How do stop taking ambien

The tapering process for each person will be different. However, many medical professionals will have the patient slowly reduce the amount of Ambien taken, usually on a weekly basis. For example, someone may take the prescribed dose of Ambien for a week, then reduce the dose by half the next week. This process may be continued until a person has successfully stopped taking Ambien entirely.

A medical professional may prescribe or suggest alternative sleep aids to replace Ambien. Melatonin or other natural remedies often provide relief for individuals who continue to struggle from insomnia. Additionally, if a person is addicted to or physically and mentally dependent on Ambien, formal treatment may be recommended following a detox program.

Formal treatment can be inpatient or outpatient depending on the needs of the individual. While typically safe for the treatment of insomnia, Ambien still comes with the risk of abuse and addiction. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Lie JD, et al.

Pharmacological treatment of insomnia. Bonnet MH, et al. Treatment of insomnia in adults. Accessed April 20, Wilt TJ, et al. Pharmacologic treatment of insomnia disorder: An evidence report for a clinical practice guideline by the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine. Sateia MJ, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic treatment of chronic insomnia in adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline.

Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. FDA drug safety communication: FDA approves new label changes and dosing for zolpidem products and a recommendation to avoid driving the day after using Ambien CR. Food and Drug Administration. Ambien prescribing information. Bridgewater, N.

LLC; Olson EJ expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 27, See also 6 surprising signs you may have obstructive sleep apnea Anorexia nervosa Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing?

Addiction Center is not affiliated with any insurance. How Do I Prepare for Rehab? How Long Does Detox Take? How Much Does Treatment Cost? What Is Inpatient Drug Rehab? Should I Go Back to Rehab? Get professional rehab and addiction education from a qualified doctor today! What is Ambien Zolpidem Withdrawal?

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Reach out to a treatment provider for free today. Scroll to Find Your Insurance. Ruiz, Pedro and Eric Strain. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine. Prescription Sedative Misuse and Abuse. Medication Guide: Ambien CR. National Library of Medicine. Dependence on Zolpidem. Seizure Following Sudden Zolpidem Withdrawal.

Showing 4 of 16 Centers. Confidentially speak with a treatment provider: Call Chat. Access to top treatment centers Caring, supportive guidance Financial assistance options. Make a Call - Or - Request a Call. Where do calls go? Where do chats go? Chats will be received and answered by one of treatment providers listed below, each of which is a paid advertiser: Balboa Horizons Treatment Services. Ambien has a half life of about 2 hours, which is shorter than most sedatives.

Half-life is how long it takes for the drug to leave the body. Ambien withdrawal symptoms generally begin to appear within 48 hours of the last dose. For most individuals, symptoms on days will be mild but increasing. Usually about 48 hours after the last dose of Ambien, withdrawal symptoms fully manifest. If you are still having trouble sleeping after stopping Ambien, consider talking to your doctor about melatonin as an alternative.

Melatonin is a natural chemical produced in the brain that helps regulate your sleep cycles. A melatonin supplement at bedtime can help. There are also other herbal remedies that can help you fall asleep, such as valerian root and chamomile tea.

If you are experiencing severe symptoms of Ambien withdrawal, your doctor or inpatient program's physician may recommend the short-term use of a sedative. Common sedatives prescribed to help with Ambien withdrawal include:. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your medication. If you are worried about withdrawal, your doctor can help you safely taper down your dose. If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor right away.

Ambien can be potentially harmful to a developing fetus. If you regularly take a higher than normal dose of Ambien, you may be at increased risk of severe withdrawal symptoms. You should speak with your doctor and refrain from self-medicating with other drugs or alcohol. Recovery from an Ambien use disorder can be difficult. That help may be medical, psychological, or social. Outpatient treatment comes in many forms. You may choose to start with your regular doctor or a psychiatrist who can help you with medically-assisted detox.

You may also choose to see a therapist for therapy. Psychotherapy can help you identify triggers that motivate your substance use and teach you the skills to handle those situations. Group therapy sessions are offered at hospitals and addiction treatment centers. If you need more support than outpatient treatments or Step programs can provide, you may want to consider spending some time in an inpatient treatment facility.

If you are ready to quit taking Ambien, the best place to start is by talking with your prescribing doctor. Your doctor can advise you about the best way to quit and help you develop a plan to deal with any potential withdrawal symptoms.

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. To find a Step meeting in your area, use searchable online directories for Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Ambien use disorder is a potentially serious problem.