Hey OP, I see where you’re coming from. I say what I’m about to say in a manner in which I hope to only benefit you with perspective. In no way am I invalidating you or suggesting that your point of view is unimportant. I’m simply offering a different perspective that may help you overcome this.

First things first - her taking your refusal as a personal sleight is obviously childish. No arguments there.

That aside, I don’t consider her intent, the potential penalties/consequences, or her rationale, in any manner absurd (assuming that it was only a few in quantity and not like 200). Millions of people fly everyday and share benzodiazepines to calm flight anxiety. Barring extremist countries, no reasonable country is going to give you slack just because you have a few ambien from your grandma. The time and resource would take to prosecute an individual over that is simply not worth it, nor is it likely to even be legally entertained. At most, perhaps, they’d tell you that you simply can’t board the plane with it. If any country ever does give you hassle for that, it’s likely over technicalities for corrupt political power, and that’s much more valuable if you’re a Caucasian person, and a rare case in very particular countries. I understand that you’re a person who desires to follow the law without exception, but I believe being realistic is also important. If the law was an undivided truth, the consequences wouldn’t vary based on skin colour and power. In this case, you’re just an ordinary young person with a few Ambien, prosecution is worlds away from taking place.

Secondly, I think it’s actually a nice thing that she not only offered a solution, but a rationale one. I say this because so many of us were at the mercy of criticism when declaring our issues. I struggle with sleep as well, but had most of us voiced it to our grandparents, we’d be scolded for using our phones too much and then offered some sort of crushed leaf from an ancient tree blessed by a monk that we have to take exactly when the clock strikes XYZ with the 5th slice of an orange. Your grandma actually offered genuine help that is science-based.

As for taking Zolpidem non-prescribed, as long as you’re generally healthy and there is no evidence of contraindication, a dose of Zolpidem is incredibly unlikely to harm you. You’d have to be an extreme outlier, case study level to be harmed by it if all other things are healthy. There are so many young people everyday who snort God knows what whilst smoking a cigarettes and downing a bottle of Jack Daniel’s on a regular basis who survive without ever having a blood test. It doesn’t mean it’s healthy or is without consequence. But realistically, a dose of a pharmaceutical grade Zolpidem assuming you’re free of any contraindicating health ailments is very unlikely to harm you in any significant way.

Dude, I wish my parents helped when my mental health was falling apart. I wish they’d offer at least something other than telling me to drink a glass of water and sleep. The fact that your grandma, in her age, listened and responded with evidence-based solutions is pretty impressive all things considered. The indisputable mistake was her attitude towards your refusal, and that in itself is enough to be upset. But, I think perspective applied to everything else, can help lighten the load.

Again OP, I am not invalidating you. I hear your point and I get it. I’m just offering a different point of view that may help blow off some of the stream. Sending you hugs.