Ambien is prescribed on the NHS as a sleeping medication. Ambien is classed as a sedative and the drug is may go under the name of Zolpidem. Ambien is commonly prescribed to treat sleeping ailments such as insomnia.
However, when the user consumes more than the recommended dosage and for a longer duration than the required toleration, Ambien is built up. Ambien’s manufacturer does not recommend users continue to consume the drug for more than two weeks.
When users continue to consume Ambien for more than two weeks a physical addiction arises. Users at this stage often crush up Ambien tablets and snort the resultant powder in order to increase the desired ‘hire’.
If you’re looking for help, advice or just general information regarding Ambien addiction, Ambien Rehab or Ambien detox for you are a loved one – you’ve come t the right place.
As a type of sleep aid, Ambien (also known as Zolpidem) can provide welcome relief for those looking to escape insomnia. Initially, the hypnotic sedative was branded as a less addictive version of benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium, but this has since been disproved.
Like benzodiazepines, sedative drugs interact with the brain’s neurotransmitter system to stimulate a dopamine response.
With higher doses, the feelings of doziness are replaced by euphoria: a dangerous phenomenon that when left unchecked, can lead to a condition known as Ambien Use Disorder, or Ambien addiction.
This condition starts with physical and psychological dependence on the drug: spurred on by a high Ambien tolerance. Those developing a tolerance to Ambien will find themselves taking higher doses of the drug to feel the same sedative or euphoric effects.
Ultimately, this will cause the onset of withdrawal symptoms and cravings if a dose is skipped.
Dependent or addicted individuals will start to exhibit a multitude of adverse symptoms, behavioural abnormalities, and even physical changes.
Potential signs of abuse include taking their prescription differently than prescribed, visiting multiple doctors for prescriptions, trying to quit without success, and many more.
Often used interchangeably to describe problematic patterns of drug or alcohol use, dependence and addiction are different processes nonetheless. The best way to describe this distinction is that both terms refer to different ends of the same process.
At one point, clinicians used a psychological vs physical distinction to describe these two terms and make sense of substance abuse.
While someone with a “dependence” suffered from the psychological components (cravings, mood swings, agitation), those with a substance “addiction” were believed to only experience the physical symptoms (appetite changes, reflex changes, health problems).
With increased research and knowledge, however, these distinctions were soon changed by diagnostic authorities. These days, “dependence” and “addiction” refer to different phases in the process of substance reliance, rather than separating one set of symptoms from another.
Using the word “dependence” now refers to a physical dependence on a drug like Ambien. While dependence is characterised by symptoms of tolerance and mild withdrawal, it is possible to be dependent on a substance without being “addicted”.
This is because addiction and dependence affect different areas of the brain, with dependence caused by the brain stem and thalamus alterations, and addiction caused by changes in our reward circuitry. As a result, without professional help, dependence is often followed by an all-encompassing addiction.
Those with addiction are marked by changes in behaviour caused by biochemical alterations in the brain. Despite the harm, they cause themselves or others, for an addicted individual, substance use is their main priority.
Only a licensed professional should ascertain the difference between Ambien dependence and addiction, as the distinction will inform someone’s treatment.
While those with an undisputable addiction should undertake an inpatient Ambien detox, someone with a dependence might be more suited to outpatient options.
A properly managed detox is a successful component of recovery, regardless of the substance you are addicted to, and Ambien is no exception. At its simplest, Ambien detox is the process of allowing the drug to exit the body.
Because of the way Ambien affects the brain and body, detox is an essential part of achieving long-term sobriety. Completed over 7-21 days, detoxification forces your body to go without the sedative, allowing your brain chemistry to return to healthy levels.
This may be a highly controlled process that includes tapering measures, or one where the patient is deemed able to stay at home while they withdraw from Ambien. Whatever the case, it’s imperative to consult a medical team who have developed a detox plan to meet your recovery needs.
Remaining safe and well is the most important part of any recovery journey, and this starts with a properly managed detoxification. Undertaking the process without any medical assistance can be an uncomfortable and even dangerous process.
For those who have taken Ambien short-term to relieve sleeping problems, withdrawal may be mild, and limited to nausea and headaches. However, those who have misused the sedative for a long time risk tremens, seizures, and other symptoms requiring a medicated detox.
Attending a detox facility after receiving a medical evaluation is the optimal way to begin the process.
This is because professionals can form personalized detox programmes that follow a carefully thought-out structure:
Due to its short half-life of 2.5-3 hours, the levels of Ambien present in someone’s system can drop quickly: causing withdrawal symptoms to manifest rapidly in comparison to other drugs. Someone undergoing Ambien detox without a proper tapering schedule can develop withdrawal as little as 6 hours following their final dose.
