Ambien Abuse Treatment

A popular sedative, Ambien can also be addicting, but treatment is available.

Ambien is a sedative that affects chemicals in the brain, causing relaxation so an individual can fall asleep. The brand-name drug is intended for the short-term treatment of insomnia, and there have been reports of someone taking Ambien and then engaging in activities including driving, eating or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity.

Ambien Side Effects

Side effects of Ambien may include impaired thinking or reactions, and drinking alcohol while taking Ambien can increase those side effects. In addition, Ambien can be habit-forming, and those taking it are warned not to continue use for longer than four or five weeks without a doctor's advice. While you want to be careful about using Ambien for an extended period of time, stopping Ambien abruptly after taking it regularly for several days can result in withdrawal symptoms. Those withdrawal symptoms include behavior changes, stomach pain, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, sweating, anxiety, panic, tremors and seizure.

Ambien tablets are formulated for timed release so they shouldn't be broken or crushed but instead taken whole. While Ambien addiction or abuse is less talked about than other prescription addictions like Vicodin, experts believe it may be a growing problem.

Ambien Addiction Warning Signs

Prescription medications can be helpful when used as directed, but this is one of the fastest growing areas of addiction today. Teens are "borrowing" pills from their parents' medicine cabinets or getting them on the street. Others start taking prescription painkillers for legitimate reasons, but soon find they have a problem. No matter how the abuse started, it can often be hard to tell if someone has a problem until it's too late. Here are warning signs to watch for:

Are they unable to stop using the medication once the original need for the drug has passed?
Do they experience intense cravings for the drug?
Are they moody and irritable?
Do they lie about the amount of medication they're taking and/or manipulate doctors and others to get more?
Are they requesting or obtaining refills before they're needed (a sign they're unwilling to go without the drug for any period of time)?
Are they illegally purchasing pain medication?

Because many who become addicted to prescription drugs start using them for valid medical reasons, getting them to admit an addiction can be particularly difficult. But if the warning signs above indicate they have become dependent, getting professional help is crucial.

If you or someone you love is struggling with a drug addiction to Ambien or to any prescription medication, contact us at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day.