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Ambien Social Media Statements
While no posts about Ambien could be found on Facebook or Instagram, we were able to find a number of posts and comments concerning both the helpfulness and addictive nature of Ambien on both Twitter and Reddit. Tumblr was also reviewed; however, the posts there focus on side-effects of the medication, such as odd behavior and hallucinations.
Posts About Ambien's Addictiveness
- 1) In a tweet dated October 17, 2019, Twitter user Megan Johnson wrote "lol remember when they said ambien wasn’t addictive". Her tweet links to an article from the New York Times. The article, titled "Drug Agency Calls for Strong Warning Labels on Popular Sleep Aids", discusses the potentially addictive nature of over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids such as Ambien.
- 2) Posted in early 2019, this Reddit post was written by a doctor struggling with Ambien addiction amongst his or her patients. In the post, the user wrote "I inherited many patients on chronic daily ambien...Most of them have developed tolerance and dependence".
- 3) In a tweet dated from September 24, 2019, Twitter user Josh wrote "I wish ambien wasn’t incredibly addictive and also horrible for you", suggesting that while he finds the medication helpful as a sleep aid, he is concerned by its addictive properties.
- 4) Also on Twitter, user Jamie B wrote "Ambien. Should only be used for serious sleep disorders and it's highly addictive. The casual way the doctor talks about ambien is sooooo disturbing". Unfortunately, the Tweet does not appear to be linked to any article or other information, making it unclear which doctor the user is referring to.
- 5) In 2019, Reddit user u/joe_mcm wrote that he is "totally addicted to ambien. I take about 50mg during the day and 150mg at night to sleep". He wrote that he believes he has become dependent on the drug, noting that it has no impact on him or his ability to function when he takes it.
Posts About Ambien's Manageability
- 1) This 2019 tweet from Twitter user Joseph indicates that ambien is not "physically addictive", though it could be "habit-forming".
- 2) Twitter user HeyNurseLady wrote "I miss my ambien but I refuse to be treated like an addict to get it from my current provider. You would think that more ppl in the medical field would understand shift work and be more helpful," suggesting that she finds Ambien helpful and manageable, despite claims that it could be addictive.
- 3) In 2018, following a statement from actress Roseanne Barr that a racist statement she'd made was the result of taking Ambien, Twitter user Kelly Stanze wrote that "Ambien is responsible for hundreds of thousands of people getting the sleep they need to be healthy, helpful members of society", suggesting that the drug is both helpful and manageable.
- 4) In response to a post asking "what is the deal with Ambien", Reddit user rewardiflost wrote that "I used ambien for a few years, it was great to sleep. It blocked night terrors, nightmares, and night anxiety for me". While many of the comments on the post discuss side-effects of the medication, such as reduced coordination and strange behavior, rewardiflost indicated that the drug was helpful and manageable for them.
- 5) In an October 2019 thread about air travel on Twitter, user Alean wrote that "Even with Ambien i only get a couple of hours, but without it, none. I sat just behind first class, with extra leg room, neck pillow is helpful," suggesting that while he still struggles to sleep on planes, Ambien is helpful in that regard.