Xanax addiction is very common because it is a highly addictive benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and sleeplessness, but long-term use can lead to addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and risky behavior. Seek help from a specialized rehab center for treatment, including medical detox and inpatient rehab programs, to regain control of your life.
Xanax is the most commonly prescribed psychiatric drug in the United States.
What is Xanax (Alprazolam)
Alprazolam, a prescription sedative of the Benzodiazepines family, is marketed under the trade name Xanax. It is commonly used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), insomnia, and panic attacks.
Benzodiazepines were created to be a substitute for barbiturates. The brain and central nervous system are both affected by Xanax (CNS). It increases gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain molecule that reduces nerve cell activity in the brain. As a consequence, users feel peaceful and relaxed.
Xanax is available in dosages of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg. Depending on their potency, the tablets come in a variety of forms and colors. The 2 mg pills are rectangular in form and are white, green, or yellow in color. The remaining are oval in shape and are white (0.25 mg), orange (0.5 mg), or blue (0.25 mg) in color (1 mg). Xanax is a restricted drug classified as schedule IV.
Within one to two hours of taking Xanax, the drug’s peak effects are usually noticed. Xanax is an intermediate-duration medication that lasts 12 to 15 hours in the body.
When taken long-term, it is very addictive, making Xanax addiction and abuse a major problem.
Tolerance to Xanax develops fast, necessitating the administration of more of the medication to get the intended benefits. A person who is addicted to Xanax may take up to 20 or 30 tablets each day. If a person decides to stop using Xanax, they may feel anxiety, restlessness, sleeplessness, and tremors as a result of withdrawal.
The beginning of withdrawal symptoms indicates the development of a physical reliance. Addiction is indicated by the development of tolerance and withdrawal.
When a Xanax addiction takes hold, daily obligations like school, job, and family fall by the wayside as energy is diverted into drug-seeking behavior.
Other Xanax addiction behavioral symptoms include:
- Continued usage of Xanax despite the fact that it is causing personal problems
- Despite best efforts, the user is unable to quit using Xanax
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Obsessive desire to get and use Xanax
- Lack of control over how much Xanax is consumed
- Engaging in risky activities, such as driving when high on Xanax
It is not suggested to discontinue taking Xanax suddenly or without medical supervision. Xanax withdrawal symptoms are comparable to those of alcohol or barbiturate withdrawal, and the intensity of the symptoms varies.
Withdrawing from Xanax might be fatal if seizures ensue.
Xanax withdrawal usually entails gradually lowering the dosage and finally switching the user to a long-acting version of the medicine for a period of time. This drug’s steady taper helps to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
Side Effects of Xanax Addiction
Abuse of Xanax is defined as taking more than the recommended dosage or using it without a prescription. Even people who strictly adhere to a prescription might get addicted to and misuse Xanax.
Xanax is commonly misused because it gives the user a feeling of peace and relaxation. To obtain the intended high, some people misuse Xanax by taking larger dosages or mixing it with other drugs or alcohol.
An overdose of Xanax, especially when combined with alcohol or other substances, can be deadly. Because the medication is meant to be time-released into the system, an overdose can occur if the tablets are broken, chewed, or inhaled.
- Confusion
- Heart rate has slowed
- Drowsiness to the point of insanity
- Breathing problems
- Fainting
- Loss of equilibrium
- Muscle deterioration
- Coma
Antidotes can be given in the form of medications like Flumazenil. To give the necessary fluids, doctors may place an IV. It is critical for anyone suffering from an overdose to tell emergency medical professionals exactly what chemicals they took and in what amounts.
Substances Commonly Combined with Xanax
To achieve a better high, those suffering from Xanax addiction commonly mix the drug with alcohol or other drugs, notably opiates. Methadone and heroin users often take Xanax on a daily basis.
Furthermore, roughly 40% of alcoholics take Xanax on a daily basis. Because Xanax and alcohol are both depressants, mixing the two can result in an overdose and respiratory failure.
Treatment For Xanax Addiction and Abuse
It is not easy to overcome Xanax addiction, but it is definitely possible. When it comes to addressing Xanax addiction, medical detox and inpatient rehab programs are most beneficial.
To find a specialized rehab center that offers treatment for Xanax addiction, get in touch with us today. We are here to help you get your life back on track.