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Ambien Addiction, Abuse and Recovery

Ambien abuse and addiction

Ambien Abuse, Addiction and Treatment Options

Ambien addiction is prevalent all over the State of Idaho, as well as elsewhere in the United States. The internet is filled with stories about people who are either currently addicted to this drug, or have been in the past. This is a prescribed medication that helps people sleep better at night. But it is also a drug of abuse.

Ambien is only intended to treat short-term insomnia. It was not formulated to be a long-term solution for sleep problems. Still, doctors will prescribe it to people for longer than they should. Some are even on it for months or years.

It is so important for people to understand the dangers of Ambien. It can be very effective when it is used appropriately. But when it is misused in any way, people do get addicted to it. Learning as much about this drug as possible is key, and more need to be made aware of the risks involved with abusing it.

What is Ambien (Zolpidem)?

Ambien or Zolpidem is a drug that is frequently prescribed for those who have a hard time sleeping. It can be used to help people get to sleep or stay asleep. People often wonder, can you get Ambien over the counter?, and the answer is no. It is available by prescription only.

Ambien is primarily used for short term treatment of sleeping problems, it decreases the time to sleep onset by about 15 minutes and at larger doses, it helps people stay asleep longer

According to many users on Reddit, Ambien is a drug that is helpful for sleep, but also for getting high.

Many Ambien reviews state that it is a great medication for sleep. However, it shouldn’t be taken long-term.

Ambien of 5mg dosage can be pink and can have a capsule shape, its pill imprint normally AMB 5401. Ambien 10 mg dosage can be white and can have a capsule shape, its pill imprint normally is AMB10 5421

What are the Typical Ambien Dosages?

There are many Ambien strengths that are prescribed to patients. There is also an Ambien maximum dosage that should never be exceeded.

  • Zolpidem 5mg
  • Ambien 10mg
  • Ambien dosage 15mg
  • Ambien dosage 20mg
  • Ambien dosage 30mg
  • Ambien CR dosage (or Zolpidem tartrate dosage) of 6.25mg for women and 12.5mg for men

As you might expect, Ambien dosage vary from person to person. Usually, the smallest necessary dose is prescribed for each patient. Dosages may be increased over time if they’re not deemed to be effective.

Ambien should only be used short term and at the recommended dosage

Daily Ambien use is not recommended for most people, long-term. This is because of Zolpidem’s side effects with long-term use. We will cover those in just a moment.

Most doctors agree that patients should only be on Ambien for about a week. After that, Ambien substitutes are usually sought out. There are some alternatives to Ambien that can be just as effective.

Ambien is not safe for long-term use, and it is generally stopped after a week. For those who need to use it longer, an Ambien taper plan is usually put into place. This is because Zolpidem is highly addictive. When it comes to Ambien, high dosages are even more dangerous.

Even though this drug is very helpful, it should only be used short-term. In fact, even long-term use of Ambien for insomnia is never recommended.

What is Ambien Abuse?

Ambien abuse occurs whenever someone takes Ambien in a way that’s contrary to the prescription. However, it can also refer to taking Zolpidem for too long with a prescription as well.

Signs of ambien abuse are taking higher than prescribed doses, staying on the drug for too long and smash the drug into a powder and/or mix with water to inject or snort

Some people believe that the best way to abuse Ambien is to take more than one pill at a time. Others say that it works better for them to crush the pills and snort them, or even inject them. When you abuse Ambien, hallucinations are often a result of that. People can use just about any Ambien dosage to get high.

Ambien’s abuse potential is extremely high. It can be abused in so many different ways. When it comes to Ambien and alcohol, Reddit users claim that this is a very popular abuse method.

Sometimes people plan to stay awake with Ambien. This produces an Ambien euphoria that can become very hard to resist. It is a highly addictive drug, which is why it is intended for short-term use only.

You cannot get Ambien over the counter. This leads people to wonder how people get Zolpidem to abuse it. Most of the time, they can obtain Ambien on the street, or even purchase it online. Both of these ways of getting Ambien are, of course, illegal.

Reddit users claim that the Zolpidem 10mg street price is anywhere between $3 and $10 for one tablet. This can seem pretty expensive, but it proves how powerful this addiction really is.

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What is Ambien Addiction?

An Ambien addiction can occur when you have been taking Zolpidem or Ambien for too long. Again, people can become addicted to Ambien very easily. Usually, it occurs when they have been abusing the drug for quite some time.

