How to Detox from Ambien Safely
Ambien® (zolpidem) detox should not be done by an abrupt discontinuation of the medication and should be done under medical supervision to avoid a dangerous withdrawal.
Ambien has recently become the prescription medication most doctors prescribe for short-term insomnia. Unfortunately, Ambien is habit-forming.
Zinnia Health’s Ambien detox program begins by gently detoxifying your body and easing the passage into the next phase of your program to make recovery smoother, safer and more comfortable.
Safety is extremely important when you are looking to detox from any drug.
Call us now to speak to one of our caring, experienced professionals. We’ll give you the attention and individualized care you deserve: (855) 430-9439.
How Long Is Ambien Active In Your System?
The half-life of Ambien is only about two hours. This means that the initial effects of Ambien wear off within hours.
For a urine drug test the last traces of Ambien may show up in a urine test 24–48 hours after your last dose.
For blood tests, it can be detected for up to 6–20 hours.
However, despite it no longer circulating in the bloodstream, your body will still be craving it.
What is an Ambien Detox?
Detoxing from Ambien typically consists of a taper where you receive less and less of the medication daily.
Tapering Ambien allows for the body to let it leave the system slowly, easing withdrawal symptoms and lowering the risk of more serious side effects.
Medical professionals will provide a taper and other “comfort” medications to assist any Ambien withdrawal symptoms.
Who Is At Risk of Needing an Ambien Detox?
1. People Using Ambien for a Long-Time
People who use Ambien for a long-period may develop an Ambien Use Disorder and will need to detox as part of their rehab treatment.
Ambien is a short-term medication that you may have been prescribed by a medical professional for chronic insomnia.
The abuse of and addiction to Ambien is much more likely if it is not being used to treat insomnia.
Ambien was not designed for long-term use. The maximum duration Ambien should be taken is six weeks.
2. Mixing Ambien With Other Substances
The potential for becoming addicted to Ambien also increases if it is combined with other substances such as, mixing with alcohol or street drugs.
The Daily Med classifies Ambien as a non-benzodiazepine drug that offers the same therapeutic benefits as benzodiazepines, but without the same chemical properties that can make benzos so harmful and addictive.
3. Certain Mental Health Issues
Case studies have also linked Ambien abuse to psychosis or schizophrenia.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information published a case file of patients experiencing extreme aggression episodes and social isolation due to their Ambien dependency.
As a result, doctors are advised to take into consideration a patient’s family history of mental disorders before prescribing the drug.
If you or someone in your family has a history of mental illness, be sure to tell your intake specialist. This will allow them to develop the best plan for successful Ambien detox.
If you’re concerned that you may be developing or have developed an addiction to Ambien, it is advisable to seek the help of a professional drug detox center near you to receive proper support for Ambien detoxing.
You may be afraid to embrace this new step alone, but rest assured that we’re here by your side, guiding you towards long-term recovery every step of the way. (855) 430-9439.
How Long Will an Ambien Detox Last?
Usually, if you have no prior conditions and haven’t taken Ambien for too long, you will stop feeling the Ambien detox side effects by the third week after starting a detox program.
However, everyone is unique, and it may take longer depending on how long you’ve been taking Ambien and how much you’ve been taking.
Normally in the first 72 hours of a detox, most patients experience anxiety, hallucinations, insomnia, nausea or vomiting.
Then typically, between days three and five of your Ambien detox program, you may see a considerable peak in withdrawal pains.
Ambien withdrawal symptoms will typically continue for 1-2 weeks after beginning a detox programme.
The good news is that, on average, the physical symptoms usually stop after the first week of detoxing from Ambien.
Other pre-existing medical, or mental conditions, also come into play during an Ambien detoxing that will need addressing by a professional.
Quitting the drug suddenly during Ambien detoxing can lead to more severe symptoms, including seizures and hypertension.
What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms During an Ambien Detox?
As with any addictive drug, when you stop taking Ambien, you may experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These can be more intense and even dangerous if you suddenly quit taking it.
Ambien withdrawal symptoms fall into two main categories: psychological and physical.
Physical withdrawal symptoms being most common experience during a detox.
Some of the most common symptoms you might experience during Ambien detox include:
- Anxiety
- Cravings for the drug
- High blood pressure
- Sweating
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Agitation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Shaking or tremors
- Rebound insomnia
- Seizures
Withdrawal affects each person differently. In addition, the duration of withdrawal depends on the individual. While one person may experience symptoms for only a few days, for another person, they can last weeks.
You may experience a wide variety of uncomfortable Ambien detox side effects, but most are not dangerous.
However, seizures are considered one of the serious side effects when experiencing Ambien detoxing.
Seizures are rare and usually appear when a patient tries to quit the drug without seeking medical attention. However, seizures may be extremely dangerous and can even be fatal.
What Types of Treatment Are Used During an Ambien Detox?
The primary function of an Ambien detox center is to oversee your recovery in a safe environment. This includes having 24/7 access to medical professionals experienced in helping people detox from Ambien.
Every detox center will have its own approach to a substance use treatment process.
However, there are some common elements utilized in most centers for Ambien detox, which may include:
- Diagnosis and testing
- Medical supervision
- Medical treatment administered by qualified, specialized medical personnel
- Counseling
- Rehabilitation
- Traditional detox treatments supplemented with alternative methods
Can You Detox from Ambien At Home or Not?
Ambien detox can cause serious side effects, such as seizures and withdrawal delirium, especially if you are abusing other drugs like alcohol simultaneously.
You can discuss slowly tapering off of Ambien with your primary care physician, or psychiatrist.
However, it is extremely important that you are honest with them about how much you have been taking and if you are abusing any other substances.
How to Find an Ambien Detox Center Near Me
Ambien detox is your first step towards a full recovery from addiction.
Zinnia Health has locations throughout the country and is one of the top Ambien detox centers.
If you are looking for the nearest location to you, Zinnia Health has a list of local detox facilities and addresses on our website. You can also contact us through our 24/7 hotline by calling (855) 430-9439 to find the closet detox center near you.
Zinnia Health has the necessary tools, staff, and nurturing environment to ensure you have a safe place for rehabilitation and to prevent an Ambien relapse.
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