However, the length of time that each individual will experience withdrawal is difficult to predict. Some will find that any discomfort peaks within the first 5 days of their Ambien detox: subsiding completely in 1-2 weeks.
Others may experience a complicated withdrawal lasting for weeks or even months without clinical support.
An individual’s unique withdrawal timeline will depend on how long they’ve taken Ambien for and at what dose: alongside any co-occurring disorders and their overall health. However, it’s possible to map out an Ambien withdrawal timeline using commonly experienced symptoms.
Ambien withdrawal symptoms will likely become noticeable within the first 24 hours of quitting the sedative. The first 1-3 days are considered to be the acute stage of withdrawal: characterised by both physical and psychological symptoms.
Commonly experienced psychological symptoms during this window include irritability, increased anxiety, panic attacks, restlessness, and agitation. Individuals might also notice acute physical symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, myalgia, headaches, or muscle spasms.
There is also a risk that, during this time, patients will develop seizures. While these dangerous symptoms are rare in light to moderate Ambien users, the risk increases exponentially for those who used the drug in large amounts, or for longer periods.
Healthcare professionals take factors such as this into account when conducting pre-detox evaluations. If your risk of seizures or tremens (a rare but documented symptom) is deemed high, you’ll need to undertake your Ambien detox under close medical supervision.
By days 7-14 of Ambien detox, the risk of life-threatening withdrawal among acute users has diminished. However, while the risk of enduring seizures has reduced, psychological symptoms will pervade.
In particular, individuals may notice the manifestation of Ambien cravings. An addicted individual experiencing Ambien cravings will feel like their life depends on procuring and consuming the substance, at the exclusion of other thoughts and emotions.
During this time, rebound insomnia may also start to appear: a condition common among sedative hypnotic users. For sufferers, their original inability to sleep returns and is often worse than before they started taking Ambien.
Rebound symptoms occur because Ambien reduces the firing of nerves in the brain by suppressing the Central Nervous System (CNS). When someone suddenly ceases their sedative use, the brain enters a state of overdrive as it tries to overcome this change: leading to sleeping difficulties, anxiety, and restlessness.
As patients reach day 14 and beyond, common remaining symptoms include anxiety, cravings, and brain fog. However, the majority of physical symptoms will have passed by this stage, with any gastrointestinal problems lessening in severity. On the whole, they will start to stabilise and feel better.
Those continuing to experience symptoms such as rebound insomnia, depression, anxiety, or cravings, may have what’s known as Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). These are persistently troublesome withdrawal symptoms that linger for months or, in rarer cases, years, after someone has stopped taking Ambien.
Symptoms can be incredibly uncomfortable and distressing, meaning that PAWS symptoms that persist or randomly occur beyond Ambien detox can cause an individual to relapse. This means that, despite how committed someone is to leading a life without Ambien, long-term rehabilitation is often required to stay sober.
A frequently sought-after option for Ambien detox is to undergo the process at home. This process allows addicted individuals to live at home while their Ambien dosage is tapered and, in theory, continue life as normal.
On the surface, a home Ambien detox sounds like a comfortable, cost-effective treatment option: with patients receiving medical advice and prescriptions remotely. However, this increasingly popular form of outpatient detox comes with various risks.
The first challenge of home detoxification is the potential discomfort experienced during Ambien withdrawal. While only life-threatening in severe cases, quitting sedatives will cause mild symptoms that can be unpleasant enough to raise someone’s risk of relapse.
Just to avoid the discomfort of psychological symptoms and bodily dysfunction, individuals may resume their Ambien use and are often tempted to take higher doses than before. This raises the risk of overdose and long-term health complications.
If detoxing alone in their home without consulting a professional first, a SUD victim might be tempted to reduce their consumption in one event: otherwise known as cold turkey. This is inherently less safe than a medically supported detox: causing adverse symptoms to intensify as the body goes into shock.
Discussing the possibility of an at-home detox with a doctor or clinician at a rehab clinic is imperative for all SUD victims. If this is something you’re considering, the first step is to contact your GP or a member of our specialist team here at Rehab 4 Addiction. We’ll take you through the eligibility criteria for home Ambien detox.
Home Ambien detoxification has proven most efficacious when the addicted individual has the support of close family members or friends throughout the process. Ensuring that others are in the home during detox is often crucial for maintaining emotional stability and motivation levels.
While it’s possible to receive home visits from a nurse wherein medication can be prescribed, a home detox candidate should have a mild addiction or dependency. It’s important that their risk of withdrawal complications is low, and that they’re deemed unlikely to need additional care by a clinician before starting the detox.
