Ambien

Ambien is a trade name for a drug known as Zolpidem , an prescription drug used for the short term treatment of insomnia.  It usually produces results within 15 minutes, and has a short half-life.  Other trade names for Zolpidem are Stilnox and Stilnoct. 

Ambien activates the same receptors as benzodiazepines , but it is actually an imadazopyridine that works to enhance the effect of a major inhibitory neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA.

Large doses of Ambien result in side effects such as hallucinations, delusions, poor motor coordination, increased appetite or sex drive, poor judgment, and loss of memory while under the drug's influence—the desire to induce these side effects is a leading reason for Ambien abuse.

Ambien is a potentially addictive drug, even when taken under a physician's care.  Users become dependent on its use to sleep and abusers, its ability to induce euphoria.  As with any addictive substance, recovery from Ambien addiction may require addiction treatment and relapse prevention .