Dangers of Mixing Ambien and Alcohol, Risks & Effects

Mixing Ambien and Alcohol

it could be tempting to mix Ambien and alcohol, but it’s generally not recommended, as the combination can be very dangerous and can cause many adverse reactions. Some of the potential risks include slowed breathing, heart problems, extreme drowsiness, memory loss, hallucinations, and even coma.

Combining Ambien and alcohol can lead to an increased risk of overdose due to their mingled effects. It can also lead to a higher risk of physical harm or death as the user may become less alert or conscious. Additionally, the combination of these two can significantly impair a user’s motor skills and coordination, making activities such as driving hazardous. For these reasons, it is strongly recommended to avoid mixing Ambien and alcohol altogether.

Dangers of Mixing Ambien And Alcohol

The combination of Ambien and alcohol can be quite harmful. Both of these medications are central nervous system depressants, which means they slow the body and brain down. When these drugs are combined, a person is at risk of a variety of dangerous and even deadly adverse effects.

What Is Ambien?

Ambien (Zolpidem) is a non-benzodiazepine receptor modulator primarily used in the FDA-approved short-term treatment of insomnia aimed at patients with difficulty starting sleep. It improves sleep latency and duration measures and reduces the number of awakenings in patients with transient insomnia. [1] It also improves sleep quality in patients with chronic insomnia and can act as a minor muscle relaxant. [2]

How is Ambien Abused?

Many people misuse Ambien by taking more than prescribed to help them sleep when they are tolerant of it. Others abuse it by taking it and purposefully staying awake. The drug produces a euphoric, out-of-body effect, accompanied by strange behavior and short-term memory loss. Ambien abuse side effects can damage a person’s health and lead to physical dependence and addiction. Ambien may be used as a sleep aid or a euphoric drug by people who take it and intentionally stay awake. Either form of abuse can lead to physical dependence and addiction and increase a person’s risk of overdose.

Ambien and Alcohol Interaction

Combining alcohol and Ambien can be dangerous. The side effects of combining these two substances include impaired judgment and coordination, difficulty breathing, and an increased risk of overdose.

Combining Ambien and alcohol can also cause a person to become very drowsy and confused. As a result, activities such as driving, operating machinery, and engaging in risky behavior should be avoided. Additionally, combining Ambien and alcohol can worsen the depressant effects of both substances, leading to further impairment. Lastly, alcohol can make it more difficult for the body to process the active ingredient of Ambien, zolpidem, leading to an increased risk of overdose and other adverse reactions.

It is important to avoid combining these two substances, as it can be dangerous and even fatal. SAMSHA recommends seeking treatment for individuals who are misusing any type of drug, including Ambien.

Zolpidem / Ambien Abuse Statistics

The World Health Organization (WHO) considered that the frequency of zolpidem abuse and dependence was similar to that of benzodiazepine; on 15 July 2002, zolpidem, the generic name of Ambien, was transferred to Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention (for drugs inducing dependence such as benzodiazepines). This convention aims to control both traffic and abuse of psychotropics. Prescribers should consider the possibility of Ambien addiction and withdrawal symptoms when starting patients on this drug. Without proper management, significant drug interactions may occur.

It is reported that more than 500, 000 people in the USA are abusing Ambien and other related Sedatives (pursuant to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health).

Approximately 38 million prescriptions for Zolpidem drugs were written between 2006 and 2011, according to IMS Health. Source: SAMSHA.

The number of Ambien-related emergency room stays advanced by nearly 220% between 2005 and 2010, with up to 19,487 visits in 2010, according to SAMHSA reports. Source SAMSHA.

Can you Die from Ambien and Alcohol?

A combination of Ambien and alcohol can be deadly. Alcohol and Ambien’s effects become enhanced when taken together. Wherein the user can lose consciousness or suffer an extreme drop in alertness or motor coordination, increasing the risk of an overdose or fatal accident. Therefore, it is best to avoid mixing alcohol and Ambien altogether.

