Wondering need to know how does long Ambien stay in your system? You may plan to take other medications. Or, you may have an upcoming drug test that could test for this medication. Regardless of the reason, understanding how long the medication is in your body can be valuable information.
Even though Ambien may no longer be active in your system after about 14 hours, its sedative effects can still affect coordination, judgment, and alertness the next day, especially if taken late at night or in high doses.
What Is Ambien?
Ambien is a prescription medication commonly used to treat insomnia. It belongs to a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics and works by slowing down brain activity, helping people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Some users may experience a calming effect, reducing anxiety or restlessness before sleep. After taking Ambien, it’s important not to engage in activities that require full alertness, like driving.
How Long Does Ambien Stay in Your System?
The half-life of Ambien is relatively short at about 2 to 3 hours in most people. This means that half of the drug is eliminated from the body within that time frame. It typically takes around 5 to 6 half-lives for a drug to be eliminated from the body. For Ambien, that means the drug is usually cleared from the system in 10 to 14 hours. Because it’s metabolized quickly, Ambien is detected in drug testing for a short period. Less sensitive tests may not detect Ambien as well.
Standard detection times include:
- Blood – detectable for 10 to 14 hours after use
- Urine – detectable for up to 24 to 48 hours
- Saliva – detectable for 15 to 24 hours
- Hair – detectable for up to several weeks after use, but this method is not commonly used as Ambien is not well absorbed into hair
- Breast milk – limited information is available, but it is recommended that breastfeeding mothers not nurse their infants for up to 23 hours (5 half-lives) after a dose of Ambien to minimize exposure to the child
Factors That Influence How Long Ambien Stays in Your System
Factors that influence how long Ambien stays in your system may include:
- Age – Older adults may metabolize the drug more slowly, meaning it can stay in their system longer
- Liver function – Ambien is metabolized in the liver, so people with impaired liver function may have the drug in their system longer
- Dosage – Higher doses can take longer to be eliminated
- Frequency of use – Chronic use can lead to accumulation of the drug in the body, which may take longer to clear
- Body mass – People with a higher body mass or slower metabolism may process the drug more slowly
Side Effects of Ambien
While Ambien is generally effective for the short-term treatment of insomnia, it has potential side effects. These effects can be adverse or involve sedation beyond what’s needed to sleep for the night.
Potential side effects of taking Ambien include:
- Daytime drowsiness and a groggy feeling when waking up
- Memory lapses, especially if the person doesn’t get a full 7–8 hours of sleep
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headaches
- Sleepwalking
- Unusual behaviors like talking in your sleep or acting out of character
- Rebound insomnia, when difficulty sleeping re-occurs after taking Ambien long-term
- Gastrointestinal issues like nausea or diarrhea
- Severe allergic reactions, including difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat
- Increased depression or suicidal thoughts
Is Ambien Addictive?
Ambien, known by its generic name zolpidem, is a sedative-hypnotic medication commonly used to treat insomnia. However, if Ambien is used over a long period or in higher doses than prescribed, it’s possible to develop an Ambien addiction. As an individual’s brain becomes accustomed to the presence of Ambien, they may develop a psychological dependence where they fear that they won’t be able to sleep without taking Ambien. They may feel anxious or distressed if they don’t have access to the drug. This belief may become a reality, where the person’s body becomes physically dependent on the drug, needing it to sleep.
Need Help For Ambien Addiction?
Our admissions team is available around the clock to help you or a loved one get the help you need.
How Do People Get Addicted To Ambien?
Many people may start taking Ambien as prescribed by their doctor, but over time they may begin to develop a tolerance and need higher doses in order to achieve the same effects. This can quickly spiral into an addiction as individuals become reliant on this drug to help them fall asleep or feel calm.
When taken in higher doses, Ambien can cause a sense of euphoria, relaxation, calm, or even hallucinations. These effects can lead to non-medical misuse and abuse of Ambien. As a result, people with a history of alcohol or drug abuse are at a higher risk of becoming addicted to Ambien.
Regardless of how it is formed, people struggling Ambien addiction who stop taking the drug will likely experience cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Ambien Withdrawal Symptoms
Ambien withdrawal can occur if someone stops taking it abruptly after long-term use. Symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia or rebound insomnia
- Irritability or mood swings
- Tremors or shaking
- Sweating
- In more severe cases, seizures can develop
Does Insurance Pay for Ambien Detox?
Most major insurance providers cover behavioral health treatment in much the same way they handle medical care. This often involves meeting a deductible, paying co-insurance, or covering a copay. If you’re unsure about your insurance benefits for Ambien detox and treatment, fill out our secure insurance verification form. After submitting your information, our admissions specialists they will work directly with your insurance company to clarify your coverage, benefits, and any potential out-of-pocket costs for Ambien rehab.
Get Help For Ambien Addiction
It’s possible to start taking a medication to improve your life, but instead, realize the drug has had more of a negative impact than a positive one. If you have needed higher doses of Ambien to achieve the same effects or notice urges to take it, you might be dealing with Ambien addiction.
Vogue Recovery Centers offers a wide range of treatment options. With multiple levels of care and evidence-based therapies, Vogue is equipped to help you start your recovery journey in safe hands.
Levels of care at Vogue include:
If you or a loved one has realized that help for Ambien addiction is needed, call Vogue Recovery Centers today. Our treatment locations in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix are staffed with addiction specialists who have worked with people at all stages of addiction and genuinely care about your progress. You deserve support regardless of where you are in your journey. Reach out and begin a new journey toward recovery.
Medically Reviewed by Kelsey Jones, MS, LPC
