Young women against wall worried about ambien withdrawal.The good news for people with insomnia is there are several very good sedatives that offer relief and induce sleep. Unfortunately, some users choose to abuse such drugs. Continuing abuse can lead to a full blown dangerous addiction. If you never imagined someone going through Ambien withdrawal, the following information should give you a better idea as to how dangerous this substance is.

America’s Most Popular Sleeping Medication

For years, physicians have prescribed Ambien for patients with anxiety and sleep conditions. Over time, this drug has become one of America’s most popular sleep medications. It also holds the distinction of being one of the most abused prescription drugs on the planet, leading to an Ambien addiction.

Doctors have classified this drug, generic name Zolpidem, as a hypnotic. It acts as a sedative to regulate certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals are responsible for controlling one’s ability to sleep and also control anxiety. When taken as prescribed, Zolpidem offers a good night of sleep with minimum side-effects. Possible side-effects include temporary loss of memory, allergic reactions and some difficulty breathing.

When abused, this drug will exhibit the same addictive traits as those derived from the abuse of a benzodiazepine. It’s worth noting that Zolpidem can be habit-forming. This drug requires a periodic dosage increase for the desired effect. Users should only take increased amounts when prescribed by a doctor.

About Ambien Withdrawal Symptoms

As the brain attempts to neutralize the effects of a specific drug, users develop a tolerance for that drug. As indicated above, patients eventually need a larger dose to get the desired effect. Zolpidem certainly exhibits this particular quality. Over an extended period of increased use or abuse, any attempts to cease using the drug will be met by the requisite Ambien withdrawal symptoms.

Ambien withdrawal results when the brain tries to adjust the body’s function back to normal. When this happens, there’s a multitude of symptoms that could become evident, both physical and psychological.

Physically, users might experience what is referred to as “rebound insomnia.” Without Zolpidem to induce sleep, the brain simply ceases to shut down, causing insomnia. Other physical symptoms, depending on the depth of the addiction, include nausea, vomiting, fever, stomach and muscle cramps, high blood pressure and, in severe cases, convulsions.

Psychologically, the cessation of Zolpidem could create a substantial list of issues. Heading this list is uncontrollable crying, panic and anxiety attacks, nervousness, hallucinations, paranoia, and depression.

The onset of Ambien withdrawal symptoms usually occurs within 1-2 days. They can last for as long as several weeks in severe cases. The best method for detoxing involves tapering the dosage down, which prevents many of the more serious symptoms from appearing.

Handling Ambien Withdrawal at Beaches Recovery

Detox and treatment for an addiction to Zolpidem is best handled at a premier rehab center like Beaches Recovery. Professional clinicians manage the detox process, which offers patients a safe environment where they can go through Ambien withdrawal. A medically-monitored detox assures that patients can get through withdrawal with a minimum of discomfort.

After a successful detox, counselors get the opportunity to meet with patients to determine which type of customized addiction treatment services will best suit the patient’s unique circumstances. From detox to after treatment care, our menu of options include the following:

In all cases, our end-goal is to put our patients on the road to recovery, equipped with the life skills and relapse prevention skills they will need to live a drug-free, healthy life.

Addiction does not have to be a major influence over your life. By admitting you have a problem and subsequently reaching out for help, you can take back control over your life. You can take the most important step by picking up the phone and calling Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532. We do accept most major health care insurance plans.