People often take alcohol and drugs together despite the negative effects that are led by this combination and sometimes these effects can be lethal. People who suffer from insomnia or any other sleeping disorder are prescribed the medicine called zolpidem, you might know it with its brand name Ambien. However, there are many events of Ambien and alcohol been consumed together, in most cases it has been done unintentionally.
Polysubstance Abuse
The term ‘poly’ means more than one, hence, the substance abuse where more than one kind of substance is consumed is called polysubstance abuse. This is also known as substance disorder where an individual becomes dependent on a group of various kinds of substances. Unfortunately, substance disorder is most common between the ages group of 18 to 24.
The youth is unaware of the fact that mixing drugs is very dangerous for their body and sometimes it costs their lives. They only think that consuming a combination of drugs is fun and is not a big deal however it only leads to a harmful outcome.
The result of consuming substances together is often unpredictable. They are potentially hazardous and enhances the chances of polysubstance overdose.
What are the most known polysubstance abuses?
The most common ones are:
- Alcohol and opioids
- Benzodiazepines and opioids
- Alcohol and cocaine
- Cocaine and heroin
- Heroin and methamphetamine
- Alcohol and ecstasy
Zolpidem
Zolpidem or Ambien is itself quite dangerous as it bears the risk of having side effects in the morning after you wake up and this is why doctors are very careful while prescribing the dosage. They keep it to the required lowest amount.
Since Ambien is a sedative it is dangerous for a person to operate any heavy machinery or a vehicle while being on the drug and not getting enough rest or right after consuming it.
Ambien is produced in 2 forms:
- Extended-release, in this case, the drug takes time to be absorbed into the body after it has been consumed.
- Immediate-release, in this case, the drug is absorbed into the body right after consuming it.
The effects
In one word, dangerous. Alcohol and Ambien, in other words, depressant and sedative, both of them have the same function, to slow-down the central nervous system.
When these two are combined they intensify each other’s toxic nature and thus leading to:
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness or drowsiness
- Confusion
- Unusual behavior
- Sleep apnea
- Somnambulance (sleepwalking)
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of physical coordination
- Liver damage
- Impaired judgment
- Depressed breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Respiratory failure
- Impaired cognition
Sometimes the combination of Ambien and Alcohol increases the chances of Ambien overdose and the symptoms of the overdosage are:
- Slurred speech
- Pinpoint pupils
- Depressed, slowed or stopped breathing
- Inability to wake up
- Coma
- Death