Ambien addiction can occur with Zolpidem, the generic name for Ambien. Ambien is a Schedule IV controlled substance available in 5- and 10-mg tablets. A Schedule IV drug has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule III. Also, a Schedule IV drug may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence as in ambien addiction.
Ambien addiction may be caused by patients who abuse prescription sleep aids such as Ambien. Individuals with a history of drug addiction or substance abuse have an increased risk of Ambien addiction. Therefore, these individuals should be under careful surveillance when taking hypnotic drugs such as Ambien.
Ambien addiction is usually difficult for friends and family to identify. Contrary to popular belief, one does not have to abuse drugs on a daily basis to have an addiction problem; the abuse pattern may be occasional or habitual. The abuse pattern is usually an very private affair between the abuser and the pills. In addition, the pill-taker is not subject to the social stigma identified with the world of street drug dealing.
Ambien Addiction and Withdrawal
Ambien addiction occurs because Ambien is in a category of medicines that effect the central nervous system. They are called sedative hypnotics. Ambien is closely related to a family of drugs called benzodiazepines. These drugs cause sedation, muscle relaxation, act as anti-convulsants (anti-seizure), and have anti-anxiety properties. Ambien is selective because it has little of the muscle relaxant or anti-seizure effect and mainly the sedative effect. Therefore, it is used as a sleep medication.
Ambien Addiction can develop with regular use over an extended period of time. After Ambien is discontinued, withdrawal symptoms may develop. This initiates a vicious cycle. The user wants to stop using Ambien, yet the withdrawal symptoms are the same, if not worse than, the symptoms they had before they began using Ambien.
Ambien addiction withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:
Extreme extroversion, aggressive behavior, loss of personal identity, confusion, unusual behavior, agitation, hallucinations, increased depression, suicidal thoughts, sleeplessness and anxiety.
