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Altered Moment · Mar 18, 2014, 03:11 PM

How long have you been taking it?

Quote:

Tapering Down
Due to the very real risk of seizures, once dependent, you should never stop using Ambien very suddenly, nor should you reduce your daily dosage too quickly.3

Once dependent, to quit Ambien, you must choose one of the following three primary options:

Taper down slowly off Ambien
Switch over to a longer acting benzodiazepine like diazepam (at an equivalent dose) and then taper down from that
Detox off Ambien in an inpatient facility while receiving a continuous flumazenil infusion
In most cases, doctors will advise that you slowly taper down your dose, or switch to an equivalent dosage of a longer acting benzodiazepine, like diazepam, and then taper down from that.4

Straight Ambien Taper

The simplest method is the straight Ambien taper.

You should consult with your doctor when making a tapering plan, but don't get pressured into a rapid reduction - after all, what's the hurry? Consider taking your time and know that spaced gradual reductions cause fewer withdrawal symptoms and less rebound insomnia.

As a conservative starting point, you might consider a 10% reduction every 2 weeks. Or, you can try a slightly more aggressive tapering plan, such as reducing by 10% per week, knowing that you can always slow things down if it becomes unmanageable.

Tip for Success – Stay in control of the process and the pace. It’s your body and you know what’s manageable and what’s not. Don’t let an outside ‘expert’ impose a schedule that doesn’t work for you. It’s OK to pause reductions during times of great stress or when withdrawal symptoms get too severe - but try to avoid retreating to a higher dosage after a reduction. For the best chances of success, you can slow down, but never go backward.

Read more: Ambien Addiction and Withdrawal: Tapering and Treatment Options