Ambien, Wonder Pill or Downer

Ambien, Wonder Pill or Downer

Ambien is the popular brand name of zolpidem (pronounced: zole PI dem) tartrate, a short-term prescription medication to help people to sleep, in short a sleeping pill, which causes relaxation and helps you to sleep. Ambien is usually prescribed short term 7-10 days. Ambien belongs to the class of drugs called sedative/hypnotics or sleep medications.It can become addictive!

Ambien Addition

Although Ambien has been classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance; a drug having low potential for abuse, it can become addictive. It is very easy for patients who abuse prescription sleep aids to form addictions. By regular use of the drug for an extended amount of time Ambien addiction develops.

Patients with a history of drug addiction or substance abuse are at increased risk for Ambien addiction. Ambien addiction is difficult to be recognized by friends or family. The problem with addiction need not necessarily be due to daily drug abuse, but occasional or habitual pattern of abuse can even cause, which is contrary to a popular belief. The abuse is usually an intensely private affair between the abuser and a bottle of pills. And, the pill taker is not subject to the social stigma associated with the shadowy world of street drug dealing.

Ambien addiction symptoms may include but are not limited to:
§ When using Ambien one feels relief of anxiety
§ Mood swings – from a sense of well-being to belligerence
§ Feelings of false self-confidence
§ Increased sensitivity to sights and sounds, including hallucinations
§ Activity level gets altered, like sleeping for 12 to 14 hours or frenzied activity lasting for hours
§ Unpleasant or painful symptoms when Ambien is withdrawn
§ Preoccupation with running out of Ambien

Anyone taking Ambien, whether through prescription or illegally is vulnerable to an, although not everyone will develop one.

Ambien Abuse
Ambien abuse occurs when used longer than recommended at high doses. The person with the past of having drugs or alcohol are at a greater risk. The effect of Ambien is increased in intensity by mixing it with other substances like alcohol.

The following side effects occur due to Ambien abuse, and medical doctor should be seen immediately.
§ Breathing difficulties, closing up the throat, swelling of lips, face, or tongue, hives occur due to allergic reactions
§ Hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or severe confusion.
§ headache, drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness
§ nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
§ depression
§ muscle aches or pains
§ vivid or abnormal dreams
§ sometimes Amnesia(memory loss) after a dose is significant
§ The most common side effects seen were:
§ daytime drowsiness
§ dizziness
§ diarrhea

Severe Ambien withdrawal lasting for a week or more can occur if Ambien medication is abruptly stopped after an extended period of use, at any dosage. It is recommended to do so after consultation with a medical doctor. The following symptoms are included in Ambien withdrawal:

§ Aggressive or uncharacteristic behavior
§ Stomach pains or muscle cramps
§ Confusion
§ Anxiety, panic or agitation
§ Hallucinations
§ Sweating
§ Nausea or vomiting
§ Dysphoria (depression)
§ Suicidal thoughts
§ Severe insomnia

Though rare, seizures have also been reported during acute Ambien withdrawal.

As once see, getting addicted to Ambien and abusing the drug is very easy to do – getting rid of the habit is an extremely painful exercise. Extreme caution is advised to avoid the pitfalls of drug taking.