Xanax Addiction Treatment, Signs and Symptoms

Understanding Xanax Addiction 

Often prescribed to patients with anxiety and panic disorders, Xanax is a drug whose addiction rates have been rising significantly over the last decade. The drug is known for its soothing effects and ability to calm stressed individuals, alongside producing effects like alcohol. Because of its effectiveness, it has grown in popularity for both medical use and illicit circumstances.

With its status as a common prescription drug, Xanax can be easy to underestimate, and many people believe that it cannot cause an addiction. However, despite having much less of a draw compared to other medicinal drugs like opioids or marijuana, Xanax can be abused and may eventually lead to addiction. For this reason, anyone prescribed Xanax should be mindful of their use and only take what is prescribed to them.

Generally, people that develop a Xanax addiction begin by using more than what is prescribed to cope with certain areas of their life, such as stress and difficulty sleeping. When this happens, use in higher quantities continues to progress, eventually spiraling into a full-blown dependence.

If you or a loved one has found themselves addicted to Xanax, you should take action immediately! By contacting a qualified drug and alcohol rehab center, you can receive the care and support you need to break free from the cycle of drug abuse and begin to rebuild your life.

What is Xanax?

Xanax is a depressant drug called alprazolam, yet through the popularity of its brand name, Xanax grew to become the most recognizable name for the original drug. Both are categorized as benzodiazepines, a class of psychoactive drugs known for their ability to produce feelings of peace and relaxation when taken. They do this by increasing the potency of a natural chemical in the body called GABA, which impacts the brain and central nervous system.

When prescribed by a physician, Xanax comes in a pill form and the dosage varies based on a patient’s medical condition, age and previous medical history. Generally, the pills range from .25 mg to 2 mg, and no more than 4 mg should be taken in a single day. The exception to this rule is for patients with particularly severe panic disorders who may be prescribed up to 10 mg per day during times when they are at a high risk for a panic attack.

Since it can be addictive, doctors prefer to start out with lower dose recommendations and pill options, only increasing the amount if its effects do not seem to manage the condition. Although lower dosages decrease the chance of addiction, the still risk remains. Patients should always pay attention to their Xanax intake and be mindful of withdrawal symptoms, as it is a clear sign that a dependence has developed.

While some prefer to take Xanax as a sleep aid, it is highly discouraged as it harms the quality of sleep, leaving the patient feeling tired throughout the day.

Recreational use of Xanax for individuals without a prescription requires another individual known as an intermediary, who supplies the drug through their own prescription or a private connection to a pharmaceutical supplier. Often, the intermediary will resell the Xanax at a much higher price than it, in turn taking advantage of an addict’s disorder.

How Addictive is Xanax?

Since it is commonly given as a prescription to a wide range of people dealing with anxiety, many people are at risk for a Xanax addiction. The best way to avoid developing a possible substance use disorder is to carefully follow the instructions of the prescribing physician.

Xanax leads to addiction because when taken, it causes the body to release a rush of dopamine, which is commonly known as the pleasure chemical in the body, due to its euphoric effects. The drug also increases the effectiveness of GABA at first, but overtime weakens it by decreasing the amount made by the body. When this happens, the barrier between dopamine products and receptors shrinks, causing the dopamine rushes to have a greater impact on the brain. As GABA decreases, users will then have to take more Xanax to compensate for it lost effects.

With regular use, the brain and body are altered, as they grow accustomed to having a certain amount of dopamine present. When this happens, a dependence has formed and if drug use stops abruptly, the individual will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. In later stages, this leaves users with a feeling that Xanax is no longer an aid, but instead an essential survival mechanism.

People with high anxiety should remain especially cautious of the drug since they can develop a psychological dependence much faster than a physical one, as they can begin to view Xanax as a coping mechanism for everyday life.

Some of the most common Xanax addiction symptoms to watch out for are:

Xanax Combinations

Xanax can become extremely dangerous when mixed with other substances. Many of these are common alternate options for people with anxiety, which increases the chance that an accidental mixing will occur.

Some common substances that Xanax is mixed with are:

• Ibuprofen

• Nyquil

• Alcohol

• Valerian

• Kava

• Benadryl

• Caffeine

The first three (Ibuprofen, Nyquil, and Alcohol) are other depressants and the next two (Valerian and Kava) are herbal supplements. All of these will increase how much Xanax slows down the central nervous system. While it simply causes fatigue in lower doses, in higher quantities it can slow the body down so much that it begins to shut down, causing lethal consequences.

When paired, Benadryl usually leads to feelings of dizziness and confusion, which may cause a person to take more of either drug, in turn, causing overdose.

Since caffeine’s effect on the body is to increase the speed of the central nervous system, it is a direct contrast to Xanax and may seem to cancel out some of its depressant effects. This encourages a user to take more Xanax to obtain its desired effect, likely disobeying their doctor’s instructions and thus greatly increasing the risk of an addiction. Furthermore, the pairing causes cellular destruction in the brain and may cause increased memory problems and a drop in IQ with repeated use.

Xanax Addiction Treatment

When a doctor prescribes Xanax in higher doses as a medication for a period of time, they will usually choose to have patients undergo a process where they gradually wean the patient off of Xanax, until it is completely removed. This is done to prevent potential withdrawal symptoms and ease the patient off the drug in the event that they were beginning to or had developed a dependence.

The treatment for a Xanax addiction is similar to this process, in accompaniment with clinical and holistic modalities. In the rehab industry, this process is known as detoxification, otherwise known as detox. This level of care is essential to sobriety, as it allows the patient to be properly weaned off all addictive substances in a safe, medical fashion. Under the proper supervision of physicians and nursing staff, potential withdrawal symptoms and other health conditions can be mitigated through the utilization of medication, clinical treatment and holistic approaches.

Once a patient has successfully completed detoxification, they will transition into residential treatment. During residential care, the individual will begin to address underlying causes of this substance use disorder, as well as contributing factors that have influenced their behaviors and decisions. Additionally, the patient will develop healthy coping mechanisms that are conducive to their recovery efforts, allowing them to confront obstacles outside of treatment. Various modalities are utilized throughout the course of treatment, some including, motivational interviewing, 12-Step integration, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), yoga, recreational therapy, family education and relapse prevention.

Additional Facts and Statistics

In America, anxiety has been steadily on the rise and in response, so has the prescription of Xanax. Although the medication is effective and can help many people with anxiety, the large quantity of Xanax being prescribed (more than 40 million prescriptions a year) and the increase in addiction rates, have become a major issue.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2013), the 18-25-year-old age group has the highest rates of recreational use, and out of that group, more than 10% will develop a substance use disorder. Individuals in that category are also the most likely to mix Xanax with other substances.

Get Help For Xanax Addiction Today

If you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction to Xanax, do not wait any longer. The time to get help and take back control is NOW!

At Brookdale, our trusted team of professionals will work tirelessly to provide you with the necessary resources to break free from the bonds of addiction, so you may move toward your life…recovered.

For more information about our services or to begin the process of admission, please contact us now at 855-575-1292.