Ambien & Tiger Woods

Ambien may have been a factor in Tiger Woods’ recent car crash. What is this prescription medication and what does it do?

You can’t turn on the TV or pick up a newspaper or magazine without finding coverage of golf star Tiger Woods’ recent personal troubles. The Toronto Star reported on Dec. 8, 2010 that reports released earlier in the week say that Woods was admitted to Health Central on Nov. 27th as the possible victim of an overdose. The newspaper also cited a recently leaked police report that said Woods’ wife, Elin Nordegren, told a police officer who arrived after Woods' single-car crash that her husband had been drinking and held prescriptions for Ambien, a sedative, and Vicodin, a painkiller.

In the early morning accident, Woods ran over a fire hydrant and struck a tree while attempting to pull out of the driveway of his luxury Florida home. “Impairment of the driver is also suspected due to the careless driving that resulted in the traffic crash," Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Joshua Evans wrote in his report. Neighbors have gone on the record saying that when they came out to offer assistance, they found Woods “snoring” beside his car, unusual for someone who had just been involved in an accident. When Florida Highway Patrol officers attempted to get a blood sample or to question Woods following the incident, the golfer did not make himself available. Authorities later issued Woods a $164 fine for careless driving.

Facts on Ambien and Vicodin

So just what are the prescription medications that Woods’ wife claimed he had been taking on the night of the incident? Vicodin is a popular prescription painkiller that has become widely abused in recent years. In contrast, Ambien is a sedative that affects chemicals in the brain, causing relaxation so an individual can fall asleep.

This brand-name drug is intended for the short-term treatment of insomnia, and there have been reports of someone taking Ambien and then engaging in activities including driving, eating or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. Side effects of Ambien may include impaired thinking or reactions, and drinking alcohol while taking Ambien can increase those side effects. Ambien can be habit-forming and those taking it are warned not to continue use for longer than four or five weeks without a doctor’s advice.

Abruptly stopping Ambien after taking it regularly for several days can result in withdrawal symptoms. Those withdrawal symptoms include:

·         Behavior changes

·         Stomach pain

·         Muscle cramps

·         Nausea

·         Vomiting

·         Sweating

·         Anxiety

·         Panic

·         Tremors

·         Seizure

Tablets are formulated for timed release so they shouldn’t be broken or crushed but instead taken whole.

Ambien Addiction Treatment

Ambien addiction or abuse is less talked about than other prescription addictions like Vicodin, but it may be a growing problem. If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction to any prescription medication, contact La Paloma at our toll-free number, 877-345-1887. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day.