If you or a loved one is unable to stop abusing Ambien, seeking treatment can help you overcome this dangerous cycle. Vertava Health has several substance use treatment facilities throughout the country that offer customized plans of recovery to help individuals reclaim their lives from substance use and addiction.
Signs That Someone Is Abusing Ambien
Taking more Ambien than what is prescribed or using the drug without a prescription is considered use. Additionally, using zolpidem recreationally in order to experience a “high” is also abusing this drug.
The more a person uses Ambien, the more likely he or she will exhibit noticeable signs of the use. The signs may initially be subtle and become more pronounced as the use continues.
Common signs that someone is abusing zolpidem include:
- taking the drug for longer periods of time than what is recommended or prescribed
- continuing to take Ambien despite negative consequences
- going to multiple doctors in order to get more prescriptions for zolpidem
- withdrawing from friends or family
- experiencing problems at work or school as a result of Ambien use
- lying about how much of the drug is being used
- hiding drug use
- consuming higher doses of Ambien than what is prescribed or recommended
Some people are exceptionally good at hiding drug use. This may mean that Ambien use goes undetected for an extended period of time or until the addiction has become severe. However, the sooner loved ones can detect a person’s dependence on and use of Ambien, the sooner they can help the individual seek help.
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Physical Symptoms Of Ambien Use
In addition to the signs mentioned in the previous section, there are also physical symptoms that may be apparent when someone is abusing Ambien. This is especially true for individuals who use Ambien on a regular basis.
Physical symptoms of zolpidem use may include:
- unexplained mood changes
- depression
- irritability
- dizziness
- sleepwalking or performing other activities while asleep
- blackouts
- trouble with balance or coordination
- no memory of behavior
- changes in appetite
- bloodshot eyes
- muscle or joint pain
Ambien is known for its potential to cause people to participate in activities while sleeping. For example, a person may drive, eat, or shop while technically asleep. This can be extremely dangerous and can put people at risk for injury and even death. Abusing Ambien only increases the risk of these activities.
Other Signs That Someone Is Abusing Ambien
People who use Ambien often do so to experience the sedative and relaxing effects of the drug. Additionally, taken in large amounts, zolpidem may elicit feelings of euphoria. Regardless of why a person uses Ambien, it can result in dangerous and even deadly consequences as well as dependence and addiction.
Someone who is abusing Ambien may fight the urge to fall asleep in order to experience the positive effects of the drug. This can lead to behaviors such as sleepwalking or performing other activities in one’s sleep. It can also cause hallucinations.
Additionally, when a person uses Ambien alongside other substances like alcohol, the individual is at an increased risk of dangerous side effects and overdose. This is especially true with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol. Combining alcohol with Ambien can cause the breath and heart rate to slow down to dangerous levels and can result in coma or even death.
Another sign that someone is abusing or dependent on Ambien is when a person experiences withdrawal symptoms when not on the drug. Common withdrawal symptoms of zolpidem include insomnia, irritability, and anxiety. In severe cases, a person may experience seizures that can be deadly.
Finding Treatment For Ambien Use
Many times, people who are dependent on Ambien don’t even realize it until the dependence turns into addiction or severe use. If you believe a loved one or you are struggling with Ambien use or addiction, seeking treatment early on can help prevent a number of negative consequences and worsened dependence.
Vertava Health specializes in treating individuals with substance use disorders such as Ambien addiction. We have a number of state-of-the-art facilities throughout the nation, all of which provide personalized recovery programs for each patient.
To learn more about how to tell if someone is abusing Ambien, contact an Vertava Health’ treatment specialist today at 844-470-0410
