Xanax Addiction Treatment
Xanax belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. While this particular drug class does not receive as much attention in terms of the growing addiction epidemic across the nation, the drugs that fall within this class carry a high potential for misuse, abuse, and addiction. Like prescription opioids (also referred to as prescription painkillers), benzodiazepines such as Xanax are legally prescribed by your medical provider. When used correctly, they are useful in helping those struggling with chronic conditions reduce the severity of their symptoms. However, also like opioids, benzodiazepines or “benzos” can be highly addictive, and their potential for misuse is high. As more prescriptions are provided to patients in need, unfortunately, an increasing amount of Xanax has become available “for sale” outside of legally obtained means. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of drug overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines increased by more than 800% between 1999 and 2017.
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Learning About Xanax Abuse
Is Xanax Addictive?
Xanax is often prescribed to treat the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorders, and insomnia. When used long-term, Xanax is highly addictive yet is one of the most frequently prescribed psychiatric medications in the United States. When taking Xanax, tolerance often develops quite rapidly, which requires you to take increasingly larger doses to achieve the desired effects. If you or a loved one struggle with an addiction or dependence on Xanax, you might notice you are taking up to twenty-five or thirty pills per day: well over the suggested prescribed dosage. Once you have developed tolerance and experience symptoms associated with withdrawal, an addiction to Xanax has developed, for which addiction treatment is essential. If you are unsure where to start in your search for treatment, contact the team at My Recovery Source. Our skilled and knowledgeable staff can help guide you towards a rehab in your area skilled in treating benzodiazepine addiction.
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Signs and Symptoms of Xanax Addiction
The signs and symptoms of Xanax addiction mimic those of addiction to many other benzodiazepine drugs. Dependence on and addiction to Xanax will produce various physical and psychological effects. Some of the most common signs of Xanax addiction include:
- Slurred or incoherent speech
- Blurry vision
- Poor coordination
- Drowsiness and lethargy
- Inability to reduce intake or progressively increasing dosage frequency and amounts
- “Doctor shopping” to get more prescriptions and therefore extra pills
- Stealing or asking family, friends, or peers for their extra pills
- Illegally purchasing Xanax from a “dealer”
- Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
- New or worsening problems
- Increase in risk-taking behaviors such as driving while under the influence of Xanax
- Ignoring daily responsibilities such as work, school, or family obligations
- Respiratory difficulties
- Coma, seizures, and death
Long-term abuse of Xanax can also result in new or worsening mental health and cognitive challenges. Some of the most commonly diagnosed conditions that frequently co-occur with Xanax addiction include anxiety, depression, hallucinations, memory problems, mood swings, nightmares, psychosis, and suicidal thoughts. Many of these do not begin while taking Xanax; however, they quickly arise as you try to reduce your intake or experience withdrawal. For this reason, choosing medically supervised detox is essential to your safety and recovery.
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Xanax Withdrawal & The Need for Detox
Many do not understand the potential complications and addictive potential of benzodiazepine drugs like Xanax. Because a medical or mental health provider prescribes them, they are often considered “safe.” While this may be the case for short-term use, over longer periods, or when misused, Xanax is addictive and dangerous. Although using the drug itself (as prescribed) does not typically result in life-threatening effects, the detox and withdrawal process can lead to potential medical emergencies. It is highly recommended that those looking to detox from Xanax do in an environment where medically supervised detox is available.
When withdrawing from Xanax, most symptoms begin within twenty-four hours after your last dose. In most cases, they will last a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of your addiction and how long you have been taking Xanax. Acute withdrawal symptoms (those that occur soon after you stop taking the drug) typically include anxiety, difficulty sleeping, muscle spasms, gastric disturbances, hallucinations, seizures, cognitive difficulties, and others. For some looking to defeat a Xanax addiction, suicidal thoughts and actions may also occur early in the withdrawal process. In many cases, these symptoms can be severe and overwhelming, making the ability to manage them difficult.
In a medically supervised detox setting at an addiction treatment center, trained professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other treatment providers, are available to ensure you can detox safely from Xanax. Depending on your unique detox and treatment needs, they will continue to monitor your vitals throughout the detox process and, in some cases, provide medications to help reduce the intensity and severity of your withdrawal symptoms. Ongoing medical support increases your safety should life-threatening withdrawal symptoms occur. Detoxing in a controlled setting is also beneficial to your ongoing treatment process. Once you have successfully detoxed, you can transition directly into a therapeutic program designed to help you achieve and maintain lasting sobriety.
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How to Find a Xanax Addiction Treatment Program Near You
Because you may receive a Xanax prescription to alleviate the symptoms of other illnesses, it is likely you may not realize the addictive nature of the drug until addiction has already taken hold. Even when taking Xanax as prescribed by your medical or mental health provider, tolerance, dependence, and subsequent addiction can develop rapidly. If you are concerned about your or a loved one’s dependence on Xanax, contact the team at My Recovery Source today to learn more about how to get help. Let our experienced staff help you find a Xanax addiction treatment program near you where you can detox safely from this highly addictive drug. If you have tried to reduce your intake of Xanax and experienced withdrawal symptoms and relapse, you may feel as though sobriety and recovery are out of reach, but help is available. With the right addiction treatment and support, recovery from Xanax addiction is possible. Let the team at My Recovery Source help you find the best treatment program near you to begin your journey to sobriety.