Additionally, some people are predisposed to substance addiction, possibly due to genetic factors and altered activity of neurotransmitters in the brain. Xanax overdose causes central nervous system (CNS) depression, which is a direct result of the drug’s effect on reduced neuronal excitability. CNS depression leads to impaired respiration and bradycardia (slow heart rate), which can cause coma or cardiac arrest (interruption of the heartbeat). Moreover, some people using Xanax can develop drug tolerance.
Talking with your doctor
Another concern with Xanax addiction is the risk of overdose, which can result in acute benzodiazepine toxicity. Overdose can occur with Xanax alone, but the majority of deaths occur when Xanax is combined with other drugs such as opioids, including heroin. Polydrug use (using multiple drugs) is common among people with benzodiazepine addiction, with 54.2% abusing opioids and 24.7% abusing alcohol.
Would my doctor prescribe Xanax for depression, sleep problems, or other conditions?
It’s like giving your nervous system a much-needed tune-up. Support groups and peer support can be lifelines in the choppy seas of recovery. There’s something incredibly powerful about connecting with others who’ve walked in your shoes. It’s like having a team of cheerleaders rooting for your success and offering a shoulder to lean on when the going gets tough.
- It’s possible that your doctor will adjust your dose every 3 to 4 days until you’re taking the dose that’s right for you.
- If doctors think you may have overdosed on purpose or are at risk of harming yourself or others, you may see a psychiatrist or addiction specialist before you leave the hospital.
- To find out how the cost of alprazolam compares to the cost of Xanax, see this article.
- After a period of regular use, it is best to slowly stop the medication under your doctor’s direction.
Xanax Overdose
Normally, the withdrawal process involves slowly reducing the dosage of Xanax and eventually switching the user to a long-acting form of the drug for a period of time. The gradual taper of this drug helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Physical dependency develops over time as the individual’s body becomes used to the substance. Without it, the person may feel achy all over as the body starts processing the substance out. This discomfort can be treated with mild over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Withdrawal is generally at its worst on the second day, and improves by the fourth or fifth day; however, acute symptoms can last significantly longer.
- Depending on the severity of your symptoms, the level of anxiety you experience during Xanax withdrawal may be more intense than what you experienced before taking Xanax.
- The long-term use of benzodiazepines like Xanax can potentially create problems with dependence and withdrawal.
- Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug that has a calming and relaxing effect.
But it’s the psychological and emotional symptoms that often blindside people. Anxiety – the very beast you were trying to tame – comes roaring back with a vengeance. Panic attacks, insomnia, and mood swings become your constant companions. It’s like your emotions have been cranked up to eleven, and there’s https://ecosoberhouse.com/ no volume control in sight. Learn why addiction recovery is a life-long commitment and how addiction impacts families. If you’re uninsured or under-insured, SAMSA can refer you to state-funded treatment programs, programs that accept Medicare or Medicaid, and those that charge on a sliding scale.
Alleviating Symptoms of Breakthrough Withdrawal
While inpatient treatment is typically more expensive, it is covered by many insurance plans. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, the level of anxiety you experience during Xanax withdrawal may be more intense than what you experienced before taking Xanax. It is common to feel nervous, jumpy, and on-edge during xanax addiction your taper. Reckless prescribing practices have contributed to thousands of cases of dependence and misuse. Research shows that in 2018, an estimated 5.4 million people over the age of 12 misused prescription benzodiazepines like Xanax. In 2017, doctors wrote nearly 45 million prescriptions for Xanax (alprazolam).
Side Effects of Alprazolam Abuse
