What are Symptoms of Xanax Addiction?

Xanax is a highly addictive benzodiazepine drug. In a 2018 study, more than 5 million people reported misusing benzodiazepines. Xanax can be very dangerous when misused, particularly if it’s taken with opioids or alcohol, which is common among Xanax users. If you think you may have a problem with Xanax, or if you think a friend or loved one is abusing Xanax, it’s important to recognize the signs.

What Is Xanax?

Xanax is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia. It’s generally only prescribed for two to six weeks because of its high addiction risk. Even people who take Xanax as directed can become addicted because tolerance to the drug can develop quickly.

Xanax has a strong sedative effect and using it alone, or with opioids or alcohol, can lead to serious consequences, including coma and death.

Signs of Xanax Addiction

People who abuse Xanax will exhibit many symptoms, including:

• Drowsiness
• Slurred speech
• Poor coordination
• Memory and concentration problems
• Tolerance to the drug, needing more to get the same effects
• Withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped
• Lack of motivation, withdrawal from normal activities
• Strong drug cravings
• Manic moods
• Short attention span

People who abuse Xanax may also experience life disruptions, including family, legal, work, or financial issues.

Complications of Long-Term Xanax Use

Over the long term, Xanax use can lead to serious side effects, including:

• Delirium, cognitive impairment, and an increased risk of dementia
• Depression
• Aggression
• Impulsive behavior
• Psychosis

Xanax use can also worsen underlying mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression.

Physically, long-term Xanax use can lead to respiratory depression, and an increased risk of overdose. It can also lead to the development of other addictions. Often, people turn to opioids or alcohol to either enhance the effects of Xanax, or to manage Xanax withdrawal.

Xanax Detox

Xanax withdrawal can be very dangerous, so a period of medically supervised detox is recommended, preferably in an inpatient setting.

Withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Tremors
• Insomnia
• Hyperventilating
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle spasms
• Sweating
• Sensitivity to lights, sounds, or touch
• A general feeling of discomfort or strange sensations
• Hallucinations and delirium
• Seizures

Symptoms can appear within 24 hours of stopping use and can last from a few days to a few weeks. Some people can experience certain withdrawal symptoms for up to a year.

Detoxing from Xanax involves tapering off the drug, meaning administering increasingly smaller doses over time. Sometimes longer acting benzodiazepines will be used to stabilize the patient before the tapering process begins.

Xanax Addiction Treatment

Xanax addiction treatment may be outpatient or inpatient or both, depending on the severity of the addiction. When you contact a treatment provider such as Bridges of Hope, the first step will be a multi-level assessment that’s used to build a personalized treatment plan. This plan may involve treating any co-occurring mental health disorders that exist, such as anxiety, and other addictions that may be present, such as alcohol or opioid addiction.

The first stage of treatment will be a period of detox to keep you safe and as comfortable as possible. During the detox phase, you’ll also begin various types of therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common and effective therapy used to treat Xanax addiction. CBT involves learning to recognize and control negative or destructive thoughts by rethinking them in a reasonable, reality-based way.

For example, people with a Xanax addiction often think they can’t manage their stress without the drug. In CBT, they learn why this is not rational, and to turn the thought around into something productive and reasonable that involves healthy coping methods. CBT involves learning these types of coping strategies and problem-solving skills to manage life’s challenges without drugs.

Motivational interviewing is another method, which involves setting goals and building motivation to meet those goals.

Both inpatient and after care outpatient programs also involve peer support in the form of group therapy. Patients are able to discuss experiences and emotions, learn more about the nature of their addiction, and share strategies for coping and preventing relapse. This kind of support has proven to be invaluable in any addiction treatment.

Many patients also continue to find this support after treatment in peer support groups such as 12-step programs.

The Structure of a Xanax Treatment Program

An ideal treatment program for Xanax addiction, particularly if the addiction is severe, will start with an inpatient program for at least 28 days. In this program, medically supervised detox and therapy will occur.

The next step is a partial hospitalization program (PHP), which involves therapy for five to eight hours a day for four to six weeks.

PHP is followed by an intensive outpatient program (IOP), which consists of therapy for two to three hours per day for 60 to 90 days.

Individual therapy may then continue for the long term, as well as support group attendance. Recovery from any addiction is a lifelong process, requiring continuous learning and support.

Help Is Available

If you’re struggling with a Xanax addiction, with treatment and support, you can overcome it. Resources are available for you to get the help that you need. Take the first step and make the call so that you can begin your journey to a healthier, more fulfilling life free of addiction.