The DEA’s latest targets: doctors treating addiction instead of pain

Xanax addiction is a serious condition that requires professional treatment to safely manage withdrawal symptoms and address the underlying issues contributing to the addiction. Dependency is more likely to occur if a person is abusing large amounts of Xanax or using it too frequently. Even prescription users who adhere to a recommended dosing schedule can end up addicted to Xanax though. Poly-drug abusers are far more likely to grow dependent since the other substances they abuse often intensify the effects of benzos like Xanax. For instance, alcohol is commonly abused alongside Xanax and can significantly increase the chance of injury or death, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence states. Study results show a broad range, between 3 percent and 41 percent, of people who struggle with alcoholism also abuse benzodiazepines, per the American Family Physician.

What Is Xanax?

This increased GABA activity results in a calming and sedative effect, which can alleviate symptoms of anxiety, panic disorders, and sometimes insomnia. Xanax can also be addictive and lead to physical and psychological dependence, impacting health and well-being. Some people combine Xanax with alcohol, opioids, or other drugs because the combination enhances the effects of each to a large degree.

• Receiving medical care during the withdrawal and detox process ensures that you are set up for maximum success as you begin your journey toward a Xanax-free life.
• These symptoms can include tremors, sweating, nausea, and insomnia, and can be highly uncomfortable.
• Prescription medicine is typically used to treat pain, discomfort, and other conditions.
• Individuals who use Xanax may develop a tolerance to its effects, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired calming effect.
• You can prepare and run an intervention on your own, or work with a counselor or professional interventionist.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Detox Treatment

Matthews said she decided to sue jail officials when she realized just how much her son suffered before his death. The coroner classified the manner of his death as natural and said the cause of death was complications of chronic substance use. “We just put the message out, you know, you’re absolutely not going to Xanax Addiction: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment act badly inside this jail or there will be consequences, but they don’t have to be the burger,” she said. The Cincinnati facility has a capacity of 1,264 and housed 1,078 inmates at the time of its last inspection in October 2022. It has a capacity of 149 and housed 45 inmates at the time of its last inspection.

How Does Xanax Addiction Develop?

• Bohanan had struggled with addiction since around the end of 2019, his mother, Vicky Matthews, said.
• Combining Xanax with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids, poses significant risks due to the compounded depressant effects on the central nervous system.
• The only safe way to quit is to slowly taper down your dose under the direction of a doctor.
• The hydrocodone in Vicodin makes it addictive if used for an extended time or if abused/used recreationally.
• Any patient going through detox treatment will engage in their own psychological therapies programme which is important for two reasons.

It can be helpful for a person who has an SUD to know that they have support from their friends and family. In relation to blood pressure, Xanax may exert a hypotensive effect, meaning Xanax can potentially lower blood pressure. This occurs due to its central nervous system depressant properties, which lead to a reduction in sympathetic nervous system activity.

Your prescriber will help weigh the pros and cons of these medications for your situation. Instead, they are usually prescribed when other medications aren’t helping enough or aren’t tolerable. In many cases, benzodiazepines like Xanax are prescribed in addition to another anxiety medication that you take every day, such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Xanax Overdose: Signs, Symptoms & Treatment

• Doctors prescribe it for patients struggling with insomnia and mental health issues such as excessive worry, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• It’s a free online tool provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
• Family therapy addresses underlying issues within the family dynamic that may contribute to drug misuse, fostering support and understanding.
• Some people abuse Xanax by taking it in higher doses or combining it with other drugs or alcohol in order to achieve the desired high.

In the short term, individuals may experience relaxation and reduced anxiety from Xanax use. However, misuse or prolonged use can lead to adverse effects such as memory issues, confusion, and even seizures. Long-term use of Xanax can result in physical dependence and addiction. Withdrawal symptoms like rebound anxiety, insomnia, and tremors can occur when someone stops using Xanax abruptly. As Xanax use continues, individuals develop a tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and include anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and even seizures.

What Is Opioid Use Disorder?

How Xanax Affects the Brain & Body