Ambien Withdrawal and Detox Center in Dallas

Ambien is a prescription sedative commonly used by people who have trouble falling or staying asleep.

It is intended to encourage regular sleeping patterns, which can reduce daytime fatigue. But, at the same time, its sedative properties can lead people to misuse it by increasing the dose as they build a tolerance to the drug, which can lead to addiction.

As Ambien becomes less effective over time, the potential to misuse it increases as tolerance builds. Someone who still has trouble sleeping with a 5-milligram dose may increase to a 10-milligram dose, for instance, without consulting their doctor. Those who crush, snort, or take Ambien with other drugs face higher risks of developing dependence and more severe Ambien withdrawal symptoms.

If the drug was initially used for recreational purposes, it could also lead to long-term misuse.

Someone with an Ambien addiction may show signs of it through various behavior, including using the drug nightly for 6 weeks or longer. They may buy Ambien illegally, visit multiple doctors for prescriptions, or forge prescriptions. Their attempts to cut down or stop using it may be unsuccessful as they experience intense cravings. They may sleep through important events while using Ambien or drive under its influence.

Ambien isn’t intended to be a long-term solution for sleep issues. It’s typically prescribed for up to 6 weeks, with shorter use of Ambien recommended. Sustained use over a long period or misuse of a high amount of the drug can produce a range of physical and psychological effects. As Ambien was designed to be a “safer” version of benzodiazepines, many of its long-term health risks are similar to benzos, such as diazepam, known by the brand name Valium.

Long-Term Ambien Use Symptoms

• Addiction
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Depression and/or suicidal thoughts
• Digestive difficulties
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth

• Hallucinations
• Insomnia
• Lack of muscle control
• Muscle pain
• Nightmares
• Persistent fatigue
• Recurrent headaches

Common side effects of Ambien (zolpidem) include

• Daytime drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Lightheadedness
• “Drugged” feeling
• Tiredness
• Loss of coordination
• Stuffy nose
• Nasal irritation
• Dry mouth
• Sore throat

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Stomach upset
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Confusion
• Insomnia
• Euphoria
• Problems with balance
• Visual changes

Serious side effects can include

• Memory loss
• New or worsening depression
• Abnormal thoughts
• Thoughts of suicide
• Hallucinations

• Confusion
• Agitation
• Aggressive behavior
• Anxiety

According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network, the number of ER visits linked to the misuse or overdose of Ambien increased from 6,111 in 2005 to over 19,000 in 2010.

• More than 68% of zolpidem-related ER patients are women
• Patients over 45 accounted for 74% of ER visits
• Half of the zolpidem-related ER visits involved combinations with other drugs, especially narcotic analgesics (26%) and additional sleeping or anti-anxiety medications (16%)
• In 2013, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that over 250,000 people were abusing Ambien and other sedatives.

Like you, many people don’t realize how quickly they can become dependent on Ambien, even if they follow their prescription. Likewise, your friends and family may be unaware you are misusing Ambien because you take it right before sleep.

Using Ambien too long often results in physical tolerance. As your body adapts to the presence of the drug, you need to take a larger dose to feel the same effects.

Signs of Ambien misuse may include

• Uninhibited sociability
• Talkativeness
• Frequent blackouts
• No memory of strange behaviors

• Sleepwalking
• Hypersexual behavior
• Impaired coordination and balance

Doctors generally prescribe Ambien for 2 weeks at most. Beyond that, it may become ineffective. Any Ambien used outside of a doctor’s instructions is considered misuse.

Many Ambien users have reported strange and disturbing side effects from the drug, such as going from sleeping to engaging in complicated activities without recollection. Some activities people have done while sleeping include sleepwalking, preparing and eating food, having sex, driving, and talking on the phone.

When you become dependent on Ambien and stop taking it suddenly, you may experience “rebound insomnia,” where your inability to sleep worsens. You have a greater risk of complications during rebound insomnia, such as seizures or delirium.

Ambien suppresses your central nervous system and reduces the firing of specific nerves in your brain. Stopping Ambien use suddenly throws your brain into overdrive. Your risk of severe withdrawal symptoms increases as higher amounts of Ambien are misused for lengthier periods.

Taking the extended-release version of the medicine rather than the nonextended release or combining Ambien with alcohol or illegal drugs also increases your withdrawal symptoms because you’ll need to stop multiple drugs.

At Restored Path Detox, we will gradually taper your dosage with a medically managed Ambien detox program designed for your safety and comfort.

Reducing Ambien use or stopping it altogether will produce withdrawal symptoms within 48 hours. While some symptoms create low levels of discomfort, others can be life threatening. They include

• Abdominal cramps or discomfort
• Agitation
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Delirium
• Depression
• Disorientation
• Drug cravings
• Fatigue
• Flushing
• Hallucinations

• Increased blood pressure, pulse, breathing rate, or body temperature
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Nausea or vomiting
• Restlessness
• Seizures
• Stomach cramps
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Uncontrolled crying

Someone experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

Most physical symptoms occur within the first 3-5 days and lessen or disappear within 1-2 weeks. Psychological withdrawal symptoms can persist for 2 weeks. Seizures occur in less than 1% of patients who experience Ambien detox.

In rare cases, you may experience insomnia, panic attacks, and other Ambien side effects from withdrawal for months after your last dose.

Here is an Ambien withdrawal timeline:

0-48 Hours:

The half-life of a drug is how much time the body needs to reduce the substance by half. Ambien’s half-life of 2 hours is shorter than other sedatives.

The time may vary from person to person, depending on how their body processes the drug.  Users who withdraw from Ambien notice symptoms within 48 hours of their last dose.

Symptoms tend to be milder in the first couple of days.

3-5 Days:        

After 48 hours of taking the last Ambien dose, withdrawal symptoms intensify. The most severe symptoms appear in these 3 days.

Confusion, memory loss, and mood swings become apparent during this time. Panic attacks may begin, and sleep difficulties can return. In addition, people may feel shaky and nauseous. A combination of these symptoms can compel some people to start retaking Ambien.

1-2 Weeks:

This period provides some relief for many people who have quit using moderate amounts of Ambien.

The withdrawal symptoms felt during the first week begin to subside, and people will start feeling normal again and may be able to sleep without using Ambien.

If you have more questions or concerns about the Ambien withdrawal timeline, please contact the skilled clinicians at Restored Path Detox.

If you have an underlying medical condition, Zolpidem withdrawal may cause it to worsen. Ambien detox may also produce intense psychological side effects in the absence of physical withdrawal symptoms.

During Ambien detox, you may behave aggressively toward loved ones, become so exhausted you can hardly function, or face anxiety and depression so severe you contemplate harming yourself.

Combining a medically monitored tapering-off process with therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy improves your chances of a successful recovery.

People who have taken high doses of Ambien over a long period will likely experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms compared to those who have taken moderate amounts.

Decreasing the use of a drug like Ambien can be done safely and without the risk of seizures and other complications. Medical detox allows long-time Ambien users to move through the withdrawal process while monitored round-the-clock by a trained medical team. In addition, medication can be provided to ease withdrawal symptoms.

Restored Path Detox is a licensed and accredited Ambien detox center and DFW’s premier location for safe, compassionate, and sophisticated detox services. Conveniently located in Frisco, we provide a sanctuary for healing and state-of-the-art detoxification facilities for a wide range of substances.

Our compassionate physicians and therapists want you to get well and are committed to removing existing barriers to your care. Restored Path’s team of board-certified physicians and highly qualified RNs have extensive critical care experience. They can monitor your detox program 24 hours a day, seven days a week.