Ambien is the brand name for a prescription medication known as zolpidem. It belongs to a class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics and is used to treat insomnia on a short-term basis.[1] While Ambien can improve the symptoms of insomnia, long-term use can lead to dependence and addiction.
Ambien can cause people to feel drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, and experience sedation. When used in large amounts or over a long period, it is possible to develop a tolerance to Ambien. In other words, the recommended dose will no longer affect you as greatly.
Once tolerance develops, dependency is likely to occur if Ambien is not discontinued. If you become dependent on Ambien, you will experience withdrawal symptoms upon stopping its use. Unfortunately, Ambien withdrawal and addiction must be treated in detox and drug rehab programs.
During Ambien detox in West Palm Beach, you will receive medications and treatments to limit your withdrawal symptoms and keep you medically stable. Once you transfer into a drug rehab program, you will be given an individualized treatment plan that includes evidence-based behavioral therapies, holistic treatments, and aftercare planning.
The Symptoms of Ambien Withdrawal
Without treatment, Ambien withdrawal can be challenging to cope with, putting you at risk of relapsing. As a result, you should always seek support from a medical detox program in West Palm Beach.
Symptoms of Ambien Withdrawal include:[2]
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Excessive sweating
- Fast heart rate and breathing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Delirium and hallucinations
- Nervousness and panic attacks
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Increased crying
- Stomach cramps
In rare cases, Ambien withdrawal can cause seizures, so it’s important to get treatment from a professional detox center that can promptly address any issues that may arise.[3]
How is Ambien Withdrawal Treated in West Palm Beach?
Abruptly stopping the use of Ambien can be incredibly dangerous, especially if you are abusing it at high doses. Thankfully, Ambien detox centers in West Palm Beach can provide you with medications to limit your symptoms while you overcome withdrawal.
Typically, detox programs will prescribe a benzodiazepine or another type of long-acting sedative to control the symptoms of Ambien withdrawal. Your dose will be lowered until you no longer exhibit symptoms.
In addition to limiting your withdrawal symptoms with medications, medical staff will monitor your health and vital signs throughout the entire process. As a result, they will be able to address any abnormalities in your charts before they become an emergency.
What to Expect During Ambien Addiction Treatment in West Palm Beach
Once you complete detox, you can transfer to an Ambien addiction treatment center in West Palm Beach. Because detox only treats the physical effects of addiction, drug rehab programs use a combination of services like individualized treatment planning, therapies, holistic treatments, and relapse prevention planning to help you learn how to maintain long-term sobriety.
During an Ambien rehab in West Palm Beach, you can expect the following:
Individualized Treatment Planning
The first step in Ambien addiction rehab is creating your treatment plan. Because everyone is different, you might require a unique set of services and tools to recover. With that in mind, addiction treatment centers in West Palm Beach use individualized treatment planning.
To create your individualized treatment plan, you will undergo an initial assessment to get information about your physical and mental health as well as your history of substance abuse. Then, the staff members will draft a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Once your treatment plan is created, you will begin partaking in individual and group counseling sessions. Both types of therapy are used to help you gain a better understanding of your addiction, teach you healthy coping mechanisms, and allow you to overcome common triggers for relapse.
During addiction treatment in West Palm Beach, you will participate in evidence-based behavioral therapies, including:[4]
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Contingency management (CM)
- 12-step facilitation therapy
- The matrix model
- Family behavior therapy
Holistic Treatments
In addition to evidence-based therapies, you will have the opportunity to take advantage of holistic treatments. Holistic treatments treat the “whole person”, providing healing for the mind, body, and soul.
Examples of holistic treatments used during Ambien addiction treatment centers in West Palm Beach include:
- Yoga and meditation
- Mindfulness techniques
- Massage and acupuncture
- Art and music therapy
- Exercise and nutrition counseling
Relapse Prevention Planning
Relapse is common among people recovering from addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the relapse rate is between 40 to 60%.[5] As a result, a vital part of recovery is creating a plan of action to help you avoid relapse. This will involve a list of triggers that may affect you, coping mechanisms to use, plans on support groups to attend, and a plan to get help in case you relapse.
Find Help for Ambien Addiction in West Palm Beach
If you or a loved one suffers from Ambien addiction in West Palm Beach, you’ve come to the right place. At Mandala Healing Center, we will give you the support and tools you need to maintain long-term sobriety. Our patients are empowered to reclaim their lives and restore their health, free from addiction and substance misuse.
To learn more about our Ambien rehab program, contact us today.
References:
- Medline Plus: Zolpidem, Retrieved November 2023 From https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a693025.html
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Ambien Label, Retrieved November 2023 From https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/019908s037lbl.pdf
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Zolpidem Dependency and Withdrawal Seizure: A Case Report Study, Retrieved November 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4329938/
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Evidence-based practices for substance use disorders, Retrieved November 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3678283/
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): The Science of Addiction Treatment and Recovery, Retrieved November 2023 From https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery