Sleep is easily affected by stress. When our sleep cycles are off, our behavior and mental patterns are messed up, too. For those with insomnia, the warm comfort of sleep is very far away. For those with stressful lives, at the end of the day, fatigue and stress might make you want to climb right into bed. But an insomniac stays awake most of the night due to anxiety and stress. This cycle turns downward quickly, when what the insomniac really needs is sleep to recharge and stay healthy.
Ambien was once prescribed as a healthy alternative to benzodiazepines like , and believed to promote the same effects of sleepiness, relaxation, and general sense of peace. Many users report they begin to feel a serious sense of calm and relaxation before drifting off to sleep after using Ambien.
What Defines Ambien Abuse, If It Is Prescribed?
Since Ambien is only used during times of intense insomnia, it can be difficult to see what the big problem is with taking one sleeping pill at night before bed. Still, though innocently prescribed, Ambien can be illegitimately used. And it does not take much: just taking one extra pill indicates abuse. Ambien addiction can develop very quickly, within just two weeks. If Ambien is used for longer than two weeks, or not as prescribed, dependence can develop.
The very real danger in using Ambien is that dependence can start with a legitimate prescription. When that user stops taking the drug for just one evening and finds they cannot sleep at all, they may have developed an addiction. This is known as “rebound insomnia,” which refers to the experience of being unable to sleep due to taking Ambien the previous night. Users then enter a chaotic cycle, where they begin to depend on Ambien to relieve the effects of stress. They might use stronger doses of the medication, and one extra pill is a slippery road to dependence.
If you have developed an addiction to Ambien, remember that you are not alone: many have developed this dependence. Ambien provides a calming, euphoric effect that addicts like to pair with the uplifting effects of alcohol. If you choose to attend Ambien addiction rehab in California, you will be among other addicts with a similar story to tell.
Treat Your Ambien Addiction in California
It might seem impossible to reset your sleep cycle after having developed a dependence.
The tranquil environment of Monarch Shores provides a perfect location for learning how to rewire your sleep schedule, and come to peace with your addiction. While it may seem difficult to implement these strategies on your own, Ambien addiction treatment in Southern California provides an environment where you can learn how to monitor your Ambien abuse.
Doctors will taper off the dose slowly, because your body has become accustomed to the constant presence of Ambien. Stopping the drug on your own can present serious medical issues, as your brain has learned to accept Ambien as a positive substance, which may cause you to undergo withdrawal.
Southern California provides a serene location right off the Pacific Ocean. The ocean is traditionally known as peaceful, and can calm and soothe your restlessness, especially at night.
Here are some tips, as suggested by the U.S. National Library of Medicine:
- Four to six hours before going to sleep at night, avoid drinking alcohol, coffee, or caffeinated tea.
- Avoid exercising shortly before bedtime.
- Don’t eat spicy foods.
- Set yourself a regular sleep schedule. Get up and go to bed at the same exact time.
- Read or relax to quiet music when you are not able to sleep.
- Don’t nap if it seems to keep you more awake at night.
- Only sleep in your bedroom—don’t read, watch television, or eat in bed. Keep your space quiet and dark.
Monarch Shores will also help you to rework your sleeping habits in a natural way.
However, it is crucial to detox from Ambien under the supervision of a medical professional. Depending on how much you abused Ambien and for how long, the effects of withdrawal may last for days, or even weeks. Never stop taking Ambien on your own, because withdrawal can be dangerous, and even deadly. Rather than immediately stop using, a doctor will help you with a process of narrowing down Ambien use.
Symptoms of Ambien Withdrawal
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Cravings
- Crying
- Delirium
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Shaking
- Stomach cramps
- Panic attacks
- Vomiting
In severe instances, convulsions or seizures can occur.
When you arrive at Monarch Shores, you will be evaluated by a medical professional who will determine how to best begin treatment. You will be closely monitored during your medically supervised detox. The comforting environment will help you to ease the discomfort of withdrawal. Watching the waves can mimic the effects of healthy sleep patterns, and throughout time, many have expressed that the calming nature of the ocean waves naturally brings individuals to a relaxed state. And listening to the sound of waves crashing on the shore can help you to fall asleep peacefully.
At Monarch Shores, we can help you to relieve your symptoms of Ambien abuse, and help you to regain the ability to rest.