Before delving into withdrawal details, it’s crucial to understand Xanax, its uses, and the risks of misuse. Xanax, or alprazolam, treats anxiety and panic disorders but carries a risk of abuse https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and dependence as a Schedule IV controlled substance. If used correctly, it provides relief, but misuse or higher doses can lead to severe side effects, harming physical and mental health.

Meth Addiction, Anxiety, and Co-Occurring Disorders

Both our 24/7 helpline and chatbox are free resources available to callers looking for treatment. However, a study published in 2022 shed xanax addiction some light on a possible mechanism by which benzos lead to dementia. They can give you a schedule of when and how to reduce your dosage.

Xanax Addiction And Abuse

Sometimes family and friends can help in encouraging you to seek help and in pointing out these issues to you. Even if a person tries to stop taking Xanax, the fear of withdrawal and rebound can be so strong that the adverse consequences of stopping seem to outweigh the benefits. Xanax addiction is specifically part of a subcategory of substance use disorder known as sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder.

• Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
• They can advise you on how to stop drinking or they may suggest treatments other than Xanax.
• People with benzodiazepine tolerance may take supratherapeutic doses because the recommended range no longer provides relief for their symptoms.
• They can range in severity, though for some people, they remain mild and manageable.
• Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.
• Many people also benefit from general therapy to help with things like past traumas, mental health disorders, and stressful situations.

Professional resources

This short timeframe is because the half-life, which is the amount of time it takes for half of Xanax to be processed by the body is around 11 hours. 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. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common form of therapy for benzodiazepine addiction.

Xanax contains the active drug alprazolam, which is a controlled substance. The federal government regulates controlled substances because taking them may lead some people to misuse the drugs. Flumazenil can also be used to treat withdrawal symptoms in long-term benzodiazepine users. However, flumazenil could worsen symptoms in patients with a history of seizures or head injuries. 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. Individuals who take it recreationally often mix it with alcohol, marijuana or other drugs.

• Those with anxiety will see a return of symptoms and may feel inclined to up their dose in order to keep symptoms at bay.
• Benzodiazepine use can be apparent if someone appears intoxicated or there is drug-seeking behavior, but the problem can also be well concealed.
• Xanax is a prescription medication that treats conditions such as anxiety and panic disorder.
• Finally, Xanax is very risky because it is often mixed with other drugs.

What to expect from treatment

Taking Xanax with other drugs

• Be sure to keep an eye out for other signs that the addiction is impacting your loved one’s life.
• It may feel redundant, but having a safe support system is essential for an aftercare plan.
• Because you don’t live at the treatment facility, it’s common for drug abuse counselors to give you random drug tests to ensure you’re on the right track.
• If a person notices signs of SUD in themselves or others, they should speak with a doctor.
• Short-acting benzodiazepines, like triazolam, pass quickly through the body, so you’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms sooner — sometimes within a matter of hours.
• EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy incorporates eye movement, sound, and vibration to process traumatic memories.

How to Recognize Signs of Xanax Withdrawal in a Friend