Whether a person has been prescribed Ambien with a legitimate prescription or abusing Ambien recreationally to get high, they will walk the same path to addiction. Although their motivations for using Ambien may be different at first, basically anyone who takes Ambien in large doses for a long time is at a high risk for developing an addiction. Furthermore, anyone with a family history of addiction or who is currently addicted to other drugs or alcohol, has a greater chance than most for finding themselves with an Ambien habit.
The first stop on the road towards an Ambien addiction is physical dependence. This happens when an individual’s body becomes reliant on Ambien in order to function normally. If too long of a period of time lapses between Ambien doses, the body will have withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Inability to sleep
- Extreme irritability
- Abnormal sweating
- Fatigue
- Abdominal cramping
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Panic attacks
- Possible seizures
In as little as one month of starting to take Ambien on a frequent basis, someone can find herself with a full-fledged Ambien addiction. This means they are not only physically dependent, but also will seek out the drug and take it despite any negative consequences that may result from this behavior.
Physical and Psychological Signs of an Ambien Addiction
Signs of Ambien addiction are any clues that can be seen by people observing the individual with the problem. There are many signs that family and friends can watch for if they are concerned a loved one may have an Ambien addiction. These include:
- Tolerance. An inability to sleep after taking a normal dose of Ambien.
- Emotional instability. Individual may swing from euphoria to anger.
- Depression. When someone with an Ambien addiction goes too long between doses, they may become despondent.
- Confusion. Their thoughts may be muddled or incoherent.
- Coordination problems.
- Energy fluctuations. Will sleep for long periods and then be awake for long periods.
- Preoccupation. Always focused on keeping a constant supply of Ambien available.
- Doctor shopping. Seeing multiple doctors to rotate Ambien prescriptions.
- Illegal routes. Acquiring Ambien by forging prescriptions, through online pharmacies or from street dealers.
- Memory loss. May be unable to recall events from the recent past, as recently as the previous 24 hours.
Physical and Psychological Symptoms of an Ambien Addiction
The symptoms of an Ambien addiction are something that the person abusing the drug experiences and must report to others. Some of the symptoms an individual with an Ambien addiction may describe are:
- Lightheadedness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Migraines
- Lethargy
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Intestinal issues, such as diarrhea or constipation
- Coughing and/or upper respiratory infections
- Edema-fluid retention
- Vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Excessive sweating
Getting Help for an Ambien Addiction
If you recognize the above signs and symptoms of an Ambien addiction in yourself or someone you care about, then give us a call immediately. You are not alone in your struggle with a prescription medication addiction. We have counselors standing by around the clock to assist you in finding an Ambien rehab program that is right for you. Let us connect you with some of the most effective evidence-based Ambien rehab programs available today.
