Ambien, a commonly prescribed sleeping aid and hypnotic drug, has been prescribed around the world hundreds of millions of times since its release almost a decade ago. With billions of individual Ambien tablets produced each and every year to satisfy this continually growing demand - it might be worth discussing the possibility of an Ambien addition.
Whilst the large drug companies and pharmaceutical companies involved in the production, manufacture, and marketing of products such as Ambien will try to deny the existence of the possibility of addiction - real world experience suggests that many people are hooked on the drug, and would not be able to sleep at all if they did not take it. This is additionally backed up by doctors and GP's throughout the world, who are hesitant to prescribe Ambien (and related products) for this exact reason.
But what constitutes an Ambien addiction? At what point could someone say that they are addicted, and have passed the point of no return?
The answer to the question above lies in the way a particular patient uses the product. If, for example, a patient uses the drug every now and then - when they are unable to get to sleep - it could safely be said that this does not represent a dangerous and long term reliance on the drug. Clearly, the person is able to sleep without the drug the majority of the time, but needs it every once in a while due to unforeseen stress or sleeping disturbances.
On the other hand, someone who had no "explanation" for their sleeping issues, and was using Ambien every night - potentially at a dosage above that recommended by their GP - should seriously consider their reliance on the drug. Whilst taking the drug every day does not in itself cause adverse side effects - the morality behind it, and the dangers of overdose should be carefully weighed up.
Perhaps if this is the case, a trip back to your GP would be prudent. If not for health and safety reasons, it might be wise to take a closer look at your sleeping habits to find out if something else can be done to assist you in getting a good night's sleep - and in turn minimizing the chances of a long term Ambien addiction problem.