Legacy Healing Center Blog

What Is Ambien? 

Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night? If the answer is yes, then you are in the same category as countless other people worldwide who struggle with sleep issues. When your sleep problems begin to impact your quality of life, you may turn to your doctor to provide you with options that will help you get the sleep you need to be functional the following day. Many doctors prescribe their patients Ambien. Ambien is a popular prescription medication used to help a person restore their regular sleep habits. Although there are positive attributes associated with Ambien, many people don’t realize it is an addictive substance, and there are many dangers of Ambien addiction. Therefore, it’s only meant to be used short term. When Ambien use goes unchecked, it’s possible that any person could develop an addiction to this substance. 

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Signs of Ambien Abuse 

If you are concerned about possible Ambien abuse of a loved one or are starting to question whether or not you have developed an Ambien addiction, various telltale signs could shine a light on this question. Some examples of Ambien abuse include: 

• Being overly tired throughout the day 
• Inability to perform specific professional or personal tasks 
• Becoming defensive when the subject of Ambien abuse is brought up 
• Anti-social or erratic behavior 
• Problems with maintaining relationships 

The Dangerous Side Effects of Ambien Addiction 

Since Ambien is only designed to be taken until your regular sleep pattern is back on track, there is always the chance that a person with an Ambien addiction may experience severe and dangerous side effects from their Ambien use. These can include: 

• Rapid heartbeat 
• Nausea 
• Stomach issues 
• Loss of appetite 
• Nightmares 

Ironically enough, one of the dangerous side effects of Ambien is insomnia. Once your body becomes used to taking Ambien, your body will stop responding the way that it should to this sedative. As a result, you will likely find it difficult to fall into a restful sleep. This could lead you to mistakenly believe that you need to take more Ambien to fall asleep, which could ultimately lead to an accidental overdose. Also, this response could trigger you to turn to more severe drugs as a way to get the rest you feel you need. 

Cognitive Effects of Ambien Addiction 

It’s important not to overlook the cognitive impact of an Ambien addiction on you. One of the more severe mental effects of Ambien addiction on a person is memory loss. This can be a scary consequence and also cause further disorientation. This type of confusion could easily trigger a person to second guess their overall sanity, leading to further issues of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. These are also examples of symptoms that you may feel once you begin to detox from Ambien, which is why you should never go through this process alone. 

The Health Risks of Long Term Ambien Abuse 

There are several health risks associated with long-term Ambien abuse. Many people who have struggled with Ambien abuse have reported that over and above the negative psychological impact that it has had on their life, they have also suffered from physical health consequences. For instance, Ambien abusers are more prone to sleepwalking or sleep-driving, which can cause them to injure themselves or those around them. 

Legacy Healing Drug Rehab for Ambien Addiction

At Legacy Healing Center, you can count on receiving the care and support that you need when you’re ready to overcome the dangers of Ambien addiction. We provide a holistic environment for every client that reasons out to us to truly focus on themselves and the steps they need to take once they are ready to tackle their addiction. When you’re prepared to take this vital step, we encourage you to get in touch with our intake team today at 888.534.2295.