Woman Struggling With Ambien AddictionAlthough doctors consider Ambien less addictive than other sedatives, these “z-drugs” can still become a problem. Tolerance to the sleeping pill can build up in as few as two weeks when the drug is taken regularly. When patients try to quit Ambien cold turkey after prolonged and consistent use, they can experience serious withdrawal symptoms that may include seizures. To overcome Ambien addiction, medically supervised detox is the safest and most comfortable approach.

Symptoms of Withdrawal from Ambien Addiction

When patients are addicted to Ambien, they experience many physical and mental symptoms when attempting to stop using the sleeping medication. These symptoms are worse when patients stop taking the drug abruptly without medical assistance.

Some symptoms of Ambien withdrawal include:

  • Tremor
  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • High blood pressure
  • Fever
  • Sweating
  • Shakiness
  • Stomach cramping
  • Panic attacks
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Nervousness
  • Insomnia
  • Uncontrollable crying
  • Convulsions
  • Seizures

One of the most common symptoms of withdrawal from Ambien is insomnia. Called rebound insomnia, this condition can be difficult to bear and often lasts for several weeks. Once the body has returned to a normal state following detoxification, sleep does return.

The collection of withdrawal symptoms individual patients experience can last between a few days and several weeks. The severity of symptoms is directly related to how much Ambien was taken per dose, how frequently the drug was used, and duration of the dependence.

Detox to Combat Ambien Addiction

Ambien addiction is most effectively combatted through medically supervised detox. This detox will usually involve addicted patients being tapered down from their doses to enable their bodies to readjust to functioning without the drug in their systems. When this method is used, patients experience fewer panic attacks, convulsions and incidences of serious hypertension.

Some patients are able to overcome physical dependence on Ambien in as few as two weeks. Others may need months to overcome their typical use and dependence safely. The primary goal of medically supervised detox is to ensure an individualized approach is used to help each patient feel as comfortable as possible during their own withdrawal.

For some patients, medications will be used to help lessen withdrawal symptoms. These medications are managed within the detox environment so crossover addiction will not occur. Medications can also help prevent seizures, one of the more dangerous side effects of withdrawal.

Medically supervised detox is only the first step in overcoming addiction to Ambien. The body is clean of the sleeping medication when patients leave detox. But it is critical that they gain inpatient or outpatient rehab to address why the overuse and addiction occurred and how to go forward without the drug. Only through rehab treatment can addiction to any substance be effectively overcome.

Beaches Recovery Treats Addiction to Ambien and Other Substances

Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida is a Joint Commission-accredited rehab facility that treats addiction to a variety of drugs and alcohol. Patients who are addicted to Ambien can gain medically supervised, safe detox at a Beaches Recovery partner facility, then transition into one of Beaches’ programs for rehabilitation.

Beaches Recovery provides the following types of treatment:

If you or someone you love are ready to end addiction to Ambien or other substances for lifelong recovery, call Beaches Recovery now at 8666050532.