How Does Xanax Work?
Xanax helps a person feel relaxed by managing brain chemicals. It evokes feelings of happiness, but can also make you feel tired and uninhibited. So, when people take more of the drug than their body can handle, either on purpose or by accident, they may start feeling drowsy and weak, or they may even pass out.
People who are new to Xanax felt more of these symptoms than people who have used this drug for a long time. Because of the changes it makes in your brain chemistry over time, some people can take high doses of Xanax for many years without any noticeable effects that would make them want to stop taking it. However, if you’ve used Xanax for years and suddenly stop taking it, you’re probably going to become very physically ill, which is why the assistance of a Xanax treatment center is necessary.
Xanax stimulates the GABA-A receptor in the brain, which has a wide range of effects, including making an individual feel relaxed. When someone is dependent on Xanax, stopping use causes withdrawal symptoms that can be rather unpleasant.
These symptoms typically include panic attacks, seizures or delirium tremens (DTs) that are potentially life threatening for between two and 14 days after cessation of use. Fortunately, medical treatment is available to help ease going through the initial detox period with as little discomfort as possible.
One thing that a good Xanax detox program will do is teach you how to manage your symptoms while coming off the medication (with the help of therapists and medical professionals) so that withdrawal symptoms are minimal, if not nonexistent. Your recovery time will vary based on several factors; however, it typically takes about five to seven days for most people to complete a Xanax detoxification process at home (under the care of their primary physician) or in a treatment center.
The two things you need to keep in mind while detoxing from Xanax are knowing your dosage and understanding your withdrawal symptoms. If you know what dosage you were taking when you decide to withdraw from the drug, then you will be able to determine how fast your body will rid itself of the Xanax.
Remember that detoxing from Xanax is not as simple as stopping all at once, and if you aren’t careful or don’t take it slow, then you can become very sick because of the withdrawal symptoms associated with taking too much of the drug.
The Xanax Detox Process
How long the detox process takes depends on a number of factors. Other factors associated with how long it takes to detox from Xanax include:
- The length of time you used the drug
- If a doctor prescribes other medications during detox
- Individual body chemistry
- Genetics
- Anxiety experienced prior to Xanax use
However, regardless of what your personal situation is, medical detox can make the withdrawal process easier by taking away most if not all uncomfortable symptoms. Because complications with withdrawing can end up having life-threatening consequences, medical detox is necessary for those struggling with benzodiazepine dependence.
What Leads to Xanax Misuse?
Xanax is a benzodiazepine prescription drug (alprazolam) used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. However, its tranquilizing effects, which cause sedation and euphoria, make it a popular recreational drug and a hard-to-kick habit, setting up Xanax users for the potential of abuse. Some of the most common reasons people abuse this medication include its calming and relaxing effects. It can also ease physiological symptoms, such as a racing heart. Social acceptance is one aspect that’s caused people to misuse this drug.
It’s important to realize that with medical detox, side effects can be minimized or even non-existent. This is especially true for those who opt for the right treatment center. That’s because most will offer medications like anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants to help ease you off the medication while still making sure your body doesn’t go into shock during the process. However, not all types of detox are safe; therefore, it’s best to speak with a doctor first before undergoing any method of withdrawal on your own.
How Long Does Withdrawal Last?
If you’ve been taking benzodiazepines regularly and then stop, your body will react in a number of ways. First, there is an initial phase called “acute withdrawal” that can range from 10 to 14 days. Symptoms typically peak around two weeks with long-acting benzodiazepines like Xanax. Some people also experience rebound anxiety six to eight hours after their last dose, which may peak not long thereafter. These are both common occurrences among those who take these types of medications often enough over time because they become dependent on them.
When you take Xanax and stop suddenly, intense anxiousness often occurs that can last up to a month without treatment. This is due to post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which can be treated with other medications.
When you’re withdrawing from benzodiazepines, the process isn’t easy. Symptoms will vary depending on how long you’ve been using or addicted and your body’s natural response to drugs in general. Some people may need the attention of a physician while others just experience unpleasant feelings that peak after day two or three. The worst part lasts 10 to 14 days until these symptoms begin fading away. Detoxing at a treatment center with professionals is one of the best ways to ease the transition to not using Xanax.
Worried about quitting Xanax? Talk to us — we can help.
Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms
Because of how Xanax works—by increasing GABA neurotransmitter signals—once dependence has developed, stopping use can cause some very uncomfortable side effects. Symptoms start out mild at first but worsen over time. Some of the symptoms of Xanax withdrawal can include:
- General anxiety (general or otherwise)
- Inability to sleep
- Excessive sweating
- Tremors
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Weight loss
- Hallucinations
The symptoms of withdrawal from Xanax can be very uncomfortable and difficult to manage, but they’re also very treatable, particularly if you have the support of a medical team or treatment center who can help you with these symptoms.
Xanax has a much greater risk for abuse than other benzos–it’s possible to develop a tolerance very quickly on the medication, meaning that more of it is necessary to experience the effects. Over time, this can lead to an increased risk for addiction and dependency problems.
The severest symptoms typically occur if you’ve been taking high doses of Xanax and then quit cold turkey. Your body’s chemistry has adapted itself to having alprazolam, and when the drug leaves your system too quickly, you can become very sick.
Gradual weaning off Xanax is much safer for the patient, as symptoms will ebb and flow rather and you won’t experience abrupt swings. Withdrawal from benzos can be dangerous in some cases, particularly if there are co-occurring psychological disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar. Seizure disorders can also increase symptoms and the risk for life-threatening symptoms.
Consider seeking Xanax detox treatment, as the withdrawal period is extremely dangerous. If you try to quit Xanax all at once after years of use, you may:
- Vomit uncontrollably.
- Be at risk of seizures, especially if mixing with alcohol.
- Experience depression or, if previously depressed, a relapse of depression.
- Experience panic or anxiety disorders.
- Develop more serious mental health conditions in people who are prone because of genetic conditions or past experiences that trigger specific mental health problems.
Before you try quitting Xanax on your own, try talking with a treatment professional about what might happen when you stop taking this drug. Ask your doctor about the withdrawal period and where you can go for help if your withdrawal from Xanax might be difficult.
Don’t have anyone to talk to? Reach out to Windward Way Recovery.
You might also want to ask your doctor about any genetic testing you could do before deciding on a detox program because certain types of people are more at risk than others for facing more serious withdrawal symptoms or developing mental health problems as a result of Xanax addiction, which is considered a psychological dependency rather than an addiction to a substance like alcohol or heroin.
There’s Help for Xanax Addiction and Misuse
Xanax, a benzodiazepine medication used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks, is addictive. When someone with Xanax addiction decides they want to quit taking the drug, it can be difficult if not done correctly because of withdrawal symptoms that include seizures or depression relapse.
These are side effects most people will experience when quitting Xanax after using it for years on end without tapering off doses gradually enough. Luckily, there are programs dedicated to helping those who need an easy detox from this powerful prescription drug – like Windward Way Recovery. If you’re addicted to alprazolam or have been misusing Xanax recreationally for some time now- please reach out. We can help get you started on a Xanax detox program.
Reach out to Windward Way Recovery for more information about how we can help you or someone you love to get started on a Xanax detox after quitting this powerful drug. Don’t wait—call today.
