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Ambien Addiction & Misuse: Signs, Treatment, & More

Prescription medications can be beneficial for those who require them for physical and/or psychological purposes. However, some of them can be habit-forming and eventually lead to dependence. Ambien, a popular prescription sedative, is a prescription drug that can be dangerous when used outside of the parameters provided by a medical professional.

If you or someone you love is struggling with Ambien use, it is important to be aware of how this misuse can impact your overall wellbeing. This page will cover specific topics related to Ambien misuse, including its addiction potential, possible health effects, signs of Ambien addiction, and how you or your loved one can get help.

What Is Ambien?

Ambien is a prescription medication in the CNS depressant group of drugs that include hypnotics, sedatives, and tranquilizers.1 They act by increasing inhibitory brain activity and are prescribed to treat anxiety, panic, or sleep disorders.1 Different types of CNS depressants are prescribed by doctors for different issues.1 For example, while tranquilizers are used to treat anxiety, hypnotics and sedatives like Ambien are prescribed to treat insomnia and induce sleep.1

Most CNS depressants largely act by increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity in the brain.1 GABA is a chemical that inhibits brain activity, causing a relaxing effect as well as drowsiness.1

Ambien has a short half-life and is quickly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract.2 It’s often prescribed for short-term use (around 10 days to up to 4 weeks), typically in 5 mg or 10 mg oral doses, and is available in either immediate or extended-release forms.2,3

Long-term use of Ambien can lead to tolerance and dependence, even when prescribed by a doctor.1 When tolerance occurs, a person will require a higher dose to experience the desired effect of induced sleep and reduced sleep latency. A person with dependence may experience withdrawal symptoms from Ambien if they abruptly reduce or stop taking the drug.1 Medically supervised detox can benefit people struggling with addiction to a CNS depressant like Ambien to help ensure comfort and safety.1

When used regularly or at higher doses than prescribed, a person is more likely to experience tolerance and dependence, as well as addiction. Because of the high potential for Ambien misuse, this drug is typically not recommended as a first-line treatment for most people.2

CNS depressants like Ambien have additive effects with other sedatives, hypnotics, and tranquilizers (including benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium, as well as alcohol).4 Taking Ambien in combination with other CNS depressants, as well as with opioid painkillers, increases the risk of next-day impairment, abnormal behavior changes, and dependency.5 Combining these substances can also lead to a life-threatening overdose where a person stops breathing.6

What is Ambien Prescribed For?

Around 70 million Americans struggle with chronic sleep issues.7 Sleep deprivation can lead to several issues such as chronic disease, mental illness, decreased work performance, and increased risk of injury.7 Central nervous system (CNS) depressants like Ambien (zolpidem) are often prescribed to treat sleep disorders.1

Although a doctor may prescribe a person CNS depressants, long-term use can lead to tolerance.1 This means that a person needs a higher or more frequent dose to get the same effects they did previously.1 Ambien, like other CNS depressants, can lead to substance use disorder (SUD) or Ambien addiction.1

Is Ambien Addictive?

Yes, using or misusing Ambien or other prescription CNS depressants can lead to problem use and the development of a substance use disorder (SUD), which occurs when a person’s recurrent, uncontrollable use of a substance causes significant negative physical, occupational, or social consequences.1

People can become addicted to Ambien by taking the drug for prolonged periods, or by misusing the drug. Misuse of zolpidem or Ambien includes taking more than prescribed, taking someone else’s prescription, or taking the drug to get high.1

People who misuse Ambien or other prescription CNS depressants might swallow pills in their typical form or sometimes open capsules or crush pills.1

Risks & Health Effects of Ambien Misuse

There are several potential adverse side effects of Ambien use. Most common adverse effects include:2,3

  • Drowsiness.
  • Dizziness.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Feeling drugged or dizzy the next day.

