Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Detox Treatment
Less than one out of every 200,000 adults died from a benzodiazepine overdose in 1996. More than six out of every 200,000 adults died from a benzo overdose in 2013, according to a 2016 study. They may visit multiple doctors to get Xanax prescriptions or buy it on the street. They may also turn to alcohol or other depressants when Xanax isn’t available. 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 pill labeled Xanax could actually be a stronger benzodiazepine or a totally different drug.
ALPRAZOLAM AND PREGNANCY
This article explores Xanax, its uses, its potentially dangerous effects, including addiction, and treatment for individuals who struggle with Xanax misuse or addiction. The detox period for Xanax may be longer than the detox period for other drugs. This is because the drug dose has to be tapered slowly over time. As a result, detox often overlaps with other forms of treatment. Some are related to your environment and life experiences, such as having friends who use drugs. When you take a drug, certain genetic factors can increase your risk of developing an addiction.
What is the most important information I should know about Xanax withdrawal?
Outpatient treatment may require a stronger sober resolve, because you will be living in the original abuse environment. Professional guidance can be very helpful in preparing you for this important conversation. One program that has been shown to result in successful treatment enrollment is called Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). Express that you are concerned about their substance use and avoid blaming them; blame the substance instead.
Outpatient Treatment
A number of different types of therapy are used in the treatment of substance abuse disorders. In the treatment of Xanax addiction, abstinence is often a goal. This means discontinuing the drug after supervised decreases by a medical provider. The process of reaching abstinence may involve detoxification (often referred to as “detox”) and behavioral therapies. Signs of overdose usually develop within four hours of a dose, which is the time when the drug concentration is highest in the body. The development of tolerance is a major factor that drives a new substance addiction.
- The intensity of your symptoms depends on your dosage, or how much Xanax you’ve been taking and for how long.
- You may start by calling your provider to inquire about covered programs or reaching out to individual programs to ask whether they accept your coverage.
- Neurotransmitters are chemicals that brain cells use to speak with each other.
- However, this short-acting property is what makes it useful as an as-needed treatment for panic and anxiety.
- In addition to its pharmacological properties which may contribute to its increased misuse potential, alprazolam uniquely affects the dopaminergic function in the striatum similarly to stimulants.
- These drugs are made in illicit labs and sold for recreational use.
American Addiction Centers (AAC) runs trusted facilities across the country. To learn more about rehab programs and Xanax treatment options, please contact a caring admissions navigator with AAC free at . We can answer questions about insurance coverage, explain the admissions process, and help you understand your treatment options so you can stop the cycle of Xanax misuse and start your path to recovery.
Finding treatment for Xanax addiction can help you or a loved one regain independence and long-term health.
For example, when we eat a sugary snack, a small amount of dopamine is released and we may get the urge to have another. Xanax and other substances encourage addiction through this mechanism. Alprazolam and its 2 hydroxylated metabolites are known to cross the placenta. Retrospective studies evaluating pregnancy outcomes of women exposed to alprazolam during the first trimester of pregnancy found conflicting results of congenital anomalies (Iqbal et al., 2002). Yes, Xanax addiction can be treated successfully with the right support and treatment approach, such as those offered at 12 South Recovery. By Corinne O’Keefe OsbornCorinne Osborn is an award-winning health and wellness journalist with a background in substance abuse, sexual health, and psychology.
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)
For longer-acting drugs like chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepam (Valium), it could take up to 3 days. For those who have used Xanax for longer than a few weeks, their doctor may create a taper schedule. If you are using Xanax without a prescription, you can still work with a doctor to taper down your dose. Start by visiting a primary care doctor or urgent care center and tell them that you are in or are planning to be in benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Long-Term Impacts of Xanax Overdose
Benzodiazepine use can be apparent if someone appears intoxicated or there is drug-seeking behavior, but the problem can also be well concealed. In many cases, private health insurance will cover some or all of your treatment. You may start by calling your provider to inquire about covered programs or reaching out to individual programs to ask whether they accept your coverage. A therapist will teach you effective coping strategies to deal with the stress that can come with a loved one’s addiction.
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. However, this short-acting property is what makes it useful as an as-needed treatment for panic and anxiety. If someone takes Xanax regularly, it can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms; especially if taken for a long time or in high doses. Xanax can cause physical and psychological dependence or addiction even xanax addiction in people who take it as prescribed. Therefore, a course of Xanax should be as short as possible with treatment response closely monitored by the doctor.
