Contents
“Alcohol and benzos are the most potentially serious withdrawals because you can have seizures,” Dr. Kevin Wandler told Drug Rehab.com. Wandler is the chief medical officer of Advanced Recovery Systems, which operates rehab facilities across the United States. Taking a benzodiazepine such as Xanax for longer than three or four weeks can lead to dependence. Dependence turns into addiction when a person keeps taking the drug despite negative consequences.
This drug is primarily used to treat anxiety symptoms and disorders like generalized anxiety disorder . Though tapering off Xanax may help with the intensity of withdrawal, certain symptoms are still common when you discontinue Xanax. Patients who experienced anxiety prior to starting Xanax may feel more anxious after stopping it,. If you or someone you’re with is experiencing side effects from mixing Xanax and other substances, dial 911 and request an ambulance. The person’s healthcare provider should be notified that they are in the emergency room.
Bipolar disorder is a condition that causes alternating periods of mania and depression. Long-acting drugs take several weeks or more to produce a significant effect. Short-acting drugs, however, create a quick and often powerful effect. Instead, Xanax may create intense feelings of sleepiness and relaxation.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about Xanax. Getting off of Xanax is easier for people who lower the dosage in small steps prior to quitting. Abruptly stopping the medication or reducing the dosage drastically can be deadly; with potential seizures or death.
Because Xanax causes drowsiness, it can alter a person’s appetite and ability to perform physical tasks. Treatment for Xanax addiction, especially detox for withdrawal symptoms, can address the physical discomfort often caused by the symptoms of Xanax abuse. However, because abusing a medication can worsen its effects, people who misuse Xanax may experience significant memory loss. Some substances can heighten the side effects and increase the risk of Xanax overdose. Located in Havre de Grace, Maryland, Ashley Addiction Treatment is the ideal place for your loved one to recover from a Xanax addiction.
When is Prozac Prescribed?
If you are in asubstance abuse treatment program, you may also be given additional medications to prevent dangerous withdrawal symptoms. In many of the spontaneous case reports of adverse behavioral effects, patients were receiving other CNS drugs concomitantly and/or were described as having underlying psychiatric conditions. Should any of the above events occur, alprazolam should be discontinued. Instances of irritability, hostility, and intrusive thoughts have been reported during discontinuation of alprazolam in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. In general, the longer you’ve taken benzodiazepines and the higher the doses, the more intense your withdrawal symptoms will be.
- A trained medical professional will need to assess each person individually to decide on the optimal course of action for them specifically.
- The effects of the drug come on quickly and disappear rapidly.
- In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.
- Spring Hill Recovery Center is a treatment facility that offers several types of addiction care, including both inpatient and outpatient addiction services.
Escalating use by increasing the size of doses is one indication that addiction might be in play. Those who take large doses of Xanax regularly are more likely to develop a substance use disorder than individuals who take low doses of the drug infrequently. Dependence becomes a problem when individuals take Xanax for nonmedical reasons or when they don’t communicate with their doctor. Some people take the medication recreationally to feel carefree or overly relaxed.
Can I Detox From Xanax At Home?
The effects of Xanax abuse are far-reaching and should be taken very seriously. Just because a drug is prescribed by a doctor does not make it safe for abuse. We’ll be able to tell you if your provider is in network with Oxford Treatment Center and all American Addiction Centers locations. Keep in mind that the level of dependence and amount of Xanax taken will influence this timeline. A trained medical professional will need to assess each person individually to decide on the optimal course of action for them specifically.
They increase their dosage without medical supervision, which again leads to Xanax overdose. They will show you how to safely taper down your dosage gradually to minimize withdrawal effects. Anyone experiencing an overdose requires immediate medical attention. Once at the hospital or with emergency services, they are often given intravenous fluids, respiratory support, and/or medications to help combat the effects. One study found that 15 out of 17 patients with panic disorder experienced a “reoccurrence or increase” in their panic attacks after tapering off Xanax. At Casa Palmera, our goal is to aid you in a comprehensive spiritual, physical, and emotional recovery.
What’s it like to be addicted to Xanax?
In dual diagnosis care, your treatment team will curate a recovery plan that’s aimed at addressing both the substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health condition. Many inpatient drug rehab centers provide a range of support groups, masters-level clinical psychologists, medical care, detox services, and more to ensure a safe recovery process. At an inpatient or residential addiction treatment center, you will be removed from all substances and be able to recover in a safe, stable environment among other peers in recovery. When a person is addicted to another substance in addition to Xanax, treatment for Xanax addiction should include polysubstance abuse recovery approaches. Doctors generally prescribe Xanax to treat mental health conditions like anxiety or panic attacks.
- The drug has high abuse potential, especially for individuals with a history of substance misuse or abuse.
