{"id":2321,"date":"2023-07-19T11:59:06","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T11:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/?page_id=2321"},"modified":"2025-02-07T12:21:15","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T12:21:15","slug":"addiction","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/ambien\/addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Ambien Side Effects and Risk of Dependence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ambien is a medication used to treat insomnia that can be addictive if used other than prescribed. There are several side effects of Ambien that can worsen with long-term use.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Ambien is a prescription sleep aid used to treat&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/mental-health\/insomnia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">insomnia<\/a>. In addition to its intended effect of inducing sleep, Ambien can have additional unwanted side effects. These side effects are not very common but can occur more frequently with long-term use of Ambien. Ambien is not recommended to be used for longer than a few weeks at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Due to its effects on the brain, Ambien can also be addictive if used other than prescribed. Ambien addiction can have serious consequences and lead to long-term effects. This article will describe the side effects of Ambien use and addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">How Is Ambien Taken?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">The best way to take Ambien is as prescribed. Ambien comes in pill or tablet form and is meant to be taken by mouth. Taking Ambien through other routes \u2014 such as snorting or injecting it \u2014 can be dangerous, but these are ways people may take Ambien if they are trying to get high from it. Taking Ambien through those routes can lead to serious side effects and may trigger the person to develop an addiction to Ambien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Signs of Addiction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">There are several signs of Ambien addiction that a person using Ambien should be aware of. If you know someone taking Ambien, you should also be aware of these signs to make sure they are not at risk for becoming addicted to Ambien. The signs of Ambien addiction include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Tolerance:<\/strong>&nbsp;Tolerance occurs when someone regularly takes the same dose of a drug but no longer feels the drug\u2019s effects. Ambien tolerance&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2008\/019908s027lbl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">can occur<\/a>&nbsp;if a person takes the recommended dose of Ambien, but it doesn\u2019t help them fall asleep or stay asleep. When a person develops a tolerance to a drug, they may try to take a higher dose to feel the effects again.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Dependence:<\/strong>\u00a0Dependence occurs when a person feels the need to take the drug to feel normal. This can stem beyond a psychological need for the drug and branch into a physical need for the drug. When this happens, a person may experience <a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/sleeping-pills\/withdrawal-detox\/\">withdrawal symptoms<\/a> if they stop taking the drug. Ambien dependence\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2008\/019908s027lbl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">can occur<\/a>\u00a0if a person starts to feel that they need Ambien to fall asleep. Ambien is meant to be a short-term solution to insomnia and is not meant to be used long-term.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Habit:<\/strong>&nbsp;Another sign of addiction is when a person makes a habit of taking a drug. Ambien is habit-forming for some people. When they come to rely on it to fall asleep, they may make a habit of taking it every night. Eventually, a person may not be able to fall asleep without it, which can lead to addiction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">If a person is experiencing the signs of Ambien addiction, it is important that they get help. Ambien addiction can have serious health effects but is treatable if a person is willing to stop taking the medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Long-Term Effects of Ambien Use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Ambien is meant to be used for a few weeks, not long term. Long-term side effects of Ambien can occur if a person uses it for longer than recommended. Many of the long-term effects of Ambien use can also occur as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2008\/019908s027lbl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">side effects<\/a>&nbsp;during normal Ambien use. These include both physical and behavioral side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Physical Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Common long-term physical side effects of Ambien use include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Weight Gain:&nbsp;While taking Ambien alone has not been linked to weight gain, people may partake in unusual behaviors while on Ambien.&nbsp;Ambien&nbsp;can&nbsp;cause weight gain&nbsp;if used a person experiences a sleep-eating. This can occur without the person knowing, and has been linked to significant&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20965000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">weight gain<\/a>&nbsp;in some people.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Headache:&nbsp;One of the common side effects of&nbsp;Ambien&nbsp;use is a&nbsp;headache.&nbsp;This can also be a sign of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/ambien\/withdrawal-detox\/\">withdrawal from Ambien<\/a>. If used long-term, the chances of experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping Ambien use increases.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Drug Tolerance:&nbsp;Ambien tolerance&nbsp;can develop if a person takes Ambien for more than a few weeks. Tolerance results in Ambien no longer working to help a person fall asleep.