Xanax and other benzodiazepines first entered the market in 1960. Keep reading to learn more about what Xanax is, what substance abuse looks like, and the available treatment options for Xanax addiction. With this kind of holistic treatment, recovering from a Xanax addiction is possible.
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Patients should always ask their doctors celebrities with fetal alcohol syndrome for medical advice about adverse events. XANAX is also indicated to treat panic disorder with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia). Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider. Taking XANAX with certain other medicines can cause side effects or affect how well XANAX or the other medicines work. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not take XANAX if you are taking antifungal treatments, including ketoconazole or itraconazole.
It’s not known whether Xanax is safe to take for more than 4 months for generalized anxiety disorder or more than 10 weeks for panic disorder. The highest dose reported by the drugmaker is a total of 10 mg daily, but it’s uncommon to take such a high dose. This means it’s regulated by the U.S. government due to the risk of misuse.
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Addiction Resource team has compiled an extensive list of the top drug rehabilitation facilities around the country. Always consult your doctor about the effects of the medication on your ability to perform such activities safely. Xanax causes drowsiness, dizziness, slowed reaction times, and impaired judgment, all of which significantly increase the risk of accidents or errors in tasks requiring focus and coordination. In 2020, there were more than 1,200 fatal Xanax overdoses reported in the US.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms may range from uncomfortable to severe to medically dangerous. Additionally, when you develop a tolerance to the medication, it makes it difficult to stop taking it without experiencing mental and physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Read on to learn more about Xanax abuse, including its signs, symptoms, long-term effects, and types of Xanax addiction treatment. As helpful as it is for many anxiety sufferers, it’s also a controlled substance that carries a high risk of misuse, abuse, and addiction. The compounded effects of combining these drugs may be dangerous and put you at risk for health issues or death.
According to a study by Alan Kaye, MAT combined with therapy reduces relapse rates by 50% and significantly improves patient retention in addiction treatment programs. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI) play a role in Xanax addiction treatment by addressing psychological dependency and preventing relapse. The process includes a gradual tapering of Xanax doses, supportive medications alcohol intolerance symptoms and causes like flumazenil, and constant monitoring to prevent severe complications such as seizures. Xanax withdrawal typically lasts between 5 and 28 days, depending on the severity of the addiction and the dosage history.
This action reduces anxiety and induces a sense of relaxation, but over time, the brain becomes reliant on Xanax to maintain these effects, leading to tolerance and dependence. In the United States alone, approximately 16% of overdose deaths involving opioids in 2020 also involved benzodiazepines, according to a report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse titled “Overdose Death Rates” (2021). Globally, Xanax addiction has become a significant issue, with benzodiazepine misuse affecting millions.
If you or a loved one is suffering from Xanax addiction and abuse,The Recovery Villagecan help you make the changes necessary to begin the path to recovery. Other drugs in this class can treat seizures, but Xanax is not prescribed for this reason because it is too short-acting to be effective. Xanax belongs to the class of medications called benzodiazepines. While Xanax abuse and addiction can have a significant negative effect on a person’s life, it can be managed with the appropriate treatment.
With the proper care and program, a path to recovery is possible. This effect is called dependence. Xanax works by mimicking the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA. Anxiety and panic disorders may be caused by an imbalance in certain neurotransmitters. If you think you or someone you’re close to may be living with a Xanax addiction, there are Xanax rehabilitation options available. It could be substituted with a faster taper of a longer-acting benzodiazepine such as clonazepam, using clonidine and/or carbamazepine augmentation.
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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. Learn about the symptoms, timeline, and risks of opioid withdrawal, how to safely detox from opioids, and find treatment. A person can overdose on benzodiazepines like Xanax; however, the risk of overdose increases when a person combines benzos with other substances, particularly other central nervous system depressants like alcohol, opioids, and other benzodiazepines.9, 10, 15
Xanax is the brand name of alprazolam, a member of the benzodiazepine class of medications.4 It is distributed in pills, taken orally, and comes in a variety of different doses.4 A central nervous system depressant, Xanax works by enhancing the effects of GABA, a major inhibitory neurotransmitter, to calm an otherwise overexcited central nervous system.3 While recovery is different for everyone, many patients begin with a medically supervised detoxification phase to help mitigate and treat the potentially dangerous symptoms of Xanax withdrawal. No matter how severe the situation may seem, benzodiazepine treatment is available and can help people struggling with Xanax addiction.