Abuse can lead to physiological dependence, tolerance, and addiction. Stopping ambien consumption after long-term use can cause severe insomnia and longer use of ambien increases the likelihood of addiction

When someone is addicted to Zolpidem, they feel as though they need the drug to feel normal. Without Ambien, insomnia may be a real problem, and many Reddit users complain about this. They may also start to go through Ambien withdrawal.

People often wonder, how long does it take to get addicted to something like Ambien?. An Ambien addiction can happen in as little as two weeks for regular users. However, other people can take much longer to form an addiction to Zolpidem. 

How long it takes to get addicted to Ambien is a very personal issue. Everyone is different, but keep in mind that with this medication, it can happen quickly.

You may be wondering what makes Ambien such an addictive drug?. Ambien is a benzodiazepine. It works as a central nervous system depressant. When used as directed, it is relatively safe for most people.

What causes Ambien addiction is when people start taking more of the drug than they should. When they do this, they get an Ambien high. Erowid is a website that offers a platform for people who participate in Ambien abuse. There are countless stories of people who choose it as their go-to method of getting high.

Common Ambien Addiction Signs

If you are addicted to Ambien, you’re probably going to show some signs of addiction. Some of these signs include:

  • Going through Ambien withdrawal when you miss a dose
  • Experiencing a growing number of Ambien side effects the next day after you take it
  • Constantly thinking about your next dose of Zolpidem
  • Taking Ambien during the day when you don’t need it to sleep
  • Purchasing Ambien without a prescription 

If you’re not sure if you’re addicted to Ambien, you may want to consider taking an addiction quiz. This can help you get some more information.

Online, there are a countless number of Ambien side effect stories. This is a very powerful drug, and it’s going to result in some serious side effects. These become even worse with long-term use.

For example, when people take Ambien, sleepwalking is actually quite common. People have been known to eat, use the bathroom and even drive their cars while on Zolpidem. You’re also likely to experience some additional Ambien side effects, such as:

  • Diarrhea
  • Low energy
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Drowsiness throughout the day
  • Feeling dizzy

Also, there are many long-term effects of Ambien use. These should not be ignored. Ambien’s side effects tend to get worse the longer the drug is used. There is a significant connection between long-term Ambien use and memory loss. Also, with long-term Ambien use, liver problems can result.

Other long-term side effects of Ambien 10mg, or any dosage of this drug, include:

  • With frequent use of Ambien, depression may result
  • Ambien can cause a significant drop in blood pressure
  • Strange and abnormal dreams
  • Bouts of double vision
  • Feeling as though you have a hangover 

Also, there are several long-term effects of Ambien on the brain that should be considered as well. People often get a sensation of the room spinning or twirling. They may suffer from hallucinations or delusions, or experienced altered states of consciousness.

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Understanding the Ambien High Experience

The Zolpidem high is actually quite intense. In fact, it’s even possible to experience an Ambien CR or Zolpidem tartrate high. Online forum users are frequently talking about how to get the best high off Zolpidem.

Recreational use of ambien is more prevalent in those having been dependent on other drugs in the past, ambien users have reported feeling decreased anxiety, mild euphoria, perceptual changes, visual distortions and hallucinations

For example, when discussing the Ambien high, Reddit users might ask questions like:

  • How many 10mg Ambien does it take to get high?
  • What to do when you run out of Ambien?
  • Can you combine Ambien and alcohol to get a better high?
  • How long will the Ambien high last?
  • Is getting high on Zolpidem tartrate better than using regular Ambien?

This goes to show how popular this drug is for abuse purposes. Like other drugs, the Zolpidem 10mg high is intense. However, with higher dosages of the drug, it becomes even more so. It produces a sensation of euphoria that can quickly become addictive.

Mixing Ambien and Beer and Other Alcoholic Beverages

Websites like Bluelight, Erowid and Reddit prove that Ambien and alcohol are a popular combination. These two drugs should never be used together. When you combine Ambien and alcohol, death is a very real possibility. You should also never use Ambien and drink wine with dinner. 

A person with a history of heavy drinking is never prescribed ambien as it can be fatal. both ambien and alcohol are depressants, mix of ambien with alcohol can significantly depress breathing. Mix alcohol with ambien can cause an overdose, is very likely an overdose happen to a person who mix alcohol with ambien

When you use Ambien and alcohol, overdose is possible. These drugs are both depressants, and they don’t go well together at all. They could depress your breathing significantly, leading to an emergency medical situation. 

