Content
Xanax can be dangerous and its misperception as a safe medication lead many people to addiction. This stage begins with tolerance, which involves an increase in frequency or dosage of the drug that the person’s body is able to readily process without experiencing strong effects. Some people will need a shorter amount of time and a lower dosage to become dependent. The process of becoming addicted to Xanax is different for each person. It treats anxiety and panic disorders but has a recognized potential for abuse. At our world-class treatment facility, located in the heart of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, we specialize in treating all types of addiction, which includes Xanax and other benzodiazepines.
Whatever you and your doctor decide is the right treatment for you, it would help to spend time with a trusted, caring person who will understand and support you during difficult times. If you think that your loved one is exhibiting any of these behavioral signs, they may be abusing Xanax or addicted to Xanax. If someone is abusing or addicted to Xanax, they cannot abruptly stop taking the medication. Xanax withdrawal is one of the only drug withdrawals that can be deadly, so it’s important that an addict is seen at an appropriate treatment facility before attempting to stop taking it.
Psychological Signs of Xanax Addiction
MentalHelp may receive marketing compensation from these companies should you choose to use their services. Withdrawal and detox require medical supervision, and protocols vary to accommodate individual needs. Medical monitoring is important during these protocols due to the possibility of serious health complications. Anyone who uses benzodiazepines like Xanax for an extended time can become addicted. This is accompanied by cravings and urges to use Xanax, as well as withdrawal symptoms if one’s dose is lowered or use is stopped. When Xanax is used medicinally, dependency will still typically occur.
Its sedating effects make this an addictive medication, especially when taken in high dosages or used in different ways than prescribed. In a study from 2001–2013, about 17% of people who received an opioid prescription also received a benzodiazepine like Xanax. When opioids are combined with benzodiazepines, the risk of overdose, emergency department visits and death increases dramatically.
The Benefits of Xanax Treatment
A PEW research report found that prescription painkiller abuse among high school seniors declined dramatically from 1 in 10 students in 12th grade in 2004 to about 4 percent of that demographic in 2017. Additionally, about 26 percent of high school seniors in 2014 reported abstaining from all substances, including alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco. Addiction is sometimes called chemical dependency because dependence is a feature of addiction, but it is not the sole defining factor. Instead, addiction is defined as a behavioral condition involving compulsive consumption of drugs or compulsive behaviors that release dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters. Drugs like Xanax that are not addictive include classes of medications such as SSRIs, SNRIs, beta-blockers, Vistaril (hydroxyzine), and Buspar (buspirone).
The term addiction usually refers to a physical dependence but it generally means a psychological one too. Over time, the brain’s reward system becomes less responsive to the drug. The relief felt initially becomes much less intense and you’ll need to take more of the drug to achieve the same feeling. Neuroscience has shown that people have varying levels of ability and brain function to control impulsive urges. If these genes are passed down through the generations, family members can be more prone to developing addiction problems.
Mixing Xanax With Alcohol and Other Drugs
Being dependent on Xanax does not always mean that addiction is also present. Keep reading to learn more about Xanax addiction, how people can treat it, and how to reduce the risk of misusing the medication again in the future. Additionally, people who take it every day may develop physiological dependence, meaning that the body requires the medication to function properly.
Overcoming a substance use disorder is hard, but you don’t have to struggle alone. Xanax should never be combined with other benzodiazepines like Valium, Klonopin or Ativan. The effects of each drug can “stack” and increase the chance of overdose. One of the most common and dangerous interactions for Xanax occurs with alcohol. Both substances are central nervous system depressants, slowing down the body’s processes like movement and breathing.
Your healthcare provider cannot know the answers to these questions unless you are willing to participate in your diagnostic process—this means that you have to be interested in being diagnosed and treated. Sometimes family and friends can help in encouraging you to seek help and in pointing out these issues to you. However, even after the symptoms of a Xanax overdose wear off, the consequences to the body may persist, potentially with lasting effects.
What works like Xanax but not addictive?
- Fluoxetine (Prozac®)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro®)
- Citalopram (Celexa®)
- Paroxetine (Paxil®)
- Sertraline (Zoloft®)
Xanax can be abused through snorting, smoking, or injecting crushed pills. People who abuse Xanax often take higher doses than prescribed or take the drug more often than prescribed. Some people mix xanax addiction Xanax with other substances, such as alcohol, heroin, or opioids, which can have dangerous consequences. Alprazolam is the most widely prescribed and misused benzodiazepine in the United States.
What Is a Xanax Addiction?
As far as buspirone and hydroxyzine are concerned, the latter is a fast-acting drug for temporary anxiety treatment that works by blocking histamine receptors to balance out neurotransmitters. On the other hand, buspirone is similar to SSRIs because it increases serotonin but only targets one subtype https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of the serotonin receptor. The Diamond Rehab Thailand was born out of a desire to help people recover from addiction in a safe, low-stress environment. According to a recent study, 8.3 percent of U.S. adults reported filling prescriptions for anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics such as Xanax5.
- Schedule IV medications have a recognized medical use, but the potential for addiction and abuse.
- These effects can cause psychological reliance upon Xanax as a coping strategy for life’s challenges.
- Severe mental health effects, like psychosis and delirium, can also happen during Xanax withdrawal.
- Xanax should never be combined with other benzodiazepines like Valium, Klonopin or Ativan.
- This stage can turn into a routine that develops into physical and mental dependence.