Benzodiazepines (the drug group Xanax belongs to) have a higher risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms than other drugs that treat this condition. Under professional supervision, Xanax is FDA-approved to be prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorders.4 This medication is usually only prescribed for the short-term, as it carries some risk for dependence if used for longer periods of time.4 Clinicians who prescribe Xanax are typically well-versed in the possible side effects Xanax can produce and often aim to limit the amount and frequency of its use in their patients. Xanax is one of the most commonly prescribed and misused benzodiazepines in the US.1 While it is used for legitimate medical purposes, Xanax has the potential for misuse and dependence.2
- Similarly, in a small double-blind study of 14 inpatients with a history of benzodiazepine dependence who were undergoing benzodiazepine withdrawal, alprazolam was preferred to equipotent doses of diazepam in a drug choice test (Apelt et al., 1990).
- This respiratory depression is the main cause of fatal overdose.
- Furthermore, the degree of cognitive recovery that may take place after a benzodiazepine taper is unclear, with compelling evidence not supporting full restitution of cognitive function, at least in the first 6 months after cessation, and suggestion that there may be some permanent deficits in comparison to controls (Barker et al., 2004).
- The withdrawal symptoms of Xanax are a group of physical and psychological effects that occur when a person stops using or reduces their dose of the drug after prolonged use.
- Keep XANAX in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse.
- These symptoms mirror or exceed the severity of the initial anxiety it was prescribed to treat.
They can assess the risks and discuss them with you. These drugs can prevent the pathway that’s responsible for eliminating Xanax from your body from removing it as quickly as it should. You should avoid combining Xanax with several other drugs due to their interactions. It’s possible that the combination will lead to dangerous, even deadly side effects. Some people have also reported memory loss or blacking out and not remembering what happened for several hours. Unlike some drugs, such as cocaine, that produce a “high” or euphoric feeling, Xanax users describe feeling more relaxed, quiet, and tired.
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Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter OTC) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements. Call your doctor right away if you notice these symptoms. Do not change your dose or stop taking this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Alprazolam may cause some people, especially older persons, to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally.
If you or someone you care about uses Xanax, understanding the signs of a possible Xanax addiction is important. Oxford Treatment Center, American Addiction Centers’ residential rehab center in Mississippi, is ready to help you get the treatment you need today. Regardless of the type of treatment you choose, know that you’re not alone. Seeking help for Xanax abuse is one of the most advisable ways to overcome addiction. Recreational users of Xanax may procure the drug from some illegal source, such as buying it on the street or getting it from a person who has a prescription.
The manufacturer’s labeling guide reports that it is not known if alprazolam is safe and effective for use longer than 10 weeks for panic disorder treatment or longer than 4 months for anxiety disorder treatment.2 Chronic use or misuse of benzodiazepines such as Xanax may cause long-term adverse effects. Many addiction medicine doctors believe that alprazolam has a high misuse liability, especially if used by people with a history of a substance use disorder.5 Our certified medical reviewers are licensed in the mental health and addiction medicine fields and are dedicated to helping readers and prospective clients make informed decisions about their treatment. Common medications used include flumazenil to reverse benzodiazepine effects, antidepressants to manage co-occurring depression, and beta-blockers to control physical symptoms like heart palpitations. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) treats Xanax addiction by focusing on reducing cravings and stabilizing mental health during recovery.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
- CBT is one of the most common therapy modalities for both substance use disorder and anxiety disorder treatment.
- In some cases, they are continued throughout the pregnancy, even when they are no longer clinically indicated, because the pregnant mother is physically dependent and discontinuation could harm the fetus due to increased risk of withdrawal symptoms, including seizures.
- The calming effect increases dopamine levels temporarily, leading to feelings of euphoria, especially at higher doses.
- However, even though it can be beneficial for those who take it as prescribed and for the appropriate conditions, Xanax can also be dangerous and potentially deadly if it is misused.4
- Prolonged use suppresses the brain’s natural production of GABA, leaving it unable to function normally without the drug.
- Many people find support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or SMART Recovery helpful for connecting with others in recovery.
It’s best to follow a program with your doctor’s supervision to taper off the high doses and ultimately quit entirely. Xanax has a high potential to be a habit-forming drug. This rebound anxiety or depression is usually temporary. Many people who take Xanax don’t report a “comedown” because Xanax doesn’t cause a “high.” A Xanax comedown isn’t the same thing as withdrawal. If you don’t have these symptoms, you’ll begin to return to a “normal feeling.”
There’s no recommended Xanax dosage for children, though doctors sometimes prescribe the drug off-label for children. If you decide to stop taking Xanax, your doctor will likely have you decrease your dose slowly. If you respond well to the drug and your doctor increases your daily dosage, Drug awareness they’ll do it slowly by 1 mg every 3 to 4 days. The maximum dosage recommended by the drugmaker is a total of 4 mg daily. If you respond well to the drug, your doctor may then increase your dosage slowly.