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Constipation:&nbsp;<\/strong>Ambien can cause constipation. It is one of the side effects that occur in people with normal Ambien use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Behavioral Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to physical effects, Ambien can have long term effects on the brain. Since Ambien works by binding to a neurotransmitter rector and suppressing pathways in the brain, it can significantly alter those pathways when used long-term. This can cause changes in behavior or mood, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Hallucinations:&nbsp;<\/strong>Visual and auditory hallucinations have been reported with Ambien use.&nbsp;Ambien&nbsp;associated&nbsp;hallucinations&nbsp;occur in less than&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2008\/019908s027lbl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1%<\/a>&nbsp;of adults, but are more common in children, occurring in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2008\/019908s027lbl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">7.4%<\/a>&nbsp;of the pediatric population. Ambien is not recommended for use in children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Sleep-Walking:&nbsp;<\/strong>Episodes of&nbsp;sleep-walking&nbsp;have been reported with&nbsp;Ambien&nbsp;use.&nbsp;Some people have also reported&nbsp;sleep-driving&nbsp;while taking&nbsp;Ambien.&nbsp;Either activity can be very dangerous. Using&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/alcohol\/addiction\/\">alcohol<\/a>&nbsp;or other CNS depressants in combination with Ambien or taking more Ambient than the prescribed dose&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2008\/019908s027lbl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">increases<\/a>&nbsp;the risk of these behaviors. If you become aware of doing any activity while sleeping during Ambien use, speak with your doctor right away.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Memory Loss:&nbsp;<\/strong>In many cases, episodes of sleep-walking, sleep-driving or other activities while sleeping and using&nbsp;Ambien&nbsp;have been accompanied by&nbsp;memory loss.&nbsp;A person may have no recollection the next morning of the activities they did while sleeping. This is sometimes termed \u201cAmbien blackout.\u201d If you experience memory loss associated with Ambien use, talk to your doctor immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Depression:&nbsp;<\/strong>Ambien can&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/ambien-addiction\/side-effects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cause<\/a>&nbsp;depression, as it is one of the side effects of Ambien, though it rarely occurs.&nbsp;In patients who already have&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/co-occurring-disorders\/depression\/\">depression<\/a>, Ambien&nbsp;can make it worse. In this population, there is an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. Caution should be taken when prescribing Ambien to someone who has&nbsp;major depressive disorder.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Sleep Apnea:&nbsp;<\/strong>While healthy individuals taking Ambien have not been reported to have breathing problems, people with&nbsp;sleep apnea&nbsp;who take&nbsp;Ambien&nbsp;may experience compromised respiratory function. Caution should be taken when using Ambien if a person has sleep apnea,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Dementia:&nbsp;<\/strong>Dementia&nbsp;is one of the side effects that occur rarely with&nbsp;Ambien&nbsp;use. Because of its effects on the brain, Ambien can cause some people to feel confused or have a \u201cfoggy head.\u201d A&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/28884784\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study<\/a>&nbsp;in Taiwan found an increased risk of Alzheimer\u2019s disease among older people who regularly took Ambien long-term.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\"><strong>Euphoria:&nbsp;<\/strong>Due to its effects on the brain, taking Ambien at doses higher than the recommended amount can lead to euphoria. For this reason, some people will misuse the drug to get high. This can be very dangerous and lead to an addiction to Ambien. Ambien should always be taken as prescribed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Sexual Side Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">People taking Ambien have reported having sex while on the medication, but not remembering it. This may occur from a person experiencing sexsomnia while on Ambien, which is the medical term for someone having sex while sleeping, similar to sleep-walking. Ambien doesn\u2019t have specific sexual side effects. However, people have reported that it decreases inhibitions similar to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/alcohol\/addiction\/\">alcohol<\/a>&nbsp;or other CNS depressants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Effects on the Elderly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Ambien may affect elderly people differently. Ambien side effects may be enhanced in the elderly, especially&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2008\/019908s027lbl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">impaired<\/a>&nbsp;cognitive or motor functioning after use. Elderly people may also be more sensitive to the sedative effects. For these reasons, elderly people are usually started on a lower dose of Ambien and should be monitored closely while using it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Ambien Withdrawal Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Ambien withdrawal symptoms can occur if a person has been using Ambien for a while and then stops using it. If higher doses of Ambien are being used or a person has used it for an extended period of time, withdrawal symptoms are more likely to occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">The side effects of Ambien withdrawal include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Trouble sleeping<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Nausea<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Vomiting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Stomach cramping<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Fatigue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Flushing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Feeling lightheaded<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Uncontrolled