The Importance Of Medical Detox
Unfortunately, some individuals dont choose medical detox. They may start to decrease their dose on their own and then fail to complete the process. Those who experience the most difficulty are usually battling mental health disorders that the Xanax was originally intended to medicate. For example, someone with panic disorder may have been prescribed the drug as a form of treatment. After a period of long-term use or misuse, the person become hooked on the drug. Tapering off it not only brings with it the discomfort of withdrawal, but also a strong resurgence of panic disorder symptoms.
Tapering in a controlled manner, under medical supervision, is the best way to avoid negative outcomes of withdrawal like psychosis and seizures. When undergoing medical detox, the treatment team will ensure the patient remains safe and supported.
Hydration is important, as dehydration can seriously exacerbate withdrawal symptoms. Mild stimulants like caffeine should be avoided as they can boost withdrawal activity. Alcohol should, of course, be avoided. Oftentimes, a diet of small, bland meals is easier on a nauseated stomach during detox. High protein foods can help to keep strength up.
How Does Xanax Work
Xanax falls into a class of drugs called benzodiazepines more commonly called benzos. Benzos work by actively slowing down brain activity to reduce levels of excitement and create a calming, almost tranquilizing, effect on your brain and body. This is what makes it so effective at alleviating symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The full effect of Xanax can be felt in as little as one to two hours after being administered and can stay in the body for several hours. If you are experiencing an extreme sense of panic, the relief that Xanax can provide is immeasurable.
However, the calming effects of Xanax are still only temporary. Meaning, the more you rely on it as your only treatment plan for an anxiety disorder, the more your body and brain will depend on the substance to function- and it doesnt take long for this dependency to develop. Xanax dependency can form in as little as one to two weeks of taking the drug regularly.
The longer this cycle of abuse continues, the deeper and more destructive it will become.
Faqs About Xanax Withdrawal
- How long does Xanax withdrawal last?
Xanax withdrawal symptoms may last from days to weeks, to months or years. Xanax and other benzodiazepines are notorious for being difficult to stop using. A trained medical professional can help make this process as comfortable as possible, but it will still be unpleasant.
If a taper method is used to stop Xanax, this will significantly increase the time taken to withdraw completely. Xanax tapers can last four months or longer.
- How long does Xanax stay in your system?
The presence of Xanax in the body can be detected through the following tests:
- Urine: In urine, Xanax can be detected within hours of use and up to 5 days after use
- Hair: Xanax can be detected in hair for up to 90 days after last use
- Blood: In blood, Xanax can be detected within one hour of use and up to 5 days after use
- Saliva: In saliva, Xanax can be detected immediately after use and up to 2.5 days after use
- Breast milk: Xanax can be detected in breast milk within one hour of use and up to 3 days after use, but Xanax is not recommended for use in nursing mothers
Multiple factors affect how long Xanax stays in your system.
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How Long Does It Take For Xanax To Kick In And How Does It Feel
Medically Reviewed byDr. Francine Mends, MDon May 14, 2020
Xanax is a brand name for alprazolam. This is a drug in the benzodiazepine family. It is a nervous system depressant, and doctors mostly use it to treat anxiety and panic disorders.
Xanax is a powerful drug. Because of its strong effects, many people who need to take it often have the same questions: How long does it take to kick in? What are the effects?
Itâs always best to be better informed about the prescriptions you take. To safeguard your health, learn about the effects of Xanax and what to do if youâre experiencing Xanax addiction or abuse.
A Brief History Of Xanax Addiction:
Xanax was developed in the 1960s, following the uptick in the popularity of psychiatric treatment in the United States. During this time, there was a need for a medication that could help soothe anxieties so patients who suffered from anxious tendencies could get quality sleep.
In 1956, the first benzodiazepine was developed by Dr. Leo Sternbach. This drug was called Librium®. The whole driving force behind the development of new drugs during this period was to find less addictive and safer alternatives to existing drugs like barbiturates. Barbiturates are drugs that depress the central nervous system. They can cause muscle relaxation. Currently, theyre one of the oldest classes of drugs.
As development continued, a patent for alprazolam was filed in 1969 and granted in 1976. In 1981, Xanax was released on the market by the Upjohn company. Now, Upjohn has been absorbed to be part of what is now known as Pfizer. Alprazolam hit the market to be used for anxiety disorders. Alongside Valium®, alprazolam quickly became one of the most popular drugs on the market.
