Insomnia and sleep disorders are very real problems for millions of people. Ambien (zolpidem tartrate), is a sedative hypnotic taken orally to induce sleep, introduced in Europe in 1988 and in the U.S. in 1993, where it has become the most widely-prescribed sleep medication. It is a depressant, acting upon the central nervous system, and like many such drugs, can be addictive when taken for too long or in improper dosages. Ambien joins a host of prescription drugs that, nationwide, are contributing to a major health and law enforcement problem. Over 800,000 people were admitted to emergency rooms in 2006 for abuse of prescription drugs. Sedatives and hypnotics like Ambien accounted for 32% of those visits. And while over 17% of people over age 60 knowingly or unknowingly abuse prescription drugs, young people are also at risk. Ambien is widely abused by people looking to get high on its euphoric effects.

Ambien addiction can occur accidentally among people taking it as a sleep aid. It acts rapidly and provides relief for anxiety and insomnia, but it also has a seductive euphoric effect that is enhanced when people fight going to sleep after taking it. Ambien can cause unexpected side effects in some people, such as lowered inhibition, delusions, hallucinations, and worsening of depression. Its effects are enhanced when used with alcohol or other depressants, making it a target of thrill-seekers.

Addiction to Ambien can be deadly. It can enhance suicidal tendencies, and risk of overdose is higher among people with depression. Too much of it can cause excessive drowsiness, even coma. Even at therapeutic dosages, it can cause some people to “sleep-drive” or engage in other complex behaviors while not fully awake, putting themselves and others at risk. Most have no memory of the episode afterward. In cases where the drug is not deliberately crushed and snorted or abused with alcohol, Ambien dependence generally occurs when it is taken for longer than the recommended time period (10 days), or in greater dosages than recommended (5-10mg). Users find they cannot go to sleep without it, or begin to crave the euphoria brought on as the drug begins to act upon the central nervous system.
People with an Ambien addiction who try to stop taking it may encounter withdrawal symptoms. These include:

• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Stomach cramps
• Panic attacks

Usually the symptoms of Ambien withdrawal are not life-threatening but are generally so unpleasant that it is difficult not to give in to the cravings to make them stop. Treatment for Ambien addiction is therefore the province of medical professionals, who can manage the withdrawal and ease the addict off the drug in a manner that does not lead to further abuse.

Treatment for Ambien addiction depends upon the severity of the abuse. Sometimes inpatient care in a detoxification center or other addiction treatment program is required. Supervision by a qualified physician is necessary, both to manage physical symptoms and to provide counseling and support for any emotional dependency which has developed. Users should seek help immediately if they encounter difficulties stopping an Ambien regimen.