Identification

• Ambien would belong to the class of medications often referred to as either sedatives or hypnotics. Due to the nature of this type of drug, it will essentially calm the brain, so to speak, allowing the person to get a good night's sleep. However, continued or long-term use will eventually begin to affect the way in which the prescription works on the individual, and the current dosage will become less effectual, meaning Ambien won't have the same impact on the brain as it did at the onset.
  
  

Significance

• Since Ambien's efficacy will be affected by long-term use, a person would need to take more of this prescription medication to get to sleep and stay asleep. This can be rather problematic, as it may then result in what would be considered dependency, which is a need for the medication, and prescription drug abuse, which is a use of a medication for purposes other than intended. Once someone becomes dependent on a substance or begins to abuse a prescription medication, she will inevitably find herself encountering a myriad of consequences from this form of use.
  
  

Time Frame

• Basically, long-term use of Ambien would be classified as any period of time that extends beyond its intended use. Currently, it is recommended that a person only use Ambien for no longer than two weeks. After this time, a person will generally experience some trouble with sleep after he has stopped taking the medication, but this will go away fairly soon.
  
  

Side Effects

• Besides dependency on Ambien, many people will also begin to display a number of different side effects from long-term use, including confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, mood swings, irritability, anxiousness, nervousness, depression and an overall lack of balance or coordination. Oftentimes, the medication will begin to affect the way in which heart works, creating a rapid or uneven rhythm to its beating. A person may also begin to have an altered visual perception, manifesting as either a double or blurred vision.
  
  

Drug-Seeking Behavior

• When someone becomes dependent on a medication like Ambien, there is the potential, especially in fairly long-term abuse, for the individual to begin exhibiting "drug-seeking" behavior. This is generally seen as "misplacing" a prescription so as to get a second prescription, allowing for higher dose taking, or having a prescription for Ambien with more than one doctor, again allowing for higher dosages. It may also be seen as hoarding medications, early refills or a preoccupation in taking the medication.