How to Spot a Xanax Addiction Xanax Abuse Signs Ohio
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While the exact cause of substance use disorder is unknown, several factors may play a part. Genes, the drug itself, mental illness and environmental stress can all increase one’s risk of developing a https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/essential-tremor-alcohol/. Xanax is the brand name for a prescription drug called alprazolam, typically used to treat anxiety and panic disorder. It can also treat anxiety disorders caused by depression and panic disorders that involve feelings of helplessness and embarrassment, such as agoraphobia.
Is Xanax a high risk drug?
Alprazolam has a risk for abuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death. Taking this medication with alcohol or other drugs that can cause drowsiness or breathing problems (especially opioid medications such as codeine, hydrocodone) may cause very serious side effects, including death.
Although Xanax can be abused by itself, many addicts will combine multiple drugs to create a more intense high. Benzos such as Xanax have been a significant factor in overdose deaths in the past few years. Mixing other drugs or alcohol with Xanax, especially in high doses, is extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. Many providers feel pressurized by their patients to continue prescribing as they try to wean them off benzodiazepines, and more-so with alprazolam, given the positive subjective drug effects.
What Is Xanax?
These individuals will require drug rehab before embarking on a new, sober life. Every part of an addict’s life can be altered by addiction to alprazolam. Family relationships grow strained, work productivity decreases, and the individual may begin to feel trapped in a vicious cycle of addiction.
Additionally, contacting different treatment centers to see how they can help and what kinds of treatments they offer is also useful. Persons with Xanax addiction, or their family members, can also connect with other individuals who overcame this problem and learn more about the treatment center where they received treatment. Addiction to Xanax is diagnosed when the affected person meets the criteria described in the DSM-5 Criteria for Substance Use Disorders. Basically, a Xanax diagnosis is established when a person meets at least two of 11 criteria within a one-year period.
‘My personality changed’: Johnny, 16, on Xanax addiction
Xanax addiction presents a multitude of physical, psychological and social issues for anyone impacted by it. While it’s a complex disease, breaking the cycle of addiction is easier when you have help on your side. Illinois Xanax treatment centers provide the community you need to overcome your addiction and stay sober. High Xanax doses can be fatal, whether you’re taking it for the first time or you’ve been taking it for months as prescribed by a doctor. You should never take a higher dose than your doctor’s prescription. A higher dose may cause a person to behave unusually in ways that are unlike them, such as showing signs of aggression, promiscuity or even criminal activity.
- Health professionals in a hospital or clinic may help you detox by using medications to gradually taper your body off the drug.
- However, even those who follow a prescription can fall victim to Xanax addiction and abuse.
- Shifting about in his seat, Johnny explains that you build up a tolerance to Xanax very fast.
- Some people may take more short-acting Xanax than prescribed to continuously feel its effects.
- Benzodiazepines (also known as “benzos”) are commonly referred to as sedatives, hypnotics, or minor tranquilizers.
- It goes without saying that any form of doctor shopping is dangerous.
It is important for anyone suffering from an overdose to be honest with the emergency medical personnel about exactly what substances were taken and at what amount. Normally, the withdrawal process involves slowly reducing the dosage of Xanax and eventually switching the user to a long-acting form of the drug for a period of time. The gradual taper of this drug helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Anxious teenagers ‘buy Xanax on the dark web’
Treatment may involve a combination of strategies, including detoxification and various psychotherapeutic and psychosocial approaches. Substance use disorder xanax addiction (SUD) develops over months and years, and may not be easy to identify at first. A person addicted to Xanax appears very tired and has low energy levels.
Is it OK to use Xanax every day?
Alprazolam may be taken every day at regular times or on an as needed (“PRN”) basis. Typically, your health care provider will limit the number of doses you should take in one day. Your health care provider will determine the dose and method of taking the medication that is right for you based upon your response.
Interestingly, Xanax is often used by treatment centers to prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms or delirium tremens. Head-to-head benzodiazepine comparison studies in general have been scant. Two clinical studies of participants with benzodiazepine dependence revealed a significant preference for alprazolam over diazepam in equipotent doses (Schmauss et al., 1988, 1989). However, in another study of recreational drug users without physical dependence, alprazolam was found to have less misuse liability than diazepam (Orzack et al., 1988).
The inpatient rehabilitation program is suitable for persons with moderate to severe addiction, whereas an outpatient program is useful for individuals with mild addiction. Benzodiazepines are implicated in approximately one-third of intentional overdoses or suicide attempts (Henderson et al., 1993). Many people who became addicted to the drug live in recovery after completing a rehabilitation or teletherapy program and now live a healthier life, free from Xanax abuse. The Recovery Village can help you find a solution for your substance use disorder and treat any co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety or depression, that may contribute to Xanax addiction. Alprazolam belongs to the class of psychoactive drugs known as benzodiazepines. Xanax is popularly prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders.
- Although the increase in filled benzodiazepine prescriptions leveled off around 2010, overdoses remained at alarmingly high rates.
- They were a pretty little assortment of happiness I could feel just by holding in my hands.
- If you develop tolerance to Xanax, you may need to use higher doses to maintain a therapeutic effect.
- If you or someone you know has a Xanax addiction, know that you’re not alone.
- You may benefit from one or more of these types of behavioral therapy.
For instance, persons who become addicted to Xanax tend to cope in more emotional ways than their counterparts who use Xanax without becoming addicted to it. Due to the severity of the problem, well-structured Xanax addiction treatment is necessary. Your addiction treatment plan might involve a medically assisted detox to comfortably and safely taper down the Xanax in your system.
Xanax is a very potent medication and can be addictive even when taken as prescribed by a doctor. However, even if used correctly, there is still a small risk of developing an addiction. Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine medication that the FDA first approved in 1981. Also referred to as “xans” or “xannies,” Xanax is a brand name for alprazolam, a benzodiazepine. Xanax can also treat other conditions, such as insomnia, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal.