Therefore, if you’re wondering, how long after drinking can I take Ambien?, the answer is simple. You shouldn’t drink alcohol until you are no longer taking Ambien at all.

The Impact of Ambien in Idaho

The Idaho Office of Drug Policy has a lot to offer regarding the prevalence of Ambien in the state. According to their statistics, 16% of high school students in Idaho report having used a prescription medication without a prescription at least once. Also, an Idaho resident dies every 39 hours because of drugs.

Ambien is becoming more and more popular, although it has been around for many years. But because less doctors are prescribing opioids due to our country’s opioid crisis, patients are asking for different medications at their appointments. Ambien is among the most common, with more than 38 million prescriptions written between 2006 and 2011.

SAMHSA reports that the number of people who go to the ER because of adverse reactions to Ambien has increased dramatically. Over just five years, those numbers went up 220%.

It is not uncommon for people to take Ambien for the euphoric high they can experience if they stay awake. In fact, a term has been coined – Ambien zombies – to describe what happens to people when they are under the influence of this drug.

In an article in The Spokesman-Review from Spokane, WA, one woman discussed her experience with Ambien. She had planned a trip to visit her daughter, and she mistakenly took one pill before she left home. After she got to the airport, she says she went to sleep.

She managed to drive into the parking lot and take the airport shuttle to the appropriate gate. But she knew that something was wrong. When she arrived, her daughter took her to the emergency room, where they discovered that she had taken Ambien.

This drug is a very popular one for long flights to help people sleep while they travel. It can cause amnesia; that is one of the more common side effects. Flight attendants were actually the ones to come up with the phrase Ambien zombies. They feel it is an accurate depiction of how people look and act when they are under the influence of this medication.

Are Black Box Warnings Needed for Ambien?

Most people would respond to this question with a resounding yes. In fact, many believe that the warnings are way overdue. But the FDA has issued a statement claiming that Ambien – as well as other, similar medications – will now include a black box warning. When patients pick up their medicine at their pharmacies, they will be given the warning information.

The FDA claims that the warning is not so much because people are abusing Ambien. An FDA spokesperson stated, “Rare but serious injuries have happened with certain common prescription insomnia medicines because of sleep behaviors, including sleepwalking, sleep driving, and engaging in other activities while not fully awake. These complex sleep behaviors have also resulted in deaths.”

But what else is being done to curb this problem? A study in the British Medical Journal claimed that people who take prescription sleeping medications regularly were five times more likely to die within two and a half years. They also found that those individuals were more likely to be diagnosed with cancer. In addition to that, the FDA required every company who made this type of drug to lower doses by half. It is a medication that stays in the body longer than people think.

Stopping Ambien After Long Term Use

People who use Zolpidem often want to know, how long does it take to get off Ambien?. This is a difficult question because everyone is so different. There are many success stories about quitting Ambien online. However, you should know that most people need professional help. This is truly the best way to get off Zolpidem.

When it comes to stopping Ambien, Reddit users have come up with a number of different methods. Some promote getting off Ambien with melatonin. While substituting melatonin for Ambien may be effective sometimes, it’s probably not a good long-term solution.

Maybe you don’t want to use melatonin to replace Ambien. Not everyone is a fan of weaning off Ambien with melatonin or other over the counter drugs. If that’s you, you may consider trying to get off Ambien cold turkey.

You should be warned that this is not a good idea. Ambien is powerful, and it is likely to lead to Ambien withdrawal, which you may not be prepared for. Also, while you might research how to self-detox Ambien out of your body, this could end in a relapse.

Ambien addiction withdrawal is very difficult for anyone to get through on their own. Ambien withdrawal occurs when your body reacts to no longer having the drug. When it comes to Ambien withdrawal, cold turkey quitters are likely to experience these symptoms. They can be controlled in a professional setting.

When it comes to Ambien withdrawal, headache is one of the more common symptoms. However, additional symptoms of withdrawal from Ambien can include:

  • Becoming very anxious
  • Having mood swings
  • Significant Ambien cravings
  • Crying or depression
  • Stomach cramps

As far as the Ambien withdrawal schedule goes, people tend to withdraw at different rates. This can depend on how much Ambien they were taking. Most people experience minor symptoms at first, and then they get worse over time.

