It’s important to note that a doctor can help you taper your Xanax dosage even if your Xanax wasn’t prescribed to you. Symptoms such as insomnia, cravings for xanax addiction Xanax, and anxiety, might take longer to leave the body and brain. Most symptoms of Xanax withdrawal are unpleasant and distressing but not life threatening.
Signs of overdose usually develop within four hours of a dose, which is the time when the drug concentration is highest in the body. Other commonly prescribed benzodiazepines that pose a risk of dependence include Valium (diazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam). As the above symptoms suggest, there is a general advisement that individuals undergo medical detox when they stop taking Xanax. There is also the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ threat that by stopping Xanax suddenly and completely, a person may suffer from seizures. A sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder (hereafter referred to a sedative use disorder) is one of nine individuated disorders recognized in the DSM-5. In order for a person to be diagnosed with a sedative use disorder, at least two of a possible 11 symptoms must emerge in the same 12-month period.
How to Recognize and Treat Xanax Addiction
Compared with other benzodiazepines, the body absorbs Xanax quickly, so its effects come on rapidly. Within about 1–2 hours, the concentration of Xanax in the blood reaches its peak. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Before taking alprazolam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other benzodiazepines (such as diazepam, lorazepam); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Xanax and other benzodiazepines should not be used for more than 14 days at a time due to the possibility of chemical dependency and addiction. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
Treatment Options for Alprazolam Addiction
The more symptoms that are present, the higher grading the sedative use disorder will receive along a continuum from mild, to moderate, to severe. Also possible are chest pains, involuntary muscle movements, hallucinations and even seizures. Although treatment outcomes are comparable to that of other chronic conditions, recovery is an ongoing process that can take time.
- Excessive Xanax use can cause a person’s body to relax so much that the person stops breathing adequately, leading to a fatal overdose.
- When a person seeks treatment for an addiction, the doctor should listen to them and understand their wants and needs before agreeing on suitable treatment goals.
- Even if you accidentally take too much, you’re likely to feel only some unpleasant symptoms like dizziness, sleepiness, and fatigue.
- If you have symptoms of an allergic reaction to Xanax, be sure to call your medical professional immediately.
You should also seek emergency medical attention if you experience signs of an allergic reaction. Signs may include swelling of the face, lips, throat, and tongue and difficulty breathing. You should also avoid combining Xanax with drugs — even over-the-counter ones — that can make you sleepy, slow your breathing, or cause extreme lethargy. The compounded effects of combining these drugs may be dangerous and put you at risk for health issues or death. Please note that these resources are for informational purposes only. It’s important to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and support if you or someone you know is struggling with Xanax use.
Is dependence the same thing as addiction?
While a single dose of Xanax will stop affecting you within several hours, it can be detectable in urine for several days and detected in hair for up to 90 days. Withdrawal symptoms from Xanax addiction can vary in duration based on the same factors for withdrawal severity. In most cases, withdrawal from Xanax addiction begins within 24 hours and lasts up to a few weeks. When too much Xanax is used, a person can experience an overdose. This can result in severe fatigue and inhibit the ability to breathe correctly.
- More than 20 million Xanax prescriptions were written in the U.S. in 2018, making the drug one of the most prescribed anxiety medications in the country.
- If you feel as if you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
- Until you know how the drug will affect you, it’s better to take less and build up to a higher dose.
- In these instances, it can produce feelings of calm and relax the muscles.
- The timeline for the detox period will vary depending on the person’s sustained dosage level and personal factors.