
Behavioral signs include neglecting responsibilities, isolating from loved ones, frequent doctor shopping, and losing interest in daily life. To safely detox from Xanax addiction, a gradual tapering process overseen by medical professionals is the preferred approach. Tapering involves systematically lowering the Xanax dosage over time, which helps the body adapt and reduces the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Quitting “cold turkey,” or stopping Xanax abruptly, is dangerous because it increases the risk of severe symptoms such as seizures, hallucinations, and life-threatening cardiovascular issues. The withdrawal symptoms of Xanax addiction include anxiety, panic attacks, tremors, sweating, loss of appetite, seizures, hallucinations, and other significant effects. These symptoms reflect the physical and psychological toll of dependency as the body adjusts to functioning without the drug.
Online Therapy Can Help
Xanax is addictive because of how it works in the brain, its short duration of action, and the potent calming and anxiety-relieving effect of the medicine that some people may abuse. The detox period for Xanax may be longer than the detox period for other drugs. 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. Dudley was charged with two felony counts for selling prescriptions and two misdemeanors.
The Body on Drugs

These names reflect how widely Xanax is used outside of its intended medical purpose, often leading to dangerous consequences. If you’re uninsured or under-insured, SAMSA can refer you to state-funded treatment programs, programs that accept Medicare or Medicaid, and those that charge on a sliding scale. If you have health insurance, your insurer can give you a list of providers and facilities covered by your plan. One type of benzodiazepine that’s legally manufactured in other countries but illegal in the U.S. is flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). Sahil Talwar is a physician assistant with over 7 years of experience in emergency, inpatient and outpatient psychiatry. He graduated from South College with his Master’s in Physician Drug rehabilitation Assistant studies in 2015.
- Overall, a person dealing with any type of substance use disorder will begin to exhibit changes in their behavior and personality.
- If you’re struggling, or you know someone who is, please call River Oaks at to speak to a caring admissions navigator about your rehab options.
- «Some people are obviously gaming the system, getting prescriptions for drugs that they don’t actually genuinely need,» Mr Ryan said.
- Unfortunately, even regular use of Xanax can lead to abusing the drug—and potentially, to dependence and addiction.
- A number of different types of therapy are used in the treatment of substance abuse disorders.
Alcohol Rehab
Individuals who take it recreationally often mix it with alcohol, marijuana or other drugs. Mixing drugs like alcohol and Xanax is dangerous because it’s difficult to know how the drugs will interact with one another. The drugs can make people pass out or breathe at a dangerously slow rate. Xanax is one of the most addictive benzodiazepines when not properly used.

The majority of people who misuse Xanax are between the ages of 18 and 25. A small percent of those young adults are introduced to the drug in high school. Xanax is more than twice as popular among high school seniors as the next most popular benzo.

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- In this informative video, Dr. Kent Hoffman, co-founder of AddictionHelp.com and a physician board-certified in addiction medicine, delves into the complexities of Xanax.
- If someone takes Xanax regularly, it can lead to dependence andwithdrawal symptoms; especially if taken for a long time or in high doses.
- Recognizing these symptoms and understanding the risks can make all the difference in preventing a fatal overdose.
- Legally manufactured forms of benzodiazepine are classified as schedule IV drugs in the U.S.
- Our licensed drug detox facility in Charlotte, NC is designed to help you begin your addiction treatment while supporting you through the potential struggles of drug abuse withdrawal symptoms.
Therapy and counseling are integral parts of recovering from a Xanax addiction—in part due to the psychological effects that can happen after dealing with substance abuse. Xanax medical detox is generally performed at an inpatient facility due to the seriousness of Xanax’s withdrawal effects. However, if the patient has a minor addiction and no previous history of seizures, they may be cleared to safely detox in an outpatient setting instead. Getting help for an addiction to Xanax might feel daunting, but the good news is that there are many different treatment programs available for all kinds of situations. Talking to your doctor or healthcare provider about your unique situation is a great first step to recovery. Xanax is a fast-acting benzodiazepine, so when abused, its short-term side effects can appear pretty quickly.
- Xanax addiction can be serious and affect a person’s mood, behavior and physical characteristics.
- Behavioral therapy is an important component of recovery from drug addiction.
- No one is exempt from drug dependence, but there are certain demographics that are more prone to it.
- Although the increase in filled benzodiazepine prescriptions leveled off around 2010, overdoses remained at alarmingly high rates.
- Genetic predisposition and family history of substance use increase the risk of developing dependency.
The potential for addiction is higher with Xanax than with lower-potency benzodiazepines like Librium (chlordiazepoxide). Acute withdrawal can result in death in some cases if the medication is stopped without medical supervision. Addiction, or substance use disorder, is when a person continues to use a pleasurable substance or perform a pleasurable action despite negative consequences the substance or action causes.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports around half of all people with severe mental illness also have co-occurring substance abuse problems, so this issue is a common one. The mind becomes accustomed to the drug and can go through periods of insomnia, depression, paranoia, and irritability while trying to come off it. The majority of withdrawal symptoms can be treated during medical detox to make the process as comfortable as possible for those in detox. Even when used in a medicinal fashion, dependency will generally still occur. With tolerance, Xanax stops working as well, even as a treatment medication. Those with anxiety will see a return of symptoms and may feel inclined to up their dose in order to keep symptoms at bay.

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 https://ecosoberhouse.com/ into addiction when a person keeps taking the drug despite negative consequences. Dependence becomes a problem when individuals take Xanax for nonmedical reasons or when they don’t communicate with their doctor.

Can you overdose on Xanax?
It’s even more dangerous to take Xanax that you buy on the street because it’s impossible to know exactly what you’re buying. A xanax addiction pill labeled Xanax could actually be a stronger benzodiazepine or a totally different drug. Treatment may also address other underlying conditions, such as anxiety or depression.









