Xanax Withdrawal
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Xanax is a very common medication for people who struggle with anxiety. Usually, the drug is prescribed for patients who have problems with their mental health or with insomnia. Although useful, Xanax is only meant to be used as a short-term treatment, because using it for extended periods can lead to addiction.
Unfortunately, a lot of people end up being addicted to Xanax. This addiction will control every aspect of their life. They will start focusing on obtaining the medication and consuming it, without caring how it affects their family, finances, studies, or employment.
What makes things even worse is that once someone is addicted to Xanax, they will experience withdrawal symptoms if they attempt to give up on the medication. Withdrawal is not only terrible, but it can also cause someone to take Xanax again for relief.
What You Need to Know About Xanax
Xanax or alprazolam is a well-known anti-anxiety medication that is prescribed by professionals for certain patients. Individuals who need Xanax usually deal with insomnia or with mental health problems like panic attacks or excessive worry.
Xanax can help decrease the blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate of the body, which results in calming effects for anyone suffering from anxiety, panic, and stress.
The medication acts as a central nervous system depressant. Apart from slowing down the blood pressure and heart rate of the body, it can also help decrease the risk of epileptic seizures. When used for a short amount of time, the drug can be extremely useful.
However, long-term use is associated with an increased addiction risk, which is why Xanax is not recommended for long periods. If it’s used for too long, it can result in the individual becoming addicted, which will make it hard to quit Xanax.
Experiencing Xanax Withdrawals
Xanax withdrawal occurs when someone has developed an addiction to Xanax. Their body has already built a tolerance for the drug, and it now expects to receive it regularly. As a result, when the person tries to considerably reduce the daily amount or quit the consumption for good, the body will go through very uncomfortable and painful symptoms.
Withdrawal will manifest both physically and mentally. The intensity and severity of the symptoms depend on how long you’ve been taking Xanax and how large the doses were.
Quitting the medication requires determination, but also a lot of time and patience. It is not easy, often because it will be tempting to consume Xanax again only to relieve the terrible symptoms. Sometimes, the only way to successfully quit Xanax is to do it under medical supervision.
The Symptoms of Withdrawals
How someone experiences withdrawal from Xanax will be different compared to how another person experiences it. The symptoms will vary. Also, according to research, people who have been taking benzos for over six months will deal with symptoms that may go from moderate to severe.
The symptoms experienced can be physical and psychological. Usually, the individual will get a combination of both. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Muscle spasms
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Racing pulse
- Panic attacks
- Hallucinations
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Restlessness
- Delirium
- Insomnia
- Hard time concentrating
- Hyperventilation
- Feelings of unreality
- Racing pulse
- Headaches
Xanax is a very potent drug. Therefore, when compared to other types of benzodiazepine drugs, its withdrawal symptoms may be more intense. Also, the anxiety caused by Xanax withdrawal will often be more intense than the one experienced before using Xanax.
The symptoms can lead to issues at school, work, or at home.
Xanax Withdrawal Timeline
In general, Xanax is thought to be a short-acting benzodiazepine drug. According to the FDA, the half-life of the medication is 11 hours. Withdrawal symptoms usually begin after the drug is no longer active in the blood’s plasma. This could be about 6-12 hours since the last time you consumed Xanax.
Although Xanax withdrawal will be different in every person, there is a general timeline that it follows. After the first 6-8 hours, acute withdrawal symptoms will appear. Then, during the second day, the symptoms will peak. After 4-5 days, they will start to go away.
However, there may also be post-acute symptoms that last for a few weeks or months depending on the individual. If not taken care of, these long-term symptoms may even result in the person relapsing, which is why it’s crucial to address them. Relapses are also often associated with overdoses.
Things that Affect Withdrawals
There are a few things that may influence the way someone experiences withdrawal. For instance, if someone has specific mental health conditions, they have higher chances of dealing with intense rebound effects during the withdrawal from Xanax.
According to a study, 15 out of 17 patients who took alprazolam for their panic disorder dealt with panic attacks again after they stopped using the drug. Even though they slowly got rid of Xanax consumption within four weeks, they dealt with a rebound effect.
Xanax withdrawal is also more likely to happen in pregnant women.
Furthermore, if someone has taken the drug for a very long time, they are also more likely to experience severe withdrawal, and the same applies if their doses were large.
Gow Long Is Xanax in the system?
Treating Xanax Withdrawals
Xanax withdrawal can be handled by gradually reducing the amounts consumed in order to avoid experiencing the severe side of withdrawal. The tapering schedule can be set up and controlled by a professional to make sure it’s effective.
Sometimes, there may be other benzodiazepines like Valium given as a substitute for Xanax during detoxification.
Apart from rehab, therapy sessions will also be necessary for handling potential conditions or triggers that led to the addiction and, consequently, the withdrawal.
Why You Should Choose Real Deal
Real Deal can help you get rid of your addiction through a detox program, but also through treatment. Our professionals will help you quit Xanax slowly and will also take care of potential underlying issues.
Afterward, while still taking treatment, you can stay in one of our sober living homes. You will be monitored by professionals while having the possibility to learn new skills and go to work.
Xanax withdrawal is hard to deal with alone, which is why professional help is necessary. Make sure to seek help if you or someone else is going through withdrawal from Xanax.