How To Treat An Addiction To Xanax
A Xanax addiction has to be treated like any other drug addiction. Patients will need to cease consumption and then work through withdrawal, followed by a comprehensive drug addiction treatment program. There are many therapeutic approaches to recovery that can be effective.
Evidence-based recovery rehab will start with talk therapy.
This can help change behaviors, address any underlying history of trauma and work through mental health conditions that could be playing a role. Involving the family can also be helpful, as can group therapy. Alternative or holistic therapies ranging from fitness to acupuncture can play a role in boosting overall wellness and strength against relapse as well.
Long Term Effects Of Meth Use
Using meth for a long period of time can also greatly affect the body and mind. This is why its important to identify meth addiction early, so addicts can get treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Long time users may experience side effects that damage the body and mind, including:
- Inability to control impulses
Is Dependence The Same Thing As Addiction
Dependence and addiction are not the same.
Dependence refers to a physical state in which your body is dependent on the drug. With drug dependence may also come tolerance, which is when you need more and more of a substance to achieve the same effect. You experience mental and physical effects if you abruptly stop taking the drug.
When you have an addiction, you continue to use a drug regardless of any negative consequences. Physical dependence can occur with or without an addiction to the drug however, it is a of addiction.
What causes addiction?
Addiction has many causes. Some are related to your environment and life experiences, such as having friends who use drugs. Others are genetic. When you take a drug, certain genetic factors can increase your risk of developing an addiction. Regular drug use changes your brain chemistry, affecting how you experience pleasure. This can make it difficult to simply stop using the drug once youve started.
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Getting Help For Xanax Addiction
The withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines, including Xanax, can be pretty unpleasant. Thats why its recommended that detox from the drug be done at an addiction treatment center under the care of medical professionals. Doing so will make the detox process much more comfortable and safer. Upon completing detox, its important to continue addiction treatment with outpatient or inpatient rehab. Detox alone often isnt enough to prevent relapse from happening.
If you or a loved one is addicted to Xanax, My Time Recovery can help you safely detox and begin your journey towards recovery. Contact us today with your questions.
Getting Help For Someone Who Is Addicted To Xanax
Xanax addiction is incredibly difficult to deal with and will wreak havoc on someoneâs life. If you are taking Xanax and exhibiting signs of addiction, it is important to get help as soon as possible. Treatment includes inpatient rehabilitation programs and outpatient programs. Our accredited treatment center in Jeffersonville, IN offers all the resources you need to recover.
Our team of addiction counselors will work diligently to tailor a treatment plan to your unique needs. Treatments plans will include cognitive and behavioral therapy. We also offer medication therapy to make the process as easy as possible. Donât wait any longer, get help today.
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The Timeline Of Xanax Addiction
Using Xanax as the prime choice to manage the symptoms of fear and anxiety did not happen overnight. Alcohol was the earliest form of anti-anxiety drug and was used both casually and in professional medical settings until it was replaced with barbital. The barbiturate was used to treat anxiety and was later revealed to have many side effects, addictive properties, and the risk of fatal overdose. For these reasons, this class of drugs was eventually replaced by the benzodiazepines which are less harmful but not devoid of the addictive properties of its predecessors.
Benzodiazepines hold great clinical value but, without exception, are dangerous drugs when abused or even used as prescribed for long periods. Therapeutic users can develop tolerance in just a few days and become dependent within four weeks of use. Despite this timeline, getting addicted is not a one-size-fits-all hat. The circumstances surrounding your addiction may differ from that of another fellow.
For recreational users of Xanax, the dangers are even higher and full-blown addiction can happen in just a couple of weeks. Over time, the addiction strengthens and addicts are likely to begin making drug acquisition a priority. Their behaviors will be almost the same as people who use illicit drugs like heroin. Despite these, it is very possible to beat Xanax addiction with professional help.
Therapeutic Benefits Of Xanax
In these circumstances, it is understandable that your physician would prescribe Xanax. Xanax is a benzodiazepine medication that works very quickly and effectively to reduce anxiety and help with sleep. Physicians often prescribe these medications to help patients feel better when they are very distressed, and generally patients find them helpful in the short term.
Xanax can calm people quickly and effectively and can help promote relaxation and sleep when taken as prescribed. For those who only take the dose given by their doctor, and who only take the drug for a brief period until things settle down, these medications can be part of a coping strategy which includes emotional and practical support, as needed.