Ways to Detox From Ambien

The best way to go through Ambien detox is to do so in a drug rehab setting. There are many so-called “home remedies” for Ambien detox. However, they may not all be safe.

A drug detox can help to address your Ambien withdrawal symptoms individually. They may even be able to prevent some of them, or reduce their severity.

Avoiding Addiction With a Natural Alternative to Ambien

Let’s say you’re out of Ambien and you can’t sleep. You’ve only been taking it for a short time, so you haven’t formed an addiction yet. What do you do when you run out of Ambien?

The best answer is to find an alternative to Zolpidem tartrate or any form of Ambien. Maybe melatonin isn’t right for you. However, there are many other options available. You may even be able to find some natural options that don’t even involve over the counter medications. It is possible to stop Ambien addiction before it starts, as long as you know what to do.

Resources and Assistance for Families of Ambien Addicts

You may be thinking, Ambien is ruining my relationship, or my loved one won’t stop taking Ambien. What can I do? If you are, Ambien addiction treatment is the answer you’re looking for.

You may need help getting your loved one into Ambien addiction treatment or drug detox. If you do, it may benefit you to schedule an intervention.

What is a Zolpidem Overdose?

A Zolpidem overdose occurs when someone has taken too much Ambien for their body to handle. This can typically happen when someone stops taking Ambien abruptly, and then relapses. At that point, the Ambien overdose dosage can be quite small, but lowered tolerance levels lead to the overdose.

Ambien overdose occurs when someone has taken too much ambien for their body to handle, there are often other drugs in the system of the person, there is a high risk of coma and death

When someone overdoses on Ambien, it’s important to get medical treatment immediately. Otherwise, an Ambien overdose can be fatal.

It’s important for you to know if you need to consider Zolpidem addiction treatment. If you have an addiction to Ambien, professional help is warranted at this point. If you haven’t taken the above quiz, please do so now. You can also call for a free phone consultation to determine if you need Ambien addiction help.

Overdose can be treated with a benzo receptor antagonist that displaces ambien from its binding site and rapidly reverse the effect of the drug

Learn More About Ambien Abuse, Addiction and Treatment Options in Idaho

It may be years before we really realize the full extent of the damage that Ambien has caused. This medication is not as benign as people think it is. It is still being prescribed to people in Idaho at astronomical rates. Because it is not an opioid, people may be much more willing to share their prescriptions with others. The belief is that there is no harm in taking a drug to help with sleep, but that is a belief that could not be more untrue.

At Ashwood Recovery, we know that you probably have a lot more questions that you would like to ask about Ambien. Maybe you have been taking it for a long time, and you did not even realize that you were addicted to it. Sadly, that is the story for most people.

Regardless of why you are addicted to Ambien, we want you to know that help is available. With the right comprehensive program, you can recover. We can assist you with getting the professional treatment you need to stop using it successfully.

Would you like to know more about Ambien abuse and addiction? Do you need information about our treatment program? Either way, please contact us today.

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Ambien abuse and addiction. Ambien is primarily used for short term treatment of sleeping problems, it decreases the time to sleep onset by about 15 minutes and at larger doses, it helps people stay asleep longer. Ambien should only be used short term and at the recommended dosage. Signs of ambien abuse are taking higher than prescribed doses, staying on the drug for too long and smash the drug into a powder and/or mix with water to inject or snort. Abuse can lead to physiological dependence, tolerance, and addiction. Stopping ambien consumption after long-term use can cause severe insomnia and longer use of ambien increases the likelihood of addiction. Recreational use of ambien is more prevalent in those having been dependent on other drugs in the past, ambien users have reported feeling decreased anxiety, mild euphoria, perceptual changes, visual distortions and hallucinations. A person with a history of heavy drinking is never prescribed ambien as it can be fatal. both ambien and alcohol are depressants, mix of ambien with alcohol can significantly depress breathing. Mix alcohol with ambien can cause an overdose, is very likely an overdose happen to a person who mix alcohol with ambien. Ambien overdose occurs when someone has taken too much ambien for their body to handle, there are often other drugs in the system of the person, there is a high risk of coma and death. Overdose can be treated with a benzo receptor antagonist that displaces ambien from its binding site and rapidly reverse the effect of the drug