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Agreed that the intense rash of criticism this article invoked appears extraneous.. It was an entertaining read, regardless of the socioeconomic status of its characters! I quite enjoy these lifestyle pieces to mitigate some of the 'harder' content..
Having taken Ambien intermittently for the past year or so, I can attest to both its unmatched effectiveness and strange side effects. My roommate takes it on a regular basis, and relishes the pleasant euphoria and dissociation experienced in the last moments before falling asleep (absent alcohol). When combined with alcohol, loss of consciousness (preceded by a mildly hallucinogenic disorientation) is rapid and invariably results in a 'black out,' which is never a problem as we're usually in bed anyway.
But why stigmatize Ambien for causing such occurrences, when the manufacturer states clearly the risks associated with such usage? Many prescription meds, and more than a few over-the-counter sleeping pills, warn explicitly against combining substances.
The real story lies in the cases in which no additional substances were consumed, and off-kilter reactions occured regardless. I can relate to the daytime distance and narcotic-infused evening affection of a partner--indeed, many doubtless struggle to reconcile the Jekyll and Hyde nature of their lovers with those whom they initially became involved with. From that angle, this story is but a new spin on an old trope; a more interesting interrogation could focus on why we repeatedly preference dissimulation and illusion over flawed realism, to the detriment of personal growth and development.