Upon the FDAs approval of Xanax in 1981, it was also deemed a Schedule IV controlled substance.
Now, Xanax is a widely used and helpful prescription. The problems arise when someone misuses the drug in order to boost their morale or make themselves feel better. There are a variety of ways that someone can misuse Xanax, all explored in greater depth in the next section.
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Depending On The Overdose Victims Condition While Under Supervision A Doctor May Also Decide To:
- Treat him or her with IV fluids in order to keep his or her body in good condition
- Put the overdose victim on assisted ventilation if he or she experiences respiratory depression
- Conduct a psychiatric evaluation if they suspect an intentional overdose
In most cases, patients will be discharged from the hospital if they donât show any other symptoms for at least 6 hours to half a day. Some patients may choose to get discharged into the care of a drug rehab center. An overdose should be a pretty strong hint that the overdose victim needs help.
How Dangerous Is Xanax
While prescription drugs are perceived as less hazardous when comparing with class A drugs, abusing Xanax for a long period of time can carry just as many dangers. The drug is usually prescribed and consumed to reduce side effects of panic disorders. In this situation, developing addictive tendencies is still possible. However, doses will be controlled by medical professionals.
Yet, many individuals are now purchasing Xanax illegally, through illicit and black-market sites. Here is where the greatest danger lies when consuming Xanax. With the desire to purchase high quantities of the drug, individuals are self-medicating their anxiety disorders. However, by consuming high, consistent quantities, risk of health deterioration and a physical and psychological Xanax addiction are likely.
Any form of addiction is difficult to live with. Addiction will affect everyone differently, yet damage to an individuals mental and physical health, relationships, quality of life and career is more than likely. A further danger of developing an addiction to Xanax is the potential of aggravating the initial mental health or anxiety disorder driving consumption. In this situation, it is more than likely that alternative drugs will be used in combination with Xanax, known to negatively impact cardiac and respiratory health.
Without control over Xanax consumption, many risks and dangers can develop. Its important to understand this before consistently consuming the drug.
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Psychological Signs Of Xanax Abuse
Someone with a Xanax addiction cannot control the desire to consume the drug to keep the high one keeps getting from it, which is when abuse can turn into an addiction.
Psychological Signs of Xanax Addiction:
- Forgetfulness and confusion completing certain tasks or remembering details about conversations
- Becoming suddenly annoyed and irritated by small things
- Engaging in talkative behaviors
- Extreme and erratic behavioral changes such as excessive tiredness or listlessness
- Extreme mood swings such as manic-type moods
- Delaying tasks that require work and effort
Because Xanax typically slows brain and spinal cord function in the central nervous system , an addiction will cause one to become more apathetic and inactive more than usual, which can be a sign that addiction to Xanax has developed.
Inpatient Rehab For Xanax Addiction
When treating Xanax addiction, inpatient treatment is often the most beneficial. Inpatient rehab provides the highest level of care, support, and structure. Many treatment centers also offer detox services, allowing patients to go through withdrawal symptoms safely.
Inpatient treatment can last from 28 days to several months. The length of the program will depend on the severity of the addiction. It will also be dependent upon if there is a co-occurring disorder or not.
Treating Xanax addiction often starts with a detox. After detox, the patient will take part in an organized treatment plan. This plan tends to include:
- Group counseling
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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.
Treatment Options For Withdrawal Symptoms
People may try to detox cold turkey, but this is not often safe. Safer options include at-home Xanax detox with the support of a physician or medical detox in a rehab facility.
At-home detox may be more common for people taking Xanax with a prescription who need to stop taking it for one reason or another. A person may be dependent on Xanax, but this does not mean they are addicted. They will benefit from a doctor slowly tapering their medication, but addiction treatment is not necessary.
Medical detox in a rehab facility is the safest option for people with substance use disorder. Not only can medical detox provide support and make withdrawal as safe as possible, but the person then has the option to continue into Xanax addiction treatment.
These remedies are often very helpful for people during Xanax withdrawal. It is important that medication is taken exactly as prescribed. Alternative remedies are recommended as the first line of defense before moving on to medications.
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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.