Individuals who do not meet the strict criteria for home detox will instead be referred for medical detox performed at a rehab clinic. This strategy allows the body to rid itself of Ambien in a safe environment, where professionals monitor patients to ensure they remain comfortable.
Medical assistance during the Ambien detox process can make the road to recovery far less painful, and give patients the ideal start to long-term treatment. Depending on their needs, patients may be given medications to address specific symptoms, such as anti-anxiety medications or anticonvulsants to prevent seizures.
While there are no specific drugs capable of reversing withdrawal symptoms or accelerating the detox process, symptoms are treated using approved prescription drugs as and when they arise in the patient.
The above medications play a vital part in achieving wellness, especially in the early stages of recovery, but they are not a long-term solution. To resolve the underlying issues causing their substance use disorder, individuals must prepare to undertake a range of long-term therapies: often a combination of both individual and group sessions.
When it comes to treating substance use disorder, no single treatment is effective for everyone, and this is especially true during the initial stage of recovery.
For UK-based individuals who are ready to live a sober, Ambien-free life, there are two treatment pathways from which to choose. These are inpatient Ambien detox protocols, and outpatient modalities (of which home detox is one sub-method).
Because of its intensive nature, many people have developed false assumptions about inpatient Ambien detox: assuming it to be oppressive and entrapping. In truth, patients remain at the detox facility overnight, this is so they can receive constant care and supervision from a team of caring professionals.
By staying in a treatment facility for the duration of their Ambien detox and beyond, patients receive a range of benefits. Not only are they separated from substance-using environments, but they can also start their recovery journey comfortably with full therapeutic, medical, and emotional support.
With this integrative approach, inpatient detox has several different elements to it that form a highly structured process. Firstly, patients will receive a full examination to determine the structure of their treatment and ensure their withdrawal maintenance is personalised. They’ll also be assessed for any co-occurring disorders that may require additional support.
After this induction, they’ll check into their accommodation and begin their bespoke Ambien detox regimen. Behavioural therapies will be offered to stabilize the individual and prepare them for ongoing rehab, while medications will minimize withdrawal.
The clinical term for the pharmacological support provided in residential detox is Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT). This is the process of using approved medications to stabilise each patient, depending on which withdrawal symptoms they are experiencing. During Ambien detox, these may include anti-anxiety medication, anti-convulsants, or medication to ease nausea.
After patients have stabilised on their bespoke medication regimen, they will continue their Ambien tapering schedule and enter the maintenance phase. With their detox plan mapped out, this time is about regaining their physical and psychological well-being.
They’ll have access to a range of modern entertainment facilities, a comfortable environment, and around-the-clock access to a team of licensed doctors, nurses, psychologists, and counsellors.
Once clinicians are happy with a patient’s progress and the individual feels ready to continue their recovery, they will have the chance to plan further treatment. This can either be continued on-site at their inpatient Ambien detox centre or off-site via fellowship programmes and group therapy.
Unlike inpatients, those undertaking an outpatient Ambien detox aren’t at risk of severe withdrawal symptoms that could lead to health complications. Due to the nature of the programme, patients can live at home: meaning they cannot receive 24-hour medical supervision.
As such, outpatient detox programmes are most suited to those with mild to moderate dependencies: and are usually available on the NHS free of charge. Outpatients will make daily, bidaily, or weekly visits to their local rehab centre, hospital, or doctor’s office to receive scheduled treatments.
During these windows, patients can receive clinical guidance, and medication prescriptions, or attend therapy meetings where they start tackling the behavioural components of their Ambien addiction. Those needing to go to their facility once per day will have an intensive outpatient programme organised for them.
When outpatient Ambien detox is described to individuals, the benefits are easy to discern. Rather than altering their routine, those with milder addictions can receive treatment while staying in school or at work. They can also remain in a space where they are most comfortable, and have the support of their loved ones.
As with home Ambien detox, there are some clear risks associated with outpatient programmes. Patients are more susceptible to relapse if they cannot manage withdrawal alone, and it may be easier for them to use again when Ambien cravings begin.
Keeping this in mind, if you’re considering an outpatient Ambien detox, or know someone who is, it’s important to have a preliminary assessment. To gain clarity on your unique addiction severity and which detox method would be best for you, you can reach out to the Rehab 4 Addiction team.
Because Ambien has a shorter half-life than other drugs of the same family, it’s important to receive a bespoke taper chart from the clinician managing your detox. By allowing the system to get used to progressively lower amounts of Ambien, the tapering process allows many individuals to minimise withdrawal symptoms.
