Freephone: 0800 001 4070
Local: 01923 369 161 Text HELP To 83222
Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner)
All information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
Last Reviewed: 30th November 2023
Many of our clients who come for rehab treatment began taking Ambien as a sleeping aid.
Ambien is legal in the United Kingdom and freely prescribed as a sedative, anxiolytic and hypnotic drug; the drug is also known as Zolpidem.
Doctors prescribe Ambien to treat conditions such as insomnia as it helps you fall asleep more quickly and makes you less likely to wake up during the night.
As a prescription drug, Ambien takes roughly 1 hour to work, and you’ll normally be recommended to take it for up to 4 weeks.
However, an addiction to Ambien develops quickly as a tolerance to the drug is built up. This means more Ambien is required to feel the desired effect.
Addiction to Ambien can typically arise after two weeks of continued use, which is why it is important to follow the proper dosage guidelines prescribed by your Doctor.
Whilst Ambien is generally considered safer than certain other sedatives, it can still be misused if taken for longer or in larger quantities than prescribed.
Verywellmind.com explain that “Ambien misuse is most common among teenagers and young adults”.
However, it’s important to note Ambien addiction is more likely to occur in people with a history of drug or alcohol misuse and dependence on the drug is unlikely to happen to someone who is taking the drug as directed by a medical professional, although it could still happen.
Unwanted side effects include fever, dry mouth, feeling sleepy during the day, memory loss, sleepwalking, amnesia, nausea, diarrhoea, muscle ache, and dizziness.
At Cassiobury Court, our Ambien rehabilitation programme tackles both the psychological and physical aspects of addiction. The first stage of private rehab treatment is Ambien detox, followed by a number of therapy treatments.
Detoxification is first tackled so the Ambien which has been abused can exit your system as your body adjusts. Detoxification takes place as soon as your rehab programme starts within our residential rehabilitation centre.
This means clients are not exposed to ‘addiction triggers’ during the initial detoxification stage, as this is a very vulnerable time. Patients receive 24/7 medical observation, so withdrawal symptoms are managed and treated correctly.
Withdrawal symptoms are physical as well as psychological in nature, and the physical withdrawal symptoms can be particularly unpleasant.
It is common for clients to experience hallucinations, panic attacks, severe mood swings, vomiting and shakes during detoxification.
Withdrawal symptoms mean attempting detoxification without medical assistance is potentially dangerous. Suicide and cardiovascular problems can unfortunately occur when Ambien detoxification is attempted at home using ‘cold-turkey’ approaches.
This is then followed by a number of proven addiction treatment therapies. This can range from group therapy to holistic therapies such as yoga and art therapy, as well as wellbeing exercises.
During detoxification, prescription drugs are offered to ease withdrawal symptoms if deemed necessary.
You will be surrounded by peer support and guided throughout the process by addiction recovery workers and medical experts to ensure that the process is as smooth and safe as possible.
Methadone or Buprenorphine may be offered to relieve these symptoms as they are capable of offsetting symptoms experienced during Ambien withdrawal.
The detox process typically takes 5-10 days, but this can vary depending on the severity of the Ambien addiction.
Once withdrawal symptoms begin to decline, a programme of therapy commences.
During therapy, psychological aspects of Ambien addiction are tackled. Therapy can take place one-to-one with a therapist, in groups with others who are in a similar situation to you, or even with your family.
Cognitive behavioural therapy, also known as CBT, is employed so clients understand how thoughts and emotions give rise to addictive behaviours.
CBT is a major aspect of the counselling process; it’s a form of psychotherapy and has proven to be very effective in treating all kinds of addictions. The purpose of cognitive behavioural therapy is to help people get better and stay better by helping them to identify goals that are most important to them and overcome obstacles that get in the way.
By using a variety of cognitive and behavioural techniques, CBT can help you to figure out what you want most from life and set a plan to move towards achieving these goals.
Powerful coping strategies are taught so clients do not relapse after leaving our rehabilitation centre. Patients also learn how to overcome dysfunctional thoughts and emotions which promote destructive behaviours through relapse prevention therapy.
Once Ambien rehabilitation concludes, an aftercare plan is put into place.
We fully appreciate how overwhelming it can feel to return home after undergoing a comprehensive rehabilitation programme, which is why we personalise each of our client’s aftercare plans to ensure you receive the very best support during this challenging time.
The first 12 months after returning home are known to be the most difficult as you adjust your new behaviours and way of life. This is the time when a relapse is most probable as cravings are likely to appear every now and then.
It’s essential that you implement all the tools you’ve learnt at our rehab for drug addiction and put them into practice.
Whilst relapses are unfortunately a risk, we work with you to ensure that any of your worries are addressed and you know how to cope.
Here at Cassiobury Court, our aftercare plans are well-established to make sure you continue your journey to sobriety in a safe and successful manner.
With the support of our dedicated aftercare team for the first 12 months after leaving our drug rehab, you’ll have the best chance of achieving long-term recovery from Ambien addiction.
We also encourage clients to reach out to Narcotics Anonymous groups in their local areas. We provide a 24-hour-a-day helpline should relapse become an imminent risk.
Cassiobury Court’s clients experience some of the lowest relapse rates in the industry and we believe our stellar track record is largely thanks to the quality of aftercare we provide.
If you wish to learn more about Cassiobury Court’s Ambien detoxification and rehabilitation programme, call our centre today on 0800 001 4070 or text HELP to 83222.
Cassiobury Court is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre located in London.
We have a fantastic recovery rate and offer all our clients a full clinical assessment, detox medication and treatments, 24/7 recovery staffing, family telephone helpline, tailored recovery action plan, 1 year’s free aftercare, and therapy treatments to suit all budgets.
Start your recovery journey today.
