Getting Off Ambien Safely

11/12/2018

Getting Off Ambien Safely

As much as 35% of adults will struggle with occasional insomnia and 10% face chronic insomnia. Those with chronic insomnia often receive prescription sleep aids like Ambien. Like many prescription drugs, Ambien can prove addictive. Before diving into the process of getting off Ambien safely, let’s look at what Ambien is and its withdrawal symptoms.

What Is Ambien?

Ambien or zolpidem tartrate belongs to a class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics. It works as a mild anti-anxiety drug and muscle relaxant. It also makes you very drowsy. In essence, it mimics what happens in the body during natural sleep. Ambien has a number of known side effects. Some of the more common side effects include day-after drowsiness, short-term memory loss, and dizziness. You can also develop dependence after short-term use, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms when you stop.

Ambien Withdrawal Symptoms

Ambien’s withdrawal symptom share some common features with withdrawal from other drugs. For example, you might experience agitation and, in a cruel twist of fate, insomnia. More severe symptoms of Ambien withdrawal include delirium or seizures. An Ambien overdose can cause a coma.

Getting Off Ambien Safely – DIY Tapering

You can attempt a DIY tapering approach to get off Ambien. Over time, you use smaller doses. Then, you reduce the number of times you take it each week. You will likely still experience withdrawal symptoms. The slow reduction helps make the withdrawal process less awful and safer.

Getting Off Ambien Safely – Professional Help

If you use higher doses of Ambien, you should strongly consider professional help from a drug rehab program. If necessary, they can provide substitution drugs that make the withdrawal process less painful. They’ll also follow a tapering program, but with the added benefit of medical supervision. A rehab program also provides benefits not available during a DIY tapering program. Ambien addiction creates similar consequences to any other addiction. You’ll experience cravings and certain locations or stressors will make you want to take Ambien again. In a rehab program, you get access to classes and therapies, such as:

These therapies can teach you about what to expect moving forward. They also help prepare you with coping skills for cravings and triggers.

Silver Pines Treatment Center

Silver Pines Treatment Center offers treatment for a wide range of addictions, including prescription drug addictions. We use holistic therapies and traditional therapies in out treatment programs. Located in Northern PA, you can enjoy our home-like atmosphere and the beauty of nature. Ambien can control you just as surely as heroin or cocaine, but you can fight back. A quality rehab program can give you the support and tools to getting off Ambien safely. Call 267.209.7313 and learn how Silver Pines Treatment Center can help.