Ambien Addiction Treatment at TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility

Not getting good, high-quality sleep can make daily life difficult. Even the simplest task is draining. Waking up to the reality of an Ambien addiction presents unique challenges. This is especially true when the medication is doctor prescribed. Prescription drug abuse isn’t limited to opioid painkillers. Another destructive prescription drug is the popular sleep-aid Ambien. 

Doctors write 38 million prescriptions for Ambien a year. More than 500,000 people in the U.S. abuse Ambien and other sedative-hypnotic pills. TRUE Addiction and Behavioral Health’s Ambien addiction treatment center knows the stigma of prescription drug dependence.

At TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility, we have developed an individualized approach that puts you in control of your Ambien addiction treatment. From a safe and comfortable detox to inpatient or outpatient care with ongoing aftercare, your life is waiting. Our recovery center in Murfreesboro, TN heals the whole of you.

Is Ambien a Benzodiazepine?

Ambien is the brand name for a drug called zolpidem tartrate. It was created as a non-benzodiazepine, making it a safer and non-addictive alternative to sleep.

Zolpidem belongs to the sedative-hypnotic drug family, which also includes benzodiazepines like Xanax, zaleplon (Sonata), and barbiturates like phenobarbital. This drug treats sleep disorders characterized by trouble falling and staying asleep due to insomnia.

Though Ambien is in the same sedative-hypnotic family as benzodiazepines, it is different in composition from them.

What Makes Ambien Addictive?

Ambien’s manufacturer states that only 1% of those who take the drug as prescribed will struggle with Ambien abuse. This number overlooks the individuals who do actually end up abusing the drug, however.

Ambien works by targeting a chemical messenger in the body called GABA. These signals produce more GABA, which slows down your brain and central nervous system. The sleep-inducing side effects like drowsiness occur due to this reaction. Ambien can also create pleasurable feelings, disconnection, and deep relaxation. Mixing with alcohol or other drugs intensifies the effects of Ambien. This can become habit-forming with physical dependence.

If taken in the short term, an individual is less likely to have Ambien withdrawal symptoms. The longer the drug is used other than prescribed, the more likely that the user will show signs of Ambien abuse.

Treating Co-Occurring Ambien Addiction and Insomnia at TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility

TRUE knows that drug abuse and mental health issues can go hand in hand. Our clinicians specialize in co-occurring disorders through dual-diagnosis treatments. Insomnia may have led you or a loved one to Ambien use that turned habit-forming. Because of this common co-occurrence, it is vital to address mental health and other drug addictions in your treatment plan.

Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression often co-occur with insomnia as well. An inactive lifestyle, drinking coffee or smoking, and working at night may also play a part. A substance use disorder (SUD) can also contribute to insomnia. Individuals with insomnia can also take other habit-forming sedatives. This can lead to alcohol addiction and abusing benzodiazepines like Klonopin.

When it comes to treating Ambien abuse, you and your care team will work together to address any underlying causes in your treatment program. This ensures that your program works long-term.

Why Getting Help for Ambien Addiction Matters

When you’re on sedatives, you’re not in your clear mind. Your memory and judgment are affected. This can put you in life-threatening situations. Ambien is an unusual substance. Aside from sleep, it also causes erratic sleep behaviors in users.

In some cases, Ambien may make you think you’re asleep when instead, you’re awake and driving, shopping, cooking, or walking. Not remembering such actions is one of the main effects it has on your mind when this occurs.

This side effect disrupts your functioning at work, school, with relationships, and can harm your overall well-being. It’s dangerous. Ambien disconnects you from what is happening. It’s easy to forget or miscount how many or how long ago you took a pill, thus leading to an overdose.

Overdosing on Ambien causes severe sedation or coma. This leads to slowed or halted breathing. Substance abuse treatment ensures you will wake up from your next sleep.

Symptoms & Signs of Ambien Abuse

Being high on Ambien resembles being drunk. Taking more zolpidem makes its side effects, like physical dependence, more concerning. You need more Ambien to sleep or feel the initial positive symptoms, thus leading to increased use and a higher chance of becoming addicted.

Some signs of Ambien addiction include:

• Taking more of the drug or not in the prescribed way, like crushing or snorting
• Extreme cravings for Ambien
• Consuming more Ambien than prescribed 
• Appearing excessively sleepy or having your memory affected
• Doctor shopping 
• Hiding Ambien use 
• Notable changes in behavior.
• Temporary worsening of insomnia when not taking Ambien (rebound insomnia)

If these sound familiar, consider speaking with a qualified addiction treatment professional at TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility. Together, your healthcare team can determine if these habits are becoming problematic. Attending treatment at a rehab facility to detox in a stable setting is recommended. Completing our detox is followed by inpatient or outpatient treatment programs to strengthen the chances of sustained sobriety.

Am I Addicted to Ambien?

Ambien addiction doesn’t occur as often by itself as it does with other similar substances. It is still a drug addiction that can be life-threatening. Our dual-diagnosis treatment programs address both mental health and substance use disorders.

