How Long Does Ambien Stay in Your System?

Do Drug Tests Detect Ambien?

Ambien is a prescription sleep medication used to treat insomnia. It is the brand name for zolpidem, which belongs to a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics. It works by slowing down the activity of the brain and allowing people to fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer.

While manufacturers claim it’s safe when taken as directed, Ambien can cause side effects like dizziness, headaches, nausea, and fatigue if it is not taken properly or if too much is taken at once. In rare cases, it can cause serious mental and physical health issues such as memory loss and hallucinations.

Many people who take Ambien have developed Ambien addiction. This begs the question for those wishing to detox: How long does Ambien stay in your system?

In this article, we’ll highlight Ambien addiction, if drug tests can detect Ambien, withdrawal symptoms, and whether you can develop a mental health disorder when you abuse Ambien.

Keep reading to find out the treatment options for Ambien and other sleeping medications now!

How Long Does Ambien Stay in Your System: Half Life and Contributing Factors

Does Ambien stay in your system for an extended period? It’s important to know how long it takes Ambien to leave your system so that you can plan any recovery efforts accordingly and manage withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the dosage taken, Ambien can stay in your system for up to two days after. Factors such as age, weight, and metabolism can affect how quickly the drug is eliminated from your body.

The effects of Ambien can last up to 8 hours, but it is important to note that it should not be used for more than 7-10 days in a row without consulting your doctor. In fact, some question the risks of taking Ambien altogether, regardless of the legalities of the drug.

The maximum half-life of Ambien is normally two to three hours. Because most drugs go through your system for up to five times as long as their half-life, this means the complete elimination time is around 11 hours.

Now that you know the answer to “how long does Ambien stay in your system,” it’s essential to understand how the half-life correlates to Ambien drug tests and, ultimately, experiencing withdrawal.

Drug Testing for Ambien

Because the complete elimination of Ambien only takes 11 hours, normally, after 12 hours, it fails to continue to show up on drug screens. That said, Ambien is not a medicine that’s regularly tested for on most drug tests.

However, if you attend a treatment facility for Ambien addiction, you may be subject to these tests to ensure you’re able to refrain from Ambien use. Make no mistake about it: even though the Ambien half-life is short, there’s still a high potential for addiction and even physical dependence in some cases.

Ambien Use and Risk of Addiction

Ambien is a Schedule IV drug, meaning that according to the law, there’s a low potential for abuse. However, these statements are highly misaligned with actual user experiences – and benzodiazepines like Xanax fall under the same category. The truth is that Xanax has a high affinity for addiction and one of the worst withdrawal periods of any drug on the market – it’s one of the deadliest, if not the deadliest, detoxes you can go through.

Regardless of this “professional medical advice,” there’s plenty of evidence that demonstrates Ambien is potentially addictive, even in users who have no prior history of addiction.

Many use this prescription sleep aid as a sedative, becoming psychologically addicted and sometimes even physically. It doesn’t take long to build up a tolerance to this clinical sleep medicine, pushing users to take more against the advice of licensed medical professionals.

How Quick Can Ambien Abuse Lead to Addiction?

Believe it or not, some users who take Ambien daily for as little as 14 days may already establish a heavy tolerance to it, especially in higher doses.

And these are people with no past drug abuse or experience with addiction therapy – they’re just unfortunate and don’t understand how Ambien works, allowing them to become ideal candidates for abuse.

What are Common Ambien Withdrawal Symptoms?

Anyone who suddenly stops using this prescription medication without tapering or help from a licensed behavioral health expert or their primary care physician runs multiple health risks.

Behavioral health conditions may develop, and/or damage the central nervous system. Other potential side effects include:

• Anxiety
• Hand tremors
• Rapid heart rate
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hallucinations
• Delirium
• Seizures
• Fatigue
• Flushing
• Panic disorder
• Stomach cramps
• Sleep eating

Normally the withdrawal symptoms begin around 8 hours after taking your last pill. In most cases, the symptoms are at their most intense during days four and five and cease completely after two weeks.

What are the Short and Long Term Effects of Ambien?

Ambien is somewhat unique in the fact that many of the short and long-term effects seem to overlap. However, some of the long-term effects that aren’t included as short-term risks include:

• Dry mouth
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Chronic headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Coma

Many people have even experienced symptoms like sleep-driving, which is incredibly dangerous. The sad part is that many of these symptoms aren’t included in the medical disclaimer for Ambien.

One of the most frightening things about Ambien is that nearly anybody can fall victim to this prescription medication. But who is at most risk for addiction to Ambien?

Who is at the Highest Risk of Ambien Abuse?

The average working American citizen is at risk of developing an addiction to Ambien. Sleep deprivation is a common issue in the United States, especially as many Americans are overworked and under-rested. Sleep issues are some of the most common problems in the medical industry.

Consider the following numbers:

• 9 million people over 12 years old abuse some type of sleep aid.
• 19% admit to taking these medications to relieve tension which is against their intended use. 4.2% taking them for emotional coping and 4.1% for the euphoric effects. All of these are surefire paths to addiction.
• Those who work graveyard shifts or swing shifts run a much higher risk of developing a dependency on Ambien.
• Those who are often privy to stressful situations at work or at home are also at high risk
• Those who can’t afford to maintain a regular sleep pattern and force themselves to rest when they have downtime are also at high risk.

The scenarios above can accurately describe a fair number of working-class Americans. Many of us are working maximum hours with little time for rest or even family. This puts many people in a compromised position to fall victim to drugs like Ambien, substances they have little knowledge or warning about.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, there are alternative options that are much healthier.

Are There Healthy Alternatives to Ambien?

If you’re taking Ambien or other sleep pills, there are all-natural options you can take before it’s too late:

• Melatonin and melatonin blends are sold at just about any retail store and pharmacy
• Chamomile tea and jasmine tea are both excellent at promoting sleep
• Valerian root and valerian extracts are similarly helpful at winding down at night
• Exercising before bed is a great way to expend your energy and get more restful sleep
• Eating balanced meals at the same time each day will also help your body regulate its patterns.

Get Help Finding Ambien Treatment Options Now

If you or someone you love is struggling and stressed, contact Find Addiction Rehabs to discuss getting into treatment and getting healthy. Sleep is a critical element for living a healthier lifestyle – and sleep aids aren’t a sustainable solution for getting rest.

We can help you find all-natural solutions to these types of challenges. For more information on finding your path to healing, reach out to one of our recovery representatives today. All calls are completely confidential and discreet, so reach out now to get options!

Medically Reviewed By