Ambien, also known as zolpidem, is a prescription drug commonly used to treat insomnia. By calming the central nervous system (CNS), Ambien is used to treat an array of sleep disorders. Habitual use of Ambien, however, can easily turn into an addiction.1 Ambien has become a much more popular...
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4 SIGNS OF AMBIEN ABUSE
Ambien, also known as zolpidem, is a
prescription drug commonly used to treat insomnia. By calming the central nervous system (CNS), Ambien is used to treat an array of sleep disorders. Habitual use of Ambien, however, can easily turn into an addiction.1
Ambien has become a much more popular drug in the last several years, and with more availability comes more frequent addiction. Between 2005 and 2010, there was a 220 percent increase in patients going to the emergency room for problems while on zolpidem, the generic form of Ambien.2 It is clear that Ambien is prevalent as well as dangerous.
It can be heart-wrenching to watch a loved one struggle with drug dependence and it’s difficult to discern how and when to intervene. Because Ambien is such a common drug, it may be hard to discern normal side-effects from addiction. While each abuser may display unique symptoms, there exist some classic behaviors including the following:
Health Issues
Typically prescribed to treat insomnia, prolonged use of Ambien may cause a host of health issues. By taking the proper dosage, prescribed by the doctor, an individual may experience the side effects of fatigue and exhaustion. When individuals abuse Ambien by taking higher than recommended doses or for longer durations of time, abusers may experience the following physical symptoms:
- Nausea
- Short or long-term memory loss
- Hallucinations
- Lack of coordination
Each person responds to medicine differently; however, the changes in behavior are most concerning when they seem to happen rapidly and in conjunction with other suspect behavioral changes. Because it is common to abuse more than one drug at a time, most abusers experience health issues beyond those listed above. The physical side effects of
Ambien abuse are intensified when coupled with any other drug, from alcohol to marijuana. Therefore, individuals who abuse both Ambien as well as other drugs may be vulnerable to more severe health complications.
Extreme Mood Shifts
Although Ambien by itself calms the nerves and promotes relaxation, overdosing may cause severe mood changes. For some individuals abuse will result in deep depression and an inability to cope with the daily demands of life. For others, erratic shifts in energy may be the result of Ambien abuse. The most common mood changes are increased irritability and anxiety. As with other concerning behaviors, individuals who couple Ambien abuse with alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs will likely experience more severe mood changes.