If you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one abusing sleep aids, recognizing the signs is crucial:

• Using more Ambien or taking them for a longer time than intended
• Spending a lot of time focused on trying to get, use, or recover from sedatives like Ambien
• Missing responsibilities at work, school, or in personal life because of sedative use
• Replacing activities you used to enjoy with sedatives instead
• Using Ambien in situations where it’s dangerous, like before driving
• Using Ambien even when it causes withdrawal symptoms like physical dependence or mental health problems
• Needing more sedatives to get the desired effects (tolerance)

If you or someone you care about shows these signs of Ambien dependence, it might be time to seek addiction treatment.

What is Ambien Withdrawal Like?

The symptoms of Ambien withdrawal can sometimes be as distressing as benzodiazepines. The amount and length of time using Ambien contribute to how severe the symptoms are. 

Medical detox in inpatient care is often the first step to quitting Ambien. Before starting outpatient, you need to be fully clean of substances.

Physical withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Tremors
• Fainting
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• High Blood Pressure
• Body Pains and Aches
• Vomiting and Nausea

Mental health side effects also occur:

• Panic Attacks
• Anxiety
• Uncontrollable Cravings to Use
• Depression

Why Choose TRUE Addiction and Behavioral Health’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility?

Prescription pills and mental health conditions do not have to control your life. Enduring daily life without Ambien can sound impossible. Our founder, Benjamin Dobbs, knows firsthand the transformative power of recovery. 

Ben triumphed over 15 years of drug addiction and mental health struggles. He went from being homeless and hopeless to holding top positions in the mental health industry. Throughout his experiences navigating substance abuse treatment Ben learned a more in-depth way of providing care. His insights drove his mission to bring TRUE’s vision to life.

Our Approach to Treat Ambien Dependency at TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility

Our outpatient treatment programs are the ideal next step after leaving detox. At TRUE, we focus on healing the whole person. You gain the tools to live life without sleeping pills. Our outpatient programs are a collaboration of evidence-based and experiential services emphasizing community connection.

Psychotherapy or talk therapy, empowers the individual to identify their triggers for abuse. It teaches healthy skills to cope with stressors instead of using drugs. Counseling teaches how to handle insomnia with non-addictive solutions. Holistic wellness taps into your physical and creative cores. Support groups build community and connection.

Outpatient treatment at TRUE is our vision in action. We tap into the essential aspects of self and creativity that recovery lacked.

Talk Therapy

Therapy addresses underlying mental, social, and societal issues contributing to pill dependency. We offer personalized, evidence-based one-on-one and group therapy curriculums.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This talk therapy is often known as the gold standard in addiction treatment. CBT is a first-line treatment for sleep issues such as insomnia. Therapy sessions guide you to identify the thoughts and behaviors surrounding sleep issues. You learn healthy ways to manage thoughts and behaviors to promote restful sleep.

We use other proven therapies, including:

• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Motivational Interviewing

Holistic Therapy

Your journey to healing from prescription drugs is fine-tuned for your emotional, physical, and mental health.

Our wellness modalities include (with more in the works):

• Music Therapy
• Yoga
• CEMA (cognitive, emotional, memory assessments)
• Acupuncture 
• Art Therapy
• Movement Therapy
• Animal Therapy
• Onsite physical fitness equipment with personal trainers

Our Ambien Addiction Treatment Programs at TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility

Outpatient programs offer different levels of care. Each teaches you the skills to live a fulfilling life in recovery. A blend of individual talk therapy, group therapy, counseling, and support groups like 12-step programs is essential. We make sure your aftercare plan prepares you to continue this path.

Our mental health clinicians incorporate the latest findings in recovery to refine our care. We move you away from sitting in rooms all day to exploring different ways to find your solution. You’ll have access to healthcare individuals with specialties in areas like:

• Trauma specialists
• Life Coaching
• Peer Support Specialists
• Recovery Coaching
• Motivational Speakers

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

You attend 30 hours a week and return home in the evenings. Mental health is a key focus in PHP. We are with you each step as you enter the early and exciting stages of transformation.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

IOP is similar to but less restrictive than PHP. You dig deeper into your emotional regulation, coping techniques, and perceptions. Our IOP runs three to five days a week for about 15 hours.

Continuing Recovery in Sober Living

Sober living homes give stability and accountability in early recovery. Aftercare involves participating in outpatient programs and sober living. 

Our outpatient treatment services aren’t the end. Aftercare for relapse prevention is vital. This includes outside support like 12-step programs, a sponsor, and ongoing family or individual counseling.

Discover Life After Ambien Addiction Treatment 

Ambien misuse starts quietly, and you only notice when you’re in trouble. Take back control at TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Facility for Ambien addiction.

We are a trusted treatment provider in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to navigate an unplanned dependency. We are here to answer all your questions, no matter what your relationship with zolpidem is. Reach us today by calling (615) 338-6235 or by sending us an email if you prefer at info@trueaddictionbh.org