How To Get Off Xanax Addiction

Why Cant I Quit Xanax

Take your first step towards recovery.Confidential FormMental Health ScreeningInsurance VerificationSubstance Abuse Assessment

When youre quitting any kind of mental health medication, you face a risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms. And without Xanax addiction treatment, there isnt much you can do to stop them. If you abruptly quit Xanax, you may develop these withdrawal symptoms within the first one to three days:

• Hypersensitivity to lights, sounds, and smells
• Muscle cramping and twitching

Dealing with these symptoms for days on end make it difficult for people to quit Xanax, especially if they cant take time off from work or school. However, the physical side of benzodiazepine addiction is just one part. Before quitting Xanax, you should also consider what that might mean for your mental health.

Most people start taking Xanax in response to a severe anxiety or panic disorder. Without Xanax, do you have the mental health coping skills to manage those feelings? If not, suddenly quitting Xanax could wreak havoc on your mental health and cause issues throughout all facets of your life. Thats why your best option for quitting Xanax is to seek help at a Xanax addiction treatment center in Florida.

What To Expect During Xanax Detox

âMedical detox allows an individual to safely taper off from Xanax and minimize withdrawal symptoms,â Kathryn Lee, EdM, MA, MHC, a psychotherapist at Intuitive Healing Psychotherapy Practice in New York, tells WebMD Connect to Care.

According to a 2018 study published by the Journal of Addiction Medicine, Xanax withdrawal causes more complicated and unique rebound anxiety in comparison to other benzodiazepines. One study reported that, out of 126 patients treated with Xanax for panic disorder, 27% of patients experienced rebound anxiety which was more severe than before treatment, and 35% of patients had new symptoms like weakness, insomnia, dizziness, and malaise after Xanax cessation.

âStopping âcold turkeyâ is not safe and can lead to dangerous side effects, such as seizures, panic attacks, and cognitive impairment. Medical detox can be done at a substance use treatment center, inpatient and/or outpatient, and can take weeks to months depending on an individualâs response to the reduced levels of Xanax,â Lee adds.

If you’re looking to begin Xanax detox, it’s important to consult with a professional to determine your best treatment plan. “Detoxification from Xanax is customized to meet the needs of each unique individual,â Aaron Sternlicht, LMHC, CASAC, a therapist and co-founder of Family Addiction Specialist in New York, tells WebMD Connect to Care.

Finding Abuse And Addiction Treatment

Quitting Xanax or alprazolam isnt like cutting caffeine cold turkey. Its more than some tiredness or irritation, especially after using it for a longer amount of time or taking it at higher doses.

Because of the risk for seizures and hallucinations, its best to ease off of benzodiazepines while under medical supervision.

Doses must be tapered gradually, and counseling can be especially helpful. Outpatient or inpatient therapy can both work, but cognitive behavioral therapy may be especially effective because it focuses on shifting a persons thinking and behaviors.

A doctor can also prescribe medication during the Xanax taper schedule to ease discomfort and make a person less likely to relapse.

Because a lot of the long-term health problems remain unknown, its even more important to quit Xanax .

• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal
• getsmartaboutdrugs.gov Teen Xanax Abuse is Surging
• pbm.va.gov Effective Treatments for PTSD: Helping Patients Taper from Benzodiazepines
• drugabuse.gov Commonly Used Drugs Charts

Medical disclaimer:

Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

Talk with one of our Treatment Specialists!

Recommended Reading: How Many People In The Us Are Addicted To Drugs

Approach To The Patient

For many patients, education about the adverse effects of long-term benzodiazepine use can be a good starting point when discussing tapering. Physicians can build rapport and increase patient motivation by suggesting a trial dosage reduction that would not require the patient’s commitment to completely taper off of the medication. This strategy may allow the patient to develop self-efficacy to manage a small dose reduction without significant adverse effects and ease anxiety about further dose reductions.5 Providing anticipatory guidance about potential withdrawal symptoms, as well as encouraging the patient and reinforcing alternative strategies for stress management, are supportive interventions to incorporate before and during benzodiazepine tapers.5 Some patients may also benefit from formal psychotherapy focused on addressing any underlying psychiatric symptoms that may be unmasked by tapering.5,6

When to Taper Benzodiazepines

Any patient taking benzodiazepines daily for longer than one month, especially persons:

Information from reference 8.

When to Taper Benzodiazepines

Any patient taking benzodiazepines daily for longer than one month, especially persons:

Take Our Am I A Drug Addict Self

Take our free, 5-minute Am I A Drug Addict? self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with drug addiction. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.