- If you’re unsure about taking Xanax, ask your doctor about alternatives.
- Some receptor cells stop functioning with small doses of the drug, and that means taking those doses produces no change at all.
Benzodiazepines rarely cause deadly overdoses when taken alone. But the drugs can cause life-threatening side effects when taken with other depressants, such as alcohol or opioids. Our community offers unique perspectives on lifelong recovery and substance use prevention, empowering others through stories of strength and courage. From people in active recovery to advocates who have lost eco sober house complaints loved ones to the devastating disease of addiction, our community understands the struggle and provides guidance born of personal experience. The transition back to life outside of rehab is fraught with the potential for relapse. Aftercare resources such as 12-step groups, sober living homes and support for family and friends promote a life rich with rewarding relationships and meaning.
Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Withdrawal symptoms are triggered when someone who is physically dependent on Xanax stops taking it suddenly. https://sober-home.org/ Because they are physically dependent on Xanax, without it they just can’t feel normal or function well, and they frequently experience emotional and physical pain along with psychological symptoms.
Higher doses of Xanax cause intense drowsiness, and when they have been removed people experience insomnia. Detoxification can be a difficult and emotionally taxing process. Withdrawal symptoms can strip you of dignity, something that, perhaps, you have already suffered by recognizing a drug addiction. A person should speak to their doctor about how their other medications might interact with Xanax. People will usually experience side effects of Xanax when they first start taking it or when they increase the dosage. By submitting this form you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy of the website.
Withdrawal symptoms do not always indicate an addiction, but they do indicate that the brain and body have grown used to the drug’s effects. Xanax may cause rebound effects and withdrawal symptoms, especially if used for long periods. Xanax is somewhat less addictive than other drugs, such as opioids. It is a short-acting medication that has been proven effective for intense forms of anxiety such as panic disorder and agoraphobia . Cognitive-behavioral therapy and other holistic treatment programs can also help identify triggers and create healthier habits in life. Reach out to an inpatient or outpatient treatment facility in your area or around the United States.
What are the Risk Factors Contributing to Xanax Overdose?
My expectations were consistently exceeded by the expertise of the staff, the content of the program, and the overall respect and care I was treated with. I would highly recommend to anyone suffering from drug or alcohol dependency. How long withdrawal lasts depends mainly on how long you have been using and at what levels.
- Possible side effects of Xanax include drowsiness, dizziness, and fatigue.
- TheUS Food and Drug Administration warns that Xanax can be habit-forming and taking the drug, even as directed with a necessary medical prescription and need for it, can lead to physical drug dependence.
- During a medical detox process, vital signs can be monitored closely, and trained staff can keep you comfortable and safe.
- Long-acting benzos, such as Klonopin or Librium , may be substituted for Xanax during tapering.
Therefore, treatment for Xanax addiction should always consider potential co-occurring mental health issues. For some, Xanax can result in an addiction, especially if they have a history of substance abuse or use the drug recreationally. As a result, some people who enter rehab for Xanax addiction may require opioid addiction treatment as well. Many people who misuse Xanax are at risk of developing an addiction to this medication. Xanax is considered generally safe as long as it is prescribed by a doctor and used appropriately. Not every person who uses the drug will experience signs of Xanax addiction.
Types Of Xanax
The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. If you recognize yourself or someone you love in these symptoms of addiction, know that help is available. In a structured program, you can work with professionals who can help you to understand your addiction and what you can do to get better.
Short-term placebo-controlled clinical studies with XANAX dosages up to 10 mg per day for panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia . People who are withdrawing from opiates sometimes self-medicate with Xanax. Likewise, people with addictions to other benzodiazepines such as Valium and Ativan are also more likely to misuse Xanax because they produce a similar sedating effect. Xanax is a powerful drug on its own, but as an addiction deepens, you might be tempted to add other drugs to your daily dosage mix. This is especially true if you have struggled to get enough Xanax to keep symptoms of withdrawal at bay. Adding other drugs might seem like the best way to get the high you want.
Driving under the influence, shoplifting, or buying counterfeit pills from a drug dealer are some events people reported to engage in while on Xanax. Any amount used beyond what is prescribed or out of the prescription instructions is too much. Short term use, even taking Xanax for just two weeks, has been linked to the development of dependence. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you.
Some changes that have occurred in people taking this medicine are like those seen in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Other changes may be more unusual and extreme, such as confusion, worsening of depression, hallucinations , suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients.
If someone you know overdoses on Xanax, call for emergency medical help immediately. Suppose you are experiencing an emergency and need an ambulance, dial 911. If you’re not sure whether or not the situation is a true emergency, officials still recommend that you call 911 and let the call-taker help you. Always be honest with your healthcare provider about all other medications that you are taking.