You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine suddenly after long-term use. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Never use Xanax in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.
The drugs can make people pass out or breathe at a dangerously slow rate. They want relief from social anxiety, and Xanax helps them wind down. Others desire a loose, goofy feeling that’s similar to how people feel when they get drunk. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
How should I take Xanax?
Outpatient programs are better suited to those in the early stages of substance abuse. People successfully recover from Xanax addictions using both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. However, people with more severe addictions might need the stability of an inpatient treatment center to recover. The detox and withdrawal from Xanax can cause deadly seizures, so professional guidance is vital during this time of treatment. It’s important that you consider all of your options and choose the treatment program that’s right for you.
Side effects are common, but often downplayed by patients, given its rapid onset of therapeutic action and unique reinforcing properties. Common complaints reported with varying frequency by patients treated with alprazolam include sedation, fatigue, ataxia, amnesia, slurred speech, poor concentration, hypersensitivity, and irritability. xanax addiction Alprazolam withdrawal syndrome may also feature unique clinical symptoms compared with other benzodiazepine withdrawal syndromes. Interestingly, despite ICU care and administration of beta-blockers and alpha-blockers, the pseudo-pheochromocytoma was only successfully treated by alprazolam re-instatement (Orzack et al., 1988).
Physical and Psychological Symptoms and Signs of Xanax Abuse
“Clinically, this knowledge can inform prognosis … and could indicate the need for aggressive seizure control.” Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take https://ecosoberhouse.com/ this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. It belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. It works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA).
Study results show a broad range, between 3 percent and 41 percent, of people who struggle with alcoholism also abuse benzodiazepines, per the American Family Physician. When Xanax abuse progresses, it can become what mental health professionals call a sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder. This term derives from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), a reference book that is considered indispensable to the mental health community.
The difference between dependence and addiction
Alcohol is particularly dangerous when mixed with Xanax because they are both Depressants; combining the two can lead to an overdose and respiratory failure. Xanax is typically abused because of the sense of calm and relaxation it causes in the user. Some people abuse Xanax by taking it in higher doses or combining it with other drugs or alcohol in order to achieve the desired high. Many drugs can interact with alprazolam, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
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 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. Symptoms of withdrawal typically begin two to seven days after your last dose. One of the reasons why Xanax is so effective for treating panic is that peak impact from the dose comes quickly.