Xanax Addiction: Signs, Effects, & Treatment

As drug use takes increasing priority, it jeopardises personal relationships and severely impacts overall wellbeing. Xanax addiction creeps into every area of your life, leaving you with less time for loved ones and unable to meet responsibilities and work commitments. Any time someone uses Xanax without, or contrary to, a prescription, it is considered to be abuse.

The peak effects kick in within an hour and last between two to four hours. However, these effects can vary based on factors such as dosage, weight, age, and the period you have been using Xanax. But instead of selling the drugs, Johnny developed an addiction to Xanax and racked up huge debts with the dealer. Reach out to Windward Way Recovery for more information about how we can help you or someone you love to get started on a Xanax detox after quitting this powerful drug.

What is mental health?

Treatment for a Xanax overdose will depend on how much of the drug was taken and whether other drugs or alcohol were also taken. In the event of an overdose, medical providers may pump the stomach to remove as much of the unabsorbed Xanax as possible. Medications such as Flumazenil may also be administered as antidotes. It is important for anyone suffering from an overdose to be honest with the emergency medical personnel about exactly what substances were taken and at what amount. Xanax is typically abused because of the sense of calm and relaxation it causes in the user.

This results in more severe, complicated cases of overdose, which can often result in death. Xanax is highly addictive, even for those who have been prescribed the drug for a condition. As a result, Xanax is considered one of the most addictive benzodiazepine medications on the market today. Most chronic abusers of Xanax claim that the drug is their only way to calm down after a stressful day, reduce anxiety, or get a proper night’s sleep.

Effects of Withdrawal and Overdose for Xanax Abuse

Dependence can lead to withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking the drug. For more information, see the “Xanax dependence and withdrawal” section above. Xanax has a boxed warning for the risk of dependence and withdrawal.

You’ll also need to check your insurance plan, as it may only cover one or the other. If you have anxiety that prevents you from falling asleep at night, your doctor may recommend taking your last dose https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/xanax-addiction-signs-symptoms-and-treatment/ of Xanax before going to bed. Certain withdrawal symptoms may sometimes last for several weeks or months. For more information about side effects of Xanax, see the “Xanax side effects” section above.

What to do in case of overdose

If someone is abusing or addicted to Xanax, they cannot abruptly stop taking the medication. Xanax withdrawal is one of the only drug withdrawals that can be deadly, so it’s important that an addict is seen at an appropriate treatment facility before attempting to stop taking it. Once you’ve stopped taking Xanax or other benzodiazepines, there’s no additional medication to take. You might be prescribed other medication to treat depression, anxiety, or a sleep disorder. Symptoms of Xanax withdrawal can be more severe than that of other benzodiazepines. Mild symptoms of withdrawal can occur after taking the drug for as little as 1 week if stopped abruptly.

Combining Xanax with alcohol or other CNS depressants can also increase the risk of overdose. Long-term abuse and addiction to Xanax can cause changes in the brain. Eventually, it may become difficult to function without the medication. The drug becomes necessary to feel normal and to prevent withdrawal symptoms, while its therapeutic benefits decrease. The onset and manifestation of Xanax addiction signs are influenced by multiple factors. Xanax has the potential to cause physical dependence even when taken in small doses.

Treatment

In this way, the brain becomes increasingly reliant on the drug to feel normal. When someone addicted to Xanax stops taking it without medical supervision, they can go into life-threatening drug withdrawal. 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. It typically involves 5-20 hours of treatment per week, depending on the type of outpatient treatment chosen.

Xanax elevates repressive brain activity, which results in decreased anxiety. Individuals feel the effects within an hour of consumption, and those effects typically last six hours or more. It can start from a medical prescription, evolve into recreational use, then graduate to regular use. Regular use then breeds into dependency and finally to Xanax addiction. Owing to the effects of Xanax, it might take you a while to realize that you or your loved one has Xanax addiction.

Furthermore, there is some association of Xanax with an increased risk of suicide. Withdrawal from Xanax after prolonged use can be especially dangerous. Health officials recommend that a person receive help from a professional program, such as a drug rehab center, that offers medical detox. It’s important to remember that Xanax is made by multiple different companies, which means the dosage can vary from pill to pill. Oftentimes, people who obtain Xanax from street dealers will unaware of what type of Xanax they are given, which can be especially dangerous, and in some instances can lead to overdose.