Ambien and alcohol

ive noticed that 90 percent of whats going on with all these problems is more a problem of using the drug wrong. as i understand its for short term use...not years and months in a row..also..when a person has taken ambien that person should get in the bed and prepare to go to sleep..not go driving or perform any other tasks..a lot of people will take ambien and then try to cook, eat, drive etc...thats when they run into problems and don't remember it..90 percent of these problems can be cleared up if it is taken with the recommended dosage,,not with alcohol..not double the dosage..etc..another words ..don't over do it and then head for the car keys. ive used ambien maybe a couple times in a week..and had no problems.

I was taking Ambien for a year. I ended up with a sever sore throat that lasted for months and trouble breathing. After going to nine doctors, and missing work for a month I was diagnosed with esophogitis and acid reflux. I even went to the emergency room by ambulance because I was having trouble breathing. I was aspirating stomach acid. I was talking with my gastrologist about surgery. I decided to make a list of what was different in my life that might be causing these symptoms. Ambien was on the list. I have been off Ambien for two months now and all my digestive problems, sore throat, breathing problems and acid reflux have ended.

I have to take 25 mg of Ambien and 6 mg of Ativan just to get to sleep for the last 9 months. My only side effect so far is eating a lot right before I go to bed as this drug makes me hungry. And I fainted three seperate times when i drank alcohol before taking my pills (I fainted on my way to get food in the middle of the night) I sleep fine for 8 hours, but am worried about any long term effects this amount of ambien will have on my brain. I've heard chronic derealization is a side effect. What is that? What other negative side effects are there? Are there any better sleep aid medications? I have taken Lunesta and have to take a lot of that too and have the same experience in terms of being hungry. Basically they're the same to me so far.

I have used ambien appropriately 10 mg and abused (up to 90 mg) for 5 years staight. Most all side effects said here are true and worsen over the years and with dose increase. It does give you a "high" but totally destroys your brain and mind. It worsens depression for sure and has produced some psychosis with me. I have gone in and out of treatment for this drug and have made horrid decisions while taking it that have ruined my life. I beleive it is worse and more insidious than alcohol or any other drug. I believe i have permanent brain damage from it don't recognize myself or others anymore, chronic derealization, etc. Please stop taking or dont start. Once you get hooked you are hooked.
ps. anyone know some good places to detox off ambien in orange county, ca area. It is still pretty unheard of in treatment centers

someone i know has been using ambiem for several years. This person also smokes pot, snorts cocaine and drinks alcohol. Lately he has developed a speech problem, its hard to understand him, its like rambling and its hard to understand him. Has anyone else ever complained about a speech problem?