Ambien addiction symptoms

I was an ambien user for 7 years i finally got help after having very bad withdrawls, i would have gran mal seizures and couldnt remember my name or for that matter anything else. My personality changed i always wanted to be inside i didnt care to see my family or do things anymore. It didnt help that i worked in a pharmacy and i had easy access to the drug. Well since then i dont work in a pharmacy anymore ive been ambien free for 4 yrs and i feel great. Its a very hard addiction to overcome i feel for anyone going through this. My advice to you is you really have to want to quit if your not ready you will never achieve this goal you will constatly be back and forth with it. When your finally ready accept that you are actually addicted and seek help, for me it took having a seizure in front of my entire family and them finally knowing i had an addiction, i went to the hospital and just said im addicted to ambien and i need help, it was the hardest thing i ever went through but trust me once you get that sleep you know your own sleep its the best thing in the world. Good luck to you all

Currently writing a book about Ambien Addiction (Zoldipem) After struggling with this drug for years, I am now writing about it. I am looking for others who are willing to share their own personal stories to include in my book. I believe our experiences are not as uncommon as the drug's maker would indicate, and that by sharing our experiences we can help others as well.
I am sincere and easy to work with. Completely confidential. Names will be changed to protect identity.

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Is there any way other than rehab? My dad is the one I'm concerned about - when he takes Ambien he doesn't go to sleep, just acts like he's drunk. He has sworn he'll quit several times, once when I told him that it was emotionally painful for me, once after he busted his arm and leg open while showering under Ambien's influence, and most recently after he was arrested for falling asleep at the wheel. Now he's at it again. My parents are divorced and I don't live with my dad, so there's not a chance of either of us convincing him now. My question is, what do I do??? I know he won't go for the rehab suggestion. Please, somebody give me some advice...

I was addicted to ambien for two years... a year of that taking 30 a night...

There's an alcohol and drug rehab center in Havre De Grace Maryland called Ashley... i did a 28 day there for treatment (it was a little costly though at 30000)

Hope this helps

ambienaddiction wrote:

Currently writing a book about Ambien Addiction (Zoldipem) After struggling with this drug for years, I am now writing about it. I am looking for others who are willing to share their own personal stories to include in my book. I believe our experiences are not as uncommon as the drug's maker would indicate, and that by sharing our experiences we can help others as well. I am sincere and easy to work with. Completely confidential. Names will be changed to protect identity. **edited by moderator**

Hi. I just got out of detox for Ambien addiction and am currently enrolled in an intensive outpatient program for it. I would love to share my story (been hard-core addicted for over three years) if it will help others. Thanks.

This is a very dangerous drug, my sister is suffering from an addiction. And although it's only started recently this is quite severe. I've been trying to find more information to see how to help her. Googling around I've found ***
do you know where I can read more info?

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Okay, so I'm eighteen and I live alone. I have been taking Ambien for four years, yes, four. I was concerned I was addicted, but after reading around I'm sure I'm not addicted to Ambien. I do have /severe/ insomnia however. I have literally tried every medication out there, including sleep meds, muscle relaxers, anti anxiety, anything I was prescribed. Unfortunately I have an extreme NATURAL tolerance to 90 percent of meds. I have also tried every non-medication approach to sleeping that I can think of, even going to sleep centers. I'm beginning to think that I have no choice but to take Ambien, and I'm very afraid of an addiction. BUT I can't stop taking it, as it's the only thing that has ever worked for me. I can't be without sleep, literally. I have seizures, and one of my triggers for a seizure is lack of sleep, and I will literally be awake for days at a time, followed by a horrible life-threatening seizure. So do I have a choice? I don't believe I'm addicted but if you think I am I'm all open to comments!! My questions are, do I sound addicted, and does anybody know /anything/ that could help me with my insomnia? It's hard to take myself out of my situation, so I need outside help. My doctors have literally run out of medications to give me. So is it Ambien.... or seizures and possibly death? Thank you for your help! If you want to contact me directly my e-mail is tufmuffin@msn.com.

Also to add...I have stopped taking ambien before, for a year or so or a few months at a time, no problem, that was when I was off all medication and was not suffering from seizures. And I do not mix ambien with other prescription drugs (besides my anit-seizure) and I do not drink or do illegal drugs. Anyway, thank you for your help!

Hi,
You should take care of your wife if you want her to free from addiction.You are the only one who can make her free from this addiction.

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ambienaddiction wrote:

Currently writing a book about Ambien Addiction (Zoldipem) After struggling with this drug for years, I am now writing about it. I am looking for others who are willing to share their own personal stories to include in my book. I believe our experiences are not as uncommon as the drug's maker would indicate, and that by sharing our experiences we can help others as well. I am sincere and easy to work with. Completely confidential. Names will be changed to protect identity. **edited by moderator**

I would be willing to contribute to this as well. I have many things I could relate. If it would help anyone else avoid the pitfalls of this addicion, it would be worth it.

For what it's worth, I took Oxycodone for a few years...up to 6-8 day on the weekends. I think that trying to quit the Ambien is more difficult at least mentally. I had some Xanax to help ease off of the Oxy, but the Ambien is really insidious for me. I know the things it is doing to me, but I give in to it every night. And it's gotten up to 30Mg per night...too much.