Xanax is a type of benzodiazepine medication designed to treat panic attacks and anxiety disorder by promoting calmness and relaxed feelings in the body. However, it’s easy for this to turn into an addiction due to the euphoric effects of Xanax. The euphoria associated with Xanax (especially stronger doses) can be hard for some people to give up.
There have been many cases where people abusing Xanax have died or become seriously ill due to overdoses and addictive behaviour. The drug can be very dangerous when combined with opioids or alcohol, and in cases of severe overdose, you can experience hallucinations, seizures, chest pains, difficulty breathing, a coma, and death.
Signs & Symptoms
As with most substance abuse cases, there are many telltale signs and symptoms that your loved one is abusing Xanax. Common physical symptoms include drowsiness, long periods of sleep, mental fogginess, nausea/vomiting, slurred speech, seizures, vertigo, problems with coordination, and weakness. The symptoms vary from person to person.
You may also notice effects on the person’s lifestyle. For example, symptoms of Xanax addiction can also include missing school or work, not turning up to social events, legal or financial problems, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and general self-isolation. If someone is acting strangely and these signs ring true, they may be addicted to Xanax or a similar drug.
Side Effects Of Xanax Abuse
The euphoric effects of Xanax usually kick in around 30-45 minutes after taking the drug, helping users to feel calm and relaxed. This is the “high” that someone struggling with a Xanax addiction is chasing. However, there are many short-term and long-term side effects to take into consideration too.
Short-term side effects of Xanax include headaches, chattiness, irritability, loss of focus, increased salivation, dry mouth, memory problems, decreased sex drive, nausea, difficulty peeing, and joint pain. Although the drug can help to promote relaxed and calm feelings, many downsides can inevitably come with the euphoria.
The main long-term side effect of Xanax is physical dependence (i.e. addiction) and all the negative consequences that come with it, such as overdoses, risky behaviors, and degradation of lifestyle. Xanax addiction can develop in just a few weeks, especially if you’re taking more than 4 mg of Xanax every day for more than 12 weeks.
Xanax Addiction's Withdrawal Symptoms
When someone stops using Xanax, their body naturally enters a stage of withdrawal. During this time, they will go through many physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal. The heavier their use and dependence, the worse that Xanax withdrawal will normally be for them.
Withdrawal symptoms of Xanax include anxiety, loss of focus, insomnia, perceived heightened senses, tingling sensations, muscle twitches, cramps, blurry vision, weight loss, and reduced appetite. Xanax withdrawal can also cause life-threatening seizures, but it’s quite rare.
Xanax Addiction Treatment
Here at Lantana Recovery, we treat patients for Xanax addiction using a wide range of evidence-based therapies carried out by experienced and fully-licensed medical professionals. We tailor everyone’s recovery pathway according to their personal needs, helping them to overcome their addiction for good.
Benzodiazepines like Xanax can be very addictive for some people, leading to changes in their brain chemistry which make the drug hard to quit. Here at Lantana Recovery, we offer therapeutic and medical outpatient services in a calm environment with people who know exactly what you’re struggling with.
Why opt for an Addiction Centre for Xanax Addiction?
Although Xanax might not be classified as dangerously as some substances, it’s still a very addictive controlled drug that can ruin lives, cause dependency, and even kill users due to overdose or combination with other drugs and alcohol. It’s crucial to fight a Xanax addiction as early as possible before your brain chemistry changes significantly.
Addiction and rehab centres like Lantana Recovery offer multiple group and one-on-one therapies for Xanax addiction, carving out your pathway to sobriety and independence in a manner that suits your lifestyle.
FAQs
Is Xanax a controlled substance?
Xanax is classified as a controlled drug in the US. It is the brand name of the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam, a type of benzodiazepine medication. It’s illegal to take without a doctor’s prescription.
Is Xanax a sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic?
Xanax has a sedative effect and is also considered to be a tranquilizer or anxiolytic. This means that it falls into the category of drugs that can cause Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder.
Why do people take Xanax to get high?
People take Xanax because it produces a feeling of calm relaxation around 30-45 minutes after you take it. Though the drug is designed to fight anxiety, some people take Xanax to experience the euphoric “high” recreationally.
