Ambien and addictive

I began taking ambien for occasional sleeping difficulty. It
became a very easy thing to do. Taking such a small pill every night can't really do any harm, right? I believe that long term it can. We know that there are side effects with any drug, but if ambien is not addictive, then why after taking it for more than seven or so consecutive nights, is it suggested that you slowly taper off the drug after consultation with your doctor? If that's not addiction, I don't know what is! Stopping this drug suddenly, (after extended use), can cause negative physical, as well as psychological reactions. How sad it is that, as a society, we have put so much faith in
in the healing remedy of medication. I guess we all must do our part to help grease the wheels of the pharmaceutical industry?

I have Sleep Apnea. Upon the usage of the mask and machine, (CPAP) I have experienced great anxiety trying to get adjusted to the mask. My Sleep Consultant doctor put me on Ambien. The first time I took it, I couldn't believe I slept 8 whole hours! I have been plagued with insomnia since I can recall as well as working night shifts, so my body didn't know if it was coming or going. I started taking the ambien in mid-February and it was like a high for me, but I felt refreshed in the AM, and I still do to this day, HOWEVER, during the daytime, I can barely stay awake later in the morning (I am fine as I get up and go to work), I have had crying spells and severe mood swings for no reason, worst of all - NOT so sharp...I use to be a quick thinker on the spot...it's gone already. I have to think think and then I lose it or remember later. I am concerned that such a wonderful drug sounds similiar to the story of another "wonderful" drug that took away every ache and pain (which now has been pulled off of the market as people were dropping like flies). I am trying to stop taking the drug and am struggling. Who said it wasn't addictive? I feel like I am in a daze and I hope that I don't display too much of a negative mindset (memory) at work, or I will be in big doo doo. I see I am not alone. And to boot, add menopause in there...I know THAT is not impairing my brain....but to feel drugged all of the time is not good; as you never know when it will hit you. Sometimes when somebody asks me a question I just have that "deer in the headlights" look. We are not alone, but what is being done about this drug without explicit and thorough research? Shoot, rats can't talk!!!

i have been taking ambien for 3 1/2 years and i have alot of the same side effects as most of these people. for example, i get really bad stomach paons after taking it, i get terrible headaches and i also get memory loss. i think the doctors dont know everything about ambien and they should stop saying that it isnt addictive because i think it is.

I have started to seriously reconsider taking this medication. I am a flight attendant and was happy to hear about a so calle none addictive sleeping tablet. Tonight I am trying to kick the 'habit' and I am wide awake and feel very wired and strung out. I wake up with headaches and dehydration which lasts throughout the day. I feel like I am coming down with a bad head cold all the time and very irritable. My stomache is also starting to give me trouble, in knots all the time and achy. I think I will just have to make do with valerian and a good book.

I HAVE BEEN TAKING AMBIEN FOR FIVE YEARS. I WAS A SMART, INTELLIGENT AND SUDDENLY I WAS DIAGNOISED WITH BIPOLER DISORDER SO DUE TO SLEEP DEPREVATION I WAS PUT ON THIS DRUG. IT IS VERY ADDICTIVE!!! I CANNOT GET OFF IT AND MY SHORT TERM MEMORY IS SHOT. I HAVE TROUBLE WHEN TRYING TO GET OFF IT DUE TO GETTING A FLU-LIKE SICK FEELING, NO SLEEP, HEART PRESSURE AND PAIN ALONG WITH A SICK FEELING IN GENERAL SO I CONTINUE ON TAKING IT. I AM ADDICTED TO IT AND I HATE IT BUT WHO CAN GO WITHOUT SLEEP.

Myhuisbasband took this medication only 2 nights. He was very dizzy and had headachees the next mornings. He took #10s eac night. This drug is only to be taken for 10 days at the longest as it CAN BE VERY ADDICTIVE AND IT IS ALSO NEW> RED FLAG> NEW> They do not know every thing it can do to you. Please every one slowly ween yourselves OFF this drug NOW. BADDDDDDDD DRUG.