Desperate to get over Ambien cravings....

I have abused Ambien for about three years.  I normally take between 6 to 8 a day.  As of today I haven't taken one in about three weeks.  The physical withdrawal stopped after a few days but the mental cravings are driving me insane!  I think about them all day everyday, I eat everything in sight trying to fill the empty feeling I have from not having them.  I really feel like saying f*** it and going to getting some.  Anyone with advice please help.  How can I stop craving them?  How long will I feel like this?

[bama88]

May i ask why you abuse ambien? And how long and what for? Just need more info please.

[selfinduced]

I to have taken ambien off and on for years. They were great at knocking me out when I couldn't sleep. The thing is tho, my memory started to suffer. Not only that I would have long conversations with people and not recall them. While detoxing from opiates I tried to cheat the system and sleep thro w/d with ambien. Taking several a day (for me) caused rebound headaches that were awful and severe anxiety. I say if you are lucky snuff to have gone 3 weeks, STAY AWAY! Can you go to some na meeting maybe for support?

[Blackwolfsgirl]

The physical cravings will stop after a week or so, but the mental cravings can last fpr years. I recommend going to NA or a personal psychologist yo see why you started abusing them in the first place. I started abusing Vicodin in order to nat have to deal with the emotional aspect of my mom having cancer and going through chemo.

[christinak810]

My doctor prescribed them for me because I was dealing with a stressful situation and could not sleep.  At first I used it like it was meant to be used.  I started noticing that if I took it and didn't go to sleep it would give me a super relaxed feeling, it felt great.  I started taking them earlier and earlier in the day to feel good. And of course if one makes you feel good two makes you feel better.  The high would only last for a few hours so I would have to take two every few hours to keep the feeling all day long. I have never had an addictive personality, but this has really got a hold on me.

[kk1303]

Instead of vicodin, I take vitamins...or an OTC pain medicine like Aleve. Try to get addicted to taking healthy pills (I.e. vitamins) every day. This is just what I'm doing...I'm only on day 4 sober. I haven't had any cravings for the vicodin throught my detox...I even left one next to my head on my nightstand to see how strong I was. As of 5 days ago, I was taking 8 Vicodin a day plus oxycontin, so needless to say, mentally I had that habit of taking pills. Now that I'm taking vitamins, I tell myself "ok, this is your feelgood pill, its gonna help u chill & relax (valerian root.)" When I wake up I take my B complex vitamin, throughout the day I also take a multivitamin & an omega 3 pill. So basically what I saying is that instead of popping pain pills, I'm getting into the habit of popping vitamins haha. It gives me that mental fix of taking a pill.

[my_mayberry]

oh my...it's rare that these get abused this way. i know what you're going through to an extent. i abuse barbiturates which also give the super relaxed feeling. the cravings? i don't know...time is the only thing that will get rid of them. lots of time.