Increased Access And Increased Accidents
In 2012, over 49 million prescriptions were written for alprazolam, the drug behind the brand name Xanax. This made Xanax the 2nd most often prescribed psychoactive medication, after the opiate narcotic hydrocodone. Some of these prescriptions were used by individuals with anxiety disorders, but many were sold for illicit use.
Increased use led to increased addiction and increased health risks. Between 2005 and 2011, emergency room visits related to Xanax use more than doubled. When these emergency room visits involved the combination of Xanax and alcohol, a fatal overdose was too often the end result.
Young adults age 18 to 25 are the most vulnerable to Xanax addiction, simply because approximately twice as many individuals in this age group use the drug than individuals age 26 and olderand Xanax is so highly addictive that any use, illicit or by prescription, will almost always lead to dependence. Because Xanax is a controlled substance, even individuals with a doctor willing to prescribe the drug will eventually be forced to turn to illicit sources after they have reached the legal limit of how many scripts can be written for a single patient.
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How Long Does It Take To Get Addicted To Xanax
Xanax® is the brand name of the drug alprazolam. Like many other prescription drugs, people can become physically dependent upon this medication and develop an addiction. The time it takes to get addicted to Xanax varies from individual to individual, and depends largely on the nature of use. Benzodiazepines like alprazolam are involved in a surprisingly high number of overdose deaths, with benzodiazepine overdose rates climbing in recent years. Although it is most often when another drug is present in the body, Xanax overdose is a very serious issue and often results in fatalities.
How Long Does It Take To Become Addicted
One of the scary parts about benzodiazepine use is that individuals can become dependent in just three or four weeks of use. Research suggests that tolerance can develop in just a few days, while full physical dependence can arise in a few weeks. This is not true for everyone, and benzodiazepines still hold great clinical value. However, its important to know that some people may become addicted to Xanax even when taking it exactly as their doctor prescribed.
If an individual is abusing Xanax by taking it without a prescription or taking more than prescribed, its possible that addiction can develop even more quickly. With recreational alprazolam use, it can take just a couple of weeks to become dependent on the drug. Over the coming weeks and months of use, the addiction strengthens, and individuals are likely to begin making drug acquisition a priority.
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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 To Help A Xanax Addict
If you recognize some of these signs in your loved one and you suspect that they may be abusing Xanax, its time to step in and offer help.
While this may be difficult to do, there are a few ways you can safely and calmly approach your loved one about their problem and propose the idea of professional help. Listening, for example, is a powerful tactic to ensure that an addict is heard properly.
To find out how Tikvah Lake can help your loved one with their Xanax addiction, speak with one of our experts today.
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Physical Dependence To Xanax Can Lead To Addiction
When you use Xanax for a period of time, your body becomes used to functioning with it in your system. The chemicals in Xanax act on your brain and central nervous system, and in turn, your brain and nervous system work to stabilize and function normally with the added drug. Over time, they adapt to functioning with the drug present this is the new normal for your brain and nervous system and it is physical dependence.
Once you are physically dependent on Xanax, you will experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using it. That is your brain and the nervous system again trying to stabilize, this time without the drug. Physiological dependence on Xanax has two symptoms: tolerance and the presence of withdrawal symptoms when discontinued or doses are lowered.
Once you become physically dependent on Xanax, addiction may not be far behind. You may begin to take more of the drug to feel the effects that you used to with less. You may begin to take the medication more often than prescribed, or in higher doses. Once this behavior begins, your thoughts may become consumed with taking Xanax, how to get more, or where you can get it illegally. These thoughts may take over your life, becoming your only priority. This is what addiction is.
Celebrities Who Have Abused Xanax
Many drugs have been glorified by pop culture. Celebrity drug addiction struggles are always publicized by the media. Other celebrities, like rappers and singers, own their drug use and will even rap or sing about them. This may mislead some teenagers and young adults on the dangers of drug use. In fact, hearing about drug use all the time on the radio may even encourage them to try these drugs out.
Xanax is another drug that has been popularized by pop culture . We hear all the time how certain celebrities rely on this drug in order to get a good nightâs rest. Some celebrities may even make it seem as if taking Xanax is a normal thing.
Below, weâll take a look at some of the biggest names that have abused Xanax in the past.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovatoâs struggle with drug addiction has been publicized by many media outlets. When the public first learned about her drug addiction, it was shocking. No one expected the bubbly Disney star to have a problem with drugs.
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