If you take Ambien to help you sleep, you may wonder about the impact of Ambien on the body. More specifically, you may wonder how long it stays in your system in case of a drug test. We’ll answer those questions and explore the signs that you may have a dependence on the sleep aid. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida, we offer customized drug treatment programs for a number of substances, including prescription medication. To learn more about our services, please contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today at 866.294.5306.
What Is Ambien?
Ambien is the brand name for Zolpidem, which is a sedative-hypnotic medication. Doctors sometimes prescribe Ambien for patients who cannot sleep. Taking Ambien on an empty stomach helps them fall asleep faster and get more sleep throughout the night.
This sedative impacts the central nervous system to improve sleep. You can get it in immediate or extended-release, both of which you take orally.
How Long Does Ambien Stay in Your System?
Ambien goes out of your system in less than 24 hours. Its effects last between 1.5 hours to 4.5 hours. You can detect immediate-release tablets sooner than time-release formats. Of course, taking higher doses will increase the length of time Ambien stays in your system.
Here’s how long this drug remains in your system for testing:
- Bloodwork: Ambien can show up in your blood for 20 hours.
- Saliva: This test shows traces of the sleep aid within 15 minutes of consuming it up to eight hours afterward.
- Hair: Ambien can stay in a follicle of your hair for up to five weeks.
- Urine: The sedative shows up in urine for up to 48 hours.
It’s essential to understand the impact of Ambien on the body and recognize signs of addiction. If you need help detoxing from this prescription drug, our counselors and medical staff can help.
What Is the Impact of Ambien on the Body?
As a sleep aid, Ambien brings on tiredness and drowsiness. It can also give you headaches, lightheadedness, and dizziness. Some people experience nausea or have difficulty keeping their balance after taking the drug. Others have constipation, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
You may notice a change in appetite, heartburn, or trembling after you begin to use or abuse this sedative. Other clients reported dry mouth, unusual dreams, and eye redness after taking it.
Other impacts of Ambien in the body include:
- Ringing or itching in the ears
- Swelling
- Chest pain
- Blurred vision
- Joint pain
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Itchiness
- Breathing trouble
If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, discuss them with your doctor. If you have a dependence on Ambien, consider seeking help at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida. We help clients with sleeping pill addictions.
Ambien Addiction
Doctors often prescribe sleeping pills such as Ambien for short-term use. However, it’s also listed as a controlled substance (C-IV) because it’s highly addictive. When your body becomes dependent on Ambien, it stops being a medication and becomes a drug.
Symptoms of addiction to this prescription drug include the following:
- Crushing and snorting the pills
- Taking more than prescribed
- Stealing Ambien from a friend
- Requesting regular refills
- Lying about Ambien use
If you feel like you may overly rely on Ambien, it’s time to consider giving it up.
Ambien Addiction Treatment
You can take part in the following therapies as part of our sleeping pill addiction treatment:
- Individual therapy to set personal goals
- Medical detox program for a pain-free detox
- 24-hour medical supervision
- Group meetings to enhance relapse prevention efforts
We also have dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health concerns.
Ambien Withdrawal Symptoms
When you participate in our prescription drug detox program, you may experience certain side effects. These side effects could include anxiety, panic, fatigue, memory loss, emotional responses, stomach cramps, nausea, and seizures.
Seek Treatment at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida, we can help you rid your body of Ambien and other substances. You may notice that you feel more clear-headed after the withdrawal symptoms pass. If you want to end your dependence on Ambien, our holistic and evidence-based therapies will help you explore more natural ways to get the rest your body needs. Contact us today at 866.294.5306, or contact us online for more information on our prescription drug treatment programs and start your recovery journey.
