Are People Purposely Staying Awake On Ambien?
When looking at Ambien abuse addiction, it also includes an Ambien alert. People abuse Ambien because they want to be more chill and less stressed out as it’s something that’s supposed to aid in sleep. Staying awake on Ambien is something abusers are doing to experience an amnesia adventure of some sort.
The main reason people use Ambien is to fall asleep, which is why if it does end up happening, it can be very dangerous. There are several reasons why purposely staying awake on Ambien can be dangerous for the person using it and others around them.
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What is Ambien?
Zolpidem which is the generic name for Ambien has many other names people call it. Physicians prescribe Ambien for insomnia. This drug is a sedative form of a pill or oral spray.
Brand names of Zolpidem include:
- Ambien (pills).
- Ambien CR (pills, long-acting).
- Edluar (sublingual tablet).
- Intermezzo (tongue spray).
Ambien is instructed on the label to be taken at bedtime, and the Ambien warnings STRONGLY advise not to take it under other circumstances. The extended release form of Ambien has a layer that dissolves quickly that helps you fall asleep and then the next layer dissolves slowly to help you stay asleep for the whole night.
People who usually take Ambien, use it properly, which they think allows them to have enough time before going to bed to fold laundry or do a few dishes. It’s important to be careful with how long you give yourself to get ready for bed and falling asleep when taking Ambien as it doesn’t take a long time to take effect. Staying awake on Ambien becomes nearly impossible.
Once the Ambien starts working and taking effect, it’s a risk if you are doing something actively in that moment. It can be especially dangerous if you are in the middle of driving, eating, and putting something in the oven. You have to plan ahead when taking Ambien and know that you aren’t just harming yourself if you are doing something while it hits, but it can also affect people in the home as well.
Statistics of Ambien Use and Overdoses
Let’s take a look at what the statistics show about the overall usage of and overdoses related to Ambien:
- From 2005-2010, there was a 220% increase in emergency room visits relating to Zolpidem.
- 68% of emergency room visits in 2010 related to Zolpidem were female.
- The use of Zolpidem as a prescription for insomnia increased as adults aged and became more educated.
- More women than men used prescription sleep aid.
- Zolpidem was in the Top 10 overdose drugs.
- 251 suicidal deaths in the U.S. were from Zolpidem.
The Abuse of Ambien
When looking at the first sign of abuse of Ambien, it usually is when someone tries to stay awake even though already took the drug. Aside from the purpose of using Ambien for insomnia, some people began abusing Ambien as a way to chill without having any inhibitions. Being on Ambien brings up odd behaviors and leads to different states of sleep.
Daily activities become more of a challenge for someone who is abusing Ambien. This can be seen when they do things that are driving, eating, cooking, cleaning, sex, taking other drugs, hallucinating, posting leud/insulting/compromising content on social media, and shopping. People who have an Ambien addiction have a lighter attitude when it comes to their sleep-induced behavior after taking it.
Hallucinations that happen when abusing Ambien become entertaining for people around the person who is addicted and usually their conversations are with things or people who are not there with them. The only reason someone might try to stay awake while on Ambien is because then others can experience and be entertained by your odd behavior.
While this form of fun and entertainment may be worthy for some, for others, it presents the potential for addiction. Those of us who have a history of drug abuse are at higher risk of dependency.
Recognizing and Addressing Ambien Dependency Early
When looking at the warning signs for being dependent on Ambien, it’s important to get help right away so it won’t affect you in the long term. Ambien should never be for prolonged use as it’s only effective for short-term help of insomnia. If someone uses it more than they should for long periods of time, it can lead to dependency of Ambien and eventually abuse.
When looking at early signs of dependency, one of the signs is increasing the dose of Ambien without consulting with a doctor to help with increase of stress or emotions. Another sign is when you start to experience withdrawal symptoms due to reducing or stopping the use of Ambien. A 2023 journal article said while zolpidem can be an effective treatment for insomnia, high doses of the medication can cause dependence, abuse, and withdrawal symptoms, bringing into question the advantages of using this drug to address insomnia.
It’s important for people to be hyperaware of the above warning signs and get the help they need. With the right program, people struggling with Ambien abuse can be guided in a safe process of detoxing from Ambien with medical professionals by their side. This will give patients the comfort of having someone who is an expert in not just treating the addiction but the withdrawal symptoms that comes with detoxing. This type of approach is more important than the use of Ambien as a temporary solution of getting better sleep each night.
Addiction Treatment that
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Individualized treatment programs delivered in a comfortable, relaxed setting promote healing in your recovery journey.
Exploring Non-Medication Alternatives for Insomnia Management
When looking at ways on how to manage your insomnia, there are many different ways to help it without using medicine, specifically using Ambien. It’s important to look into alternatives that don’t rely on any medicine as regular use of Ambien can lead to be dependent and then you can have long-term health issues. Part of helping you with insomnia is making some changes to your lifestyle, which includes having a regular sleep schedule, not drinking a ton of caffeine and reducing being on your phone or computer before bedtime, which can increase a more calm and restful place.
Another type of treatment for insomnia is mindfulness practices, meditation, and yoga can help calm the mind and prepare the body for sleep. Another treatment option is cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi), which has emerged as a highly effective treatment. It helps people be aware of behavior they need to modify as well as thoughts that contribute to sleep disturbances. This approach not only addresses insomnia at its root but also equips individuals with lifelong skills to manage sleep health without medication.
