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While you wait, take care of yourself and keep the boundaries you’ve set for yourself. Overall, you want to approach a person addicted to Xanax with the intention of communicating your support of their sober efforts. Make sure you are not only telling them how you feel but also listening to what they have to say—how they are feeling, why they use it to the extent that they do, and what they need from you to help them maintain abstinence.
Express to them plainly but without judgment how the drug has impacted their life and yours. Join the thousands of people that have called a treatment provider for rehab information. Alprazolam is also excreted into breast milk in low concentrations. There are few case reports of alprazolam causing neonatal withdrawal syndrome and mild drowsiness in nursing infants (Iqbal et al., 2002). Alprazolam and its 2 hydroxylated metabolites are known to cross the placenta. Retrospective studies evaluating pregnancy outcomes of women exposed to alprazolam during the first trimester of pregnancy found conflicting results of congenital anomalies (Iqbal et al., 2002).
What To Do If You Suspect Addiction
If a user wishes to stop taking Xanax after dependence on the drug has formed, it is not recommended to quit “cold turkey” or without medical supervision. The symptoms of Xanax withdrawal are similar to those of alcohol or Barbiturate withdrawal, and the severity of the symptoms can vary. The use of Xanax and other sedatives and hypnotics has some association with an increased risk of death. The exact reason for this is unclear, but it may relate to a potential increase in depression, infections, respiratory issues, and accidents. Furthermore, there is some association of Xanax with an increased risk of suicide.
Addiction, or substance use disorder, is when a person continues to use a pleasurable substance or perform a pleasurable action despite negative consequences the substance or action causes. Dopamine is responsible for reinforcing the feelings of reward in the brain. For example, when we eat a sugary snack, a small amount of dopamine is released and we may get the urge to have another. Xanax and other substances encourage addiction through this mechanism. Xanax addiction affects the lives of millions of people each year.
Getting Help for Xanax Addiction: Xanax Addiction Treatment
Benzodiazepine use can be apparent if someone appears intoxicated or there is drug-seeking behavior, but the problem can also be well concealed. No one is exempt from drug dependence, but there are certain demographics that are more prone to it. It is thought females account for more benzo addictions than males, but this may merely be due to women being more likely to receive a prescription for the drugs. Erowid notes two times as many women are using these drugs as men. Although treatment outcomes are comparable to that of other chronic conditions, recovery is an ongoing process that can take time. If a person notices signs of SUD in themselves or others, they should speak with a doctor.
- If you take Xanax, don’t stop it without talking to your doctor first.
- Alprazolam and its 2 hydroxylated metabolites are known to cross the placenta.
- You might be easily annoyed or short-tempered with family or friends.
- Keep this medicine in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse.
- Your loved one might refuse to admit they take drugs at all or refuse to undergo treatment.
But research finds that in up to half of cases, no one calls for help. 911 calls are also often delayed as witnesses try ineffective methods of reviving people such as slapping them or dousing them with cold water. The most common reason given for not calling 911 or for delaying help-seeking is fear of arrest and prosecution. Camenga and Hadland say medical schools and pediatric residency programs are adding information to their curricula about substance use disorders, including how to discuss drug and alcohol use with children and teens.
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However, addiction professionals report seeing more adolescents struggle with addiction to Xanax. Many of them mix this sedative with opioids, which can be a deadly combination. Many people who abuse Xanax are introduced to the medication through a doctor’s prescription. Others may try it at a party or nightclub by acquiring it from a friend or acquaintance.
https://ecosoberhouse.com/ can strain relationships, erode trust, and lead to broader familial and social issues. While the allure of Xanax is considerable, it’s crucial to understand its darker side. Side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination are common, increasing the risk of accidents. This calming experience is one of the primary reasons why both legitimate users and recreational abusers are drawn to the drug.
Data sources include Micromedex (updated 4 Feb 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Feb 2024), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2024) and others. A quick onset of action also appears to increase the chances for addiction of different benzodiazepines, although all benzodiazepines still have strong addiction potential, even when used at normal doses. The onset of action with alprazolam is about one hour, diazepam is 0.25 to 0.5 hours, and lorazepam is 0.5 to 1 hour.
The main form of therapy that is used to help a person addicted to Xanax is cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches the patient how to address their own psychology surrounding their drug abuse. It teaches clients how to cope with relapse temptations and life stress in a productive and abstinence-friendly manner. A number of different types of therapy are used in the treatment of substance abuse disorders. In the treatment of Xanax addiction, abstinence is often a goal. This means discontinuing the drug after supervised decreases by a medical provider.
What are Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms?
Xanax is a pharmaceutical medication categorized under the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. This category of medications interacts with the central nervous system, specifically the neurotransmitter GABA, to induce a calming effect on the brain and body. If you or a loved one struggle with Xanax use, help is available. Often, insurance companies provide partial or full coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services.
Although the increase in filled benzodiazepine prescriptions leveled off around 2010, overdoses remained at alarmingly high rates. If you are taking Xanax as prescribed, check with your doctor before taking another drug or drinking alcohol. Checking with a medical expert can reveal any potentially dangerous effects from mixing substances, and this could protect you against severe injury and dependence on Xanax. Unfortunately, people abuse this drug for its euphoric effects and to enhance the effects of other drugs. Over time, addiction and mental and physical dependence can develop.