The dosage is based on a patient’s medical condition, age and response to treatment. A course of Xanax should not last longer than one or two weeks, but sometimes it is prescribed on an “as-needed” basis for panic attacks. Quitting Xanax suddenly can be dangerous, as it may lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. Estimates suggest that about 10% to 25% of people who use benzodiazepines long term experience what’s known as protracted withdrawal. The symptoms of Xanax withdrawal typically appear within 8 to 12 hours of your last dose.
Xanax Addiction: Signs, Effects, and Treatment
They can experience anxiety, trouble sleeping and unhappy thoughts. It’s important to recognize these potential causes and risk factors, as early intervention and seeking help for Xanax addiction is crucial to preventing further harm. If you or someone you know is struggling with Xanax addiction, seeking professional treatment and support is highly recommended. Various treatment options are available for a person with SUD. Once a person has finished treatment, there are different strategies they can use to reduce their risk of reuse. Research from 2018 notes that experts consider Xanax withdrawal symptoms more severe than those of other benzodiazepines.
Find Xanax Addiction Treatment
But the drugs can cause life-threatening side effects when taken with other depressants, such as alcohol or opioids. They want relief from social anxiety, and Xanax helps them wind down. Others desire a loose, goofy feeling that’s similar to how people feel when they get drunk. The causes of Xanax addiction include legitimate medical use, leading to tolerance, or recreational misuse seeking relaxation or euphoria, with genetics and underlying mental health issues playing contributing roles. Outpatient treatment options provide maximum flexibility by allowing people to maintain their obligations at work, school, and home while in a treatment and recovery program.
- Behavioral therapy is an important component of recovery from drug addiction.
- Dr. Michael Olla is a renowned medical professional licensed in both New York and New Jersey, specializing in psychiatry and addiction treatment.
- But if you remove the drug all at once, your brain doesn’t have enough time to prepare, and you can develop life-threatening symptoms like seizures.
- Xanax addiction presents significant challenges due to its short half-life and potential for severe withdrawal symptoms.
- The way a person behaves while living with an addiction can vary widely.
- The Recovery Village has trained teams of medical experts who understand the difficulties of living with Xanax addiction.
How to find a treatment center
While Xanax addiction cannot be completely cured — nor can any dependency on drugs or alcohol — treatment can help affected individuals address their behavior and return to a healthy lifestyle. When a person is dependent, they cannot stop using a drug without xanax addiction experiencing withdrawal. Therefore, the urge to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay reinforces substance use. If you are concerned about the risks involved in Xanax tapering for any reason, discuss these concerns with a doctor. While inpatient treatment is typically more expensive, it is covered by many insurance plans. Switching from short-acting Xanax to its longer-acting cousin Valium will make it easier for you to quit.
It’s a free online tool provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 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. Alprazolam tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to store your medicine.
- When you stop taking them, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal.
- Switching from short-acting Xanax to its longer-acting cousin Valium will make it easier for you to quit.
- They become vulnerable to sexual assault, theft and other transgressions.
- Regular Xanax use leads the brain cells becoming accustomed to its presence.
Rebound symptoms
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. The main form of therapy that is used to help a person addicted to Xanax is cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches the patient how to address their own psychology surrounding their drug abuse. It teaches clients how to cope with relapse temptations and life stress in a productive and abstinence-friendly manner. This article will discuss how Xanax works, the side effects, the signs of Xanax addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and how to find treatment.
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