Ambien Addiction Treatment and Rehab in South Florida

Written by Thomas Christiansen

& Medically Reviewed by Dr. Trisha Sippel, PhD

Medically Reviewed

Last updated: 07/15/2020

This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. View our research policy.

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Last Updated - 7/15/2020

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If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling (561) 340-7269 now.

Key Takeaways

  • There are a variety of treatment options available to help a person overcome their Ambien use disorder
  • Choosing the best treatment center and treatment options to fit your needs is crucial to recovery
  • The best way to overcome a substance use disorder and stay sober is to seek professional help

Ambien addiction is a serious disorder that can have long-term effects if not treated properly. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options a person can choose to overcome Ambien addiction.

Ambien is a sleep aid prescribed for insomnia. Because of its effects on the brain, Ambien can be addictive. A person that is addicted to Ambien will use it consistently, regardless of the consequences. Getting off Ambien can be difficult because the person who is addicted to Ambien may experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using it. This article will discuss how to wean off Ambien safely and how to stop Ambien addictions.

Ambien Addiction and Dependence Treatment Options

There are a few options for Ambien dependence and addiction treatment. The goal of treatment for someone addicted to Ambien is to get off Ambien safely and to stop using Ambien indefinitely. The treatment options for Ambien addiction and dependence include:

Medical Detox

Ambien detox treatment involves slowly weaning off Ambien by tapering its use. When tapering is done under the supervision of a medical profession, sometimes with the aid of other medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, it is termed “medical detox.” Medical detox usually takes place in an inpatient setting.

Residential Rehab

Residential treatment for Ambien involves staying at a facility during the detox and recovery process. This will involve professional medical help with the withdrawal symptoms along with therapy sessions to address any underlying causes that may have lead to the misuse of Ambien. During residential treatment, clients live at a treatment facility full time.

Outpatient Rehab

Ambien addiction treatment centers may also offer outpatient rehab. Outpatient Ambien rehab involves regular visits to a therapist or counselor who will monitor the client’s progress and help keep them on track to recovery. People choosing outpatient detox may also receive medical help through the detox process but will not have the 24-hour surveillance and access to care that an inpatient detox program does.

Dual Diagnosis

Ambien addiction is sometimes accompanied by a co-occurring disorder, such as a mental health issue or another substance use disorder. If a person is dually diagnosed with more than one disorder, they should receive treatment for both disorders. Addressing one at a time or one and not the other will not produce effective results in the long-run.

Aftercare & Sober Living

Once a person has successfully weaned off Ambien, it is recommended that they continue to participate in recovery work with counselors and 12-step groups. Before completing treatment at an inpatient or outpatient center, addiction specialists usually meet with clients to create aftercare plans that promote long-term sobriety.

Cold Turkey

Getting off Ambien cold turkey is when a person suddenly stops using Ambien without any additional assistance. This can be dangerous, as the withdrawal symptoms can be difficult and even dangerous to deal with. Quitting cold turkey increases the chances that someone will relapse into Ambien use. It is better to talk with a medical professional and develop a plan to stop Ambien use and deal with withdrawal symptoms.

Getting Off Ambien and Sleeping Again

A person who relies on Ambien to sleep well at night may wonder how to get off Ambien and sleep normally again. This can be accomplished with the help of a medical professional. They will develop a plan with you to determine the best option for avoiding insomnia without being dependent on Ambien to sleep.

Weaning off Ambien usually starts with tapering the dose of Ambien to lower and lower amounts until the medication is no longer needed. The medical professional may also recommend taking a natural supplement like melatonin to help with falling asleep. Healthy sleep patterns, like going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, taking time to wind down at the end of the day and avoiding screen time before bed, will also be encouraged to improve sleep quality.

How Long Does Rehab Take?

How long drug rehab takes can vary from person-to-person. It will depend on how much Ambien the individual has been using and for how long. This will determine the rate at which they are tapered off the drug and what additional methods may be used to help them cope with withdrawal symptoms.

Once a person has successfully stopped taking Ambien, their treatment will continue with maintenance treatment, which usually involves therapy to determine the root of the problem that leads to the misuse of Ambien. This can also involve group therapy where they can find other people who are going through the same thing and can learn from their experiences. In general, the whole process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year or more.

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What Does Ambien Rehab Cost?

How much rehab costs will depend on how long the rehab takes, what treatment options a person chooses to use, which treatment center they go to and whether or not treatment is covered by their insurance. Rehab costs, no matter how much they end up being, are worth it to ensure that a person will safely and effectively recover from their substance use disorder and maintain their sobriety.

Does Insurance Cover Rehab?

Some health insurances will cover rehab. If rehab is included in your personal insurance plan, then some or all of your rehab costs may be covered. Additional programs that can assist with rehab costs include:

  • Government Assistance Programs: For those who qualify, state-funded rehab programs exist to provide rehab for those in financial need. Contact information for each state program can be found here.
  • Sliding Fee Programs: Sliding fee programs allow patients to pay costs gradually depending on their specific financial situation.
  • Private Pay Programs: Rehab can also be done without insurance, where the person pays their own expenses. Private pay programs allow you to pay out of pocket rather than using insurance.

When considering how to pay for rehab, a person must keep in mind that their health and well-being depends on them overcoming their addiction, which is well worth the cost. For more advice on paying for rehab, contact The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health.

Choosing a Rehab Center for Ambien Abuse

Choosing a rehab center is the first step toward recovering from Ambien abuse. It is important to pick a center that will provide you with the care you need to get better. Here are some things to think about when considering how to choose a rehab center:

  • Location: Is it close to where you live, or are you willing to travel?
  • Cost: How much do they charge compared to other centers? Will it be covered by your insurance or another assistance program?
  • Methods of Treatment Provided: Does the center use the most up-to-date treatment options for your disorder? Are there a variety of treatment options available in case one doesn’t work well for you?
  • Success Rate: What kind of success rate does the center have for treating your specific disorder?
  • Duration of Treatment: How long will treatment take? How often will you have to visit the center or stay at the center?
  • Staff to Patient Ratio: Is there enough staff that each patient will get the attention that they need when they need it?

What to Expect When You Go to Rehab

When you go to rehab, you can expect to be treated with kindness and care. The medical staff will develop an individualized program to help you recover from your substance use disorder. This will usually involve medical detox to get the substance out of your system in a safe and comfortable manner.

In an inpatient program, clients have around-the-clock care available to them and regular visits from physicians, nurses, and counselors. This treatment team works closely with clients to develop individualized plans that promote long-term sobriety. Nutritional support and recreational therapy are often also included, along with individual and group therapy.

What Happens After Rehab?

After rehab, a person will go back to normal life with a new set of tools to help them control their cravings for the drug and adjust to life without the use of Ambien. Many times, patients will see a physician or counselor regularly. Some people will also participate in group therapy sessions or 12-step groups to help them stay focused on their recovery and learn from the experiences of others.

How Rehab Improves Recovery

Rehab improves recovery by providing the support a person needs to overcome their substance use disorder and stay sober. When comprehensive treatment plans are used, success rates improve. The treatments used for Ambien addiction are similar to those used to treat addictions to other sedatives such as benzodiazepinesStudies have shown that combining psychotherapy with detox improves outcomes for patients recovering from addiction to prescription sedatives.

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