Skip To:

• What Is Ambien? Dangers of Mixing Ambien And Alcohol.
• How is Ambien Abused?
• Ambien and Alcohol Abuse Statistics
• Ambien Drug Facts
• Mixing Ambien And Alcohol
• Ambien And Alcohol Interaction
• 5 Popular Ambien And Alcohol Frequently Asked Questions
• Ambien And Alcohol Side Effects 
• Withdrawal Symptoms Of Ambien And Alcohol
• Ambien And Alcohol Blackout
• Ambien And Alcohol Liver Damage
• Ambien Liver Damage
• Ambien And Alcohol Overdose
• Treatment For Ambien And Alcohol

Learn More:

• Ambien Abuse Side Effects
• Ambien Withdrawal Timeline, Symptoms, How Long Does Ambien Withdrawal Last?
• Ambien Addiction Treatment
• Sedatives Addiction
• Alcohol Blackout
• Alcoholic Hepatitis
• Alcoholic Cirrhosis
• Alcohol Poisoning
• Drug Rehab & Detox
• Inpatient Addiction Rehab
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Addiction
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment
• Medication Assisted Treatment Program

Several treatment options are effective for prescription drug abuse treatment. Encourage your friend or loved one to talk to their doctor or a treatment counselor about using alcohol treatment programs, substance abuse treatment, relapse prevention, or support groups as part of their recovery.

Ambien and Alcohol Abuse Statistics

If you or someone you know has developed a substance use disorder, working on a plan for sobriety as soon as possible becomes crucial. An inpatient treatment program offers an opportunity to safely detox from Ambian and alcohol as a first step before individual and group therapy begins.

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Mixing Ambien And Alcohol

What are the effects of combining Ambien and alcohol high? Does drinking alcohol while taking Ambien cause an overdose? Ambien is a potent prescription drug with a high potential for abuse and addiction. This prescription drug can be habit-forming after only two weeks of use. Because of this, individuals have rarely prescribed Ambien for long-term use and are monitored closely by medical practitioners while taking the medication.

This form of sedative is identified as a hypnotic drug that comes in several formulations. The first is an immediate-release tablet that helps the person taking it to fall asleep right away. The second is an extended-release (Ambien CR). The outer layer dissolves fast to help the person fall asleep fast. The inside later dissolves more slowly and helps the person taking the medication to stay asleep.

You shouldn’t try to share your Ambien prescription with anyone else. Even if that individual suffers the same symptoms, giving them your Ambien may be dangerous. For instance, dosages for men are higher than they are for women. Children should never take this medication because they may suffer dangerous side effects. Your doctor has prescribed a formulation and dosage appropriate for you, not someone else.

One of the more significant issues in alcoholism treatment is when people combine alcohol with other substances, either on purpose or by accident, resulting in physical harm and, often, overdose. In many instances, individuals don’t understand that mixing prescription drugs with alcohol, such as Ambien, can cause a severe reaction in the body. In other situations, individuals who abuse drugs may mix alcohol and medication on purpose to experience euphoria or to self-treat physical conditions like anxiety or insomnia without checking with a doctor first to understand the risks.

Ambien And Alcohol Interaction

Drinking alcohol and Ambien can be deadly. The effects can create an overdose, where heart rate and breathing slow and potentially stop altogether. Drinking alcohol makes the drug’s central nervous system (CNS) effects even more potent. Common side effects, such as difficulty with concentration, dizziness, or sleepiness, are likely to worsen. Moreover, you may have difficulty thinking and making good judgment calls. Whether you combine Ambien and alcohol accidentally or intentionally, you may develop dangerous physical symptoms that can be life-threatening.

Because this prescription drug is a hypnotic sleep aid, it acts most strongly on your brain and spinal cord, depressing nerve activity. Alcohol is also a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which slows down your heart rate, breathing, and ability to think clearly and make good decisions. By combining two CNS depressants, you’ll most likely multiply the effects of your medication if you mix it with alcohol.

5 Popular Ambien And Alcohol Frequently Asked Questions

Ambien Side Effects With Alcohol

How long after drinking can I take Ambien? Ambien after drinking alcohol is never safe at all since the hangover can last up to 24 hours. Ambien can negatively interact with several other substances. One of these dangerous interactions is with alcohol and Ambien. Ambien and alcohol can have several side effects and potentially dangerous interactions when combined. Alcohol can worsen the adverse side effects of Ambien, and once both substances have been ingested, it’s impossible to control the effects these drugs will have.

