Ambien is the brand name of the drug Zolpidem, which is prescribed by doctors to treat insomnia. Doctors typically prescribe

Ambien in low doses and for a period of no longer than 30 days because of the potential danger involved with taking the medication. Users of the drug are said to feel comfortable, relaxed, and sleepy and the high is typically considered to be like that of drinking a lot of alcohol because some users report losing control of their body while on Ambien.

Other similarities with alcohol use include waking up with a hangover, headaches, memory loss, drowsiness, and nausea.

Paradoxical Excitation is the term doctors use to describe the unusual behaviors of some patients who are on the medication, which can include: walking, eating, or even driving a car without any recollection of doing so.  

These behaviors are increased when a dependence on or addiction to the medication develops. Users are at risk of developing a tolerance of Ambien if they use the medication longer than 30 days, which can lead to increasing the size of the dosage in order to feel the effects and furthermore, lead to overdosing.

Ambien has the ability to change the chemistry in the brain to trick it into thinking it needs the drug in order to function, and that is a serious problem.

When coming off of Ambien, withdrawal symptoms include: panic attacks, irritability, stomach cramps, fatigue, and sweating.

Ambien dependence is on the rise with teenagers everywhere. Of the six million new prescription drug abusers, 44 percent are younger than 18 years old, says a study by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

It is crucial for drug prevention agencies to target the younger generation in order to get the important information across about the dangers of prescription medication like Ambien.