Xanax Withdrawal and Detox Find Treatment

This is also sometimes referred to as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). Protracted withdrawal symptoms are those that can persist for several months and even years after quitting Xanax. This typically occurs as the effects of Xanax on the brain have altered neuroreceptors and other areas of the central nervous system. These symptoms can include anxiety, poor memory, PTSD, and depression.

Deaths from benzodiazepine withdrawal are exceedingly rare, with only a few cases reported. Although Xanax withdrawal can cause dangerous complications like seizures, and studies have found that the person may need to be admitted to intensive care or be intubated, deaths are very uncommon. Xanax withdrawal symptoms can sometimes increase the risk of relapse, so avoiding them can help reduce this risk. By limiting withdrawal symptoms through a medically managed taper, you increase your chances of successfully staying off Xanax in the future.

Example Schedule For Tapering And Weaning Off Xanax (Alprazolam)

Quitting cold turkey can increase your risk of extreme and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including delirium and grand mal seizures. If you have been taking Xanax several times a day, then quitting is going to take time, patience, and determination. The only safe way to quit is to slowly taper down your dose under the direction of a doctor. Even if you only take Xanax for a period of several days, you may develop a physical dependence on the drug. This means that you will likely experience Xanax withdrawal, or the uncomfortable physical and mental symptoms of discontinuing the drug.

National Library of Medicine, Xanax is addictive if it is used over a prolonged period of time. Anyone who takes Xanax can become addicted, even when they are taking it for legitimate medical needs. When someone stops taking Xanax suddenly, they have too little GABA. As a result, they may experience “activating” withdrawal symptoms like tremors and seizures. Stopping alprazolam without a taper can increase the risk for seizures, especially in people who have had seizures in the past.

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MentalHelp has partnered with several thought leaders in the mental health and wellness space, so we can help you make informed decisions on your wellness journey. MentalHelp may receive marketing compensation from these companies should you choose to use their services. The good news is that the stress of withdrawal is short-lived, and your willingness to navigate the process can free you from the pain of addiction—as well as the anxiety that often accompanies it.

• Those who were prescribed Xanax for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or insomnia can experience rebound symptoms after quitting use of the drug.
• The fact that those effects wear off relatively quickly can mean that users are compelled to consume more of the drug.
• The way a person behaves while living with an addiction can vary widely.
• This condition causes changes in mood and cognition for weeks or months following withdrawal from Xanax or another drug.
• You should seek guidance from a medical professional before tapering.

Over time, the brain’s reward system becomes less responsive to the drug. The relief felt initially becomes much less intense and you’ll need to take more of the drug to achieve the same feeling. These two Xanax addiction stories paint a scary picture of how dangerous it can be to develop an addiction to Xanax. Addiction doesn’t only affect the person who takes drugs, but their family and friends too. As advocates of mental health and wellness, we take great pride in educating our readers on the various online therapy providers available.

Alleviating Symptoms of Breakthrough Withdrawal

A doctor can help supervise a taper and recommend additional supportive treatments. Additionally, contacting different treatment centers to see how they can help and what kinds of treatments they offer is also useful. Persons with Xanax addiction, or their family members, can also connect with other individuals who overcame this problem and learn more about the treatment center where they received treatment. A different story, published in Healthline in 2018, speaks about Xanax addiction from a different aspect. In this case, the female patient received a prescription to treat her anxiety, despite having a history of addiction (alcoholism). Addiction to benzodiazepines changed her personality until she became a shell of the person she used to be.

• The most commonly abused substances along with benzodiazepine are opioids and alcohol.
• Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
• Anyone who takes Xanax can become addicted, even when they are taking it for legitimate medical needs.
• Research from 2015 suggests that 20⁠–50% of people experience withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing high dosage benzodiazepines.
• Research shows that in 2018, an estimated 5.4 million people over the age of 12 misused prescription benzodiazepines like Xanax.

They feel good at the moment and are a quick fix to get you out of a panic attack, but they’re not designed to be long-term – especially Xanax… It wears off quick and then you need to take another piece to xanax addiction stay normal. This long list of side effects are why people on Xanax long-term often express a desire to stop taking it. Psychosis and delirium are also more common in Xanax withdrawal versus other benzos.

How to Detox From Xanax Safely

Basically, a Xanax diagnosis is established when a person meets at least two of 11 criteria within a one-year period. Stories of the dangers of Xanax addiction show just how severe this problem truly is. The Guardian published an article in 2018 about a London teenager who developed Xanax addiction after he obtained it illegally with his friend. The teenager explains tolerance to Xanax develops quickly, and his personality changed to the point he had no emotions. After having tried to sell Xanax to an off-duty police officer, the teenager was arrested, after which he went through detox. He described withdrawal symptoms as strong, and the whole process seemed a lot longer than it actually was.

If someone regularly takes a benzodiazepine like alprazolam, quitting abruptly can lead to a variety of uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous withdrawal symptoms. A taper can help reduce these risks and make the withdrawal https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/5-reasons-sobriety-tattoos-are-a-terrible-idea/ process safer and more comfortable. The safest way to stop taking Xanax and alleviate withdrawal symptoms is to taper your dose. Tapering allows your body to slowly get used to smaller doses and can prevent symptoms.