The Sleep Health Foundation estimates that one in three people have mild insomnia. While medical treatment of insomnia includes behavior modifications and natural remedies, many people treat insomnia with prescription drugs. To treat insomnia, many people are prescribed and use Ambien, a sleeping pill. Some Ambien users have been charged with DWI Prescription Drugs when driving and behaving strangely while under the effects of the sleeping pill.
The following post is the first installment in a four-part series regarding the Ambien defense when used to beat DWI prescription drug charges. Please keep in mind that this post is educational in nature and is not providing legal advice. For specific information about a criminal case you are involved in, contact the Law Office of Kimberly Griffin Tucker for a free consultation. Make sure to check back next week, for part two of the series.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleeping disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. According to the Mayo Clinic, most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep nightly. Insomnia risks tend to be greater if you are female, older than 60, have a mental health disorder, are under a lot of stress, work nights or changing shifts, or travel long distances. Insomnia is treated with prescription sleeping pills like zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Soneta), or ramelteon (Rozerem).
A Closer Look at Ambien
Ambien is a sedative known as a hypnotic that alters the chemical composition of the brain. Ambien is prescribed by doctors to treat insomnia. The immediate release tablet helps you fall asleep soon after taking the medication. The extended release version helps you fall asleep and then stay asleep. Which of the two you are prescribed depends on the type of insomnia your doctor is treating you for.
The Food and Drug Administration approved Ambien to treat insomnia in 1994. Prior to that, Halcion was used to combat insomnia. Because of its tendency to induce psychosis, suicide, and addiction, Halcion was banned in countries around the world. In 2007, the generic version of Ambien zolpidem was released, making the sleeping drug the most prescribed drug in America.
At first, the warning labels on Ambien listed occasional side effects like sleep walking, abnormal thinking, and strange behavior. People taking Ambien as directed by their doctor however, started acting strangely soon after the sleeping drug hit the market. For example, reports suggested that someone put butter on and ate her cigarettes, ate eggs with the shells on, sleep walked, and engaged in sleep driving.
Hire a DWI Prescription Drug Defense Firm
If you or someone you know has been charged with DWI Prescription Drugs in the Plano or Denton areas of Texas, contact the The Law Office of Kimberly Griffin Tucker, P.C. Our team of experienced lawyers and legal professionals will provide information, analyze your case, and recommend a prompt solution to your DWI Prescription Drugs matter, including trial if necessary.