the user takes Ambien outside of their prescription guidelines (i.e., consuming larger doses), takes Ambien for reasons outside of sleep aid, or takes Ambien without a prescription altogether.

Ambien is a Schedule IV drug, which means it carries a high potential for abuse and physical dependence. The FDA also cautions that patients with a history of substance abuse are not ideal candidates for Ambien prescriptions.

Signs of Ambien Addiction

Someone who has become addicted to Ambien may exhibit one or more of the following signs of addiction:

• Lack of control over Ambien use (including compulsive use)
• Continuing to abuse Ambien despite negative impact or harm
• Cravings for Ambien
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not taking Ambien

If you are concerned about your Ambien use or your habits around taking Ambien, you should speak with your doctor. There are many resources available to assist you.

Ambien Withdrawal

Ambien is not designed for long-term use, as it can create a physical dependence in the user. Ambien withdrawal can occur after a sudden decrease or total discontinuation of Ambien use once a user has developed a dependence on the drug.

Ambien withdrawal symptoms may include: 

• Mild dysphoria (low energy, depression)
• Insomnia
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Convulsions
• Panic attack

Ambien Overdose

Taking more Ambien than prescribed or mixing Ambien with other drugs (such as alcohol or other sedatives) can lead to an overdose.

Signs of an Ambien overdose may include:

• Marked confusion
• Unconsciousness, with the inability to rouse the person
• Slowed breathing
• Reduced heart rate
• Coma

If you think someone is overdosing on Ambien, call 911 immediately. Remain with the victim and continue to monitor them until help arrives. In many cases, an Ambien overdose can be treated, but acting quickly is crucial to increase the chances of survival.

Ambien Addiction Treatment

Treatment for Ambien addiction is available for people with anything from mild to severe addictions. Your doctor or another medical professional can work with you to determine your specific needs and help you select from the available treatment options to help you recover.

Detox for Ambien

In some cases, your treatment will begin with medical detox, which is a supervised detoxification process. During medical detox, you will be monitored by medical professionals as your body eliminates any Ambien from your system.

This detox can take place in an inpatient setting, but in many cases, detox can safely occur in an outpatient format.

Rehab Programs

Rehab treatment programs for Ambien addiction are offered in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

The type of treatment center that you choose will be impacted by your level of addiction, any additional drug use, previous substance abuse history, and any mental health concerns.

Inpatient settings such as Residential Programs or Inpatient Rehab are structured environments where patients can reside 24/7. These types of rehab centers help the addict work through their physical symptoms as well as provide psychological support, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, to help the individual create better behaviors and patterns in their lives.

Outpatient settings may be recommended for those with a lower addiction risk (i.e., no additional drug abuse or history of substance use disorder). Programs such as Partial Hospitalization allow patients to visit a hospital or similar facility to receive care during the day, but they can return home in the evenings.

Other forms of outpatient care, such as IOP (Intensive Outpatient Programs), act as both a lower-intensity rehab for those with minor addiction concerns as well as a stepping stone for those who are in existing inpatient treatment facilities but would still benefit from ongoing support.

Ambien Statistics

In 2019, the FDA announced that it would update the warning labels on certain sedative-hypnotics, including Ambien. This update was designed to clarify the risks of Ambien and similar sleeping medications to the user.

While rare, these instances of “complex behaviors” resulted in patients engaging in various activities while not fully awake.

Of the 66 cases reviewed by the FDA, they report the following information:

• 46 cases of non-fatal but serious injuries (falls, burns, accidental overdose, near-drowning, self-injuries, exposure to extremely cold temperatures, and suicide attempts)
• 20 deaths were reported (carbon monoxide poisoning, falls, hypothermia, car crash, carbon monoxide poisoning, and suicide)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that in 2010, roughly one-third of Ambien-related emergency room visits were the result of the victim taking more than the recommended dosage.

The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics reports that in 2018, 1 million Americans reported misuse of prescription sedatives.

Support for Friends and Family Members

It can be extremely difficult to watch a loved one struggle with addiction to Ambien, especially if that person is not yet seeking treatment. That is why there are several different types of support groups available for friends and family members of addicts.

While your loved one is fighting their own battle, you must also contend with your worry for their well-being. Addiction can cause huge rifts in families and result in a lot of heartache. Many loved ones experience mixed emotions, from anger and resentment to guilt and fear.

Support groups are available both in-person and online to offer a safe and supportive environment for those affected by a loved one’s addiction.