Mental Health Risks of Ambien Dependence 

What is Ambien? 

Do you struggle to not only fall asleep but stay asleep at night? If the answer is yes then you wouldn’t be the first person. The reality is that every person at some point in their life has experienced sleep issues in some way, shape, or form. However, when your continuous lack of sleep directly impacts the quality of your life, then it’s possible that your doctor may prescribe you a medication called Ambien. 

Ambien, also known as zolpidem, is a prescription medication that will help your mind and your body relax and stay asleep at night. It’s primarily used to treat a multitude of sleep disorders as well as insomnia. While there are a tremendous amount of benefits associated with using Ambien, what people often overlook is that Ambien’s use is not meant to be long-term. Instead, this medication is something that is only meant to be used to help your body get back into a normal sleep pattern. One of the leading reasons for this is that Ambien has certain addictive qualities which can have a negative impact not only on your physical health but your mental health as well. 

Dangers of Ambien Abuse 

There are always physical dangers associated with Ambien use, however, the psychological dangers associated with Ambien can sometimes be more severe. This medication has a direct impact on the way that the body’s central nervous system operates and, as a result, a person can also suffer from memory loss or issues. However, without question, one of the most serious psychological impacts that a person may experience due to Ambien abuse is depression and anxiety. 

The Link Between Ambien and Depression 

There have been several studies that show that there is a direct link to Ambien and depression and suicide. Continuous use of Ambien can completely throw off your body’s natural rhythm which is why it’s a medication that is only meant to be used short-term. For example, in 2013, there was a study that was published through the DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences regarding a man in his late 20s who never had a history of psychological issues, After consuming 20 milligrams of Ambien for a stretch of time, he ultimately expressed that he was having serious depressive and suicidal thoughts. 

Long Term Mental Health Risks of Taking Ambien 

Long-term use of Ambien could have a severe risk to your overall mental health and well-being. It’s imperative that if you begin to feel depression, anxiety, or worse, suicidal tendencies. These feelings are things that will only continue to get worse and continue to develop as time goes on. This is one of the main reasons why it’s imperative that you remain vocal about what you’re thinking and feeling with your doctor during the time that you’re on this medication. However, if you do fall into the trap of addiction, it’s critical that you reach out for help as soon as possible. 

Treatment Options for Ambien Dependence 

Any top-rated treatment facility will provide you with a variety of treatment options that will help you to address your Ambien dependence. In fact, a personalized treatment plan will help you to address the unique events in your life that may have triggered your addiction. During the course of your treatment, you will experience a variety of therapy options that will help you to develop a better understanding of the fact that addiction is, in fact, a disease and that it requires a specific level of individualized care in order to overcome that addiction. There are several types of therapies that you will experience during your time in treatment. Some examples include: 

Individual therapy 

Individual therapy, also commonly referred to as one-on-one therapy, can provide you with a wonderful experience of being able to connect with your treatment team in a personalized way. It’s possible that you may have had some events in your life that you simply don’t feel comfortable talking about in a group setting. Individual therapy also gives you a great chance to review your current treatment plan with your team so that you can make any adjustments that you need. 

Group therapy 

During group therapy, you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with other people that are working through their recovery program. During these sessions, you will have the chance to speak about your thoughts or experiences regarding different subjects related to addiction and recovery. This is also a great opportunity to meet other people in your group and grow and develop your system of support. 

Family therapy 

If you have had issues when it comes to maintaining important relationships with your loved ones as a result of your addiction, then you will greatly benefit from family therapy. During this form of therapy, you will have the chance to be able to speak with your loved ones about the events that may have negatively impacted your relationship with them and what can be done to fix it. Keep in mind that this is only a form of therapy that will be offered when you come to a place in your recovery where you’re ready to deal with these serious issues. 

There are other forms of therapy that you may experience as well including behavioral therapy and trauma-based therapy. If you decide to partner with Resurgence Behavioral Health, our team is always available to provide you with a more comprehensive explanation of these different forms of therapy and how they play a role in your overall progress and recovery. 

Drug Rehab Resurgence Behavioral Health 

At Resurgence Behavioral Health, our team of addiction experts understands the unique impact that Ambien abuse can have on your life. This is just one of the reasons why we go above and beyond to ensure that you have the help and the support that you need as you begin to take steps to overcome your addiction. In many cases, when a person comes to us and needs help in navigating their Ambien addiction, we will recommend that they begin their recovery journey in a detox program. Once you become addicted to any type of substance, your mind and your body become accustomed to consuming that substance on a regular basis. Once that changes, your mind and your body will tend to go into somewhat of a tailspin. During this time, it wouldn’t be abnormal for you to experience a myriad of withdrawal symptoms which could make it all but impossible for you to care for yourself during the first seven days of your sobriety. These withdrawal symptoms are unpredictable and could put you in potential physical and psychological danger. It’s strongly recommended that you never attempt to go through this process unless you are under the care of a trained medical professional. 

Once you complete detox, you will be in a better frame of mind both physically and psychologically to focus on the steps that you need to take to truly overcome your addiction. One of the most important decisions that you will need to make is whether you are going to commit to an inpatient program or one of our outpatient treatment programs. There are many differences between the two which is why it’s always recommended that you make this decision with the assistance of one of our addiction experts. 

Clients that decide to commit to an inpatient program will be able to live on our campus and enjoy the around-the-clock care that our treatment team offers. You will be able to enjoy a home away from home type of experience as you begin to take steps toward living a new and healthy life. The main difference between an inpatient program and one of our outpatient treatment plans is also the number of hours that you will need to complete in treatment each week. During an inpatient program, you will complete a higher number of hours in comparison to an outpatient program. 

If you need more flexibility in your treatment program, however, you may find an outpatient program easier to manage. You can opt to commit to an intensive outpatient program or a general outpatient program depending on your flexibility and schedule. Factors that we can take into consideration include the schedule that you may have when it comes to work or school. If your schedule changes during the course of your recovery program, you can always speak with a member of our team and we can make the adjustments on your behalf. 

When you’re ready to change your life and remove the influence of Ambien from it, our intake team is here to assist. We consistently go above and beyond to ensure that you have the tools and support that you need to overcome your addiction to any substance once and for all. If you would like to learn more about the Ambien treatment programs that we have available, we encourage you to get in touch with us today at (855) 458-0050. 

Learn about the mental health risks of Ambien dependence and how you can get help at Resurgence! #ambien #sleepingpills #resurgencehttps://t.co/gy1uBT6lub

— Resurgence Behavioral Health (@RBHRecovery) February 8, 2022

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

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