Potential physical side effects of mixing Ambien and alcohol include:

Taking Ambien alone can result in several side effects, especially if someone takes a higher dose than required. Medical professionals do not recommend taking Ambien unless one can get at least seven hours of sleep. Ambien can cause strong effects the following day after taking it. Individuals taking this medication and not getting enough sleep should not operate machinery or motor vehicles. Alcohol can exacerbate all of these side effects and more. People who mix Ambien and alcohol are more than twice as likely to require medical attention than those who only take Ambien.

Withdrawal Symptoms Of Ambien And Alcohol 

People who take Ambien in doses higher than the prescribed amount are likely to become addicted to it and experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it. It can lead to permanent damage to the respiratory system and liver. This can also have long-lasting effects on the individual’s cognitive state. 

Ambien withdrawal symptoms usually start within 48 hours after the last dose. They end within a week or two. It is also essential to know that Ambien’s withdrawal symptoms can be exasperated by the effects of other substances, like alcohol, if a person ingests it with Ambien.  The symptoms of withdrawal may include:

As mentioned above, Ambien was created for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It is not designed for long-term or chronic insomnia. Its sedative qualities may lead to rebound insomnia symptoms if the brain relies on this drug to coax it into sleep and relaxation. The psychological withdrawal symptoms, such as panic attacks and anxiety, could last longer than the physical withdrawal symptoms.

People experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal could experience severe withdrawal symptoms in the first few weeks after they stop drinking. At this point, the person is at the highest risk of developing delirium tremens (DTs), temporarily losing consciousness, or having seizures. All of these can be fatal if not treated by medical professionals.

Ambien And Alcohol Blackout

Despite the benefits for individuals suffering from insomnia, Ambien’s dangers can be significant or deadly. Quite often, there are cases dubbed “Ambien blackouts” that happen, and Ambien can cause a range of other adverse side effects.

Ambien blackouts can be very scary, but they’re not entirely uncommon with the use of this prescription drug. There are countless anecdotal reports of individuals doing everything from preparing meals to having sex while on Ambien, then having no memory of it the next day.

Sleepwalking (somnambulance) and sleep eating is also common when under the influence of Ambien. When users combine Ambien and alcohol, these risks are even more significant. The risk of an Ambien and alcohol blackout becomes especially dangerous when individuals do things like driving while on Ambien.

There have even been serious crimes committed during which people say they were using Ambien and claim to have no memory of what happened. The risk of an Ambien blackout is highest in people who take the drug and don’t go straight to bed.

Ambien And Alcohol Liver Damage 

Mixing Ambien and alcohol can cause severe and permanent liver damage over time. It can also cause liver cancer, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. Ambien and alcohol abuse may lead to respiratory system damage, such as an enlarged, weakened heart, irregular heartbeat, or respiratory arrest. 

Problems associated with concurrent abuse of Ambien and alcohol include:

Ambien Liver Damage

How to make Ambien more potent? Ambien alcohol interaction danger is real. Combining alcohol with some medicines can lead to falls and serious injuries, especially among older people. [4] According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Ambien has rarely been reported to cause clinically apparent liver injury. However, when misused with other substances or with alcohol, many of the more dangerous physical side effects of Ambien are enhanced. At the same time, the drug also amplifies the health risks of drinking alcohol.

Ambien And Alcohol Overdose 

Sometimes, people mix drugs with alcohol to get a specific effect. For example, some people combine sleep aids and alcohol to sleep more soundly. This is a misconception because sleep that results from the overuse of alcohol is not typical, and the person does not engage in a standard, restful sleep cycle. If this is done with Ambien, it can result in dangerous behaviors or potential overdose.

Others may use the two together to experience a euphoric or hallucinatory effect. This type of drug abuse can have its risks, especially if it is done regularly. There are physical and behavioral risks, but there is also the potential of the person developing an addiction to either or both substances, resulting in continued use, abuse, and potential for overdose.

Overdose Symptoms

Too much alcohol causes alcohol poisoning, and too much Ambien can result in an overdose. Taking both Ambien and liquor at the same time increases these risks exponentially.

