You may not realize that Ambien, a prescription drug used to help you sleep, is a depressant that slows brain activity. When you suddenly quit taking Ambien, your brain immediately begins working differently, and you may experience withdrawal symptoms.
Restored Path Detox is a place where you can recover quickly and safely.
Ambien calms your mind and body to induce sleep in lower doses if you suffer from short-term insomnia. Doctors generally prescribe Ambien for two weeks. It is not as effective when taken longer and at higher doses, and many people find they become dependent on the medication over time. The side effects related to withdrawal can also be very unpleasant.
We’ll work with you to wean off Ambien gradually and discover a restful, natural path back to sleep without it. Be assured that at Restored Path Detox, you’ll learn how to navigate back to your natural, healthy sleep cycles, starting with good sleep hygiene. We help to medically manage your detox to stay safe and comfortable while you heal.
Our Approach
We match you with a combination of effective detoxification techniques to provide comfortable, caring, and integrated care. We’ll prescribe targeted medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms while simultaneously preventing dangerous symptoms.
At Restored Path Detox, we combine a serene environment, round-the-clock medical supervision, and specialized addiction services.
Medical, mental health, and whole-person assessment
Case management and treatment planning
Individual supportive counseling
Supportive counseling groups
24/7 medical supervision
Nutritious meals
Medication management
Continuing care planning
Recovery support
Our Environment
At Restored Path Detox, we want you to feel at home. We work quickly to help you determine the severity of your Ambien use disorder and welcome you into our restful environment so you can begin your recovery. Instead of a sterile hospital ward, we offer round the clock medical care in a comfortable atmosphere that allows you to focus on healing.
Our amenities include:
Comfortable, private, and semi-private rooms
TVs in all rooms
Executive wing with private rooms
Cell phone access is available for executive-level patients, as clinically appropriate
Gourmet meals created by licensed nutritionist
Kitchenette area stocked with snacks
24/7 nursing on all units
ADA-accessible bathrooms with toiletries
Outdoor courtyard and garden area
Inviting, well-lit common spaces
Premium linens
Massage
Acupuncture
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 more than 250,000 people were abusing Ambien and other sedatives.
Just like you, many people don’t realize how quickly they can become dependent on Ambien, even if they are following their prescription. Likewise, your friends and family may be unaware that you are abusing 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 abuse may include:
Uninhibited sociability
Talkativeness
Frequent blackouts
No memory of strange behaviors
Sleepwalking
Hypersexual behavior
Impaired coordination and balance
Doctors generally prescribe Ambien for two weeks at most. Beyond that, it may not be as effective. Any Ambien used outside of a doctor’s instructions is considered abuse.
Many Ambien users have reported strange and disturbing side effects from the drug, such as going from a sleeping state to engaging in complicated activities without recollection. Some activities that 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 gets worse. You are at 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. Suddenly stopping throws your brain into overdrive. At Restored Path Detox, we will taper your dosage gradually.
Your risk of more intense withdrawal symptoms increases with higher amounts of Ambien abused for lengthier periods. And taking the extended-release version of the medicine rather than the non-extended release or combining Ambien with alcohol or illegal drugs will increase your withdrawal symptoms because you’ll need to stop multiple drugs. Medically managed detox is the answer to your safety and comfort.
Symptoms of withdrawal begin within 48 hours of your last dose and include:
Anxiety
Mood swings
Irritability
Cravings for the drug
Sweating
Tremors
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal cramps or discomfort
Uncontrolled crying
Delirium
Depression
Flushing
Panic attacks
Rapid heart rate and breathing
Seizures occur in less than 1% of patients who experience Ambien withdrawal. Most physical symptoms occur within the first 3-5 days and lessen or disappear within 1-2 weeks. Psychological withdrawal symptoms can persist for two weeks.
You may experience insomnia, panic attacks, and other side effects for months after stopping Ambien in rare cases. But Restored Path Detox can help.
If you have an underlying medical condition, detox may cause it to get worse. Ambien detox can produce some intense psychological side effects in the absence of physical withdrawal symptoms.
During 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 the tapering-off process with therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy improves your chances of a successful recovery.
Call to begin your journey to wellness today.
If you or someone you love has been suffering from an Ambien use disorder, Restored Path Detox is ready to help. We will work alongside you to provide the most comprehensive and individualized medically-monitored detox program available.