Those suffering from https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and abuse frequently combine the substance with alcohol or other pills — particularly opiates — to get a better high. Heroin users regularly consume Xanax, as do methadone users. In addition, approximately 40% of alcoholics regularly abuse Xanax. Alcohol is particularly dangerous when mixed with Xanax because they are both depressants; combining the two can lead to an overdose and respiratory failure. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp.
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
The severity of withdrawal isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. It’s more like a twisted game of Russian roulette, with factors like dosage, duration of use, and individual physiology all playing a role. Some folks might weather the storm with relatively mild discomfort, while others find themselves in the eye of a Category 5 hurricane.
- Xanax and Valium may be used to treat anxiety disorders, although both drugs have other uses that differ.
- It may be swapped for another longer-acting benzodiazepine.
- Once you’re stable and free of any withdrawal symptoms, your doctor can then taper your dose of Valium.
- To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Xanax’s prescribing information.
- If you or a loved one has been prescribed Xanax, it is vital to alert your physician to what medications you are already taking before using Xanax to prevent any potentially adverse combinations.
- This article will discuss how Xanax works, the side effects, the signs of Xanax addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and how to find treatment.
Xanax Addiction Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Recovery Process
This article explores Xanax, its uses, its potentially dangerous effects, including addiction, and treatment for individuals who struggle with Xanax misuse or addiction. Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with drug addiction. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.
Xanax dosage
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common form of therapy for benzodiazepine addiction. CBT addresses the learning processes underlying substance use disorders. It involves working with a therapist to develop a set of healthy coping strategies. Your doctor may prescribe Xanax with other drugs for generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder.
The symptoms of an overdose may persist for 12 to 36 hours. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy and fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use.
What if I miss a dose?
For some people taking higher doses of Xanax for a while, Xanax can still be as safe and effective at a lower dosage. After Xanax became available, a study found that the drug remained effective for treating panic disorder when lowering the dosage. One of the most effective ways to relieve xanax addiction Xanax withdrawal symptoms is to slowly taper your Xanax dose. This can give your body time safely adjust to progressively lower doses. It can help lessen, and in some cases, might even prevent withdrawal symptoms. This can make a withdrawal from Xanax difficult and unpleasant.
How to reduce the risk of using Xanax again
- A drug test can detect the presence of most benzodiazepines or their metabolites (substances produced when the drugs break down in your body).
- Only a very small percentage of people who take normal doses for short periods will become dependent on benzodiazepines.
- In the treatment of Xanax addiction, abstinence is often a goal.
- 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.
- Xanax addiction is specifically part of a subcategory of substance use disorder known as sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder.
- Your healthcare provider cannot know the answers to these questions unless you are willing to participate in your diagnostic process—this means that you have to be interested in being diagnosed and treated.
However, these problems are also possible with lower doses and after taking the drug for a short time. Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug that has a calming and relaxing effect. Xanax is typically used to help ease panic attacks while other treatments for panic disorder, such as antidepressants, take effect. If you suddenly reduce your dose of benzodiazepines or stop taking them — even if you’ve been using them as prescribed by a doctor — you could have withdrawal symptoms. The longer you’ve been taking the drugs, the higher your risk for this.
- The mind becomes accustomed to the drug and can go through periods of insomnia, depression, paranoia, and irritability while trying to come off it.
- If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help.
- If you are using Xanax without a prescription, you can still work with a doctor to taper down your dose.
- Alprazolam withdrawal syndrome may also feature unique clinical symptoms compared with other benzodiazepine withdrawal syndromes.
- Some people continue taking benzodiazepines throughout their pregnancy while others follow a dose tapering schedule.
Regular use of Xanax can lead to tolerance, dependence, addiction, overdose and withdrawal side effects. It works quickly to relieve anxiety, but can become habit-forming if taken over a long period. Xanax is often only prescribed for a short period of time due to this potential. Tolerance to Xanax develops quickly, requiring the user to take more of the drug to achieve the desired effects.
Statistics suggest that one in 20 people in the U.S. fill a prescription for benzodiazepines each year. This is not all the information you need to know about Xanax (alprazolam) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider. Yes, Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine prescription drug and is classified by the DEA as Schedule IV controlled substance. After a period of regular use, it is best to slowly stop the medication under your doctor’s direction.
