What Are the Short- and Long-Term Side Effects of Ambien Abuse?
Ambien is a brand name for the z-drug zolpidem, a popular sleep aid prescribed to treat insomnia. As with any prescription medication, Ambien use and misuse can lead to side effects. Keep reading to learn more about the short- and long-term side effects of Ambien misuse, the risk of Ambien overdose, and how to get help for prescription drug addiction at Oxford Treatment Center.
Short-Term Side Effects of Ambien
When used as prescribed, Ambien is thought to be safe and effective for helping people fall and stay asleep. The most common side effects of z-drugs like Ambien include:
- Stomach upset.
- Dizziness.
- Headache.
Ambien may also cause:
- Clouded thinking and decision-making.
- Impaired motor skills.
- Impaired short-term memory.
- Aggression, hostility, or other erratic behaviors.
Ambien is meant to be taken to go to sleep, but even when taken as directed, it can result in next-day impairment. A person under the influence of Ambien may appear drunk and be uncoordinated, sluggish, drowsy, have blurred vision and slurred speech, and not be able to remember things clearly or think rationally.
In early 2013, the FDA issued a Safety Announcement regarding zolpidem medications (including Ambien and Ambien CR) that recommended lower doses, as impairment from these drugs can extend into the next morning and day after taking them, particularly for women and elderly individuals.
This can impact activities like driving, operating heavy machinery, or anything else that requires mental alertness. Individuals may also unknowingly engage in activities, such as driving, sex, eating, or talking on the phone while taking sleep aids, and have no memory of these activities the next day.
Zolpidem misuse can increase the risk of more serious effects like overdose. Using Ambien for non-medical reasons or taking it recreationally without a legitimate and necessary prescription is considered misuse.
Risk of Ambien Overdose
While z-drugs like zolpidem have lower odds for overdose, the Journal of Medical Toxicology warns that overdose is possible, which can lead to coma, brain damage, or death.
Ambien CR releases the medication in a time-release fashion, and if the drug is chewed or crushed and then injected, snorted, or smoked, the whole amount of zolpidem enters the bloodstream at once, which can quickly overwhelm the body and brain and lead to a possibly fatal overdose.
Ambien overdose is not that different from an overdose on benzodiazepines. The signs and symptoms of Ambien overdose include:
- Sedation.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Mental confusion.
- Extreme drowsiness.
- Loss of muscle and motor control.
- Low heart rate and pulse may occur.
Effects of Long-Term Ambien Use
Ambien is not designed to be taken as a long-term solution for insomnia. The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) publishes that it should only be taken for a few days and not longer than 1–2 weeks to manage insomnia.
Ambien is considered to be habit-forming. Effects of long-term Ambien use may include:
- Tolerance.
- Physical dependence.
- Addiction.
Ambien likely impacts levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter produced by the brain to mitigate anxiety and lower stress. In this manner, it acts like a natural tranquilizer, slowing functions of the central nervous system and enhancing relaxation.
In time, the brain can become accustomed to the artificially elevated levels of GABA that Ambien causes, which can mean it will stop working at normal doses. As tolerance develops, a person will then need to take more of it for it to keep working. The more of a drug someone takes and the more often they take it, the higher the odds are that they will become physically dependent on it.
The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (BJCP) reports that, despite earlier indications that zolpidem had fewer side effects than benzodiazepines, it may still be misused, cause dependence, and create some of the same behavioral side effects as benzos do.
Ambien misuse is more common in those with a previous history of drug dependence and abuse, and also in individuals who suffer from co-occurring mental health disorders.
Ambien Withdrawal Symptoms
With Ambien, physical dependence can result in difficult withdrawal symptoms if someone attempts to stop or cutback their use. Ambien withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Rebound insomnia and sleep difficulties
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Tremors or seizures
- Hallucinations
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Irregular heart rate and blood pressure
- Sweating
- Panic attacks
- Headache
- Trouble thinking clearly and concentrating
- Cravings
Cravings and a desire to avoid withdrawal symptoms can entice a person to continue abusing Ambien and may lead to addiction. Addiction may result in loss of a job, poor grades at school, interpersonal relationship and social issues, health problems, homelessness, financial strife, possible criminal entanglements, and more.
Get Help for Drug Addiction in Mississippi
Ambien can be taken safely under the care and guidance of a medical professional. However, using it outside of a necessary and legitimate prescription can lead to many potentially hazardous side effects and risk factors. If you or a loved one has developed an addiction to zolpidem, professional treatment can help.
At Oxford, our inpatient rehab in Mississippi offers different levels of addiction treatment designed to meet the individual needs of each patient. This includes:
Our admissions navigators are available around the clock to answer any questions you may have about our programs, paying for rehab, and using insurance to pay for rehab.
Don’t let the devastating side effects of addiction go on for another day. Call and start treatment today.