American Addiction Centers is the nationwide leader in addiction treatment. If youre struggling with Xanax dependence, were here to help. Quitting can be scary and challenging but, quitting abruptly can be dangerous. AAC has the medical team and treatment staff to safely manage benzodiazepine withdrawal through medical detox. Dont trust your life to chance. Achieve long-term sobriety with the professional support of a recovery program that offers medical detoxification and tailored rehabilitation treatment. Call our drug abuse hotline at

Don’t Miss: What Channel Is My Strange Addiction On

How Long Does It Take To Detox From Xanax

Xanax, originally called alprazolam, is a popular benzodiazepine commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder. This medication binds to the GABA-A receptors in the brain, causing sedative, hypnotic, and anticonvulsant effects. Alprazolam was first released in 1981, and within a few years, Xanax became a blockbuster drug. In 2006, it was declared the most misused benzodiazepine on the market.

The high potency and fast-acting nature of Xanax give it a significant potential for dependence and addiction. With enough use, there is a high potential for an individual building up a tolerance to the drug as the brain adjusts to the constant presence of the substance. Once this has occurred, stopping intake of Xanax results in withdrawal symptoms as the body goes through the detoxification process.

How long these symptoms and their peak last depend on a number of factors, including:

• How long the medication was used
• How heavily it was abused
• Individual body type and chemistry

• Genetic factors
• Anxiety issues before the person started taking it
• Whether medications are used to assist in detox

Addiction Treatment Center And Recovery Program Options

Medically assisted detox, which can take place in an inpatient or outpatient setting, is usually the first step in the recovery process. Your physician will help you slowly lower your dose over time to minimize withdrawal symptoms. In cases of severe addiction, your doctor may recommend 24-hour monitoring in a facility during the withdrawal period and may prescribe additional medications to help ensure a safe detox experience.

Following detoxification, it is recommended that you transition into a treatment program that includes therapy and relapse prevention. Treatment options for Xanax addiction include:

Aftercare Programs

Recovery is an ongoing process that does not end after initial treatment, and it is much more challenging to maintain sobriety outside of the treatment environment. Aftercare programs help people in recovery from Xanax addiction stay sober and avoid relapse. Some aftercare treatment options include:

Read Also: What Is Used To Treat Heroin Addiction

Can Cannabis Help You Get Off Xanax

For Meghan ODea, anxiety manifests as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and a loss of energy and appetite, writes Danielle Simone Brand. Repetitive and intrusive thoughts, she told Civilized, such as everybody hates me, or self-criticism over personal or professional shortcomings can get in the way of enjoying life. Occasionally, she even has debilitating panic attacks some of which last days that can make it difficult to carry on with her normal responsibilities.

An estimated 40 million Americans suffer from some kind of anxiety disorder, making it the most common mental illness in the U.S. Anxiety is attributed to factors like genetics, personal history, stressful life events, as well as chemical imbalances in the brain.

ODea started using Xanax in her early to mid 20s to help with these symptoms, and while she found the pharmaceutical moderately helpful for several years, she was never completely at ease with using it regularly because of its reputation for causing addiction and its negative interactions with alcohol. Wine tastings and craft beer with the girls were a big part of my social life at the time, she said. Fearing the consequences of excessive sedation, respiratory failure, or loss of consciousness that come from mixing the two drugs, O’Dea said, Xanax just gave me something else to worry about.

Paying Treatment For Xanax Addiction

The cost of treatment for Xanax addiction can vary considerably depending on several factors, such as:

• How long you stay: The average program is 28 to 30 days long, but some programs can last months. You are typically charged on a per diem basis.
• Whether you are treated at an inpatient or an outpatient facility: Inpatient treatment is frequently more expensive than outpatient and may not be fully covered by insurance.
• Where you stay: Both the location of the facility and the facility itself can affect your out-of-pocket cost. Cost of treatment varies from state to stateand your insurance coverage may vary for in- and out-of-network providers. Some treatment programs are more expensive than others because they offer private rooms, luxury amenities and other specialty services. Do some research to determine which facility is best suited for your needs and your budget.

Unfortunately, the cost of a Xanax rehab program can be a barrier for many people who need help. Options for financing treatment include:

If you are uninsured and concerned about financing your addiction treatment, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations 24/7 national helpline for assistance and information at 1-800-662-HELP .

Also Check: How To Avoid Alcohol Addiction

Can You Recognize The Need For More Intensive Treatment If You Find That You Cannot Quit

Your commitment toward recovery from Xanax is commendable. The fact that you have recognized the problem and are interested in a solution is a critical epiphany. Your dedication to maintaining your employment while quitting Xanax is admirable and should be successful provided that you consult with your doctor. However, it is possible that you may not succeed, and you should plan for a worst-case scenario. Xanax addiction is one of the most difficult to treat because the withdrawal is protracted and uncomfortable. The amount of Xanax that you have been taking and the length of time that you have been taking it are significant factors.

