While Xanax can be highly effective in managing anxiety symptoms when used as prescribed, misuse or prolonged use can lead to dependence and addiction. When Xanax is taken in larger than prescribed doses, or by people who do not have anxiety or a panic disorder, the drug causes sedation, relaxation, and euphoria, especially when an individual fights the sedating effects of the drug. As a result, the drug is often misused by those who have originally prescribed it and by those who never had a prescription in the first place. Another concern with Xanax addiction is the risk of overdose, which can result in acute benzodiazepine toxicity. Overdose can occur with Xanax alone, but the majority of deaths occur when Xanax is combined with other drugs such as opioids, including heroin. Polydrug use (using multiple drugs) is common among people with benzodiazepine addiction, with 54.2% abusing opioids and 24.7% abusing alcohol.
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- It is also possible to use a pill identifier to confirm if a particular pill is Xanax.
- Even at relatively low doses, Xanax addiction can develop—in part because the drug has a relatively short half-life of 11 hours, which means that its effects wear off quickly.
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- They spend a considerable amount of their time using and acquiring the drug.
- Other commonly prescribed benzodiazepines that pose a risk of dependence include Valium (diazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam).
What are the Signs of Xanax Addiction?
- Here are some of the behavioral symptoms that point toward Xanax addiction.
- Alprazolam, a medication that may cause physical dependence and, in some cases, addiction, is commonly prescribed.
- Xanax addiction carries significant risks, including the potential for a fatal overdose due to excessive use.
- Since Xanax can cause serious side effects and has a high potential for addiction on its own, it is extremely dangerous to mix Xanax with alcohol or other drugs, particularly opioids.
For example, to reduce the risk of seizures, the Xanax dose is gradually tapered over weeks under medical supervision. The Recovery Village Atlanta offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. But experiencing effects is not a sign the user is too far gone for help. Even if a user has begun to experience the effects of alprazolam abuse, these effects can be reduced or eliminated with treatment. Anyone who is or suspects they are addicted to the medication should seek help from Xanax addiction treatment centers.
Psychological Effects
It belongs to one of the most highly abused drug classes, benzodiazepines, and works by slowing down overactivity in the central nervous system. Xanax is a particularly fast-acting benzodiazepine, taking effect in 30 minutes or less, which is one of the primary reasons it is so popular. Behavioral therapy is an important component of recovery xanax addiction from drug addiction. While detox medications are focused on avoiding adverse effects of withdrawal, behavioral therapy is a process that is focused on maintaining recovery. While Xanax is sometimes prescribed for longer than a few weeks to manage certain anxiety disorders, prolonged use can lead to a rebound of anxiety symptoms when the drug is eventually stopped. Various treatment options are available to help individuals overcome Xanax addiction.
- These personality changes are often very noticeable to friends and family members.
- In a review of its efficacy as monotherapy for the treatment of anxiety, panic disorder, and depression, Jonas and Cohon (1993) reviewed 84 studies of alprazolam versus active-drug comparators and/or placebo.
- During Xanax detox, you would be monitored for signs of withdrawal, and you might need to receive treatment to alleviate and prevent harmful complications.
- Or maybe you have a feeling that your loved one is misusing opioids, even if you’re not sure.
- Benzodiazepines were originally developed as a replacement for Barbiturates.
- Because Xanax is a CNS Depressant, common effects of the drug include slurred speech, loss of coordination, and anxiety.
Xanax Misuse Side Effects and Risks
During the confrontation, they are likely to become defensive and aggressive. It is expected that they do not realize that they have fallen prey to Xanax addiction. Increased menstrual bleeding, excessive menstrual cramping, and breast tenderness are some common symptoms among women. This intense desire results in drug craving, which gets stronger as one keeps consuming it, making it difficult to stop using benzos. An individual who is addicted to Xanax is likely to have a persistent and irresistible urge to consume the drug. They spend a considerable amount of their time using and acquiring the drug.
Co-occurring Disorders and Dual Diagnosis Treatment
GABA receptors create a feeling of relaxation when stimulated, which plays a vital role in calming the body. Xanax is often used to treat anxiety by acting on GABA receptors and causing relaxation. Xanax is a potentially addictive substance that can only be legally sold to people who have a prescription. Someone who is addicted to Xanax but unable to purchase alcoholism it legally may turn to illicit methods of acquiring the drug. Xanax is a benzodiazepine, a type of drug that interacts with GABA receptors in the brain.
Your doctor can assess your overall health by performing a physical exam. They can also answer any questions you have about Xanax use and, if needed, refer you to a treatment center. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. A treatment program for Xanax addiction will typically start with medically monitored detox to ensure the person achieves sobriety safely and as comfortably as possible.
Engaging in Risky Behaviors to Get Xanax
When a person takes a hefty dose of the drug, they are also putting themselves in grave danger. A Xanax overdose can create respiratory depression, which can lead to coma and death. Xanax addiction treatment is necessary for anyone to misuse the medication because, without the proper interventions, serious side effects can occur. The risks are so significant that the FDA requires special labeling for Xanax and all other types of benzos.
Medication
When addicted to a drug, a person will continue to use the drug even when it makes life worse. Abuse refers to using Xanax in improper ways, such as combining it with alcohol to intensify its effects. On the other hand, addiction refers to the physical and psychological dependence on Xanax. Both abuse and addiction are dangerous, as they can lead to carelessness, accidents, and even fatal consequences.
It’s essential to recognize that Xanax addiction often coexists with other mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Effective treatment for Xanax addiction must address both the addiction and any underlying mental health conditions simultaneously. At 12 South Recovery, we specialize in dual diagnosis treatment, providing comprehensive care tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs. Treatment for Xanax addiction often begins with a slow tapering of the drug or another benzodiazepine so the individual will not experience severe withdrawal effects. Benzodiazepine withdrawal =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ can create a syndrome similar to delirium tremens that causes hallucinations, agitation, confusion, and potentially fatal seizures. For your safety, it is important to have medical supervision throughout the process of Xanax withdrawal so that these symptoms can be avoided, or immediately treated.
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The safest and most effective way to treat Xanax addiction is a medically supervised tapering program. Medication tapering indicates the usage of a progressively smaller dose of Xanax than withdrawing the drug suddenly. As the long-term usage of Xanax creates a level of tolerance in the abuser’s body, withdrawing it all at once will often result in severe withdrawal symptoms.
