Treatment options include the options above to help overcome addiction and start recovery. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and require medical supervision. Fortunately, there are telltale signs of Xanax misuse and addiction, such as secretive behavior and always keeping pills on hand. Professionals recommend tapering off Xanax gradually by replacing it with another less potent benzodiazepine. Because seizures and depression are typical withdrawal symptoms, anti-seizure Natural Xanax Alternatives For Anxiety medication and antidepressants may also be necessary.
What Does Taking Xanax Actually Feel Like?
A course of Xanax should not last longer than one or two weeks, but sometimes it is prescribed on an “as-needed” basis for panic attacks. He obtained his medical degree from West Virginia University where he also completed his residency training, finishing as chief resident. Dr. Wakim co-founded and served as the CEO of Transformations leading to a successful merger with Shore Capital in May 2021. He is purpose driven towards improving the standard of and removing stigma related to behavioral healthcare. Dr. Wakim enjoys golf, traveling and time spent with his two dogs, Lulu and Rayna. Physical dependence on benzodiazepines like Xanax can develop within days or weeks, making abrupt cessation risky.
Treatment & Support
Your loved one might try to conceal their addiction from you. You might wonder if it’s drugs or something different, such as a demanding job or a stressful life change. When you have an addiction, you continue to use a drug regardless of any negative consequences. Physical dependence can occur with or without an addiction to the drug; however, it is a common feature of addiction.
AUDIT Alcohol Assessment: Description, Scoring, Usage, Benefits and Challenges
Narcotics are opioids, which are drugs related to the opium poppy. Examples include strong prescription pain relievers, such as morphine (MS Contin) and oxycodone (OxyContin, Xtampza ER, others). Your doctor can also work with you to find a more sustainable, long-term medication to help soothe any symptoms you’re experiencing and alleviate your desire to use Xanax. Most people will feel the strongest impacts from the drug for two to four hours. Lingering effects or “fuzzy feelings” may stretch out beyond that for several more hours.
- So, what if you’re wondering whether or not someone is not just on Xanax but abusing it?
- It’s called Xanax XR, and it’s FDA approved to treat only panic disorder.
- Pregnancy registries collect information about the effects of a drug when it’s used during pregnancy.
- According to the 2015–2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about12.5% of adults in the U.S have used benzodiazepines, whether legally or not.
- Your doctor can assess your overall health by performing a physical exam.
Tell your healthcare provider if you feel that alprazolam is not working. Your doctor may prescribe Xanax with other drugs for generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder. For some people taking higher doses of Xanax for a while, Xanax can still be as safe and effective at a lower dosage. After Xanax became available, a study found that the drug remained effective for treating panic disorder when lowering the dosage. After detoxing, treatment should involve therapy to treat the drivers of addiction. Examples of such include depression and anxiety disorders, which Xanax treats.
What are the most common side effects of alprazolam?
Here’s some information about herbs, supplements, and Xanax treatment. Be sure to talk with your doctor before taking any herbs or supplements with Xanax. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods. Your doctor and pharmacist can help answer other questions you have.
- Xanax addiction is specifically part of a subcategory of substance use disorder known as sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder.
- That being said, the evidence speaks for itself, as thousands seek treatment every year for dependencies on this drug.
- Alprazolam is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence.
- It involves using other drugs to manage withdrawal symptoms.
In 2017, doctors wrote nearly 45 million prescriptions for Xanax (alprazolam). Statistics suggest that one in 20 people in the U.S. fill a prescription for benzodiazepines each year. It’s possible that your medical professional will recommend that you use Xanax together with other drugs to treat your anxiety. To receive weekly information on mental health, you may want to sign up for the Psych Central newsletter. You’ll find stories directly from other people on their mental health journey as well as the latest information on treatments.
This discomfort can be treated with mild over-the-counter pain relievers. These side effects, among others, are common occurrences that land many in emergency rooms when they try to detox without professional help. Last year, 44,796 people were treated in American emergency rooms for issues stemming from the use and abuse of benzos like Xanax. 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.
Serious side effects
Both substances are central nervous system depressants, slowing down the body’s processes like movement and breathing. Recognizing Xanax addiction signs and symptoms can help you know when to seek treatment for yourself or a loved one. Xanax addiction can be serious and affect a person’s mood, behavior and physical characteristics.