What is Xanax?
Xanax (generic name Alprazolam) belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines, which act on the central nervous system to produce a calming effect. As a result, Xanax works well when prescribed for occasional or short-term use for anxiety and panic attacks, as well as insomnia. However, it is more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms as well as more drug interactions than similar medications.
Xanax Comes in the Form Of:
- Tablets
- Capsules
- Liquid
Xanax is commonly misused due to its sedative and euphoric effects. It is used recreationally alongside marijuana and alcohol. In addition, Xanax is also used in “speedballs” that include stimulants like Adderall or cocaine. For this reason, it is made and sold on the street. Street drugs can be counterfeit, containing unknown substances in unknown amounts. Xanax is sometimes sold laced with opioids including fentanyl, increasing the risk of overdose and death.
Street Names For Xanax and other Benzodiazepines
- School bus
- Bars
- Bicycle handlebars
- Sticks
- Xanies
- Footballs
- Hulk
- Zbars
- Benzos
- Blues
- Ladders
- Planks
- Chill Pills
- Downers
- Nerve pills
What Are the Effects of Xanax?
Xanax is safe and effective when used as directed. Anxiety and insomnia may improve rapidly within a couple of hours or over a couple of days from the first dose. Xanax works in the brain to promote calmness and produces a relaxed feeling. Additionally, it decreases the brain’s excitement levels.
People may experience the following effects when taking Xanax or other depressant drugs:
- Anxiety relief
- Relief from muscle tension
- Relief from insomnia
Unintended side effects may occur and depend on many factors. The most common side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Memory problems
- Slurred speech
- Blurred vision
- Poor coordination
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- Headaches
- Appetite or weight changes
Xanax Deadly Drug Interactions
Although Xanax helps many people, it can sometimes lead to addiction. Moreover, this is especially true if someone has a substance use disorder. It can interact with several other medications and alcohol. Side effects are greatly increased when misused. People who take Xanax with alcohol or other CNS (central nervous system) depressants risk severe complications, overdose or death.
When someone takes too much Xanax, they may just become drowsy and fall asleep. An overdose may not be recognized at first. It may appear to be alcohol intoxication, with confusion, slurred speech, and stumbling. However, at higher doses or mixed with other depressants, breathing can stop.
Overdose Symptoms
- Confusion
- Impaired coordination
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Depressed respiration
- Coma
- Death
Combining Xanax with illicit drugs, such as heroin and fentanyl, can prove to be a deadly cocktail. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Addition states in 2020, 16% of overdose deaths involving opioids also involved drugs like Xanax. Long-term effects of an overdose can be brain damage, kidney, liver, and heart damage.
Xanax Addiction Signs and Symptoms
Xanax produces rapid, powerful changes in the brain. Because of this, it is one of the most addictive medications on the market. Struggling with addiction not only harms the body, but also one’s emotional well-being. Therefore, it helps to readily identify signs and symptoms of Xanax addiction.
The following are signs and symptoms of Xanax addiction:
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Spending a lot of time trying to obtain the drug
- Feelings of guilt and shame
- Aggression
- Cravings
- Missing school or work
- Financial problems trying to keep a steady supply
- It takes more Xanax to achieve the same effect
- Withdrawal symptoms when cutting back or trying to stop
- Emotionally unstable
Attempts to control the addiction lead to feelings of shame. As a result, people suffering from addiction have low self-esteem. At our Xanax addiction treatment centers in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, we understand and treat both physical and psychological dependence.
877-845-8192
What Does Xanax Withdrawal Look Like?
Because Xanax is a short-acting drug, tolerance builds rapidly. The brain quickly learns to tolerate the effects. Within three weeks or less, a higher dose is needed to achieve the same effect. However, physical addiction that causes withdrawal symptoms can occur in as little as one to two weeks. There is no specific time or dose when Xanax addiction occurs.
One thing is certain, abruptly quitting Xanax can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms. Even when used as directed, there is no quick fix for Xanax withdrawal. A tapering down schedule is best to avoid negative outcomes. In fact, a 2018 review article in the Journal of Addiction Medicine noted that Xanax is more toxic in overdose than other benzodiazepines. Additionally, it causes more severe withdrawal symptoms.
Short-term Use Withdrawal Symptoms
Even after just a few weeks, Xanax withdrawal symptoms can occur when stopping or reducing the dose. In fact, even after short-term use, withdrawal is sometimes described as feeling like the flu or a hangover. Short-term use of Xanax withdrawal symptoms include:
- Insomnia
- Bad dreams
- Restlessness
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Muscle tension
- Anxiety
- Irritability
Chronic Use Withdrawal Symptoms
Using Xanax for longer periods of time, at higher doses, withdrawal symptoms become more serious. Chronic use Xanax withdrawal symptoms include:
- Panic attacks
- Mood swings
- Rebound anxiety
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Muscle pain
- Sensations of numbness
Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
As previously noted, withdrawal symptoms become more severe and intense according to length and level of dependence. Further, withdrawal can result in Grand Mal seizures, which cause loss of consciousness, rapid and severe muscle contractions, and violent muscle pain.
Severe withdrawal symptoms include:
- Increased heart rate
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Hallucinations
- confusion
- Nausea/vomiting
- Sensitive to touch, light, and sounds
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Intense drug cravings
- Seizures
- Psychotic events
What To Expect At Our Xanax Addiction Treatment Centers Murfreesboro, TN
To make it clear, the safest way to detox from Xanax is under medical care. Stopping Xanax “cold turkey” can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Our Xanax addiction treatment centers in Murfreesboro, Tennessee provide medical detox to keep our clients safe and comfortable.
At Tulip Hill Recovery, we are committed to helping clients take back control of their lives. It is important to realize, addiction often comes with co-occurring mental health conditions that must be addressed. Recovery is a journey and we will walk with clients every step of the way.
After a thorough evaluation, our team of professionals helps form a personalized treatment plan based on the client’s specific needs. Also, we offer many treatment options to help people achieve and maintain sobriety.
Our Programs Include
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). Most people begin treatment by going through detox. Our PHP Murfreesboro program can be a person’s next step. Rather, it can be a wise move after completing a residential program.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Allows a person to either live in sober living homes or in their own homes while receiving treatment. The client attends treatment sessions multiple times a week.
- Addiction Therapies. These may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, Narrative Therapy, group therapy, experiential therapy, complementary therapy, and family therapy.
- Holistic Therapy. Provides a whole-person approach by treating the mind, body, and spirit.
- EMDR Therapy. Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing involves training the brain to reprocess traumatic memories.
- Rehab for Veterans. Individualized treatment for veterans.
- Addiction Treatment Aftercare. Arranges personal recovery goals to help prevent relapse and maintain sobriety.
Become Free From Xanax Addiction
Xanax addiction can have severe consequences on your health and your life. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction to Xanax, Tulip Hill Recovery is here to help. We offer expert Xanax addiction treatment in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and surrounding areas as well as Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Talk to one of our specialists at our family-run treatment center today by visiting our admissions page.
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