Xanax can be a highly addictive controlled substance and lead to physical dependency, even if it’s used as prescribed. Anyone who has used Xanax for an extended period is at risk for dependency. Some people use the drug as a recreational sedative or to self-medicate. There’s a whole arsenal of medications that can be used to ease withdrawal symptoms. From other benzodiazepines with longer half-lives to anticonvulsants and antidepressants, these meds can help smooth out the bumps in the road to recovery.
- Withdrawal symptoms can begin quickly in some people, even after just a week or two of benzodiazepine use.
- Although Xanax put a temporary stop to my agony, it soon introduced a new kind.
- Often called « roofies, » it’s well known as a date rape drug.
- This article explores Xanax, its uses, its potentially dangerous effects, including addiction, and treatment for individuals who struggle with Xanax misuse or addiction.
- Some common side effects include headaches, nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, blurred vision, and convulsions.
Xanax Addiction Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Recovery Process
However, taking these medications together may not be safe. The active ingredient in Xanax is alprazolam, and the active ingredient in buspirone is buspirone. If you take more than 4 mg of Xanax per day for this condition, your doctor may eventually suggest lowering your dosage. To learn more about dosages of Xanax XR, talk with your doctor. From adopting a regular sleep schedule to incorporating exercise and mindfulness practices, these changes can help rewire your brain for calm and stability.
Common side effects
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 https://ecosoberhouse.com/ what substances were taken and at what amount. In the case of Xanax, physical addiction is marked by physical withdrawal symptoms that ensue when the substance is discontinued.
- Sleep becomes elusive without that little white pill, and thoughts of Xanax start to dominate your day.
- Benzodiazepines, sometimes called benzos, are a type of medication known as tranquilizers.
- Keep moving forward, one day at a time, and trust in your ability to overcome.
- These drugs are some of the most highly addictive prescription drugs on the market, and they can hook a user within a matter of mere weeks.
Opioid Addiction and Dependence Counseling: Effective Strategies for Recovery
A history of substance abuse, trauma, or mental health issues can increase your vulnerability. The pressure-cooker of modern life, with its constant stressors xanax addiction and demands, can push anyone towards seeking chemical solace. It can be hard to tell the difference between withdrawal symptoms and anxiety.
Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal is generally at its worst on the second day, and improves by the fourth or fifth day; however, acute symptoms can last significantly longer. Xanax is a high-potency drug, which makes its withdrawal symptoms more intense than symptoms of withdrawal from other types of benzodiazepines such as Valium (diazepam). If you have been taking Xanax several times a day, then quitting is going to take time, patience, and determination. The only safe way to quit is to slowly taper down your dose under the direction of a doctor. Alprazolam is prescribed more frequently than any other benzodiazepine—numbering close to 49 million prescriptions in 2011. Though alprazolam is effective in medical settings, it can create an addictive “high” that can lead to abuse of the drug, even among those who began taking it with legitimate prescriptions.
Serious side effects
Other commonly prescribed benzodiazepines that pose a risk of dependence include Valium (diazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam). Learn more about the risks and side effects of substance use disorders, including the signs of intoxication and overdose. Look into treatment options you can suggest to your loved one. Alprazolam, a medication that may cause physical dependence and, in some cases, addiction, is commonly prescribed. Alprazolam (Xanax®) is one of the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications.
Can you die from Xanax withdrawal symptoms?
