Ambien Abuse and Addiction

Ambien was once hailed as a breakthrough medication. Then it became the subject of concerning news articles about its potentially harmful side effects. Before you use this drug, it’s important to review its benefits and drawbacks, so that you can make an informed decision and keep yourself safe.

What is Ambien?

Ambien is the trade name of zolpidem tartrate, a prescription sedative that is typically used on a short-term basis to treat people who have insomnia.

Zolpidem is also categorized as a Z-drug, along with zopiclone, zaleplon, and eszopiclone. These drugs function in a manner similar to benzodiazepines, but they don’t produce the anti-anxiety or anti-convulsant effects that benzos do.

A French company, Synthélabo Recherche, first synthesized zolpidem in the 1980s. In 1992, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Ambien for use in the United States. In 2007, the FDA authorized zolpidem to be sold as a generic medication.

In 2021, U.S. pharmacies filled more than 10.8 million prescriptions for Ambien or generic zolpidem.

Is Ambien a Controlled Substance?

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has classified Ambien/zolpidem as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the U.S. This means that, in the opinion of the U.S. government, Ambien has low potential for abuse and dependence.

Other commonly prescribed Schedule IV drugs include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and carisoprodol (Soma).

Side Effects of Ambien

While Ambien can be a beneficial medication when taken for a short period of time as directed by your prescribing physician, it has also been linked with a variety of disturbing and potentially dangerous side effects. 

Concern about the dangers of Ambien use prompted to FDA to require a black box warning on its packaging starting in 2019. This black box requirement, which an FDA press release described as “the agency’s most prominent warning,” also applies to fellow Z-drugs eszopiclone (Lunesta) and zaleplon (Sonata).

Dangers

The more common, less serious side effects of Ambien include:

• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Next-day drowsiness
• Muscle aches
• Back pain
• Congestion
• Indigestion
• Nausea and diarrhea

Rare but much more serious Ambien side effects include:

• Hallucinations and/or delusions
• Temporary amnesia (memory loss)
• Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis
• Sleepwalking
• Driving and engaging in other dangerous behaviors while still asleep

Can You Take Ambien with Alcohol?

You should not drink alcohol if you are taking Ambien. Combining these two drugs can expose you to significant harm, including risk of death.

As a sedative, Ambien slows the delivery of messages throughout the central nervous system (CNS). This can be a valuable effect for someone who has been struggling to get to sleep and stay asleep. But for someone who is also drinking alcohol, it can be a prelude to disaster.

Though alcohol’s initial effects can include increased energy and talkativeness, this drug is also a CNS depressant. Having both alcohol and Ambien in your system at the same time can amplify the effects that either drug would produce on their own. 

This can lead to problems such as dangerously low heart rate, slow or shallow breathing, disorientation, and loss of consciousness. 

Anyone who exhibits these signs after using Ambien and alcohol may be in the midst of a life-threatening crisis, and they need immediate medical attention. Failing to call 911 or otherwise summon an emergency first responder could be a fatal decision.

Is Ambien Addictive?

As we noted earlier in this post, by definition, Schedule IV controlled substances do not pose a considerable risk of abuse and addiction. However, it is important to note that low risk is not the same thing as no risk. 

People who misuse Ambien – which can include taking the drug in larger-than-recommended doses, taking it for longer than directed by their doctor, or using it for recreational purposes – can develop an addiction.

Warning signs of Ambien addiction can include:

• Developing powerful cravings for the medication
• Lying about your symptoms or visiting several doctors to get additional prescriptions for Ambien
• Buying, borrowing, or stealing Ambien that was prescribed to someone else
• Becoming agitated or irritated when unable to acquire or use Ambien
• Using the medication in ways that are clearly hazardous to your health, such as by combining it with alcohol or other drugs (a dangerous behavior that is referred to as polysubstance abuse) 
• Continuing to use Ambien even after incurring harm as a result of prior use
• Needing to use larger amounts of Ambien to experience the effects that you were previously able to achieve with a smaller dose
• Lying to friends and family about your Ambien use
• Developing withdrawal symptoms when you abruptly stop using Ambien, or when you are prevented from using it for a certain period
• Wanting to stop using Ambien, but being unable to do so

How to Treat Ambien Addiction?

Compulsive Ambien abuse can have a devastating effect on your health and well-being. But there is one important glimmer of hope regarding Ambien addiction: It is a treatable condition.

The right type of treatment for you can depend on several personal factors, such as:

• How long you have been addicted to Ambien
• How much of the drug you have been taking
• How your Ambien abuse has affected you
• If you have any co-occurring medical or mental health needs

A reputable treatment provider will review your history and needs with you, discuss your goals for treatment, then develop a customized plan just for you. That plan may include one or more of the following programs:

• Detoxification (detox)
• Residential treatment
• Partial hospitalization
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Outpatient care

The two general objectives of treatment are to help you end your Ambien use and to prepare you to live a healthier life in recovery. Detox may be necessary to accomplish the first objective. The therapeutic and educational components of the other programs can help you build the skills you need to manage your urges and maintain your recovery.

Contact Los Angeles Detox to Safely Overcome Ambien Addiction

If you have become dependent on Ambien or another addictive substance, LA Detox is here to help. 

Our team will review your history, assess your needs, and then identify the programs and services that are right for you. We will encourage you to play an active role in all aspects of your treatment, so that you can become an informed self-advocate and take ownership of your recovery journey.

At LA Detox, we know how devastating untreated addiction can be. We also know that with proper care, a concerted effort, and ongoing support, you can live a healthier life, free from compulsive substance abuse. 

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.