I am not one to post my opinion on the web, but it is imperative ...

I am not one to post my opinion on the web, but it is imperative that others taking ambien are aware of its potential risks. Ambien is extremely addictive. If taken properly (go straight to bed and don't take more than prescribed) it can work for a short period of time (just like the commercials say, 7 - 10 days). However, it appears that many dr's are prescribing it for years at a time. I have had a script for this drug for over 10 years. Ambien put me into a state of euphoria -- I'd take it and life suddenly appeared altered, for the better. I felt more confident and motivated while intoxicated on this drug. Although it makes you "high," it also wipes out your short-term memory, while you're on it and otherwise. You will not remember what you did after taking it -- whether it's raiding the refrigerator, drinking alcohol, having sex, manically cleaning/organizing your house, or calling friends. I could go on about the dizziness, lack of STM during the day (the hangover effect), or how difficult it can be to stop taking it. Ambien is now one of the drugs of choice by adolescents -- it's powerful high is appealing, but the "blacking out" is no different than a date rape drug. I have actually known adolescents that have been raped while using their drug of choice, ambien. If you have an addictive personality, ambien can be fatal and can effect your relationships -- especially with those that you interact with while on the drug (spouses, roommates, etc.). Your tolerance for ambien will also increase. Over the years, I went from taking 5 mg to 20 mg (always prescribed by my dr) -- in short, it stops working. Recently I switched to 25 mg of seroquel. It works like a charm. I was apprehensive to take it, as it's an antipsychotic drug (I just have dysthymia), but at such a lose dose, it puts my worries aside and I am able to fall asleep w/o getting high. I am certain that ambien is the next "oxycotin" due to it's addictive components, as well as the fact that it's so readily accessible. For all of you that rely on this drug to help you sleep to function, please find a new drug that won't enable you to make poor choices (most of which you won't remember). Perhaps you think you aren't addicted, but I insist that you will be. Because of abusing ambien, I have come close to divorce and have definitley lost or shall we say, "effected" many of my close relationships. I implore anyone that's investigating, taking or abusing ambien to explore alternative sleep aids. If you think you have control over this drug, you're wrong. It'll control you before you know it.