Can you take ambien while taking coricidin for a cold?

9 years ago I had a terrible 'flew' I believe. My wife bought Robitussin for me. I had been taking 10mg of Ambien every night 4 about 4 years. this night I took 2 table spoons of Robitussin and then the 10mg of Ambien. I went through a long black-out period with a few seconds or spurts of memory over the next 2 or so hours. Unknown to me, I had cussed out my with, which I had never done in the past, driven my car around the block and hit 10 cars parked in the street, totaling out my car. The police found me walking towards trafic on a busy street next to my house. I was arrested and charged with Driving While Under The Influence Of Prescription Drugs (DUI).

Several thousand dollars later I was found guilty. I discovered that after the normal dose of Robitussin and Ambien, that I had taken several more Ambien and several Hydrocodone tablets. I have no memory of this and had never abused drugs before or since (It has been 9 years ago.)

I am alcoholic and have been totaly dry for 30 years. 21 years at the time. I have always wondered why I was affected so strongly. One suspicion is that my being alcoholic might have something to do with it. I had several similar black-out periods back when I drank alcohol.

I would like to find out more if anyone knows anything about this.

PS About a year after my arrest, my comviction was overturned on appeal by a technicality having nothing to do with my guilt or innocence.

Thank You