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning:

In severe alcohol poisoning:

• Breathing ceases totally
• Hypothermia
• May have a heart attack

• May choke on their vomit
• Brain damage from severe dehydration
• Seizures due to low sugar level

Symptoms of Ambien overdose:

• Very tired
• Lightheaded
• Hallucinations
• Mentally confused
• Loss of memory

• Drowsy
• Falling
• Unable to work, understand, or drive
• Shallow breathing
• Slow heart rate

Ambien and Alcohol Death

Alcohol is one of the most prevalent drugs combined with Ambien that can cause death. Because of the increased likelihood of sleep-driving and other dangerous behaviors, even average doses of Ambien are too dangerous to take with alcohol. Not drinking alcohol is the only way to stay safe while taking Ambien. Overdose or lethal dose of these two can lead to the deathbed. Due to extreme effects like slow breathing and heart rate, you can be unconscious or have a coma that can cause death.

Lethal Dose of Ambien

The safety of using prescription drugs in combination with other substances depends on several factors, including the types of medications, dosages, other substance use (e.g., alcohol), and individual patient health factors. Patients should talk with their healthcare provider about whether they can safely use their prescription drugs with other substances, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs.

Ambien and drinking alcohol are potent drugs by themselves. Ambien has the potential for either medical misuse when the drug is continued long-term without or against medical advice or recreational use when the drug is taken to achieve a “high.”

Talk with your doctor if you think you may have an issue with prescription drug use, such as Ambien addiction. You may feel ashamed to talk about it — but remember that medical professionals are qualified to help you, not judge you. It’s easier to tackle the problem early before it becomes an addiction and leads to more serious issues.

Treatment For Ambien And Alcohol

Alcohol is the most abused addictive substance in America, as more than 17 million people in the United States are considered to suffer from addiction to alcohol. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) [3] publishes that over 1.5 million American adults are currently abusing a prescription drug.

Mixing Ambien and alcohol magnifies the side effects and may promote repeated use. Many options are available to help the person stop taking Ambien and alcohol and avoid serious side effects from polysubstance abuse. Many Ambien users respond well to residential rehab programs. 

If you are experiencing Ambien and alcohol addiction, you must first get an accurate assessment of all the symptoms. When a mental health professional has evaluated the symptoms, it may be determined that another form of mental condition is present and needs a particular treatment. Very often, some combination of psychotherapy, medication, or lifestyle changes is effective for coping with functional. 

Medically-Assisted Detox

How long does Ambien withdrawal last? A typical dose of Ambien is 5 mg daily. But many people addicted to Ambien take far larger doses, often 10-20 mg daily, and in some cases, hundreds. One case study described a woman who struggled with severe withdrawal from taking 160 mg of Ambien daily. Generally, an individual will be symptom-free after two weeks, with the worst of the withdrawal symptoms occurring between days 3 and 5.

Medical detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated process of Ambien and alcohol withdrawal, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete detox.

Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can provide the necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of withdrawals.

Psychotherapy 

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – An effective treatment that involves changing both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – A comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
• Person-Centered Therapy – A strategy that allows and encourages clients to understand and resolve their concerns in a safe, supportive environment.
• Solution–Focused Therapy – An approach interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Drug abuse and mental health disorders often co-occur. In many cases, traumatic experiences can result in a mental health disorders and substance abuse. Dual diagnosis rehabilitation treats both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. This strategy treats both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder simultaneously. Regardless of which diagnosis (mental health or substance abuse problem) came first, long-term recovery will depend largely on the treatment for both disorders done by the same team or provider.

Medication-Assisted Treatments

Medication-Assisted Treatments (MAT) for substance use and mental health disorders are commonly used in conjunction with one another. This includes the use of medications and other medical procedures. During your rehab, the staff from your treatment facility will help you identify what caused your addiction and teach you skills that will help you change your behavior patterns and challenge the negative thoughts that led to your addiction. Sometimes, the pressures and problems in your life lead you to rely on substances to help you forget about them momentarily.

 Contact one of our helpful treatment specialists today if you or a loved one are struggling with long-term drug abuse and a co-occurring mental health condition such as depression, Ambien and alcohol abuse. We Level Up can provide information on dual diagnosis and detox programs that may fit your specific needs.