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Ambien

Ambien addiction treatment is used to detox the body the drug and address the underlying psychological issues that led to addiction. Ambien is the brand name for the drug zolpidem tartrate, known simply as zolpidem. The drug is most commonly used to treat insomnia. It is also addictive when misused.
“Ambien addiction treatment is used to detox the body the drug and address the underlying psychological issues that led to addiction.”
Ambien is a sedative and a hallucinogenic. When used properly, zolpidem or Ambien is a very effective in relieving insomnia and treating some anxiety disorders. Doctors also use Ambien as a sleep maintenance tool to help insomniacs build the healthy sleep habits that they need. When abused, Ambien can cause withdrawal symptoms that must be addressed in Ambien detox and rehab. Call us at for more information on treatment options for the Ambien addict in your life.

Zolpidem Abuse

Ambien addiction treatment isn’t necessary for every Ambien user. The drug is only addictive when it is misused, abused or taken in any way other than that prescribed by your doctor. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency lists Ambien as a Schedule IV controlled substance. This is the lowest category of controlled substances. The category is reserved for drugs with low abuse potential when compared to their medical benefit.

Despite its medical benefits, abused Ambien was related to 16,000 emergency room visits in 2006. In a 2008 National Drug Survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 600,000 people admitted to abusing prescription sedatives like Ambien in the 12 months prior to the survey. Some of these people ended up in Ambien addiction treatment.

Understanding Ambien

drug toleranceAmbien has powerful and immediate sedative properties. The zolpidem in the drug is time-released. The pill holds back the full strength of the drug, letting it release in intervals over time. Taken as prescribed, Ambien causes immediate and intense drowsiness with prolonged relaxation, allowing users to stay asleep. Doctors require that patients only take the medication if they have seven to eight hours of sleep time available. This allows the Ambien to take full effect before the patient awakens. In a few days to a few weeks, the patient should fall asleep unaided by the Ambien, and sleep patterns are thus restored.

Ambien dependence begins when the drug is taken much longer than the physician prescribes. Skipping doses and using stimulants to counteract the Ambien before the seven-to-eight-hour sleep period elapses are two abusive uses of the drug. The patient can’t develop a pattern or the sleep habits needed to fall asleep.

Lengthy use builds tolerance in the user, as the body requires more Ambien over time in order to fall asleep. The tolerance builds over time as the physical dependence takes over, leading the user to take more and more pills in order to sleep. Dependence is one of the major factors addressed in Ambien addiction treatment. The psychological dependence sets in as the user increasingly believes that Ambien use is the only way sleep will come. The higher-than-prescribed doses also produce euphoria and hallucinogenic qualities that Ambien abusers often come to seek as an escape from the underlying problems that the addiction causes.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Tolerance and dependence leads to withdrawal symptoms when the addict has stopped using the drug. The brain must compensate for the lack of the drug while the body undergoes changes as a result. Like any other sedative, Ambien should be stopped in a controlled manner with the help of an addiction treatment program. These professionals are trained to spot and curb Ambien withdrawal symptoms, which include:

  • Aggression
  • Insomnia
  • Confusion
  • Mood Swings
  • Behavioral changes
  • Hallucinations
  • Depression

Detox and Rehab

At an Ambien rehab and detox treatment center, addicts are often given antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications to combat their mental and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Their health is monitored closely to ensure that the drug is leaving the body without causing damage. Next, the rehab portion of treatment starts. Ambien rehab is usually a 60-to-90-day residential program where addicts learn to live and cope with their problems without using zolpidem. The underlying psychological issues that led to the addiction are also discussed. Group and individual therapy sessions are used to assist with these mental health changes. When the addict leaves the program, he or she is mentally armed with the tools needed to abstain from using drugs. Individual and group therapy sessions are still available to patients who complete most treatment programs and are vital to long-term recovery.

Getting Ambien Help

Projectknow.com is a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers (AAC), a leading provider in Ambien addiction treatment. If you’re interested in quitting Ambien at an AAC facility, then give us a call at to find options near you that can help. If you have health insurance, then you can use our free and confidential online insurance checker to see if your insurance provider covers Ambien addiction treatment and recovery. We can also provide you or your loved ones with the tools, resources and support needed to start Ambien addiction treatment and get on the road to recovery.

Factoids:

  • Getting up out of bed after Ambien takes effect may lead to memory issues and hallucinations.
  • The desire to drive and eat while under the influence of Ambien is a common side effect of the drug.
  • People who use Ambien while drinking alcohol can develop sleep apnea, a condition where the sleeper stops breathing momentarily several times throughout the night.
  • Ambien was developed in the late 1980s, but it was placed on the prescription drug market in 1993.
  • Ambien can enhance the effects of some mental illnesses. Users are urged to seek mental health evaluations before taking the drug.

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