Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms
Are you or a loved one experiencing Xanax withdrawal symptoms?
Learn how a supervised detox can help.
Xanax is one of the most abused prescription drugs in the U.S. with millions of prescriptions being filled annually. Because of abuse and addiction problems, the drug is currently not being prescribed as often by physicians. Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug used in the treatment of anxiety, panic attacks, alcohol withdrawal and insomnia. If you are addicted to Xanax, the safest way to get off the drug is with a supervised medical detox. If you are wondering "how long does Xanax withdrawal last", withdrawal can take one week or up to one year or more depending on the severity of the addiction and other health challenges that the patient faces. Xanax withdrawal symptoms vary depending on how severe the addiction is and how much and how often the drug was used. Xanax withdrawal for severe addiction should only be performed by medical professionals at a drug treatment center.
Xanax is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance and is one of the top selling drugs in America. The drug depresses the central nervous system, slowing down brain activity, relaxing muscles and producing feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Xanax can be taken orally, snorted or injected and street names for the drug are blue footballs, bars, xannies and z-bars. The drug can produce a wide range of effects, and some Xanax effects that an addict may experience are:
- Changes in speech, slurring
- Shakiness, unsteady gait, lightheadedness, twitching
- Feeling sad, irritable, empty, confused
- Sedation, fatigue, sleepiness
- Trouble concentrating and performing routine tasks
- Muscle pain, weakness or cramping
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea
- Suicidal thoughts
Chronic abuse of Xanax may begin to cause behavioral changes in the user. Xanax withdrawal symptoms may begin if the user tries to reduce or stop taking the drug. In today's world, stress has become a common occurrence, and anxiety disorders are on the rise. Many people who suffer from extreme stress will reach for a Xanax to calm them down and help them relax. Sometimes people will abuse the drug because they are trying to self-medicate and they can build up a tolerance to the drug. Once a person has built up a tolerance to the drug, they will have to take more of it to achieve the same effects as before and this may lead to addiction.
Abuse or addiction to Xanax can lead to toxicity or overdose, which may require a gastric lavage to flush out the drug from the stomach. Medications may be administered to treat the sedative effects of the drug, and other medical complications that the patient may be experiencing. Toxicity and overdose are life-threatening complications that a Xanax addict may face at any time. The addict should seek treatment to overcome a Xanax addiction, beginning with a detox to remove the drug from his system. A Xanax detox process at an inpatient drug rehab will be medically supervised and controlled. The patient should be gradually weaned off of the drug and medications may be administered to relieve drug cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. Some Xanax withdrawal symptoms could include:
- Insomnia, nightmares
- Nausea, vomiting
- Irritability, depression, mood swings, suicidal thoughts
- Psychosis, schizophrenia, delusions
- Trembling, lack of coordination, vertigo
- Breathing difficulties
- Sensory distortions
- Seizures, coma and death
As you can see, Xanax withdrawal symptoms during the detox process can be severe and life-threatening. Anyone who is addicted to Xanax should realize the dangers of quitting Xanax cold turkey, and they should never attempt to do it alone. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that rehabilitation for benzodiazepine abuse has tripled from 1998 to 2008, and over 50 million prescriptions are written for benzodiazepines every year. People who have a Xanax addiction typically take about 20 to 30 pills daily. Physicians are prescribing Xanax more often than recommending psychological treatments to talk out problems and find behavioral solutions to managing stress. America has become a culture of drugs and Xanax is the popular choice for treating stress.
If you are struggling with a Xanax abuse or addiction problem, you should contact a reputable drug rehab facility to begin recovery treatment. The medical staff at the treatment center will safely take you through the detox process and assist in managing Xanax withdrawal symptoms with medications. A medically supervised detox is the safest way to quit the drug, and the dangers of quitting Xanax cold turkey will be avoided. You owe it to yourself to begin recovery treatment and start a new chapter in your life that is drug-free, healthy, happy and fulfilling.
If you or a loved one is ready to begin the recovery process, call the Montgomery Alcohol Treatment Centers today at 334-651-0018 and one of our rehab specialists will walk you through rehab options available.
Resources:
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/DAWN2k11ED/DAWN2k11ED/DAWN2k11ED.pdf
http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA12-4175/SMA12-4175.htm