However, individuals must access a professionally created taper chart rather than relying on their guesswork. This is because Ambien is prescribed in a variety of doses: from the shorter-acting dose of 5-10mg to the longer-acting version (Ambien CR) prescribed in 6.25mg and 12.5mg.
For individuals consuming low doses of Ambien, it may be possible to discontinue the sedative without a tapering schedule. In contrast, those on Ambien 10mg or Ambien CR 12.5mg must progressively lower their intake to avoid adverse symptoms.
Commonly utilised Ambien tapers include either a dose reduction of 25% each week (short taper schedule) or the same reduction for every other week (long taper schedule).
There are benefits and drawbacks to both short taper charts and long taper charts for hypnotic sedatives. While a fast taper may lead to more intense adverse symptoms, these will cease quickly, with individuals able to get sober quickly.
On the other end of the spectrum, while long tapers may be more comfortable initially, they can be worse for your long-term health.
Whether you’re undertaking Ambien detox at home or in an inpatient facility, establishing and maintaining a healthy diet is crucial.
This is especially important for those who have been taking Ambien long-term and in high doses. Oftentimes, they will see the need to eat as a disturbance to their drug abuse and will make poor food choices as a result.
However, through establishing proper nutrition during their Ambien detox, addicted individuals receive many benefits. These include improving mental health, cognitive focus, and producing higher energy levels, alongside improved immunity. A healthy diet also allows the body’s cells to repair themselves and heal following substance misuse.
The first way that addicted individuals can fuel their recovery is by consuming fresh fruit instead of processed sugar and carbohydrates. Fruits such as oranges are packed full of vitamins, while berries are rich in antioxidants. This is essential to satiate any sugar cravings while helping the individual to stay hydrated.
Patients should also consume foods rich in protein, essential vitamins like B12, key fatty acids, healthy sources of fibre, and probiotics. In addition, vitamin and mineral supplements can replenish the body and restore its chemical balance.
Supporting hydration during Ambien detox is another crucial step towards withdrawal maintenance maximising recovery. Unfortunatley, staying hydrated is often overlooked during substance detoxification. This is problematic because, for many people, symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea cause them to lose more fluids than they can consume.
In addition to the withdrawal symptoms they may already be facing, dehydrated patients will feel sluggish, dizzy, and confused, and may notice heart palpitations.
Moreover, failing to stay hydrated inhibits the liver’s efficiency in running normal detoxification processes: meaning it cannot rid the body of toxins.
To prevent this, clinicians recommend that Ambien detox patients drink twice the daily intake recommended for non-addicted individuals.
This means consuming 1.5-2 ounces per pound of body weight daily, or one regular glass of water each hour: taking small but regular sips.
Helping patients to unlearn maladaptive behaviours and better cope with stress is a key part of recovering from Ambien use disorder. To this end, short-term behavioural treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are introduced into treatment programmes.
Its global success in treating substance use disorders stems from the fact that SUD victims often have negative behaviours or mental health disorders that feed into their addictions. Through many sessions, CBT teaches them how to identify connections between how they act, think, and feel.
During their personalised CBT sessions, participants will encounter a range of techniques to teach them about their cognitive distortions.
These include exposure therapy, cognitive restructuring, problem-solving, and activities such as meditation and journaling.
Though behavioural therapies like CBT have a key place in addiction recovery, long-term sobriety is also contingent on having a healthy support system. However, when someone has an Ambien addiction, it can negatively affect everyone in their life and even damage these important relationships.
The goal of Family Addiction Counselling is foster closeness and repair the broken trust that may have arisen from addictive behaviours.
It also involves educating the family to teach loved ones how to support and encourage healthy changes in the addicted individual and each other.
Rather than try to create healthier dynamics between family members, FBT utilises the family’s strengths and resources to help the patient and their loved ones lead an Ambien-free life.
Sessions can also help to resolve other problems within the familial unit that might have pre-dated addiction: such as parenting skills, domestic abuse, and general conflict.
Facilitated by a therapist on-site at a rehab clinic, FBT sessions focus on many different aspects of the collective healing process. These include learning how to speak openly with one another, learning the difference between helpful and unhelpful behaviours, and learning new ways to communicate.
Unlike behavioural interventions that may last for weeks or months, MET is a time-limited therapeutic method enacted over a few sessions. For someone lacking the drive for personal change even after completing Ambien detox, MET can improve their drive and motivation to complete further treatment and remain sober.
One of the draws to partake in this short-term counselling method is its client-centric approach that feels more like an informal discussion about one’s addiction recovery.
