Addiction can worsen over time and lead to serious physical health problems and even death through Xanax overdose. If you answered yes to any of these questions, seek help as soon as possible. A professional can assess your condition and create a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs. Xanax, while effective for managing anxiety, can lead to life-threatening consequences when misused or abused.
Getting Help for Xanax Addiction: Xanax Addiction Treatment
Once a Xanax addiction has taken hold, daily responsibilities such as school, work, or family are ignored as energy is redirected toward drug-seeking behavior. You might need to continue to meet with a therapist for months after your detox is complete, or even for longer. The purpose of therapy is for you to understand your addiction and to gain control so you can avoid misusing Xanax or another drug in the future.
Xanax Addiction Treatment and Recovery
Additionally, some people are predisposed to substance addiction, possibly due to genetic factors and altered activity of neurotransmitters in the brain. Due to these risks, the FDA issued a boxed warning in 2016 against the concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids. The use of Xanax and other sedatives and hypnotics has some association with an increased risk of death. The exact reason for this is unclear, but it may relate to a potential increase in depression, infections, respiratory issues, and accidents. Furthermore, there is some association of Xanax with an increased risk of suicide.
How to reduce your risk of relapse
- In group therapy, a skilled counselor leads a conversation with a group of patients, fostering openness and encouraging them to share their experiences with substance use disorder.
- Benzodiazepine use can be apparent if someone appears intoxicated or there is drug-seeking behavior, but the problem can also be well concealed.
- Xanax can be highly addictive, especially when used outside of prescribed guidelines.
- With the right resources and support, recovery from Xanax addiction is possible.
National Library of Medicine, Xanax is addictive if it is used over a prolonged period of time. Anyone who takes Xanax can become addicted, even when they are taking it for legitimate medical needs. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if any of the above symptoms are present.
Long term Side Effects of Xana
Benzodiazepines were originally developed as a replacement for Barbiturates. It boosts a brain chemical called Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), which slows down the nerve cell activity in the brain. Normally, the withdrawal process involves slowly reducing the dosage of Xanax and eventually switching the user to a long-acting form of the drug for a period of time.
How long do Xanax effects last in the body and brain?
Keep reading to learn more about Xanax addiction, how people can treat it, and how to reduce the risk of misusing the medication again in the future. They say drugs fill a void, or at least that’s what my therapist thinks. They were a pretty little assortment of happiness I could feel just by holding in my hands. Although Xanax put a temporary stop to my agony, it soon introduced a new kind. Because Xanax is a CNS Depressant, common effects of the drug include slurred speech, loss of coordination, and anxiety. The drug is extremely addictive and should only be used under a doctor’s supervision.
For example, pulmonary aspiration during a lethargic state can lead to aspiration pneumonia or permanent lung damage. Addiction is now classified as a substance use disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Edition 5 (DSM-5). Benzodiazepine use can be apparent if someone appears intoxicated or there is drug-seeking behavior, but the problem can also be well concealed. If you or someone you care about needs help for Xanax abuse or addiction, there is hope. With the right resources and support, recovery from Xanax addiction is possible.
Treatment typically begins with detox, followed by therapy and rehab, and continues with aftercare to maintain sobriety. Recognizing these symptoms and understanding the risks can make all the difference in preventing a fatal overdose. If you suspect someone is overdosing on Xanax, it’s crucial to seek emergency medical help immediately. Don’t let the devastating side effects of addiction go on for another day.
Being dependent on Xanax Natural Xanax Alternatives For Anxiety does not always mean that addiction is also present. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. Taking more than the prescribed dosage or using Xanax without a prescription is considered abuse of the drug.