The process of reaching abstinence may involve detoxification (often referred to as “detox”) and behavioral therapies. Even if a person tries to stop taking Xanax, the fear of withdrawal and rebound can be so strong that the adverse consequences of stopping seem to outweigh the benefits. Xanax addiction is specifically part of a subcategory of substance use disorder known as sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder.
Xanax is more than twice as popular among high school seniors as the next most popular benzo. In 2015, more than 17 million people used Xanax and generic alprazolam products. More than 4 million of those people misused the products, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. That’s more than the combined number of people who misused lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium) products.
Behavioral Signs and Symptoms of Xanax Abuse
Ask your doctor or another health professional for a recommendation. You can also search for a treatment center close to where you live with the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator. It’s a free online tool provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Administration (SAMHSA). Your doctor can assess your overall health by performing a physical exam. They can also answer any questions you have about Xanax use and, if needed, refer you to a treatment center. Your loved one might try to conceal their addiction from you.
- There is also the threat that by stopping Xanax suddenly and completely, a person may suffer from seizures.
- Selling or giving away this Xanax may harm others, and is against the law.
- Addicted individuals may develop strained relationships with significant others, close friends, and family.
- If you take Suboxone or buprenorphine/naloxone or use other opioids, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about getting Narcan nasal spray.
- Xanax can have many side effects, including some serious ones.
- Over time, this adjustment to how the brain manages neurotransmitters will become normal and the brain will need the drug to manage its chemistry.
If you suspect you or someone close to you is veering towards dependency on Xanax, immediate medical advice is not just recommended; it’s vital. Your physical, emotional, and social well-being could very well depend on taking timely action. Xanax is a pharmaceutical medication categorized under the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. This category of medications interacts with the central nervous system, specifically the neurotransmitter GABA, to induce a calming effect on the brain and body.
How to Recognize and Treat Xanax Addiction
In both cases, you take less and less of the drug until it’s out of your system. Detoxification (detox) is a process aimed at helping you safely stop taking Xanax while minimizing and managing your withdrawal symptoms. Detox is usually done in a hospital or rehabilitation facility under medical supervision.
This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Alprazolam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up. Xanax is a highly addictive drug, and tolerance develops quickly. Aside from addiction, its risks also include coma and death via overdose. When a person is dependent, they cannot stop using a drug without experiencing withdrawal.
Fear of Withdrawal
Others may try it at a party or nightclub by acquiring it from a friend or acquaintance. Because of Xanax’s abuse potential, it is often sold and used illegally. According to the 2015–2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 12.5% of adults in the U.S have used benzodiazepines, whether legally or not. About 2.1% of adults abused benzodiazepines during that same period. Family members and close friends often find themselves in the crosshairs, dealing with the emotional and sometimes financial burdens that come with supporting an addicted individual.
When someone uses opioids in a problematic or addictive pattern that impacts their daily life, it’s called opioid use disorder (OUD), otherwise known as opioid dependence. It is dangerous to purchase xanax addiction alprazolam on the Internet or outside the United States. The sale and distribution of medicines outside the U.S. does not comply with safe-use regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).