Author: Charles Frank
Ambien Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, & Treatment
Seizures have been known to occur in less than 1 percent of Ambien withdrawal cases. Still, they can occur in cases where the individual quits Ambien’s “cold turkey” or is suddenly unable to satisfy the craving for Ambien. The impact of using Ambien regularly is very similar to alcohol intoxication and can cause changes in behavior, impaired judgment, and slurred speech. Ambien is typically most commonly misused among teens and young adults. It is easy for occasional recreational Ambien misuse in social settings to become a habit.
These medications can provide relief, but your doctor will tailor your treatment plan to your specific needs. The process can be frustrating, and establishing regular sleep can be difficult. For people addicted to Ambien, completing detox is a significant accomplishment, but maintaining sobriety is an ongoing process.
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- His focus is on helping people who suffer from multiple issues, such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, substance abuse, PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, and ADHD.
- If you or someone you know encounters this symptom, it’s crucial to seek medical attention immediately.
- However, that figure did not account for the instances of people misusing Ambien.
- Typically, the journey through Ambien’s withdrawal symptoms varies because of numerous factors.
Tapering Off Ambien
When someone who has been taking Ambien for an extended period decides to stop or reduce their dosage, they may experience a range of symptoms of withdrawal from Ambien. These can vary in intensity from person to person but generally include physical and psychological discomfort. At Carolina Center for Recovery and affiliates, we aim to provide readers with the most accurate and updated healthcare information possible.
American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Stopping Ambien may seem difficult, but you do not have to do it alone. You can achieve success by working with your prescriber, applying this new knowledge, and sticking to a tapering schedule. If you or someone you know is struggling with Ambien addiction, our addiction specialists are here to help.
Ambien Addiction: Facts, Symptoms & Treatment Options
Some may experience symptoms for a few days, while others may endure them for weeks. People who abuse Ambien may run out of their prescriptions early or get anxious about how to get more. People who abuse Ambien or develop physical dependence typically require treatment to safely stop taking it. Others may abuse Ambien because they have developed a tolerance for it. Millions of people in the United States struggle with sleep issues, including insomnia. Some people take prescription medications to help them get the sleep they need.
Quitting Ambien cold turkey may cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you are dependent on the drug. Having a detox plan for Ambien, where you are weaned off Ambien and any withdrawal symptoms are managed, may be the safest way to quit the drug. If you take a regular therapeutic dose of Ambien, it is unlikely that you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, various therapy modalities can help treat the psychological and behavioral patterns resulting from Ambien misuse. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other psychotherapeutic approaches can help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. Similarly, support groups offer a safe space for finding and working with people who have mutual interests.
Medical Reviewer:
Ambien is one of the most commonly prescribed sleep medications in the country. This medication can be effective at helping people fall asleep, but it also has the potential for abuse and addiction. If people become addicted to Ambien, they may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it. These withdrawal symptoms can make it very challenging for people to avoid relapse. It is vital for individuals suffering from Ambien addiction to have solid emotional support when they stop taking this drug.
HART Rehab
After detox is complete, the process of rehab can help you explore why you began to rely on Ambien and give you the skills needed to live life without Ambien and avoid relapses. Our Ambien withdrawal treatment will help you manage and navigate the withdrawal symptoms of Ambien as safely and comfortably as possible. Additionally, drug addiction treatment at Ambien treatment centers is necessary to target patterns of thought and behavior that have contributed to Ambien’s use, misuse, and abuse. Withdrawal symptoms may be effectively managed in a supervised detox facility. During medical detox, you’ll typically be tapered off Ambien in order to allow your body time to adjust to not having it anymore.
Safely Tapering Off Ambien
If you or a loved one are suffering with drug abuse or alcohol addiction, reach out to Daylight Recovery Center for addiction help. If you are worried about withdrawal, your doctor can help you safely taper down your dose. If you are still having trouble sleeping after stopping Ambien, consider talking to your doctor about melatonin as an alternative. Melatonin is a natural chemical produced in the brain that helps regulate your sleep cycles.
Screening and assessment tools help but do not predict who will or will not experience withdrawal symptoms. It isn’t easy to know precisely how long signs of Ambien withdrawal will take for each person. Several factors can affect how long an individual experiences Ambien withdrawal symptoms.
If you want to stop taking Ambien, call our Ambien addiction hotline today and learn how we can help keep you safe and manage the Ambien withdrawal symptoms. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.