Benzodiazepine withdrawal can create a syndrome similar to delirium tremens that causes hallucinations, agitation, confusion, and potentially fatal seizures. For your safety, it is important to have medical supervision throughout the process of Xanax withdrawal so that these symptoms can be avoided, or immediately treated. Some people combine Xanax with alcohol, opioids, or other drugs because the combination enhances the effects of each to a large degree.
Xanax Addiction Treatment
Alprazolam is a high-potency triazolobenzodiazepine that is US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. Alprazolam is biotransformed by hepatic microsomal oxidation, yielding 4 and α-hydroxyalprazolam as its principal metabolites, and is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 (Greenblatt and Wright, 1993). A rebound effect is the reoccurrence of a symptom after a person stops taking the medication that was treating it.
- Quitting cold turkey can increase your risk of extreme and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including delirium and grand mal seizures.
- A treatment program for Xanax addiction will typically start with medically monitored detox to ensure the person achieves sobriety safely and as comfortably as possible.
- During this stage, attempting to stop taking the drug seems like an unbearable challenge.
Co-occurring Disorders and Dual Diagnosis Treatment
As societal acceptance of marijuana grows alongside its availability, understanding and addressing cannabis use disorder remains crucial for public health initiatives. If someone takes Xanax regularly, it can lead to dependence andwithdrawal symptoms; especially if taken for a long time or in high doses. Xanax can causephysical and psychological dependenceor addiction even in people who take it as prescribed.
Family Therapy
Using benzos along with other drugs, especially « downers » like opioids, is particularly risky. Synthetic Natural Xanax Alternatives For Anxiety benzodiazepines, sometimes called « street, » « designer, » or « novel » benzos, are classified as schedule I. Benzodiazepines are a controlled substance, which means it’s illegal to have them without a doctor’s prescription.
- For longer-acting drugs like chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepam (Valium), it could take up to 3 days.
- Most prescribers with experience in addiction medicine consider alprazolam to have high misuse liability, especially when prescribed to individuals with a history of some type of substance use disorder (Griffiths and Wolf, 1990).
- Encourage your loved one to seek professional help and offer your support throughout their recovery journey.
- These symptoms, including persistent anxiety, depression, and cognitive difficulties, require long-term management.
- Xanax can causephysical and psychological dependenceor addiction even in people who take it as prescribed.
- However, while the available data show that alprazolam monotherapy is as effective as other benzodiazepines for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders, this must be considered along with its propensity for tolerance, dependence, and rebound anxiety.
How Can I Cope With Marijuana Addiction?
If you or someone you know is addicted to Xanax, seek help before the addiction worsens.The Recovery Villagehas trained teams of medical experts who understand the difficulties of living with Xanax addiction. Enrolling in a rehabilitation program has helped many people recover from Xanax addiction. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses.
- Your doctor can assess your overall health by performing a physical exam.
- For example, to reduce the risk of seizures, the Xanax dose is gradually tapered over weeks under medical supervision.
- While it addresses the physical dependence on the drug, it does not address the underlying psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction.
- Sometimes family and friends can help in encouraging you to seek help and in pointing out these issues to you.
Xanax is a type of benzodiazepine and is considered one of the most addictive prescription drugs on the market today. Someone who is abusing Xanax will usually exhibit certain warning signs that they are misusing it or going through withdrawal. Understanding these distinctions is for developing effective treatment strategies and informing public health policies regarding substance use. According to Sewell RA et al.’s 2009 study titled “The Effect of Cannabis Compared With Alcohol on Driving,” published in the American Journal of Addiction, nearly 88,000 alcohol-related overdose deaths occur annually in the U.S.. In contrast, marijuana has an extremely low risk of fatal overdose, requiring an impractically high amount to reach lethal levels. Patient history involves gathering comprehensive background information about the patient’s cannabis use patterns, including frequency, duration, and context of use.
This flexibility enables patients to attend therapy sessions and support groups regularly. Patients in outpatient programs benefit from continuing care after completing more intensive treatment phases. They can access therapy sessions, group counseling, and other resources to support their long-term recovery goals.