Many Xanax addicts require inpatient treatment, and if you are one of them, do not be ashamed. If you try to quit and find that you cannot handle the difficulty of the withdrawal symptoms while working, you are not alone. Admitting yourself to a treatment center for your Xanax addiction will most likely not cause you to lose your job, and you might even be eligible for short-term disability. There is nothing more important than your health, so you should act accordingly. The most important thing for you to realize at this point is that your Xanax addiction is not your fault and it is not a sign of weakness. Countless others have found themselves in your position and received the treatment they needed. Please give us a call right now at because we know what you are going through and are prepared to help.

Symptoms Of Xanax Abuse And Addiction

Who is at risk for forming an addiction? This is a common question that has a truly terrifying answer. Anyone has a tendency to become addicted to something. Most people have one or two things that they could easily become addicted to, it is just not always an illegal drug like Meth- sometimes it is a prescribed medication like Xanax. It could be something legal like alcohol or something seemingly innocent like sugar or caffeine. Addiction can even form around something that is not even a substance but rather an activity like shopping or gambling. Addiction is a deeply rooted mental disorder that everyone has the possibility of falling victim to. What varies from person to person is what they become addicted to, why they form an addiction, how fast the addiction takes hold, and how bad the addiction becomes.

Tolerance to potent drugs like Xanax can happen surprisingly quickly, and as the level of tolerance grows, it will mean the individual has to take more of the drug in order to get the same results that they did before. Where it used to take 4 pills a day to get relief, as tolerance builds up it may take 6 pills, then 10 pills, and then 15 pills or more to get the same results that used to be achieved mere months ago with 4 pills. Someone with a Xanax addiction could end up consuming as many as 20 to 30 pills per day just to get a basic level or relief.

Also Check: What Is The Disease Concept Of Addiction

Dangers Of Stopping Cold Turkey

Although it can be tempting to stop Xanax cold turkey, it can be very dangerous. No benzodiazepine should be stopped suddenly because of the potential for dangerous withdrawal symptoms to develop, and this is especially true of Xanax, which is considered more toxichttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1884537/ than other benzodiazepines. Quitting Xanax this way can cause psychosis and seizures, among many other dangerous side effects, which can even lead to coma or death. Using the cold turkey method can also increase your chance of relapse, which could potentially lead to a fatal overdose.

The only way to stop taking Xanax safely is with medical detox. Medical detox is a process centered on a tapering plan usually designed by a medical professional. The plan will include lowering the dose gradually to enable your body to adapt to the lack of Xanax until it is comfortable without the drug. This can also help to reduce the withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping Xanax.

Find out about partial hospitalization programs with Windward Way Recovery.

Treatment Of Xanax Addiction:

If you have developed Xanax addiction, the best thing you could do is seek help. Most of the individuals, upon developing an addiction, tend to keep their habit to themselves unless their addiction reaches a point from where there is no return. Upon learning about your addiction, let your friends, family, and spouses know about this problem. Letting other people know about your condition will make your journey to recovery less difficult. The length of recovery depends on your level of dependency, addiction, and your physical health. Based on all these factors, your doctor would recommend either Inpatient or Outpatient treatment program. Inpatient treatment program requires the individual to get admitted to a temptation-free medical facility where their every move is monitored by the nurses and doctors. While in the Outpatient treatment program, the doctors would restrict the individuals to their homes during the entirety of the recovery procedure. The daily check-in programs in Outpatient treatment allow them to check in daily with your drug abuse counselor. Their level of addiction and dependency to Xanax would help the doctors enroll you into one of the programs mentioned above.

Also Check: Which Neurotransmitter Is Involved In Drug Addiction

Does Insurance Cover Xanax Addiction Treatment

Depending on your insurance provider and level of coverage, insurance may be able to cover all or part of the cost of rehab and treatment. Verify your insurance instantly below.

Addictive Behaviorspublished a study where researchers examined the effectiveness of CBT in treating those who presented with both post-traumaticstress disorder and a substance abuse disorder. While conceding that their study was not a comprehensive one, the researchersreported that their findings provided support for using CBT to treat co-occurring disorders.

Can You Utilize An Intensive Outpatient Program

Quitting Xanax on your own without missing work is a challenge. Your friends and family will support your effort to stop using Xanax, and they may even have noticed some of the adverse effects that the medication has caused. There is a difference, though, between sympathy and empathy. In your case, it is valuable to connect with others that understand your struggle and can give you support. Also, there remains the issue of the anxiety that led you to use Xanax initially, and you need help in treating this condition. Intensive outpatient programs offer treatment to people with addictions that enable them the ability to continue working and carrying on with ordinary affairs. You are assigned a clinician, who will meet with you individually, and you will also attend and participate in group therapy sessions. Some intensive outpatient programs also provide the services of a psychiatric nurse practitioner that can prescribe non-addictive medication to treat your anxiety. Intensive outpatient programs typically meet at night, so that participants can remain employed.

Recommended Reading: How To Combat Drug Addiction