Have you been unable to sleep for nights on end? Doctors might prescribe Ambien for you. But, do you know it’s only meant for short-term use?
Ambien drugs are sedative-hypnotics used to treat insomnia. They can activate GABA neurotransmitters and slow down your brain functions.
How does Ambien addiction develop?
Now, you may have been given Ambien to help you sleep better. One type of Ambien will ensure a quick release where you can doze off faster. The other type will make sure you sleep like a baby. Either way, you can become addicted to it.
You might think Ambien addiction is rare, but it is not. Since it offers the same effects as Benzos like Xanax, it has similar habit-forming properties.
Makers of these drugs argued that they would be less addictive than Benzos for treating severe insomnia. That’s a consolation alright, but it doesn’t mean you will not get addicted if you keep using it.
Addiction may set in after a longer period of time, and turn out to be less dangerous than Benzo’s withdrawal. But, you will still need to search for a “rehab near me” to get treatment for it.
Dependency on Ambien can happen within a fortnight if you have been prescribed this drug. You develop a tolerance to it and crave for bigger doses to experience its effects. If you stop taking it or cut down the amount, withdrawal symptoms start showing.
Finally, you will find yourself getting addicted to it completely. When this happens, you suffer from withdrawal symptoms, compulsive use, and impaired control over this drug usage. You realize the harm it causes your body but you cannot curb the cravings.
How to know if you have Ambien addiction:
If you find yourself taking high doses of the drug or refilling your prescriptions too often, this should be taken as a red flag. You may continue to have cravings and even indulge in dangerous situations that you can’t recall afterward.
As a result, you end up spending a lot of money on buying these and slowly start to keep yourself away from friends and family. Very soon, you start buying the drugs illegally and combine them with other substances.
If you are worried about overdosing, know that it’s a real threat. It happens when you try to get an intense “high” or have it along with alcohol or other intoxicating substances. You start experiencing slowed breathing, excessive drowsiness, and might even become comatose.
If you or your loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, call the drug addiction hotline right away to get medical help.
Why an Alaska drug rehab can help you with Ambien addiction:
If you are an Alaska resident and experiencing Ambien withdrawal, it can become a medical emergency. In that case, you shouldn’t wait to reach out to a drug rehab in Alaska.
Medical professionals here can evaluate your condition and suggest a treatment plan. You must not attempt to detox on your own; detox needs to be medically supervised because seizures are common.
For effective treatment of Ambien addiction, you need to address the underlying problem. To do this, rehabs in Alaska will offer group and individual therapy, and skills training. Methods like contingency management, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc have yielded successful outcomes.