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What Should You Do
If you recognize yourself or someone you love in these symptoms of addiction, know that help is available. In a structured program, you can work with professionals who can help you to understand your addiction and what you can do to get better. This team of experts can help you get sober in a controlled, safe environment, so you will not experience life-threatening withdrawal. And the team can give you the tools you need to preserve your sobriety. If you are dealing with addiction, it is time to get help.
Written by: Staff Writer
About Staff Writer: Serenity at Summit is staffed with a team of expert writers and researchers that are dedicated to creating well-written and accurate content to help those that are seeking treatment find the help they need.
The Negative Impact Of Xanax Addiction
When individuals take Xanax with a legitimate prescription and under appropriate medical supervision, there can be positive benefits. However, those individuals who abuse Xanax are likely to suffer from several negative effects. These can include health problems, cognitive concerns and major interferences in relationships, finances, and career.
Physical issues resulting from Xanax abuse can be dangerous. Just some of the common side effects that individuals suffer from are:
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness
- Constant fatigue
In addition to the physical effects of regular Xanax use, addiction can cause other serious problems. Xanax addiction frequently causes users to make procuring and taking the drug a priority. The addiction will come before work, before family, and before friends. This causes all areas of life to suffer, and it can lead to broken relationships and career failure.
It is also important to address the financial side of prescription drug addiction. Over time, physicians may not want to prescribe Xanax to patients, particularly those who require increased doses to accommodate their new tolerance to the drug. This might mean paying cash when visiting clinics or purchasing expensive Xanax pills illegally through drug dealers.
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Xanax Withdrawal And Detox
Along with the relatively quick process of addiction that can develop, benzodiazepines are dangerous because of the withdrawal symptoms. Like alcohol, benzodiazepines like Xanax impact the GABA receptors. This means that the removal of alprazolam from the system causes a severe change in the central nervous system. The withdrawal symptoms can be incredibly painful, uncomfortable, and even fatal.
If you or somebody you know is struggling with a Xanax addiction, it is crucial that you reach out for help. Withdrawing on your own or trying to detox at home can be lethal, and should not even be an option. Without proper medical care, the withdrawal process from benzodiazepines can cause lasting damage, result in relapse, or kill the individual!
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What Does Xanax Do
Xanax is an anti-anxiety medication that provides a calming feeling, which can be part of the answer for many individuals suffering from a mental health disorder. But just as with the time it takes to develop a Xanax addiction, how Xanax affects people depends on several factors, including their:
- Mental health at the time of taking the drug
- Age
- Metabolism
- Xanax dosage
If youre taking the anti-anxiety medication Xanax, it is important to understand the side effects and dangers of not following the prescribed dosage. Some of the side effects that come with using Xanax include:
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
Xanax has the opposite effect of a drug like cocaine. Instead of euphoria from a high, Xanax delivers a feeling of being relaxed, quiet, and tired. Like with a high, though, it is possible to become addicted to the state of calming bliss and sedation provided by Xanax. There are dangers to mixing Xanax with drinking, and an emotional or physical dependence could ensue. The ensuing results can be equally as worrisome with blacking out and overdosing possible if an addiction forms.
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Diagnostic Criteria For Xanax Addiction
Specific diagnostic criteria designating an addiction or use disorder to a sedative such as Xanax includes clinically significant impairment or distress in at least two of the following areas over a 12-month period:
- Taking the tranquilizer in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than intended.
- Unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control Xanax use.
- Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using or recovering from using Xanax.
- Recurring use of the drug that causes problems at work, school or home .
- Continued use of Xanax despite the presence of recurrent or persistent social or relationship problems cause by the drug use .
- Giving up or drastically cutting back on important social, recreational or work activities in order to continue drug use.
- Continuing to use Xanax and then driving or operating machinery or doing other physically hazardous activities.
- Continuing Xanax use despite having a physical or psychological problem that is caused by or made worse by the drug.
- Tolerance a need for increased amounts of the drug to achieve the level of intoxication or desired effect, or a markedly diminished effect after continued use of the same amount of Xanax.
- Withdrawal experiencing withdrawal syndrome, taking Xanax or other substances to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms.
Where To Start If You Or Your Loved One Wants Help
Asking for help is an important first step. If you or your loved one are ready to get treatment, it may be helpful to reach out to a supportive friend or family member for support.
You can also start by calling a doctor. 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.
