How Long Does Ambien Take To Kick In?
Ambien (Zolpidem) is available in both fast-acting and extended-action formulas, but how long does it take for Ambien to kick in?[1] The effects of fast-acting Ambien begin within a half hour to 1 and a half hours after it is first ingested.[2]
How long does Ambien take to work on a full stomach? This will vary, but if a person takes Ambien in combination with food or if they use a slower-acting form of Ambien, the drug effects will be slower than on an empty stomach. It is recommended that Ambien be taken on an empty stomach.[3]
Overall, how long does it take for Ambien to work? This depends on a person’s age, gender, weight, and other medical conditions. Additionally, certain medications can impact Ambien’s effects. Physicians will typically adjust the dosage and select the appropriate Ambien formula for their patients as a function of these other factors.
Ambien, How Long Does It Last?
The effects of Ambien usually last 7-8 hours.[4] Ambien is intended to be taken before you are going to get a full night’s rest. If you do not get a full night of sleep, this drug can make you feel extremely drowsy and even create memory problems.[5] While Ambien is not considered to be as addictive as other sleep aids, some individuals still abuse this drug.[6] Abuse of Ambien can cause memory problems, confusion, drowsiness, slowed breathing, and more.[7] There are serious adverse effects of using this drug, and withdrawal can be dangerous. If you are struggling with an Ambien addiction, we urge you to seek professional help to stop this medication.
What Is Ambien?
Ambien is an effective sedative that treats insomnia and similar sleep disorders. Travelers who travel between time zones may sometimes use Ambien to help them sleep with jet lag.[8] When taken on an empty stomach, Ambien causes a very fast response. Users are cautioned not to participate in any activities, such as driving or operating other machinery, for an entire eight-hour period immediately after they ingest Ambien.[9]
The Effects of Ambien
Like many prescription drugs, Ambien is not without side effects. When an individual uses Ambien regularly over a longer period of time, they can become physically dependent upon or addicted to Ambien.[10] Ambien dependence is more of a psychological problem, whereas addiction is a chemical and physical problem. A person who has an addiction to Ambien might discover that he is no longer able to get to sleep after taking Ambien. He can also experience common withdrawal symptoms when he stops using Ambien, including irritability, nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting.[11]
Consequences of Ambien Abuse
It is not uncommon after even a short period of Ambien use for individuals to report that they have had trouble falling asleep when they stop using Ambien.[12] This is a high-risk period for many Ambien users, as they may want to fall asleep naturally, but their lack of sleep drives them back to Ambien use and potential abuse. This period of sleeplessness rarely lasts more than seven to ten days.
Anecdotal reports from individuals who used Ambien as a recreational drug suggest that the drug has strong sedative and even hallucinogenic effects that begin soon after ingesting the drug. Many recreational users also report that they lost certain inhibitions soon after ingesting Ambien but that the drug’s tranquilizer effect quickly led them to seek a place to sleep. These reports and reactions complement the common advice that physicians will give their patients when they prescribe Ambien. Namely, that the patients should not try to fight the effects of the drug or to stay awake.
Loss of inhibitions can cause an Ambien user to take risks. They may participate in activities that they will regret or that they might not even remember when they wake up.[13] Moreover, Ambien can impair a person’s coordination and his ability to make sound judgments. Given the rapid peak effect that Ambien can create, this can expose an Ambien user to greater risks and dangers.
Who Is At Risk For Ambien Addiction?
Although addiction doesn’t discriminate, there are a few groups at higher risk for developing Ambien addiction. As Ambien is meant to be used in the short term, people who may be using Ambien on a frequent basis are at a higher risk of addiction.
Another common at-risk group is college students.[14] There are two primary reasons why college students struggle with Ambien addiction. First, many take it to help them sleep before big tests or between cram sessions. They may have a hard time falling asleep due to stress and use Ambien to knock them out quickly.
Second, students who use drugs recreationally may turn to Ambien for its sedative effects. This group is at the highest risk because many never ask the question: when does Ambien peak? Without knowing this and other effects of Ambien with alcohol, these college students put themselves at risk for addiction and overdose.
Treating Ambien Addiction
When does Ambien addiction set in? Although this answer varies from person to person, the result is equally dangerous across the board. When a person’s dependency develops past the point of control, it’s time to get help. The Last Resort Recovery is an addiction treatment center near Austin, Texas. Our men’s treatment facility in Austin offers a variety of addiction treatment programs to help men with addiction in college and those in the workforce. Some of our most popular programs include:
You should not trifle with Ambien or any other drug that has a tranquilizing effect on your metabolism. We can help you understand how Ambien is affecting your mental state and your body.
If you have been using Ambien continuously for more than four weeks and you fear that you are dependent on or addicted to Ambien, please call the counselors and therapists at the Last Resort Recovery Center for more information and assistance to address your problems.