crying<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Panic attacks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Nervousness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Abdominal discomfort<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Ambien Abuse Facts &amp; Statistics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">In the United States, prescription sedatives, including Ambien or other Zolpidem medications and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/benzodiazepines\/addiction\/\">benzodiazepines<\/a>, were misused by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/report\/2017-nsduh-annual-national-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">352,000<\/a>&nbsp;people over the age of 12 in 2017. More specifically, Ambien abuse occurs in men, women, teens, and seniors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Prevalence in Men<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Between 2005 and 2010, the number of men that visited the ER due to overmedication with Ambien rose&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/DAWN-SR150-Zolpidem-2014\/DAWN-SR150-Zolpidem-2014.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">150%<\/a>&nbsp;from 6,607 visits to 16,523. Men made up&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/DAWN-SR150-Zolpidem-2014\/DAWN-SR150-Zolpidem-2014.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">32%<\/a>&nbsp;of all emergency department visits for overmedication in 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Prevalence in Women<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Between 2005 and 2010, the number of women that visited the ER due to overmedication with Ambien rose&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/DAWN-SR150-Zolpidem-2014\/DAWN-SR150-Zolpidem-2014.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">69%<\/a>&nbsp;from 15,216 visits to 25,749. Women made up&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/DAWN-SR150-Zolpidem-2014\/DAWN-SR150-Zolpidem-2014.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">68%<\/a>&nbsp;of all ER visits for overmedication in 2010. As a result, the FDA published&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-approves-new-label-changes-and-dosing-zolpidem-products-and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">revised dosing recommendations<\/a>&nbsp;for Ambien in women in 2013, stating that women are more sensitive to the drug and take longer to clear it from their system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Teen Abuse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">It is not recommended to prescribe Ambien to anyone under the age of 18. However,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/resources\/teen-addiction\/\">teens<\/a>&nbsp;may misuse Ambien for its euphoric effects. There were&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/report\/2017-nsduh-annual-national-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">19,000 adolescents<\/a>&nbsp;aged 12\u201317 who reported misuse of sedatives such as Ambien in 2017, which makes up 0.1% of the teenage population in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Elder Abuse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Ambien abuse among people older than 65 is not that common. This could be due to the lower dosing regimen used in seniors. Senior visits to the ER resulting from overmedication only accounted for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/DAWN-SR150-Zolpidem-2014\/DAWN-SR150-Zolpidem-2014.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">11%<\/a>&nbsp;of all visits in 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Ambien Abuse &amp; Treatment Trends in South Florida<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Prescription medication use other than intended has become an increasing problem in South Florida. Ambien use is among the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/prescription-drugs\/\">prescription drugs<\/a>&nbsp;that have been associated with overdose deaths in South Florida. In 2010, there were&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fsipp.org\/pdf\/news\/Prescription_Drug_Abuse_in_Florida_August_2011.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">240 reports<\/a>&nbsp;of Ambien use in people who were autopsied by medical examiners. Of those, 18% were considered deaths caused by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/ambien\/ambien-overdose\/\">Ambien overdose<\/a>. The incidence increased in 2013 when, in the first six months of the year, there were&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.miamicoalition.org\/doc\/Miami%20Dade%20Drug%20Abuse%20Trends%20-%20June%202014.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">155<\/a>&nbsp;medical examiner occurrences of Ambien use in deceased people, with 21% being considered as Ambien overdose for the cause of death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Due to the increasing trend of prescription drug abuse in Florida, there are several resources that have been created to help treat substance use disorders. Treatment centers like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/contact-us\/\">The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health<\/a>&nbsp;are available in South Florida that offer comprehensive treatment plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">Ambien Overdose Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">You can overdose on Ambien if you take amounts high enough to significantly suppress your central nervous system function. Ambien overdose is very dangerous and can lead to death. Ambien overdose can be avoided by sticking to physician directions and not using it in ways other than prescribed. Snorting or injecting Ambien significantly increases the risk of overdose since the drug effects will occur more rapidly and more of the drug may be absorbed than if taken orally as directed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">Ambien overdose symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\" wp-block-list eplus-wrapper\">\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Impairment of consciousness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Severe drowsiness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Coma<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Suppression of heart rate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Slowed or stopped breathing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\" eplus-wrapper\">Death<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\" wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper\">How to Get Off Ambien<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper wp-block-paragraph\">While Ambien can temporarily help a person with insomnia, it is not recommended for long-term use. If a person has been taking Ambien for an extended period, they may experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using it, including insomnia recurrence. To stop using Ambien but still sleep well, a person can slowly taper off Ambien by using lower doses or using it less frequently. This will allow their body to slowly adjust to lower and lower amounts of Ambien until it is no longer needed. