[Cainfan2024]

I was on ambien for almost 20 years – my Dr s just kept prescribing it as I had always had sleep trouble – I didn’t know how bad that drug was.
I am not on it anymore – but I wonder if I have permanently hurt my brain
– Sleep is still difficult – I have a racing mind … whether things are good or bad

Any long time Ambien Users that sleep now?

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to the forum!

As far as I know, there is no scientific evidence that long-term use of sleeping pills causes brain damage. Why are you no longer taking Ambien?

Typically, if sleep issues stick around (or reappear) when we stop taking medication that can be because the real problem was never addressed — namely all the effort we put into making sleep happen and our understandable attempts to fight or avoid being awake and all the difficult thoughts and feelings that can come with insomnia.

In other words, there’s nothing unique or unusual in your experience — and it’s unlikely to be evidence of brain damage. It’s just that it might be time to explore whether it could be helpful to change any behaviors that might be keeping your struggle alive and supplying insomnia with the oxygen it needs to survive.

There are many stories of long-time Ambien/medication users who have moved past insomnia over on the Insomnia Coach podcast.

Some specific episodes:

How Vicky changed her approach to insomnia when sleeping pills stopped working after 20 years (#43)

How Jim stopped chasing after sleep and put over 10 years of insomnia behind him (#42)

How Jennifer moved past 18 years of insomnia by exploring her sleep-related beliefs and recognizing her own insomnia in the stories of others (#33)

How Jennifer got through setbacks and relapses while implementing techniques that transformed her sleep after 25 years of insomnia (#23)

How Sally improved her sleep after 60 years of insomnia and 10 years of sleeping pills (#19)

How Eileen used CBT-I techniques to improve her sleep after taking sleeping pills almost every day for 15 years (#11)

I hope there’s something helpful here 🙂

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The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

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