During sessions, MET therapists gently ask their patients about what motivates them and use this to work towards change. Throughout these discussions, therapists must remain non-judgemental and listen reflectively.
However, MET shouldn’t replace traditional talking therapies and act as a standalone treatment. Instead, it should be a precursor to further rehabilitation or a method that occurs alongside other therapeutic interventions.
Stemming from traditional behavioural therapies, ACT is an intervention that encourages patients to embrace their emotions rather than fight them. It achieves this by using two guiding principles: using acceptance as a way to deal with negative thoughts or feelings while committing to healthy, constructive activities.
By encouraging these two principles, ACT therapists hope to increase an addicted individual’s psychological flexibility. This refers to someone’s ability to accept, cope with, and adjust to difficult situations such as Ambien cravings and relapse triggers.
With increased psychological flexibility, patients can navigate life through the lens of recovery without resorting to substance use. With this in mind, ACT sessions in rehab for Ambien addiction focus on a variety of skills. These include developing self-awareness, being present (mindfulness), ascertaining values, and committing to action (ways to overcome obstacles).
Despite its name, the use of “alternative” therapies in addiction treatment is no longer as an alternative as it once was. Also known as Holistic Therapies, this non-traditional technique was once rejected by clinicians for its exclusion from medical treatment.
From stress-relieving activities to creative workshops, alternative treatment therapies aim to enhance recovery and help patients emerge from Ambien detox with a healthier lifestyle. Rather than using psychiatric or medical techniques to heal patients, Alternative Therapies utilise positive, health-boosting activities and creative hobbies.
Several alternative therapy types are available as part of Ambien treatment programmes: aiming to heal a patient’s mind, body, and spirit collectively. Examples include mindful exercise, art, music, biofeedback, and nutritional guidance.
Across the UK and beyond, many families are faced with a worrying situation: having a loved one who refuses addiction treatment. An individual might refuse Ambien detox methods and future therapy for a variety of reasons: from denying the problem to fearing a return of their insomnia or mental health issues.
An addiction intervention is a pre-formed attempt by a familial group to guide an addicted individual toward seeking, or accepting treatment. This treatment may be in the form of an Ambien detox, attending fellowship group meetings, or entering inpatient rehabilitation.
During a single event or group of meetings, loved ones come together and help the addicted individual recognise their unhealthy behaviour and see that there is a need for change. In many cases, a local interventionist will help optimise the entire process.
The main objectives of an interventionist are to achieve the Ambien-user seeking help while helping the family or group of loved ones to heal. While taking on the role of a facilitator, a trained interventionist will make sure the following objectives are met:
Ambien addicts experience a range of unwanted and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when consumption of the drug is abruptly brought to a stop.
Withdrawal symptoms associated with Ambien detox include:
If you suspect you or a loved one has developed an addiction to Ambien, the simplest and most effective method of treatment is a residential and controlled detoxification and rehabilitation programme.
Ambien dosage is tapered down slowly so patients detox without experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Because detox takes place in a residential setting you or your loved one receive round-the-clock medical attention during this testing time.
Patients are denied access to Ambien other than during the tapered detox period. Residential rehabilitation means the usual ‘triggers of addiction’ are entirely absent during detox.
Ambien addicts have been known to commit suicide during detox or to suffer life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest.
Having a medical team on hand all but eliminates these psychological and physical health risks. Anti-anxiety drugs may be offered to ward off uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Once the ‘detox milestone’ is reached patients enter the mental stage of rehabilitation. Our medical team signs off detox once all withdrawal symptoms have passed.
During the psychological stage of rehabilitation, a number of modern psychotherapy techniques are employed such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness. Therapies are supervised by a qualified drug counsellor or therapist.
Our range of therapies aims to treat the underlying emotional triggers of Ambien addiction. Therapy ultimately means patients do not relapse back into Ambien addiction once residential rehabilitation has concluded.
A number of relapse prevention techniques are taught in group and individual therapy sessions.
Our rehabilitation centres carry patients well once rehabilitation has concluded. You receive twelve months of free aftercare following the conclusion of your programme.
Aftercare takes place twice a week at the rehabilitation centre where you received treatment. Sessions are conducted by qualified therapists and counsellors you will have met on your rehabilitation programme.
Our rehabilitation alumni enjoy excellent long-term recovery expectations. This is because of the quality of rehabilitation and aftercare on offer.
We screen applicants upon admission to ensure only those committed to recovery gain admission.
If you would like to learn more about our Ambien rehabilitation programme please call our admissions team today on 0800 140 4690.
Alternatively, complete the enquiry form and a member of our team will reply shortly. If a loved one is suffering from Ambien addiction why not consider our intervention service.
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