Ambien, a brand name for the generic drug zolpidem, acts as a sedative and hypnotic drug. It is used for the short-term relief of insomnia. Ambien is listed by the FDA as a Schedule IV drug. This ranking means the risk for possible abuse is low. Ambien also carries a slight risk of addiction if misused or overused. According to the professionals at MyAddiction.com, Ambien is the most frequently used prescription sleep aid in the United States.
Date Rape Drug
Ambien is a powerful, fast-acting sedative that balances the chemicals in the brain and makes a person sleep. When mixed with alcohol, the active components in Ambien can actually become more potent. Ambien, if given to someone without her knowledge, can put a person in such a deep sleep, she may not be aware of what's going on around her.
Overuse
Ambien is prescribed mainly for short-term use when treating insomnia and other sleep disorders. Using Ambien for longer than the prescribed amount of time, may lead to dependence or addiction. The professionals at the Mayo Clinic state that general usage usually should not exceed one to two weeks. Ambien should only be used under the strict supervision of a physician to avoid misuse, accidental overdose or self-medication.
Mixing Ambien with Alcohol
Mixing Ambien with alcohol can greatly increase the potency of its active ingredients, as well as the severity of its side effects. It has become increasingly popular in recent years for teenagers to mix prescription medications with alcohol and other drugs. In some cases, this may cause unconsciousness or an accidental overdose.
Depression and Suicide
Ambien is a very powerful sedative that can be dangerous if abused. Depression may cause a person to want to sleep more than normal. Taking Ambien to escape or to sleep for long periods of time may cause dependence, addiction or an accidental overdose. Abusing Ambien in this way may lead to suicide.
Media
Television and magazine ads, along with references to Ambien in popular songs, make it and other medications look accessible and convenient. Jan Hittle, an addiction counselor at MyAddiction.com, says that advertisements can sometimes make drugs look like miracle workers. Drugs like Ambien should not be taken on a whim, but use should depend on the advice of your physician and the severity of your sleep disorder. Ambien should not be taken to bring a person down from an intoxicating high. This may cause a cycle to be created where a person needs a drug to wake up and another drug to go to sleep.
