For some people falling asleep can be very difficult, the brain just simply doesn’t want to shut off. Ambien is a sleep aid designed to help people who suffer from insomnia, and although considered less addictive to its similar counterparts benzodiazepines, it does still have the potential for addiction. Attempting to detox from Ambien without professional help is difficult. At the Ambrosia Treatment Centers, our addiction specialists utilize the latest in drug abuse treatments, including contingency management and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help people suffering from addiction to substances like Ambien. These treatments have proven to be effective for our clients with substance abuse issues.

At Ambrosia Treatment Center, we have three locations throughout Florida and one in Pennsylvania. We help people achieve continued abstinence from drug use through our motivational-enhanced therapy which has the recovering individual contrast the drug with the benefits of achieving and maintaining recovery. And we couple that with cognitive behavioral therapy, where individuals learn skills to help them deal with addiction-related situations as they arise. We offer a holistic and supportive approach within our nationally-recognized rehab program that focuses on each one of our client’s individual needs.

What begins as simply trying to get a good night’s sleep can quickly turn and become a dependency on a drug like Ambien. If this is the case for you or a loved one there is help. You don’t need to feel ashamed or feel as though you have to do it on your own. Ambrosia Treatment Center’s addiction specialists are well qualified to help anyone suffering from an addiction to any type of controlled substance. Our state-of-the-art treatment facilities provide a serene environment perfect for Ambien addiction rehabilitation and recovery.

What is Ambien?

Ambien, or Zolpidem as is it’s generic drug name, works similar to benzodiazepine classed drugs in that it affects the GABA transmitters of the brain, slowing them down so that they can help a person fall asleep. Ambien is, however, a sedative-hypnotic and considered a ‘z-drug,’ which makes its effects slightly less than a classic benzo, also making it safer to use and less likely to be habit-forming. A dependency on Ambien can develop within two weeks of use, however, so there is still a wide possibility for addiction.

Ambien comes in two forms, an immediate-release tablet designed to be fast-acting and help a person fall asleep quickly, and an extended-release tablet known as Ambien CR which will help a person maintain sleep throughout the night. A prescribing doctor will typically begin with an initial dosage of 5mg tablets for the immediate-release version. This dosage can be increased up to 10mg as needed but should not exceed that. Where the extended-release version begins at 6.25mg and can be increased up to 12.25mg as needed.

As with many drugs, the longer a person uses Ambien the larger the dose they will need for the same effects. For people taking Ambien recreationally or on the street the capsules can be ground up and snorted so that a high can be achieved faster.

Ambien Side Effects

Before taking Ambien it is imperative to speak with a doctor about the safety of using it. Ambien is meant for helping people fall asleep so tiredness and difficulty concentrating are to be expected, but a person taking Ambien should also watch out for:

• Dizziness
• Memory loss
• Changes to behavior or mood (depression, anxiety, etc.)
• Confusion
• Agitation
• Hallucinations
• Suicidal thoughts

All of these side effects are important to monitor when taking Ambien, and because the symptoms of an overdose mirror the effects of the drug it can be difficult to detect if a person has overdosed or not. Because a tolerance can develop quite quickly to Ambien and the dosage increased to achieve the same effects, people will often combine it with alcohol or other drugs such as Valium to enhance the high the drug gives. But this greatly increases the chances of overdose. If this happens medical attention should be sought out right away.

Attempting to detox from Ambien can be difficult and is not something that should be attempted alone. At Ambrosia, our treatment centers are here to help you every step of the way on your journey to recovery from Ambien addiction.

How Can You Tell if You Are Addicted to Ambien

The high achieved by Ambien can be quite pleasant and therefore addictive. The chemistry of the brain however is being affected and causing a user to become dependent on the drug. People who use Ambien may struggle to fall asleep without taking a pill at night, or suffer from rebound insomnia if they try to stop. A person dealing with Ambien addiction could be experiencing any of the following:

• Lying about the usage of the drug
• Attempting to get extra doses
• Neglecting social habits and responsibilities
• Placing themselves in dangerous situations without any memory of it
• Spending large amounts of money on the drug
• Obsessive thoughts about the drug
• Failed attempts to quit to a refusal to quit

If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction to Ambien seeking professional help is the best way to successfully deal with it and to take control of your life again.

Recover From Ambien Addiction at Our Treatment Centers Today

Get your health, future, and family back with top-rated compassionate care at one of our drug & alcohol rehab centers. Recover at our therapeutic, sun-filled, palm tree-lined, addiction rehabilitation centers. We offer a variety of treatment options to help people recover from addictions to drugs such as Ambien at our treatment centers. If you or a loved one is suffering from drug addiction, visit our admissions page to learn more about our admissions process, give us a call or fill out the contact form below to get started.