Doctors may prescribe tranquilizers to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. The most popular medication in the United States is Xanax. Since 2004, the number of Xanax prescriptions written per year has always been in the range of 15 to 30 million. These are huge numbers, even for a country like the United States. It’s hard to say which part was used as prescribed and which part led to people developing a severe addiction. But what can be said for sure is that there is a problem and it needs to be dealt with.
Are you or your loved one using Xanax for several months and can’t imagine your life without this drug? The sooner you take action, the easier it will be to fight the addiction. New Breath Recovery (California) offers a comfortable environment for addiction treatment. They will make sure that recovery is painless and effective. You will be able to choose a single or double room with a private bath. Our chef will cook your favorite meals for you, and the doctors will make sure that the treatment is dynamic and effective.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is the trade name of a medicinal product in which the active ingredient is alprazolam. It is a benzodiazepine that works as a tranquilizer with a pronounced sedative effect. Therefore, it is considered effective for managing symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks.
Xanax is taken orally in the form of tablets. The action begins in 15-30 minutes and lasts up to 6 hours, depending on the dosage. What happens in this case?
Alprazolam enters the bloodstream and affects the receptors of gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is responsible for the inhibition of the central nervous system. Large amounts of this acid relieves excitation in the brain and has a sedative and sleeping effect.
Causes of Xanax Addiction
If you take it according to the doctor’s recommendations, do not exceed the dosage and duration of treatment, then the risk of addiction is minimal. The whole point is that there is no pronounced effect of euphoria from the proper use of Xanax. A completely different situation if the drug is abused.
Exceeding dosages and the use of benzodiazepines for several months leads to the development of strong mental and physical dependence. This is due to the inhibitory effect of the drug. At this stage, it is no longer a drug, but a narcotic. A person addicted to Xanax after another dose feels calm and peaceful – he does not care about anything. People quickly get used to this feeling, and when they realize the problem and try to give up the tranquilizer, they face painful withdrawal symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Xanax Addiction
Xanax has many contraindications. You can recognize a person who is abusing this substance by the adverse reactions of the body:
- a change in gait. It becomes shaky and unsteady;
- impaired coordination of movement. A person can’t put a glass down neatly without spilling water;
- tremors in the arms, legs, or head jerking;
- sluggish reaction to any action on your part;
- trouble speaking, inability to form a coherent thought;
- weakness and drowsiness.
A person under alprazolam becomes indifferent to absolutely everything except the next dose of the drug. He becomes like a vegetable: without emotions, without his own opinion, without interest in new things.
The drug addict changes beyond recognition. He has problems at school or work, he becomes secretive, often quarrels with close people. Due to withdrawal symptoms, uncharacteristic irritability and nervousness are observed. Such a person becomes ready to do anything to get the necessary portion of the substance.
This is very serious. Do not even try to treat an addicted person on your own at home. There are special treatment centers for this purpose, where the process will be safe for the patient and people around him.
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The Process of Treating Xanax Addiction
More than half of the success depends on the addicted person’s desire to reform his or her life. It is impossible to force him to do so: forced treatment almost always leads to relapses. Therefore, the first thing to do is to convince the addicted person to start fighting xanax.
The next important step is to choose a rehab center. Unfortunately, not all of them are suitable for treatment. Somewhere there are problems with the staff, somewhere they apply outdated treatment programs. It is impossible to give universal advice on choosing a suitable clinic.
At the first visit, the doctor assesses the patient’s condition. He collects all the necessary information to develop an individualized treatment plan. In addition to collecting anamnesis, the specialist determines the level of addiction. Already at this stage, it is possible to approximately predict the dynamics of rehabilitation.
Next, two main methods of treatment come into play:
- detox. Under the supervision of doctors, the dosage of alprazolam is slowly reduced. It may also be replaced by other benzodiazepines that are easier to control. Withdrawal symptoms (pain, anxiety, depression, seizures) are treated with anticonvulsants, neuroleptics, antidepressants and other drugs. The duration of detoxification depends on the length of Xanax intake and the general condition of the patient. Usually it takes 1-3 days, but sometimes the process can take up to two weeks;
- psychotherapy. The desire to take a tranquilizer even after its complete elimination from the body will not disappear. It will remain in the memory as a reminder of how “carefree” life can be. With this distorted perception of the world will have to constantly fight. In the first stages, sessions of individual, group and family psychotherapy help. Together with the doctor and other people with similar problems, the addicted person will re-learn to live without substance use, to cope with stress and triggers.
Step by step, following the treatment program and being under the constant supervision of medical staff, the person begins to better understand himself, his emotions and actions. This helps him to stay motivated and make plans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Xanax Addiction Treatment
Still have questions about addiction to the most popular tranquilizer in the United States? Our experts have prepared brief answers to the most popular ones.
Can cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) help in treating Xanax addiction?
Yes, CBT is effective in treating Xanax addiction. It teaches you how to manage stress without medication, control triggers, avoid relapses, and manage your emotions. But CBT is not a stand-alone treatment. This therapy should be used in conjunction with other methods.
What medications are used to treat Xanax addiction?
There is no magic pill. Alprazolam, which is part of Xanax, can be replaced with other benzodiazepines or barbiturates. It is possible to gradually reduce the dosage of the drug for 7-14 days. Along with this, doctors prescribe drugs against seizures, anxiety, panic attacks and depression, as well as neuroleptics to recover brain activity.
How long does it take to recover from Xanax addiction?
No one doctor will give you an exact time frame. It’s an individual thing. For some people, it goes away in a month. Others have a high risk of relapse even after rehabilitation. Still others experience so-called flashbacks years after they have given up the drug. It all depends on how much damage has been done to the brain and psyche of the person.
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