Xanax Addiction & Treatment
Taking Xanax should not be used as a substitute for therapy and behavioral health care, nor should it be purchased on the street without a doctor’s advice, diagnosis, or treatment plan, as it is an addictive substance.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is a brand-name prescription sedative drug that was created to treat anxiety and panic. It is a benzodiazepine drug known by its generic name, Alprazolam. This medication usually comes as a tablet to be swallowed or as a disintegrating tablet that is placed under the tongue to dissolve quickly into the bloodstream.
Xanax (Alprazolam) is often prescribed for people who are suffering from mental health issues that include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Insomnia
- Stress disorders
- Depression
- Seizure disorders
Taking Xanax should not be used as a substitute for therapy and behavioral health care, nor should it be purchased on the street without a doctor’s advice, diagnosis, or treatment plan, as it is an addictive substance.
Xanax Effects
This medication is a sedative and is prescribed to help relieve anxiety, panic, and uncomfortable stress. It relaxes muscle tension and can help people fall asleep. It does not produce feelings of euphoria or a “high.” Other effects of Xanax use may include:
- Sleep issues
- Poor coordination and dizziness
- Memory issues
- Slurred speech
- Taking too much Xanax or abusing Xanax can result in dangerous symptoms like:
- Blurred vision
- Depressed breathing
- Developing a dependency on Xanax
- Xanax overdose
It is possible that using Xanax, even as prescribed, can cause drug addiction over time, requiring a stay in an addiction treatment program to help with Xanax side effects, withdrawal, and detox symptoms, with a stay in a drug addiction treatment center with substance abuse and mental health treatments to aid in long-term recovery.
Signs of Xanax Abuse and Addiction
Common signs of Xanax addiction and abuse include:
- Having intense cravings or urges to use Xanax
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms any time you have stopped taking the medication
- Building a tolerance, needing to take more Xanax to achieve the same results
- Purchasing Xanax on the street or using other people’s prescriptions
- Seeing multiple doctors and going to different pharmacies to hide your substance abuse
- Being unable to quit Xanax even when you really want to
If these signs of Xanax addiction and abuse ring true to you, you may want to start looking into addiction treatment centers for professional and safe addiction treatment options that include medical detox and/or medication-assisted treatment plans.
Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms
Common Xanax withdrawal symptoms are:
- Muscle pain and stiffness
- Increased heart rate and heart palpitation
- Difficulty breathing
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Aggression and irritability
- Numbness and tingling
- Nightmares
- A return of anxiety, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, etc.
It is important not to try and quit Xanax on your own, especially if you have been taking it for a long time or have been taking it in large amounts. Withdrawal symptoms can become dangerous due to a brain chemical imbalance, and dangerous side effects like hallucinations and seizures can occur. A medically-monitored slow tapering off of Xanax is the safest way to quit.
Long Term Side Effects of Xanax Abuse
There are several side effects associated with the long-term use of Xanax, like:
- Weight and appetite changes
- Poor coordination, dizziness, drowsiness, and sedation
- Decreased inhibitions or mania
- Violent or aggressive behavior
- Hallucinations
- Nausea and vomiting
- Suicidal thoughts and actions
- Seizures
- Becoming dependent on the drug, requiring Xanax addiction treatment options
Xanax Addiction Treatment
At The Detox Center of Los Angeles, we offer Xanax abuse treatment options that will keep you safe and comfortable as your body and brain slowly detox, managing Xanax withdrawal symptoms through a long-term tapering-off plan called medication-assisted treatment (MAT). We are an inpatient treatment center for drug and alcohol abuse, offering detox and inpatient rehab programs customized to your needs. You will live inside our safe and sober drug detox and drug abuse center, with addiction treatments like:
- Dual diagnosis treatments for those with a co-occurring disorder including anxiety, panic, depression, and bipolar disorder along with a Xanax addiction
- Behavioral health treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy
- Individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy
- Case management services
- Psychoeducation
- Experiential therapy
- Life skills training
- Art therapy
- Holistic healing like yoga, meditation, acupuncture, breathwork, and physical fitness
The Detox Center LA is part of a national network of treatment centers offering levels of care for Xanax addiction treatment like:
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Partial hospitalization outpatient rehab
- Long-term outpatient programs
- Relapse prevention programs with sober living home options and connections to addiction resources
If you believe you may be addicted to Xanax, please contact our drug rehab center to learn more about the types of treatment we provide and to find out what to expect from detox and substance abuse treatment inside our addiction center. We are happy to work with you to build a tailored program that will work for you, helping you begin your recovery journey today.
