FAQ About Ambien

Ambien, also known as Zolpidem, is a drug that’s primarily used to address sleep problems (insomnia) in adults. Ambien is meant to serve as a short-term (1 – 2 weeks) solution to insomnia. Ambien is intended to help a person restore normal sleeping habits so that they can return to a healthy sleep schedule.   

Ambien or Zolpidem is in a class of medications called sedative-hypnotics. These drugs produce a strong sedative effect. Ambien activates the neurotransmitter GABA to slow the brain and central nervous system down. Ambien was first intended to be a less addictive alternative to benzodiazepines like Xanax; however, it is now known that the potential for Ambien abuse and addiction is similar to benzos.  

The side effects of Ambien include chest pain, irregular heartbeat, problems breathing, lightheadedness, drowsiness and behavioral changes. One strange yet relatively common side effect of Ambien is sleepwalking which can be extremely dangerous as people engage in complex activities like driving while not fully awake. Ambien also has a high potential for abuse and Ambien addiction can occur in as little as two weeks. . 

Without question, Ambien can produce a high. The impact of Ambien can quickly cause a person to fall into the trap of addiction without a person consciously being aware of it. This is one of the leading reasons why you should never consume Ambien unless you are under the watchful eye of a trained medical professional. A doctor will know the correct dosage for you, be able to recognize the warning signs of addiction, and when to taper you offer this drug. 

Ambien is an addictive substance, as a result, it is habit forming. In order for Ambien to be effective, it needs to be taken every day. As a result, it becomes a habit and part of your life. Although Ambien is habit forming, it’s not impossible for a person to break this habit with the right type of help and treatment.

Similar to any other type of addictive drug, there is always the possibility that you could overdose on Ambien. Taking higher than recommended doses of Ambien, taking Ambien without it being prescribed to you, and combining Ambien with other drugs or alcohol all increase the risk of overdosing. Overdose can lead to serious physical or psychological consequences and even death.

Ambien can come in many different forms depending on the dosage and whether the pill is brand name Ambien or the generic, Zolpidem. The 5mg dose of Ambien is a pink pill with AMB 5 imprinted on one side and 5401 imprinted on the other. The 10mg Ambien dosage is white and has AMB 10 imprinted on one side with 5421 imprinted on the other side. Ambien CR pills are round and convex with A imprinted on one side. The 6.5mg dosage is pink while the 12.5 dosage is a blue pill.

A combination of Ambien and alcohol can cause serious health consequences. Ambien and alcohol alone each have potentially severe consequences; however, combining these two substances can cause kidney, liver, heart, and even brain damage. Most importantly combining alcohol and Ambien can cause an overdose. The majority of Ambien-related ER visits and hospitalizations involve alcohol and other drugs.

If you’re struggling with dependence on Ambien, the best thing that you can do for yourself is connect with a treatment facility that can answer your questions and provide you with a personalized recovery plan. With professional help you can overcome your dependence on Ambien in the safest and most effective way possible. Behavioral health experts will walk you through this important process and help you understand and resolve the reasons behind your substance use.

On average, Ambien withdrawal usually lasts approximately one week. It is strongly recommended that you take full advantage of a medical detox program. During medical detox, withdrawal symptoms will be closely monitored by a team of healthcare professionals to ensure that you’re never in a position where you’re unable to properly care for yourself. Ambien and other drugs can also be safely tapered down in a medical detox program providing a safer and far more comfortable detox experience.