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, stopping Ambien use should be done under the supervision and guidance of a medical expert.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ambien is a medication used to treat insomnia that can be addictive if used other than prescribed. There are several side effects of Ambien that can worsen with long-term use. Ambien is a prescription sleep aid used to treat&nbsp;insomnia. In addition to its intended effect of inducing sleep, Ambien can have additional unwanted side effects. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":702,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[31],"tags":[43],"class_list":["post-2321","blog","type-blog","status-publish","hentry","category-ambien","tag-benzodiazepines"],"acf":{"written_by":307,"enable_medically_and_up":["Yes"],"medically_reviewed_by":313,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. <a href=\"\/research\/\">View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"Medically Reviewed by <a href=\"\/team\/editorial\/dr-trisha-sippel-phd\/\">Trisha Sippel, PHD<\/a>","page_first_published_date":"20221229","page_last_edit_date":"20221229","highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling <a href=\"tel:8886480738\" > (561) 340-7269<\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"<strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Ambien has the potential to be addictive when used other than prescribed<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Becoming tolerant to or dependent on Ambien or making its use a habit are signs of Ambien addiction<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Ambien side effects can occur with normal use but are usually worse or exaggerated in people who use Ambien in the long term or in doses higher than recommended<\/li>\r\n \t<li>It is possible to overdose on Ambien when used in high amounts, which can potentially be fatal<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","source":{"source_label":"View Sources","source_content":"<div id=\"mrcxrXtI\" class=\"accordion-container\">\r\n<div class=\"accordion-item-container\">\r\n\r\nFood and Drug Administration. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2008\/019908s027lbl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ambien Prescribing Information<\/a>.\u201d April 23, 2008. Accessed August 8, 2019.\r\n\r\nP\u00e9rez-D\u00edaz, H., et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20965000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Zolpidem-induced sleep-related behavioral disorders<\/a>.\u201d Neurologia, October, 2010. Accessed August 10, 2019.\r\n\r\nCheng, H.T., et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/28884784\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Association Between the Use of Zolpidem and the Risk of Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Among Older People.<\/a>\u201d Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, November, 2017. Accessed August 10, 2019.\r\n\r\nBose, Jonaki, et al. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/report\/2017-nsduh-annual-national-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health<\/a>.\u201d Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017. Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\nSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/DAWN-SR150-Zolpidem-2014\/DAWN-SR150-Zolpidem-2014.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Emergency Department Visits Attributed to Overmedication That Involved the Insomnia Medication Zolpidem<\/a>.\u201d The DAWN Report, August 7, 2014. Accessed August 10, 2019.\r\n\r\nFood and Drug Administration. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-approves-new-label-changes-and-dosing-zolpidem-products-and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA approves new label changes and dosing for zolpidem products and a recommendation to avoid driving the day after using Ambien CR<\/a>.\u201d May 14, 2013. Accessed August 10, 2019.\r\n\r\nHall, James N. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fsipp.org\/pdf\/news\/Prescription_Drug_Abuse_in_Florida_August_2011.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trends of Nonmedical Prescription Drug Misuse in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach Counties, and the State of Florida: 2010<\/a>.\u201d Epidemiologic Trends in Prescription Drug Misuse. Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\nHall, James N. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.miamicoalition.org\/doc\/Miami%20Dade%20Drug%20Abuse%20Trends%20-%20June%202014.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drug Abuse Trends in Miami-Dade County Florida: June 2014<\/a>.\u201d The Miami Coalition. Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>"},"staff_member_heading":"Authorship","staff_member":[{"staff_member_title":"Editor","select_staff_member":307},{"staff_member_title":"Medical Reviewer","select_staff_member":313}],"insurance_label":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/2321","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2321"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/2321\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/702"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/313"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2321"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2321"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}