Complex behaviors while not fully awake have also been known to occur, including sleep-driving, sleepwalking, and others. The risk of experiencing these behaviors increases with the dose taken and use with other CNS depressants and alcohol.4

In rare cases, anaphylaxis, including swelling of the glottis, larynx, and tongue, has occurred after a person’s first or subsequent doses of Ambien. When this occurs, it is important to tell your doctor and seek emergency care, as some patients have had additional symptoms such as shortness of breath, throat closing or nausea, and vomiting.4

It is not recommended for people with depression to take Ambien as it can worsen their symptoms and can increase suicidal actions and ideation.2,4 Because the risk of Ambien dependence and misuse is high, it is also not recommended for those with a history of drug misuse.2,4 Overdose is also a risk, as extreme CNS depression from zolpidem can lead to cognitive impairments, coma, cardiovascular and respiratory depression, and death.2,4

What Are the Signs of Ambien Misuse and Addiction?

If you are concerned that you or someone you care about may be misusing Ambien or struggling with a zolpidem addiction, knowing what signs to look for can help.

In clinical settings, sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorders are professionally diagnosed based on a person presenting 2 or more characteristic signs, symptoms, and behavioral changes within 12 months. As outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), these criteria include:8

  • Taking Ambien in larger amounts than intended.
  • Wanting to stop using Ambien but being unsuccessful in doing so.
  • Spending a significant amount of time obtaining Ambien or recovering from its effects.
  • Craving or experiencing strong urges to use Ambien.
  • Failing to fulfill home, school, or work obligations due to Ambien use.
  • Continued use of Ambien despite interpersonal problems caused by its use.
  • Giving up important activities in favor of Ambien use.
  • Partaking in physically hazardous situations due to Ambien use.
  • Continuing to use Ambien despite the knowledge that physical or psychological problems are likely being caused or worsened by its use.
  • Tolerance development, marked by an increased amount needed to gain desired effects or a notably diminished effect from using the same amount previously used. (This criterion does not apply to prescription use under medical supervision.)
  • Withdrawal, as shown by withdrawal symptoms or taking the drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms. (This criterion also does not apply to prescription use under medical supervision.)

Getting Help for Ambien Addiction

If you or a loved one are struggling with Ambien misuse or addiction, several treatment options and settings are available. The right Ambien misuse treatment for you will depend on several factors, such as how long you have been misusing Ambien, whether you also misuse other substances, and whether you have a co-occurring disorder, such as anxiety or depression.

While not always necessary, treatment may begin with Ambien detox, which is designed to help patients go through the withdrawal process as comfortably and safely as possible. During this period, patients are monitored by professional staff who can address potential complications that may arise.9 Detox can help patients navigate this uncomfortable period and make the transition to ongoing treatment easier. Ongoing addiction treatment for Ambien may take place in various settings, such as:9

  • Inpatient rehab: With inpatient Ambien rehab, patients live at a treatment facility and receive 24-hour care, monitoring, and support from professional staff, which can be a good fit for patients with severe addictions or those without stable living situations. Treatment may include a combination of behavioral therapies (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy), evaluation/treatment for co-occurring disorders, medication, and mutual support groups.
  • Outpatient rehab: With outpatient Ambien rehab, patients receive care similar to that of an inpatient program. Patients attend treatment at a facility during the day but return home in the evenings, which can be a good fit for those with less severe addictions, stable living situations, and reliable transportation to and from treatment.

You can start the process of finding an Ambien rehab center by scheduling an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to provide medical recommendations and referrals if necessary. You can also use our rehab directory, which lets you filter by insurance, location, and type of care.

You can also look at the facilities listed below to see if they provide the program you are looking for:

Does Insurance Cover Ambien Addiction Rehabs?

For those who have insurance, using health insurance to pay for rehab should cover at least some of the cost of addiction treatment. Depending on your individual insurance plan, treatment at a specific facility may or may not be covered. It’s important that you know what is covered prior to attending a rehab. Use the free online insurance coverage checker tool below to find out if your health insurance provides coverage for addiction rehab and other rehabilitation treatment plans for addiction recovery.

Coverage may vary depending on your needs and insurance plan. To find out if your policy covers rehab, click here, or fill out the form below. Your information is kept 100% confidential. You can also click here to find a rehab near me.

American Addiction Centers maintains a strong partnership with a large group of insurance companies at our addiction treatment facilities. Start the journey to recovery and find out instantly using the form below if your health insurance provider may be able to cover all or part of the cost of rehab and associated therapies.

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