That’s why if you think you’ve developed an addiction to Xanax – it’s important you get the right help quickly. While using Xanax regularly might provide you with a huge sense of relief at first, after a while you may start to notice various symptoms beginning to manifest the longer  Meth Withdrawal Symptoms   you abuse it. If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you know, keeping an eye on symptoms of Xanax addiction may help you identify the problem before it escalates.

Recreational benzodiazepine addiction is when you abuse benzos for the pleasurable effects and become physically and psychologically dependent on them. Removing your physical dependence on the substance is usually achieved once the detoxification process is over, which will take a maximum of four weeks. In general, the longer someone stays in rehabilitation, the greater their chance of successfully overcoming their addiction. Unfortunately, this relief is short-lived, and the individual soon finds themselves trapped in a cycle of addiction. The substance or behaviour becomes a coping mechanism to escape or numb the anxiety, leading to a dangerous dependency. Over time, the addiction becomes a significant source of anxiety as the individual experiences withdrawal symptoms, guilt, shame, and a loss of control.

 

Alchol Withdrawal Symptoms & Treatment Explained

 

Adolescence is by definition a rocky and even troubled time in a person’s life. They weren’t taking Xans to socially lubricate or keep the party going – like many of us did/do with cocaine or ecstasy. Self-medicating is nothing new – in fact, it can be done with alcohol, food, or otherwise legal substances – but the proliferation of benzodiazepines (particularly Xanax) is a worrying trend. Last year health group UK Addiction Treatment said it had seen a 200 per cent rise in people being admitted to treatment centres and rehab solely for Xanax addiction.

 

“Xanax is one of the most dangerous drugs to come down from, even including heroin,” said Kathy Vinson, director of nursing at Holy Family Substance Abuse Alcohol/Drug Treatment Center in Des Plaines. “We often see the same pattern with prescription drugs,” said Dr. Martin Doot, chief of addiction medicine at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. “They come out, they are heavily marketed and the abuse liability is typically minimized. When Xanax came out, many doctors were sold on the idea that it was not addicting.” Dependence on Xanax can occur when the body is reliant on the chemical interactions caused by the drug. In this case, medical support may be required to help wean the individual off the drug.

 

What happens if I mix Benzodiazepines and

 

The best practice for people struggling with benzodiazepine abuse is to seek a medically supervised detox within a specialised, long-term addiction recovery programme, such as Castle Health. Benzodiazepines are a type of medication used as anxiolytics or tranquilliser/ sedatives. They have a calming effect and may be prescribed by doctors for numerous medical conditions, such as insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, for seizure control and as part of the alcohol withdrawal phase. In 2001 there were 638,484 emergency room visits for bad reactions to illicit and prescription drugs. Of all the drugs that were abused, 43 percent were prescription medications.

 

If you use Xanax frequently, the brain gets used to these altered levels of neurotransmitters and starts to rely on the drug to feel happy. With this growing dependence, Xanax addiction creeps in and you begin to use Xanax compulsively, despite any negative consequences. If you are considering starting your Xanax recovery journey at home, we understand why this might seem like the better option. With the freedom to remain in your own space, near your loved ones and home comforts, this can appear like it would be the ideal set-up. However, the Xanax detox process can pose a number of risks, and it is essential that you are aware of them before making this decision. When coming off Xanax, acute withdrawal symptoms will typically present themselves anywhere between eight to twelve hours after your last dose.

 

When attempting detox, it is strongly advised that people seek the help of professionals. Detoxification can be dangerous if it is not properly monitored and treated to match shifts in symptoms. Excessive aggression is a symptom of Xanax addiction that many people experience. This disease can express itself in various ways, from mild irritability to frequent outbursts of physical aggression.

 

Professional medical support can guide you through the process safely and as comfortably as possible, and medics can intervene in the event of any medical complications. The effects of Xanax can be highly addictive for individuals suffering from mental health issues. Known for its ability to suppress anxious feelings, influencing a calming state, consistent use is likely. Those calming feelings will become an ongoing physical and psychological desire, driving cravings.

 

A person will be supported through these therapies to understand the causes of and triggers that maintain the addiction. Practical techniques and strategies are provided so that people become aware of and learn how to manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. At this point, it’s incredibly important to bear in mind how a severe Xanax (alprazolam) addiction alters the structure and functioning of the brain. As well as the shape of the brain-altering, its chemicals become unbalanced, this has a knock-on effect to all the bodily systems and functioning. If Xanax is prescribed, it’s imperative that you talk through all other medications, including vitamins and supplements that you take with your doctor. Individuals who engage in polydrug use involving Xanax should be aware that they are putting themselves at serious risk for physical and psychological harm.

 

Close to 600 adults received their first prescription for benzodiazepine between 2008 and 2016 from either primary care physicians or other non-psychiatrists. They also calculated a medication possession ratio (MPR) of how many days’ supply they had been prescribed to how many days the prescription was valid. These drugs are being increasingly scrutinized as drivers of America’s addiction epidemic, alongside opioids, as more and more Americans struggle to get off them. Call us for confidential advice and compassionate care from our highly trained medical staff.