Ambien Addiction Treatment & Rehab

With nearly 20,000 emergency room visits each year as a result of an adverse reaction to Zolpidem, the sleep drug Ambien’s primary active ingredient, it is clear there is cause to explore Ambien addiction treatment and rehab for those who might be affected following abuse of the drug. Keep reading to find out more about treatment possibilities and rehabilitation for those addicted to Ambien.

What is Ambien?

Ambien is a sleep medication prescribed to help those who suffer from insomnia or related issues. With an estimated 50-70 million Americans suffering from sleep disorders each year, the market for sleep aids like Ambien has only grown. Ambien still holds the market as the best-selling prescription sleep aid in the United States. Sales for the brand have only dropped in recent years because of the release of the generic version of the drug.

Ambien addiction

There has been a 220 percent increase in Ambien or Zolpidem-related emergency room visits within the last decade. Some of these issues (about 30 percent) are related to the adverse reactions that can occur when a person takes Ambien. Adverse reactions happen for a variety of reasons including interference with another drug the person is taking, a pre-existing medical condition, an unknown medical condition, age and other factors.

Ambien addiction can occur because while Ambien is not typically a drug used by narcotic abusers, it can be become habit forming and addictive to those who abuse the drug.

The addiction can be caused due to several factors. The biggest factor responsible in causing Ambien addiction happens when a person prescribed the drug does not take it exactly as prescribed by their healthcare professional. In some instances a person may build up a tolerance to Ambien if used for too long. In cases like these, a person might try and self-medicate by upping the prescription dosage on their own without the direction of the doctor. This type of behavior can directly correlate with a possible Ambien addiction.

Alternatively there are those who abuse the drug to achieve a sort of high or feeling of drunkenness that a high dosage of ambien can give a user. Some people become addicted to this feeling. Unfortunately there are very serious consequences that result from this behavior including memory loss, hallucinations, panic attacks and even a potentially fatal overdose. Because of these serious ramifications of addiction to Ambien, it is important to recognize there is also Ambien addiction treatment and rehab possibilities available to those struggling.

Ambien addiction treatment

When looking at treatment options, it is first important to consult with your doctor or healthcare professional. Often times they can give you resources available to find the best Ambien addiction treatment plan for your specific situation. Some might just be at the beginning stages of an addiction when they recognize a problem. Depending on past experiences with addiction, this person may be able to seek treatment via out-patient therapy and treatment for the underlying causes that might have attributed to the drug addiction in the first place.

For those with a history of addiction, need round-the-clock medical care while undergoing withdrawal symptoms, or those who may just have a more serious or repetitive addiction problem, in-patient treatment in a rehab facility might be a better option.

Either way, there are several factors to consider when trying to decide on the best Ambien addiction treatment and rehab plan for you or your loved one.

• How serious is the addiction?
• What best suits the patient’s needs? Inpatient or outpatient care, or involvement in a 12-step rehabilitation program.
• Depending on what you choose, it is important to note that rehab centers can be expensive. What is the plan for payment?
• Where is the rehabilitation center located, and how is it ranked and reviewed among previous attendees?

Ambien addiction rehab options

If under the recommendation of your doctor and your own volition, you decide upon an in-patient care facility to help with your (or a loved one’s) Ambien addiction, it is important to look at all of your rehab options carefully.

• Again, cost can be a major factor.
• Distance to your home may or not be something to consider.
• How well is the center ranked and reviewed?
• How well trained is the staff?
• What is the success rate of the in-patient rehab program?

Outpatient rehab programs are often less expensive, require less time and can be better overall for a user who does not have a prior history of drug abuse and addiction and/or is not currently suffering from a very serious Ambien addiction.

Many 12-step drug counseling or rehabilitation programs like narcotics anonymous are often recommended for those addicted to use after or in conjunction with in and outpatient drug rehab facilities.

For those addicted to Ambien, there are many Ambien addiction treatment and rehabilitation plans available. Be sure to talk to your doctor or healthcare professional as soon as possible to develop the best plan for you.

Sources:

Samhsa.gov
Health.com
Rxlist.com
Everydayhealth.com