Side Effects of Ambien Use
Staying awake on Ambien can be extremely dangerous because of the potential for harm to self or others during sleep driving or sleepwalking, but there are more possibilities than that. Consider that other unintentional behaviors and actions can occur during this inebriated state, such as sleep sex, sleep shopping, sleep texting or posting on social media, sleep eating, or sleep cooking.
The use of Ambien in general has the potential for a whole host of side effects, including:
- Drowsiness.
- Lightheadedness.
- Impaired thinking and functioning.
- Headache.
- Drunkenness or a sense of being “drugged.”
- Flatulence.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Heartburn.
- Abdominal pain.
- Uncontrollable shaking.
- Numbness in extremities.
- Pain or burning in extremities.
- Dry mouth.
- Tinnitus.
- Red eyes.
- Muscle aches or cramping.
- Hoarseness.
- Shortness of breath.
- Vomiting.
- Chest pain.
- Blurred vision.
Long-term side effects of Ambien use over a period of time are also possible, including:
- Dependence.
- Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue, panic attacks, anxiety, and uncontrollable crying.
- Overdose symptoms, such as coma and unresponsiveness.
- Death.
Mental Illness and Ambien: The Link Between the Two
Having trouble falling asleep may be manifestations of mental disorders. Mental disorders and insomnia go hand-in-hand, and many of us who have depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or another mental illness have significant problems in falling asleep.
For some, Ambien provides no relief even after 7-10 days of treatment. Staying awake on Ambien becomes frustrating, leading to potentially abusing more drugs to seek sleep. Because of this, we may choose to abuse Ambien and take more than the prescribed dose in the hope of sleeping. We put ourselves at high risk of overdose and even death.
Let’s examine the results of a group study:
- 63% (33 patients) had a mental disorder.
- 43% of patients had a history of drug abuse.
- 81% (43 patients) had withdrawal symptoms after stopping Zolpidem.
The Role of Support Systems in Overcoming Ambien Addiction
Emotional and social support is indispensable in the recovery journey from Ambien dependency. Navigating the path to recovery can be challenging, and the support from family, friends, and support groups offers the encouragement and understanding needed to persevere. These support networks provide a sense of belonging and a safe space to share experiences, setbacks, and successes, making the process less isolating.
Professional counseling and therapy are also pivotal, offering tailored strategies to address the underlying causes of insomnia and dependency, while reinforcing coping mechanisms to manage stress and triggers. Engaging in support groups, either in-person or online, can augment personal support systems, connecting individuals with peers who have similar experiences, fostering a collective journey towards recovery and healthy sleep practices.
Treatment for Ambien Addiction
You have the power within you to put the brakes on your dependence on Ambien. A place with other people going through the same thing as you is Resurgence Behavioral Health. You are not alone in your addiction to this drug. We want you to live a normal, healthy life free of drugs with the ability to experience a good night’s rest. Resurgence helps you to be the person you want to be. Are you ready? All it takes is a phone call. Our phones are manned 24/7.
Resurgence Behavioral Health is a family-like atmosphere where you get the help you need. Every person here will be behind you 100% of the way, encouraging you and helping you. From the moment you walk through our front door, you will gain a sense of being with those who care and love you.
The days of chilly institutional-like treatment centers are gone. Here you can relax in comfy, overstuffed furniture in front of a fireplace, or soak up the peaceful quiet out beside a pool.
Inpatient residents can choose a center based on the level of accommodations. Whether you prefer something standard (that most do) or more luxurious, executive amenities, we have it. Celebrities, homemakers, fathers, mothers, young adults, and the elderly have crossed our thresholds seeking help.
Our healing and spiritual-holistic therapies are available for those of you who seek to heal the body, mind, and soul. Detox is a part of a treatment plan that cleanses your body from the drug. You have the option of medical detox to make the process more comfortable. Once you complete detox, you will move on to partial hospitalization to help you ease slowly back into life.
Our approach to Ambien addiction treatment is centered on evidence-based therapies. We use cognitive-behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). During your other therapies, you will learn skills and strategies to equip you to seek other ways to relax and fall asleep.
Residents look forward to the outpatient part of the program. A sense of “graduating” is something that you will find rewarding. As an outpatient, you continue therapy during scheduled visits. If your job, school, or childcare needs to be considered when scheduling visits, we offer intensive outpatient therapy for such situations.
Payment and Insurance for Ambien Addiction Treatment
We strive to make every part of your time here at Resurgence Behavioral Health pleasant and positive. Our stress-free payment system allows you to make secure online payments. Payment plans are also available.
We will be happy to contact your insurance for you to verify coverage. A minute used to worry about contacting insurance can be a minute invested in getting better! We accept most PPO insurances. If you do not see your insurance in our listing below, give us a call.
- Assurant Health.
- Vista Insurance Partners.
- Humana.
- Ameritas Group.
- Health Net.
- Cigna.
- Horizon Blue Cross.
- Premera Blue Cross.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield.
We have confidence in you and your ability to get better. Your time here at Resurgence Behavioral Health in California will not only be healing, but a time for you to reflect, reprioritize, and rejoice in breaking free from the chains of addiction.
You no longer have to rely on staying awake on Ambien to relax. Being able to lay your head on a pillow at the end of the day and drift naturally off to sleep is something to cherish. If you’re ready to stop waiting and get help to do something about Ambien addiction, contact us today or call 855-458-0050.
Addiction Treatment that
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Individualized treatment programs delivered in a comfortable, relaxed setting promote healing in your recovery journey.
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