Josh Chandler | March 7, 2022

Is Ambien Addictive? Know the Signs and Symptoms of Ambien Addiction

What Is Ambien? 

It’s not uncommon for a person to struggle with a bad night of sleep. Unfortunately, when a person has a bad night of sleep, they tend to have issues focusing the following morning at work or school. If you find that you’re consistently struggling to get to sleep or stay asleep, you may be suffering from a condition known as insomnia. Therefore, it wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility for your doctor to prescribe you a drug called Ambien Zolpidem. Although there are several advantages of taking Ambien, most people don’t realize that Ambien Zolpidem is an addictive substance, which is why you should only be taking Ambien for a short period. 

Unfortunately, every day there are more and more people who abuse Ambien. This physical dependence on Ambien is something that can completely destroy seemingly every aspect of your life. This is one of the leading reasons why if you suspect that addiction is negatively impacting you or a loved one to Ambien, you should always reach out for help from a team of experienced addiction treatment professionals as soon as possible. 

Click here to call Muse Addiction Center today. Our staff is available 24/7 to provide answers and begin the admissions process. Call (800) 426-1818.

Is Ambien Addictive?

Ambien is an incredibly addictive substance. Many people don’t realize that Ambien is only a short-term solution. The drug is meant to put your mind and your body back on track when it comes to a natural and regular sleep schedule. Once you achieve that ideal sleep schedule, your doctor should work with you to ease you off of Ambien without negatively affecting your sleep again. However, if you have prolonged use and ultimate abuse of Ambien, you could find yourself struggling with ongoing addiction. 

What Does Ambien Look Like?

Ambien can look differently depending on your dosage. In most cases, Ambien comes in a small peach pill with a 5mg or a 10mg dose. There is also an extended-release version of the substance. When you first reach out to your intake team, a good rule of thumb is to provide them with information regarding the dosage as well as the length of time that you have been taking Ambien. This will help your recovery team make plans for your treatment, including the possibility of a detox program. 

Signs and Symptoms of Ambien Abuse

Looking out for the signs and symptoms of Ambien abuse is essential. Whether you have concerns about yourself or a friend, here are some of the common examples of possible Ambien abuse: 

  • Extreme or continuous fatigue 
  • Dilated pupils 
  • Blurry vision 
  • Hallucinations 
  • Memory loss 
  • Weakness 
  • Altered judgment 

There are also other common symptoms associated with Ambien addiction. For instance, Ambien addiction could easily cause issues with you and your family members or friends. If you find that your relationship with these essential people in your life is suffering from your Ambien consumption, it may be time to take a step back and consider treatment. 

For treatment tips on Ambien addiction, see how blog below:

Need Zolpidem for Z’s? How to Quit Ambien and Avoid Ambien Withdrawal

Risks of Ambien Abuse

There are numerous risks associated with Ambien abuse. For instance, there is a possibility that you may blackout during the time that you’re under the influence of Ambien. This would be similar to sleepwalking because you are completing specific tasks, but once you are no longer under the influence of Ambien, you don’t remember anything that happened. 

One of the severe possibilities of Ambien abuse is Ambien overdose. When you’re constantly under the influence of Ambien, you will probably lose track of how much of this substance you’re consuming. As a result, you put yourself in a risky position of causing physical or psychological harm to yourself if you consume too much of this substance. Remember, an Ambien overdose could also lead to death. If you suspect that you or a loved one may have ingested too much Ambien, you should always reach out for help right away.  

The Danger of Combining Ambien and Alcohol 

A person who develops an addiction to Ambien is always at risk of developing an alcohol addiction as well. There are countless negative impacts and dangers of combining Ambien and alcohol. For instance, you may find that you’re more at risk of causing severe damage to your central nervous system, leading to serious physical health consequences. Many people are struggling with Ambien addiction who think that if they drink more alcohol, they will be able to get a more restful night of sleep or better manage their daily routine. However, the reality is that when you’re struggling with Ambien addiction, adding alcohol into the equation can only exacerbate your addiction overall. You may find that you develop an anxiety disorder or other behavioral habits that can cause further chaos in your life. 

Ambien Addiction Treatment at Muse

When you’re ready to address your addiction to Ambien or any other substance abuse issue, the addiction specialists at Muse Treatment Center are here to help you. Whether you have completed your addiction treatment at another treatment facility or this is the first time you’re trying to tackle your addiction to Ambien, you can rest assured that you will have all of the help and support you need to conquer your addiction once and for all. 

One of the reasons we are considered a top-rated rehab is because we understand that every person who comes to our treatment center needs and deserves a personalized level of treatment. In some cases, before you can bring your drug rehab or alcohol rehab program, you must first complete a withdrawal and detox program. When your body becomes used to consuming Ambien, and you develop a drug addiction, you will go through a period of withdrawal symptoms during the first few hours and days of your time in addiction treatment. The health effects of withdrawal and detox can be detrimental to your overall health, which is one of the reasons why you should never attempt to manage withdrawal symptoms on your own. Instead, it would help if you committed to a detox program at our treatment center, providing you with the continuous levels of care you need during this critical stage in your overall recovery journey. 

Although you may be feeling better after a drug or alcohol detox program, just because you completed this program doesn’t mean that you are suddenly cured of your drug addiction. The next part of the process is to commit to one of the comprehensive addiction treatment programs offered at Muse Treatment. If you want to continue to receive the around-the-clock level of care that you experienced during your withdrawal and detox program, you should seriously consider committing to residential treatment for Ambien addiction. During an inpatient luxury rehab, you will have unlimited access to your treatment team and the opportunity to live in a home away from home type of environment. During inpatient rehab, you will have the time to exclusively focus on yourself, which you will need to overcome your Ambien addiction once and for all. 

However, several people cannot commit to an inpatient treatment program for one reason or another. In cases like this, the best thing for you to do would be to commit to an outpatient treatment program. At Muse Treatment, we offer two unique outpatient treatment programs: an intensive outpatient program and a general outpatient program. The main difference between an intensive outpatient program and a general outpatient program is the number of hours you will need to commit to treatment each week. Our treatment team works closely with you to develop a plan that will not make you feel you need to choose between your addiction recovery and your work or school responsibilities. 

Whether you select an inpatient or an outpatient program, you will take a deep dive into understanding the root causes of your addiction. This is a critical factor in your overall recovery. Many people begin their addiction treatment and have no idea what the root cause of their addiction may be. However, several others can actively identify this reason. For instance, if you were abused at any point in your life and you never received proper care for these events, it’s possible that you could be more prone to addiction. 

When you’re in addiction treatment, you will spend time in therapy exploring not only the root cause of your addiction but also what steps you can take to truly heal from these events. This will help you to avoid falling back into the cycle of addiction going forward. 

Are you ready to take steps to conquer your Ambien addiction once and for all? Get in touch with the Muse Treatment Center intake team today at (800) 426-1818 for more information about the available treatment options. 

Ambien Addiction,Ambien Rehab,
Josh Chandler
Josh Chandler
After growing up in Chicago and North Carolina, Josh chose to get help with substance use disorder and mental health in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than five years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for four years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. Josh remains passionate about the field because he understands that one phone call can alter the course of a person's life.


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