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Treating Zolpidem Dependence

It can be difficult to figure out whether someone you care about is struggling with an addiction and, if so, how you can best help them. If your loved one has a prescription for zolpidem, it can be even more difficult to identify whether there’s a problem and how to help.

As a relatively commonly used sleeping medication, zolpidem (brand name: Ambien) is often seen as non-addictive and harmless. However, numerous case reports and reviews have identified that the drug can indeed lead to abuse, dependence, and severe withdrawal symptoms.2,4-6,8,10-11

Is Zolpidem Dangerous?

Zolpidem is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, so the effects of zolpidem use can be devastating if it is taken in higher doses or combined with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, opioid painkillers, or muscle relaxers.1 Many users have also experienced significant withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuing the medication, including anxiety, cravings, insomnia, and seizures.1,8

Even taking the drug as prescribed carries some risks. For example, zolpidem use can lead to severe drowsiness, increasing a person’s risk of accidents and bodily injury. This risk is great enough that, in 2013, the FDA modified the label on zolpidem to recommend the avoidance of activities that require a high degree of mental alertness, such as driving, even the day after taking the drug.3

People have also been known to engage in activities while under the influence of zolpidem that they have no recollection of the next day. These activities can range from mild (eating or having conversations) to risky or outright dangerous (having sex or driving).1,12 According to The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), emergency room visits related to adverse reactions to zolpidem increased by almost 220% from 2005 to 2010.9

What Are the Signs of Zolpidem Addiction?

The following signs and symptoms may indicate that a person has a problem with zolpidem use.

  • Showing changes in behavior such as increased depression or irritability, or conspicuously reacting to unusual experiences such as hallucinating.
  • Not remembering conversations you have had.
  • Misusing the medication (taking it in higher doses or for reasons other than those the original prescription was intended for).
  • Starting to take zolpidem a little earlier every night to experience the calming and sedative effects.
  • Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal when they are without the drug or have run out of it.
  • Trying to keep themselves awake after taking zolpidem so that they can experience the potential euphoric effects.
  • Visiting multiple doctors to try and get additional prescriptions.

Also, be aware that the risk of addiction to zolpidem is heightened in individuals who have a history of alcohol or drug abuse or dependence, or who have psychiatric diagnoses.

Helping Someone With Zolpidem Addiction

When you have decided that your loved one may be dealing with an addiction to zolpidem, figuring out how you can best help them can feel daunting. However, there are some steps that you can take to help both your loved one and yourself:

  1. Educate yourself and note any symptoms and behavior changes. Broadening your knowledge of zolpidem, as well as addiction in general, will allow you to approach your loved one with your concerns from a more understanding and informed position. Also, noting behavior changes will help to better address someone in denial about their drug abuse. It is important to note, however, that any evidence of behavior changes or symptoms is solely to provide examples of your concerns in the interest of helping them—not to shame the person.
  2. Prepare what you are going to say and how you are going to say it. When approaching a loved one about addiction treatment, it is best to go in prepared so that you can clearly articulate your thoughts and feelings in a caring manner. This will increase the chances that your loved one will be open to what you have to say. For example, try to stay calm and focus on their behaviors rather than making general statements about their character.
  3. Have a plan. Having a plan enables you to avoid unproductive, spontaneous confrontations that can deter your loved one from getting help. You may want to consider the options listed below. This can include taking your loved one to see a doctor or addiction specialist, planning an intervention, or utilizing the community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) approach.
  4. Get support for yourself. The healthier you are, the better you will be able to support your loved one. You may want to consider pursuing counseling or joining a support or assistance group such as Nar-Anon, a 12-step group intended to support the friends and family of those struggling with addiction.

Zolpidem Addiction Treatment Options

There are several options an individual can take once they have committed to treatment for Ambien addiction. These include:

  • Detoxification. Due to the potential for significant withdrawal symptoms, many people look for medical and doctoral assistance for a safe and comfortable zolpidem detox. This is often the first step before treatment, and it can occur within an inpatient setting or before starting an outpatient program. It will begin with a taper to gradually remove the drug from the body. A benzodiazepine or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) may be utilized to minimize discomfort.10
  • Inpatient treatment. Inpatient care provides not only a general environment supportive of recovery, but the structure can also help establish healthy sleeping behaviors and patterns for zolpidem users. This can be especially important for people suffering from rebound insomnia after detox. Private rooms may be available to further minimize issues with sleep, depending on the center. During inpatient treatment, the individual will also be given a consistent and focused opportunity to deal with any issues that may have led them to abuse zolpidem, such as a co-occurring disorder like anxiety.
  • Outpatient treatment. After successful detoxification and/or completion of an inpatient program, the recovering individual may consider beginning an outpatient treatment program that offers many of the same benefits as inpatient programs, but in a non-residential setting and with more flexibility. This option is relatively less intensive, but it still generally entails participating in individual and group therapy to both address underlying issues and teach behaviors consistent with recovery, such as good sleep hygiene.

There are a number of treatment options that can help you or your loved one leave zolpidem behind for good. For help finding the right program, please call American Addiction Centers (AAC) free at .

American Addiction Centers maintains a strong partnership with a large group of insurance companies at our addiction treatment facilities. Start the journey to recovery and find out instantly using the form below if your insurance provider may be able to cover all or part of the cost of rehab and associated therapies.

Zolpidem Addiction Treatment Levels of Care

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