If you’ve ever had trouble falling or staying asleep, you will know how frustrating those sleepless nights can be. Zolpidem can be a real lifesaver in those moments and is prescribed to millions of people around the world for various sleep issues. However, as with many medications, there is a risk of developing a zolpidem addiction, especially if the drug is used for a long time or in higher doses than prescribed. Zolpidem addiction can sneak up on you and have serious impacts on your health and overall life, so it is important to understand how addiction develops and what to do if you become caught up.
What is zolpidem?
Zolpidem, also known by the brand names Ambien and Stilnoct, is a “Z-drug” medication primarily used to treat insomnia. It was first approved in the 1990s as one of the new generation of sleeping pills intended to be less addictive than traditional benzodiazepines. Since then, it has become one of the most commonly prescribed sleep aids, providing a calming effect due to its effects on chemicals in the brain that are often unbalanced in people with sleep problems.
Doctors typically prescribe zolpidem for short-term use due to its effectiveness in treating acute insomnia. This quick-acting effect has seen the United States Air Force provide zolpidem to pilots and other personnel to help them get enough sleep before missions. However, to prevent accidents, anyone flying for six hours after taking the drug is strictly prohibited. Zolpidem is also sometimes given in hospital settings to help induce sleep in patients who are experiencing pain, stress or anxiety.
What is zolpidem addiction?
Zolpidem addiction occurs when you become dependent on the medication to the point where you feel you can’t function without it. This can happen both physically and psychologically and often begins with taking zolpidem to manage legitimate insomnia.
Psychologically, addiction can develop because zolpidem provides a sense of relief and comfort, especially if you are struggling with issues like anxiety or stress. You may start to rely on zolpidem not just for sleep but also to cope with these problems, but you can quickly become dependent on it to get through the day or night.
Physically, your body can develop a tolerance to zolpidem, which means you have to up your dose to get relief. If this is done without medical supervision, you can become physically dependent on zolpidem and will experience very unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal if you try to quit.
Once physical and psychological dependencies have taken hold, sleeping pill addiction can quickly derail your life. You will find yourself unable to control your zolpidem use and continue to take it even though you know it is hurting you.
Telltale zolpidem addiction symptoms
Recognising telltale zolpidem addiction symptoms can help you take timely steps to seek help. These signs are not always easy to see, especially if you’re taking zolpidem for real sleep problems, but here are some things to look out for:
- Finding that you need to take more zolpidem to get the same sleep effect
- Running out of your zolpidem prescription quicker than expected and needing refills sooner than prescribed
- Feeling strong urges to take zolpidem, even when you know it’s not time or you don’t need it
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, restlessness or anger, you try to stop taking zolpidem
- Having trouble remembering things or having blank spots in your memory after taking zolpidem
- Going to different doctors to get more prescriptions for zolpidem
- Struggling to keep up with work, school or home duties because of zolpidem
- Pulling away from family and friends to hide your use or to take zolpidem in peace
- Continuing to use zolpidem even though it’s causing problems in your life, like health issues or arguments with loved ones
Why is zolpidem addictive?
There are several reasons why someone might develop an addiction to zolpidem, and these can be different for everyone. If you see yourself in any of these causes, it is important to discuss them with your healthcare provider before using zolpidem:
The dangerous side effects of zolpidem addiction
Zolpidem addiction can have serious effects on both your physical and mental health. These side effects can range from short-term issues to long-lasting problems impacting your overall well-being. Here are some of the dangerous zolpidem addiction side effects to be aware of:
Physical health impacts
- Respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing or slowed breathing, especially if taken with other substances like alcohol or opioids. This can be potentially fatal and is one of the most prevalent causes of overdose.
- Experiencing lightheadedness or balance issues, increasing the risk of falls and accidents.
- Frequent headaches can become a chronic and distressing problem.
- Nausea, vomiting and stomach pain which often occur with prolonged zolpidem use.
- Feeling weak or having difficulty with coordination and movement.
- Feeling excessively sleepy during the day can affect your ability to perform daily activities.
Mental health impacts
- Difficulty remembering things or experiencing periods of amnesia, especially after taking zolpidem.
- Feeling disoriented or having trouble thinking clearly.
- Experiencing feelings of sadness, hopelessness or a lack of interest in life. In the most severe cases, this can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.
- Increased levels of anxiety or panic attacks, particularly when you try to stop taking zolpidem.
- Sudden changes in your mood, including irritability and aggression.
- Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there can be frightening and disorienting.
How is zolpidem addiction treated?
Zolpidem addiction can be effectively treated, and there are centres around the UK that offer detox, sleeping pills rehab and aftercare support to prevent relapse. These programmes are designed to help you safely stop using zolpidem, understand why you became dependent and learn ways to stay off it. They are available both on the NHS and through private addiction treatment centres to help as many people as possible.
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
(Click here to see works cited)
- NCBI. “Zolpidem dependence, abuse and withdrawal: A case report.” NCBI, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3906775/. Accessed 18 May 2024.
- See, Brian. “Zolpidem as a Sleep Aid for Military Aviators.” PubMed, 1 April 2018, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29562972/. Accessed 18 May 2024.
- Sleepstation. “Zolpidem a sleeping pill for insomnia?” Sleepstation, 1 May 2023, https://www.sleepstation.org.uk/articles/medicines/zolpidem/. Accessed 18 May 2024.
- UK Addiction Treatment Centres. “Zolpidem Addiction | Zolpidem Abuse Signs and Symptoms | UKAT.” UK Addiction Treatment Centres, 3 January 2024, https://www.ukat.co.uk/addiction/drug/prescription/sleeping-pills/zolpidem/. Accessed 18 May 2024.