Xanax Withdrawal: Symptoms, Severity, Length, and Treatment

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Tapering involves taking smaller amounts of the drug over several weeks. You can research and speak to various rehab programs to see if they offer a specific option that you may be seeking in your Xanax rehab center. xanax addiction The best way to try to lessen the severity of your Xanax withdrawal symptoms is by slowly tapering down your dose of Xanax. Tapering means taking progressively smaller doses over the course of several weeks.

  • This step in the recovery process offers patients more independence and autonomy than inpatient treatment.
  • The first promise lets people in recovery know that AA meetings and the AA support system will allow them freedom from addiction.
  • Around one-third of people who abuse benzodiazepines get the drug from multiple or illegal sources.
  • Family therapy mends relationships, fosters open communication, and educates loved ones about addiction.

Xanax addiction is a common issue in the United States and dependency on the drug often starts with a prescription to treat anxiety or fear. It may feel redundant, but having a safe support system is essential for an aftercare plan. Family, friends, and environments that limit cravings and provide full recovery support are necessary for long-term recovery. It may help to make a list of people, places, and things that cause stress or are not supportive of recovery so decisions can be made on what can stay and what needs to go during recovery. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp.

The Body on Drugs

When a therapeutic, symptom-relieving dose is achieved, the stabilizing drug can be reduced systematically to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. More time between these dose reductions results in a safer, more comfortable detox but will of course prolong the process. Unfortunately, many people are prescribed both drugs simultaneously. Some people work with their healthcare provider to slowly taper off the medication over time, while others may require long-term treatment to avoid relapse. Shorter-acting drugs like Xanax produce a brief and more intense withdrawal reaction that usually begins within 24 hours of discontinuation.

  • If you answered yes to any of these questions, seek help as soon as possible.
  • The substance is one of at least a dozen designer benzodiazepines, created in the lab, but not approved for any therapeutic use.
  • “I think the people I let down and the people affected, this is going to live with me forever. It’s always going to be there as a reminder of how bad things can get.”
  • Even if you only take Xanax for a period of several days, you may develop a physical dependence on the drug.
  • 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.

The following is our process and the steps necessary to join us at Zinnia Health. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA,) between 1996 and 2013, the number of adults who filled a benzodiazepine prescription increased by 67%, from 8.1 million to 13.5 million. Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is a prescription medication that you dissolve sublingually (under the tongue) or buccally (against your inner cheek). Participants taking buprenorphine/naloxone used opioids significantly less than those taking a placebo, based on the results of urine screening tests throughout the trial. Clinical trials of buprenorphine/naloxone have proven effective in treating OUD. Note that other forms of buprenorphine have different dosing schedules.

Xanax Addiction: Signs, Effects, and Treatment

Xanax can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. It is thought that alprazolam works by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Outpatient treatment may require a stronger sober resolve, because you will be living in the original abuse environment. Overall, you want to approach a person addicted to Xanax with the intention of communicating your support of their sober efforts. Professional guidance can be very helpful in preparing you for this important conversation. One program that has been shown to result in successful treatment enrollment is called Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT).

  • Inpatient rehabilitation is recommended for people with severe Xanax addiction, or those entering a rehabilitation program for the first time.
  • Without intervention, the addictive behavior is more likely to continue, creating a cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to break.
  • In this way, the combination of buprenorphine/naloxone films and tablets discourages abuse of the medication while promoting safe, effective use.
  • Some 20 percent of Americans suffer from anxiety, Everyday Health reports.
  • Under inpatient treatment, you’ll live in a facility and receive round-the-clock care.
  • Therapy sessions serve as a platform for introspection, allowing you to delve into the underlying causes of your addiction.
  • Erowid notes two times as many women are using these drugs as men.

As you embrace outpatient treatment, recognize that transformation is a gradual process. Use this time for self-discovery, understanding the roots of your addiction, and identifying the triggers that may lead to relapse. Engage with the therapeutic process with an open mind, allowing the gradual transformation to shape a new, substance-free identity. Together, buprenorphine and naloxone combine to reduce an individual’s opioid drug dependence and slowly block symptoms of withdrawal to assist in the OUD recovery process. The first symptoms of Xanax withdrawal appear within 8 to 12 hours of your last dose. Most people find that their physical symptoms are worse on the second day and improve by the fourth or fifth day.

Risk of Death from Overdose: Benzodiazepines and Opioids

Treatment may also address other underlying conditions, such as anxiety or depression. The government previously said Cooper, through the years, wrote more than 20,000 medically unnecessary prescriptions for more than 800,000 pills with a street value of more than $5.5 million. It also said one of his victims included a patient who died after overdosing on methadone that he prescribed. The man’s death was not cited in the plea agreement, but was included in the indictment, according to prior Free Press reporting. Cooper, 61, pleaded guilty to the unlawful prescribing of prescription drug-controlled substances, U.S.

Quitting cold turkey can increase your risk of extreme and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including delirium and grand mal seizures. Without treatment, the risk of overdose or other complications increases dramatically. Additionally, long-term recovery is more likely with treatment than without. These treatment approaches can provide individuals with a strong foundation in recovery that includes relapse prevention, coping strategies, and support.

The generic version, alprazolam, is the most frequently prescribed psychotropic medication in the United States. A psychotropic is a medication that affects how the brain functions. Even when used in a medicinal fashion, dependency will generally still occur. With tolerance, Xanax stops working as well, even as a treatment medication. Those with anxiety will see a return of symptoms and may feel inclined to up their dose in order to keep symptoms at bay. Throughout this process, the brain is becoming more reliant upon the drug to feel normal.

Having an addiction to a substance, such as Xanax or alcohol, is what experts refer to as a substance use disorder (SUD). If a person has an addiction to Xanax, they are unable to stop taking it, despite negative consequences. Although https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/abuse-in-older-adults-a-growing-threat/ treatment outcomes are comparable to that of other chronic conditions, recovery is an ongoing process that can take time. Once you’ve stopped taking Xanax or other benzodiazepines, there’s no additional medication to take.