Is Ambien addictive?

Even though Ambien (zolpidem) is not as habit-forming as benzodiazepines, it is still addictive. When Ambien was first discovered, scientists thought it unlikely to cause tolerance, dependence, or be misused like benzodiazepines. But they were wrong. Physical dependence on the drug can develop within a couple of weeks, even when it is used at the dosages recommended. Ambien should only be used for short periods to help with sleep (ideally no more than seven to ten days). If you've been taking Ambien for longer or taking higher dosages than recommended, you may struggle with medication withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit.

Withdrawal symptoms may include low mood, insomnia, nervousness or anxiety, panic attacks, tremors, abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting, shaking, stomach cramps, sweating, vomiting, and rarely seizures. Taper Ambien off slowly by reducing the dosage by 25% every week instead of abruptly discontinuing.

Advice for preventing Ambien addiction

Ambien can be habit-forming and is designed for short-term use only and taking it at higher than recommended doses for long periods can increase your chance of becoming addicted to it.

• Only take as recommended by your doctor and for the shortest time possible
• Never share it with another person and keep it away from children or others who may misuse it
• Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law
• It may not be suitable for you if you have with a history of substance abuse or addictive disorders
• Reduce the dosage by 25% every week if you have been taking it for longer than 10 days instead of abruptly discontinuing it.

Sleep disturbance can be a sign of some other underlying disorder. Call your doctor if your insomnia worsens or does not improve within seven to ten days.