Ambien, a prescription sleep aid, has been in the news lately for a number of reasons. Some argue that it’s addictive and can lead to drug abuse, while others say that it’s safe and effective.
While there are some documented cases of people becoming addicted to Ambien, the FDA reports that they are rare. What’s more likely is that someone who has been using Ambien without a prescription and without medical supervision will develop an addiction.
The truth is that whether or not you can get addicted to Ambien depends on your individual circumstances. If you’re using it as directed by your doctor and following instructions closely, then you’re unlikely to develop an addiction. But if you’re abusing it or taking more than prescribed because you think it’ll help you sleep better or faster—or if you’ve developed a dependency on other drugs like alcohol and opioids—then yes, you could become addicted.
Is Ambien addictive or habit forming?
Is Ambien addictive or habit forming? The question has been asked by many people as they begin taking this medication to help them sleep. The answer is that, no, it is not addictive or habit forming. However, it does have some side effects that you should be aware of when taking this medication.
Ambien is a prescription medication used to help people fall asleep and stay asleep. It is a sedative-hypnotic drug that works by slowing down brain activity while decreasing the time it takes for you to fall asleep. It causes relaxation in your muscles and puts your mind in a relaxed state so you can fall asleep faster.
This drug can be habit-forming if you take too much of it or use it too often. However, this kind of habit can cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the drug after being on it for a long time without stopping or tapering down slowly first (which is recommended). Withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, nausea and vomiting, headaches and sweating just to name a few.
If you experience side effects from taking Ambien and want to stop, don’t just stop taking the drug all at once. Instead, gradually decrease your dose over the course of two weeks so that you can avoid withdrawal symptoms like seizures and psychosis.
How long can I take Ambien before I get addicted?
Some people take Ambien for years without any problems, but others get addicted to it and end up taking more than they should. It’s hard to say how long it takes to become addicted to Ambien, but there are some signs of addiction that you should look out for.
If you’re worried that you might be addicted, or if you’ve been taking Ambien for a while and want to know whether it’s okay to keep taking it, here are some things to consider:
How long has it been since your last dose? If it’s been more than 12 hours since your last dose, then stop taking the drug immediately. This will help prevent withdrawal symptoms from occurring as soon as possible after your last dose was taken.