A New Sleeping Sickness Is Haunting Highways (the Ambien driver)

NY Times ^ | March 8, 2006 | STEPHANIE SAUL

[Walkin Man]

I find it hard to believe people can be this dumb.

I used to think like that also, until I got a job working with the public...

[katana]

I know you're trying to be funny, but jetlag from flying west to east is a lot harder to get over than east to west. Besides, most east to west flights (trans-Atlantic or Pacific) are conducted in the continuous sunlight of a very long day so the idea on those is to stay awake.

Trans-Pacific flights from Japan, Australia, etc. crossing the IDL to the USA usually result in arrival a couple hours before the time you took off. Anything that will give you 6 to 8 hours of genuine sleep during a flight like that probably is a godsend (as long as you're not the pilot - that "driving directly into stationary objects" bit could otherwise be a problem).

[righttackle44]

"Would it keep you awake?"

Um, NOT taking Ambien?

[Wolfie]

"Just Say No" ping.

[ExSES]

I find it hard to believe people can be this dumb.

Somehow, I stopped underestimating how dumb people can be many decades ago! The "Darwin Awards" merely chronicle the tip of the iceberg!!!

[thoughtomator]

Also known as "the Virgina driver"...

[HiTech RedNeck]

I had done all these things and not even rememered having done them.

Did it come back to you once you noticed?

[WV Mountain Mama]

Jack Daniels has the same effect... my hubby and I know that for a fact.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I suggest a cat sleeping next to your pillow.

[CT-Freeper]

My wife has sleepwalking troubles already as it is, I sure am glad she isn't on any drugs like this type.

I always get worried about her when I am away from home for a few nights at a time, because that's what gets her nervous/anxious, and then that leads to her sleepwalking.

One time a few weeks ago, I came home after a week away and somehow there were four loafs of bread in the cabinet. My wife said when she woke up on Thursday morning, they were there, and she knows that when she went to bed Wednesday night, they were not.

Needless to say, I am glad that starting next week, I'll be in a new job with much less time away from home!

[1rudeboy]

That Ambien stuff is an absolute godsend for eastbound overseas night flights. Sleep soundly all night in economy class, and feel great all the next day in Europe.

I'll have to try it . . . airlines are cutting-back on the free booze.

[ops33]

Yes, but you would have to turn counter clockwise when you got up to go to the bathroom.

[Mamzelle]

Ambian is a "hypnotic" and very different from past sleep meds. Stupidity has nothing to do with it, because judgement can be suspended and complete amnesia induced. Really.

[alisasny]

Trust me, many are taking ambien to get HIGH and it is addictive. Say hello to the newest addicts on Ambien. They either just started taking it or switched over from Ocycontin and Vicodan.

[alisasny]

I take trazodone for sleep insomnia. Works very well and is not addictive. I will probably be off it by the end of the month.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I can advise that if you goal is to have a pleasant day at your destination (as opposed to passing flight time unconscious, booze is one of the worst things you can use for jet-lag avoidance. As is the food they serve. Eat your last meal of the day in the airport you will depart from, probably mid-afternoon. Then eat nothing else, because you just had a 10PM dinner at your destination time. Get on the plane, put on the earplugs and eyeshades, and conk out with your melatonin and ambien. Keep a water bottle handy, and that's it. Don't be surprised if you get 6 quality hours of sleep, and are perky until midnight the next day at your European destination.

[R. Scott]

It happened to be once long ago – but Ambien had nothing to do with it.
I was 18 years old and working at an amusement park. We started at 9:30 AM and worked to 2:00 AM and sometimes 3:00 AM – seven days a week.
One early morning on the way home I suddenly found myself in a cornfield. The last thing I remembered was leaving the park – several miles down the road.

[1rudeboy]

I know, I know. I simply cannot pass through an international airport without drinking. I love to travel. :)

[R. Scott]

WARNING: may cause drowsiness

I like that warning in the ads – I sure hope one of the effects of a sleeping pill is drowsiness!

[R. Scott]

OH! Those Evil SUVs!