Xanax, as a prescription medicine, is useful for treating panic disorder and anxiety. However, some people abuse it to self-medicate or as a sedative. Xanax belongs to the benzodiazepines class and can be highly addictive, causing physical dependency. If you have used Xanax for extended periods, you risk addiction.
Whether abused or under prescription, withdrawal from Xanax will be unpleasant. You will experience physical and psychological symptoms, which can sometimes be fatal.
Here are Xanax withdrawal symptoms and treatment options available for addicts.
Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms
Xanax withdrawal can be life-threatening, requiring supervision or closely monitored environments. The severity of your symptoms will depend on the length of drug use, and you should discuss your history with your doctor for proper attention. Unsupervised individuals often experience life-threatening seizures. Pregnant women are also at higher risk of seizures.
If you have pre-existing medical conditions like bipolar, panic disorder, or PTSD, tiding over Xanax withdrawal symptoms could be more challenging. An individual with a mental disorder will also show symptoms after cutting down the use in the initial treatment stages.
Early Withdrawal Symptoms
Immediately after your last dose of Xanax, you will experience anxiety, headache, trouble sleeping, and restlessness. This will happen in the first two to five days.
Acute Withdrawal Symptoms
Xanax withdrawal symptoms usually increase the trajectory in the acute phase. A patient recovering from addiction will experience the following symptoms:
- Increased aggression
- Confusion
- Hallucination
- High blood pressure
- Tremors
- Nausea
In the acute phase, a Xanax addict is also at risk of a rebound effect. A rebound effect is the recurrence of the addiction symptoms in a worse version.
Late Withdrawal Symptoms
After going through the early and acute phases of Xanax withdrawal, your body will adjust to normalcy as the symptoms become bearable. However, behavioral and gastrointestinal symptoms may persist in some people.
Treatment Options For Xanax Addicts
Managing Xanax withdrawal symptoms is possible with the following treatment options:
- The Xanax Detox
Xanax detoxification eliminates the active form of Xanax from the body to function without dependence. The process entails evaluating and assessing the addict’s mental and physical condition, stabilizing and preparing them for further treatment.
- Medication Tapering Treatment
Unlike Xanax detox, which withdraws the drug suddenly, medication tapering gradually reduces intake, creating a healthy tolerance and preventing severe symptoms.
- Behavioral Therapy And Counseling
Behavioral therapy offers a guideline on behavior change through counseling. This treatment proves effective in most Xanax addicts.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy motivates patients to replace negative thought patterns with positive ones. The treatment addresses the root cause of the addiction and enables the patient to manage the cause healthily. This is possible through group therapies which offer social support and reinforcement.
- Medication Assisted Treatment
The medication-assisted treatment uses approved medication backed by behavioral therapies to manage Xanax addiction. Common medicines for this treatment include Naltrexone and Buprenorphine.
Seek Help For Xanax Addiction
Withdrawing from Xanax is painful mentally and physically, whether as an addict or under prescription. While you can manage the symptoms independently, you do not have to walk the journey alone. Talk to a medical professional for treatment options and start your path to a healthier and happier life post-addiction.