The diagnosis of Xanax addiction is based on whether a person meets certain diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5. 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.
- It’s not just about knowing what to expect; it’s about arming yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your health and well-being.
- In case of addiction, the drug’s tolerance and short half-life keep the patient addicted, and they try increasing the dose of abuse continuously, which can even lead to 20 – 30 pills a day.
- Our team does their best for our readers to help them stay informed about vital healthcare decisions.
- To help you avoid these peaks and valleys, doctors often switch you from Xanax to a long-acting benzodiazepine such as Valium (diazepam).
What to expect from detox
The signs of Xanax addiction can be subtle at first, easily mistaken for the very symptoms it’s meant to treat. You might find yourself needing higher doses to achieve the same calming effect, or experiencing anxiety between doses. Sleep becomes elusive without that little white pill, and thoughts of Xanax start to dominate your day. It’s a slippery slope, and before you know it, you’re sliding down fast.
The Withdrawal Timeline: A Journey Through the Valley of Shadows
Xanax belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, and it is a Schedule IV controlled substance, meaning it is considered to have a low potential for abuse. That being said, the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ evidence speaks for itself, as thousands seek treatment every year for dependencies on this drug. The first symptoms of Xanax withdrawal appear within 8 to 12 hours of your last dose.
The Withdrawal Rollercoaster: Buckle Up, It’s Going to Be a Bumpy Ride
Often, people who are abusing Xanax have anxiety disorders they were trying to treat with the drug. Some 20 percent of Americans suffer from anxiety, Everyday Health reports. These drugs are some of the most highly addictive prescription drugs on the market, and they can hook a xanax addiction user within a matter of mere weeks. Daily use of benzodiazepines for six weeks or more will result in dependency for four in every 10 users, the Royal College of Psychiatrists states. Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, a prescription sedative in the benzodiazepines family.
Teen Alprazolam Abuse
- The pills range in shape from oval to rectangular and in color from white, green, yellow, orange, and blue.
- The drug is extremely addictive and should only be used under a doctor’s supervision.
- It’s essential to recognize that Xanax addiction often coexists with other mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Accommodations such as extended time on tests, resource room support, tutoring lower academic stress and increase performance.
One final piece of the picture is how someone abusing Xanax acts or what actions might be symptoms of drug addiction. Signs of Xanax addiction can be seen in how they talk and how they move. Parents and friends can look out for telltale signs of addiction observed in addiction to most drugs. Xanax drug dependence symptoms begin to show when the person stops taking the medication as prescribed and begins abusing it, taking dangerous amounts of the drug. Symptoms become increasingly unstable the longer a person has been taking it and will impact more and more of what the nervous system controls, as well as other organs of the body.
- Hang your kids school schedule in a common area, include contact information for deans, teachers and guidance counselors.
- One of the most effective ways to relieve Xanax withdrawal symptoms is to slowly taper your Xanax dose.
- Keep a dialogue going with your kids, add a drug test to their annual psychical.
- A patient’s body can develop tolerance to the substance quite quickly over time, which is why it is not prescribed for more than six months.
- These individuals may be at risk of falling, breaking bones, getting into car accidents, and more.
- The safest way to stop taking Xanax and alleviate withdrawal symptoms is to taper your dose.
Side Effects of Xanax
- Oftentimes, due to reduced inhibition, Xanax intoxication can mimic alcohol intoxication.
- Benzos are also used to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms and seizures.
- Because it has sedative effects as a central nervous system depressant, it can also be prescribed for sleep disorders.
- Individuals battling mental illness may be on Xanax to treat symptoms or simply abusing it in attempts to self-medicate, and this abuse can often cause mental health conditions to worsen.
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