Most insomniacs around the world and their family members must have heard of zolpidem, a drug better known as Ambien.
This hypnotic helps people who face trouble in catching those precious forty winks at night by giving them relief in the form of sleep.
Types of Ambien
There are two types of this drug:
- Immediate release – this helps the person to fall asleep once they go to bed.
- Extended-release – this is Ambien CR. It has two layers. The first one dissolves quickly and helps the person to fall asleep. The second one dissolves slowly and helps the person to stay asleep.
This all sounds hunky-dory so far. So where is the need for drug detox for Ambien?
Getting hooked
Ambien is meant for short-term use only. But people abuse it far and wide. With around 70 million adult Americans facing insomnia, one can just imagine the number of Ambien addicts there would be in the USA.
How people get addicted to it is they like the effects of this drug so much that they overshoot the doctor’s prescription. This drug is a habit-forming one and it can take as little as just two weeks for someone to develop a physical tolerance for it. Many people who call the drug addiction hotline say that’s how they got hooked on this drug.
How to know if someone’s addicted
If you feel a loved one is behaving in a different manner after taking Ambien and think they may be addicted, here’s what you can look out for.
- They complain of craving Ambien.
- They start isolating themselves from family and friends.
- They begin spending large amounts of money on buying Ambien.
- They refill their prescription far too many times.
Just keep an eye out for any of these and if you are sure they are hooked, speak with an expert at drug rehab South Dakota for advice. You are sure to get the right solutions when you work with expert doctors and professional staff at such centers.
Going Cold Turkey
Many people believe that they can beat their addiction on their own and just stop taking the drug all of a sudden. Just like any other drug, Ambien has several side effects which can be dangerous and difficult to manage on one’s own.
This is the reason it is advised that one should seek professional help to beat any kind of addiction. Let’s take a look at some Ambien withdrawal symptoms.
Within 48 hours of taking the last pill, you may experience any of the following:
- Intense cravings
- Mood swings and irritability
- Abdominal discomfort or pain
- Panic attacks
- Delirium
- Rebound insomnia
In fact, the rebound insomnia may be much worse than before, and you may find yourself relapsing with a vengeance.
Always, always head over to a professional for help in matters such as these. Life is really precious and if you want to live a drug-free existence, you must take the right steps to become better and remain so.
