If you were struggling to sleep at night, would you consider taking sleep medication?
Millions of Americans use sleep aids to sleep at night, but they aren’t as effective as people believe. Sleep studies show that people fall asleep 8 to 20 minutes faster and only add an additional 35 minutes or less of sleep when they take a sleep aid.
In 2020, 8.4% of adults used sleep medication in the last 30 days, either every day or most days of the week, to help them fall asleep or stay asleep. Women are more likely than men to use sleep medication, and the use generally increases with age. While sleep medications can be beneficial in the short-term, they carry a wide range of risks, including the risk of overdose.
Ambien is commonly prescribed to treat insomnia. It helps individuals fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night. However, this medication can also cause adverse reactions, such as low heart rate, loss of muscle and motor control, and mental confusion. If you or a loved one must take Ambien, it’s important to be aware of the complications that can occur. This knowledge will allow you to step in and seek care if need be. Let’s learn more about the signs of Ambien overdose, who is at risk, and how to respond to this medical emergency.
What Is an Ambien Overdose?
An Ambien overdose happens when a person takes too much Ambien, a sedative-hypnotic medication commonly prescribed for insomnia. Taking more than the prescribed dose can overwhelm the body’s ability to process the substance. This can lead to dangerous symptoms affecting the nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems.
Ambien overdoses can be caused accidentally, such as by taking a second dose due to forgetfulness, or they can be caused intentionally. Mixing Ambien with other substances like opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol also increases the risk of overdose, as they all depress the central nervous system.
Early Warning Signs of a Potential Ambien Overdose
Recognizing the early warning signs of an Ambien overdose can be crucial in preventing severe health complications or death. Since Ambien is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, taking too much can overwhelm your system and impair critical bodily functions like breathing and heart rate. Identifying these symptoms allows you to seek medical intervention for yourself or a loved one.
Signs and Symptoms of Ambien Overdose
- Extreme drowsiness and fatigue. While Ambien is designed to induce sleep, an overdose can cause excessive drowsiness that goes beyond normal sedation.
- Confusion and disorientation. Overdosing on Ambien may impair the brain’s ability to process information, resulting in mental fog, confusion, or memory lapses.
- Hallucinations or unusual behavior. Ambien overdose can lead to hallucinations or other bizarre behaviors like sleepwalking or sleep-talking.
- Loss of coordination. An early sign of Ambien overdose is impaired motor function, making it hard for individuals to walk, stand, or perform simple tasks.
- Slurred or slow speech. Ambien overdose can slow down cognitive and motor processes, making speech sluggish or slurred.
- Breathing changes. Since Ambien suppresses the central nervous system, an overdose can cause shallow or slow breathing, putting the individual at risk for respiratory failure.
- Nausea and vomiting. Ambien overdose can cause gastrointestinal upset, leading to nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration.
Dangers of an Overdose
Ambien overdoses can pose serious health risks, especially when consuming excessive amounts of the substance. The main concern with Ambien overdose is that it can slow down certain systems in the body to dangerous levels. For example, Ambien suppresses the central nervous system, which regulates breathing. In severe cases, this can cause respiratory failure. Other concerns include loss of consciousness, cardiovascular complications, hallucinations, and nausea and vomiting with the risk of aspiration.
In the Event of an Overdose
If you believe that someone is overdosing on Ambien, it’s important to act quickly. This is a serious medical emergency that can result in respiratory failure, coma, or death without medical intervention. Whether the overdose was accidental or intentional, knowing how to respond can save a life.
Start by calling 911 immediately. Provide any details you have, such as how much Ambien was taken and whether it was combined with any other substances. Keep the person awake, if possible, by engaging them in conversation or gently shaking them to maintain consciousness. If the person is unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position, a first aid technique that helps keep the airways open. When first responders arrive, they will provide the person with the proper medical support.
Risk Factors for Ambien Overdose
Some individuals may be at a higher risk of overdose due to certain behaviors, health conditions, or substance interactions. Understanding these risk factors can help prevent overdose and promote safer medication practices. Here are the most common risk factors for Ambien overdose:
- Overuse or misuse either by taking more than the recommended dose or consuming Ambien without a prescription.
- Combining Ambien with alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines, as these all depress the central nervous system.
- Ongoing use of Ambien to sleep, prevent withdrawal symptoms, or feel pleasurable effects.
- Personal or family history of substance use.
- Mental health issues like anxiety disorders or depression.
- Being of older age, as older adults are more sensitive to the effects of Ambien due to slower metabolisms and reduced kidney or liver function.
- Underlying health conditions, such as respiratory conditions and heart disease.
- Misjudging the dose after discontinuing Ambien after developing tolerance.
Treatment Options for Ambien Addiction in Prescott, AZ
It is possible to develop a physical or psychological dependence on Ambien, often resulting from prolonged use or misuse. Although Ambien is designed for short-term treatment of insomnia, its sedative effects can lead to tolerance, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms. Fortunately, effective treatment options are available to help you overcome Ambien dependence.
Medical detoxification is often the first step in Ambien addiction treatment. It involves gradually reducing the dose to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms, which can include rebound insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and nausea. Medications and comfort care can help ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. After detox is complete, you can move onto a residential or intensive outpatient program to address the psychological components of your Ambien use.
Since trouble sleeping leads many people toward Ambien, you are likely to benefit from holistic therapies, healthy activities, and lifestyle changes that support sleep hygiene. Behavioral therapies can also be helpful, as they can help you identify your triggers, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and learn to manage cravings and emotional stress.
Wolf Creek Recovery provides a safe and welcoming space where you can overcome your Ambien dependence and reclaim your life. We offer various therapies to help clients work through their issues, along with recreation therapy to get clients outdoors and exploring new interests. Our staff is in recovery, so you will always be supported by individuals who understand what you are going through. To learn more about how we can support your healing journey, contact Wolf Creek Recovery at 833-732-8202. Build a life you love.
FAQs About Ambien Overdose
What is Ambien overdose?
Ambien overdose occurs when a person takes too much Ambien, either accidentally or intentionally. While anyone can overdose on Ambien, it’s most common in individuals who misuse the medication or combine it with other depressants.
What are the symptoms of Ambien overdose?
The most common signs of Ambien overdose are excessive sedation, nausea and vomiting, confusion, breathing changes, loss of coordination, and hallucinations or bizarre behavior.
What should you do in the event of an overdose?
If you suspect that someone is experiencing an overdose on Ambien, call 911 right away. Stay with the person and try to keep them awake. If they are not conscious, place them in the recovery position until help arrives.
Are there medications to treat Ambien overdose?
While there are no medications that specifically reverse Ambien overdose, many medications are available to treat overdose symptoms. Options include activated charcoal, IV fluids, oxygen therapy, anti-nausea medications, and benzodiazepines (if seizures occur).