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Garden State Treatment Center And Xanax Addiction
At Garden State Treatment Center, we have extensive experience working with individuals who have been suffering from a Xanax abuse disorder of any severity. We understand how addictive this specific prescription medication can be and know just how difficult it can be to quit without assistance. For more information on our effective and comprehensive recovery program, please feel free to give us a call at any point in time.
24/7 Confidential Treatment Helpline
How Long Does Xanax Last
Alprazolam, more commonly known by its brand name, Xanax, is a medication indicated to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Xanax is in a class of medications known as benzodiazepines. Its considered a mild tranquilizer.
Xanax helps to calm the nerves and induces a feeling of relaxation. In high doses, however, it has the potential to be abused and can lead to dependence . For this reason, its classified as a federal controlled substance .
If youre new to taking Xanax, you may be wondering how long the effects will last in your body, factors that might influence how long Xanax stays in your system, and what to do if you decide to stop taking it.
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Behavioral Treatments For Xanax Addiction
In addition to medications, behavioral therapy is an effective form of treatment for prescription drug addiction.
Behavioral therapy involves focusing on the causes of addiction and finding healthy ways to cope with stress and difficult emotions. Some goals of behavioral therapy include:
- Identifying triggers and risky situations for drug use.
- Developing a plan to avoid situations that could lead to a relapse.
- Finding healthy ways to cope with urges and cravings.
- Teaching tools to handle emotions more effectively without drugs.
- Improving relationships with others.
- Increasing a persons ability to function at work, school, and in other settings.
There are several different approaches to behavioral therapy that have been found to be effective for treating addiction:
Do I Have To Taper Benzos Or Can I Stop Them Cold
Word of thumb: Always taper your benzos unless you are unable to due to your own unique medical situation.
As discussed, you can become addicted to benzos after just a few days, even if your doctor is prescribing them and says otherwise.
Many clients have called me with severe withdrawal symptoms after their doctors have told them they can stop their benzos cold turkey. For most people , this is simply not true.
Unfortunately, because benzos are so habit-forming, it is almost always better to taper.
If you are looking for support with benzo medication tapering, check out these two resources:
- The Medication Tapering Mastery Course : This course will offer you education on when to taper, how to taper, and provide you resources on integrative therapies to help with the taper process. For example, amino acids that work to create a GABA bridge to help counteract benzo withdrawal.
- The Ashton Method for Benzo Tapering : Dr. Ashton created a schedule for how and when to taper and provided charts for you to share with your prescribing doctor.
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Xanax Addiction Treatment Centers
Treatment for Xanax addiction can be found in different settings, including:
- Detox centers, which are residential programs that are staffed with medical professionals who prescribe medications to ease withdrawal symptoms. Attending a detox center is especially recommended when detoxing from Xanax because of the potential for dangerous side effects.
- Inpatient treatment allows people to temporarily leave their home environment and reside at a treatment center. Inpatient treatment centers have staff available 24 hours a day and offer a drug-free environment with group, individual, and family therapy.
- Outpatient treatment offers group and individual therapy for a set number of hours per week. People attending outpatient treatment reside either at their home or at a sober living facility.
Seeking help for Xanax addiction is difficult because of the strong dependence, tolerance, and cravings that can occur. Fortunately treatment centers can be helpful at any stage in the process. Whether you or a loved one are unsure about quitting or feel ready to take action, treatment is available to provide tools and help resolve any ambivalence about recovery. Learn how to help a Xanax addict today.
How Is Xanax Addiction Treated
As a central nervous system depressant, Xanax will slow down your heart rate, lower your blood pressure and reduce your bodys temperature to help cope with symptoms of anxiety. If youre abusing Xanax, your body will inherently begin to adjust to these conditions and accept them as the new normal. If you were to suddenly remove the drug from your brain and body, these functions would quickly rebound. This makes quitting Xanax cold turkey incredibly risky.
Detoxing from Xanax, or any drug in the benzo family, should only be done under medical supervision. Your bodys vital signs must be closely monitored during the detox process to help avoid and treat withdrawal symptoms including:
- Heart palpitations
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How Do Benzos Work
To best understand how benzo addiction happens, who is at risk, how quickly addiction happens and how long it lasts, we first need to understand how benzos work.
The exact mechanism of benzos is not clearly understood, but what we do know is that benzos enhance a neurotransmitter in the brain called Gamma Aminobutyric Acid .
GABA is known as the calming and relaxing neurotransmitter. It works by decreasing activity in your nervous system. When GABA levels rise, you will experience feelings of physical and emotional relaxation and sedation.
