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Xanax Addiction: 6 Facts You lot Should Know

Xanax can treat anxiety and panic disorders, but you must employ it correctly to forbid addiction. Hither's what you lot need to know.

Xanax, also known equally alprazolam, is used to care for feet and panic disorders, according to Mayo Clinic. The medication has some particular characteristics that you should continue in heed if you're using it. For example, dependence on the drug can develop in merely a few weeks, and withdrawal from it can result in uncomfortable symptoms. Both of these factors should be considered in order to avoid becoming addicted to the medication. Read on for six  fundamental facts most Xanax addiction.

1. Dependence can happen fast.

Some people who take Xanax think that just using the drug for a few weeks means they cannot get addicted. But that's not necessarily true. "Xanax dependence occurs very rapidly relative to other benzodiazepines," Allen Masry, Medico and medical manager of All In Solutions Counseling Heart tells WebMD Connect to Care.

Benzodiazepines are drugs that raise the level of a specific neurotransmitter called GABA, according to the National Constitute on Drug Abuse. This results in a more calm, relaxed state of listen.

Amongst benzodiazepines, Xanax is uniquely addictive. "As with whatever other controlled substance, Xanax leads toward chemical dependence—meaning that it follows a typical tolerance and withdrawal cycle," Matt Glowiak, PhD, LCPC at Choosing Therapy tells WebMD Connect to Care. "Though this does not necessarily mean it will lead toward habit, for many, its effects are strong and desirable plenty that resistance is difficult"

Given that the wheel of tolerance and withdrawal is especially pronounced with Xanax, those with a prior history of habit, among other chance factors, are especially at risk," Glowiak says.

It's besides important to annotation that Xanax can never be considered 100% safe and non-addictive. "Even when taken as prescribed, studies evidence that between 15 and 44% of people will experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms that tin final months, fifty-fifty after taking the drug for just 3 to 6 weeks," Masry says.

Drug withdrawal can result in complications. In fact, a 2018 article published past the Journal of Habit notes that alprazolam withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Rebound anxiety
• Torso weakness
• Insomnia
• Suicidal ideation

Depending on duration and degree of habit, certain withdrawal symptoms can exist fairly astringent, and long-lasting.

2. You tin can't just quit.

Some people fond to Xanax—as with other drugs—may seek to quit "cold turkey." But that is not recommended when stopping Xanax.

"You can not safely stop using Xanax without medical assistance," Cali Estes, PhD and Clinical Director of The Addictions Academy tells WebMD Connect to Intendance.

"Xanax is a very powerful benzodiazepine, and you can have a seizure if y'all stop without a proper detox protocol overseen by a medical doc," Estes says.

Information technology's non e'er clear that addiction to Xanax has developed, but it is important to be aware of the signs. According to American Addiction Centers, signs of addiction may include:

• Fatigue
• Speech and/or vision harm
• An obsession with finding Xanax — whether from doctors, friends, family, or colleagues
• Engaging in unsafe activities while impaired past Xanax, like driving or using machinery

For some users, there may exist additional signs that indicate a Xanax addiction has developed. Recall, the only prophylactic way to utilize Xanax is under a doctor'southward supervision, which should include regular check-ins.

iii. Mixing alcohol and Xanax can exist mortiferous.

Xanax on its own tin can exist dangerous, and an overdose is possible. But Xanax mixed with alcohol is fifty-fifty more than unsafe.

Similar booze, Xanax depresses the primal nervous organisation—and in some means, the two substances produce similar effects or sensations, according to the Mayo dispensary. But the combination of the two depressants can be life-threatening.

"Mixing Xanax with booze is a deadly cocktail that tin can result in your respiratory organisation shutting down and your heart stopping. Your trunk volition literally forget to breathe, and you will be so intoxicated that you lot won't find," Estes says.

Other depressants can produce a similarly dangerous combination with Xanax, including tranquilizers, sleeping medicines, and antihistamines, among others. It is important to check with your prescribing medico about what substances to avoid using simultaneously with Xanax.

4. Habit risk may vary depending on the blazon of Xanax taken.

There are multiple types of Xanax on the market—and the risk of addiction may be unlike for each type.

According to Mayo Clinic, standard Xanax (for adults) is generally started at .25 to .v mg taken daily, and and then increased equally needed, with a typical maximum dose of less than 4 mg daily. Notwithstanding, Xanax also comes in an extended-release (XR) formula, which is sometimes prescribed for panic disorder. This type of Xanax is taken only once daily, generally starting at .v to i mg, with a maximum of 10 mg daily.

Propensity for addiction may alter depending on which course of Xanax is taken. "The intention behind Xanax XR… is to minimize the risk of habit, and this does piece of work in many cases," Glowiak says. "Extended release means that the drug absorbs in the bloodstream over a more extended period of fourth dimension—minimizing the likelihood of a euphoric feel. In this example, it works more then equally intended—to reduce feet while maintaining a healthier baseline mood."

Too, Xanax XR continues to act over an extended period. In theory, then, it requires taking fewer pills—so long as it is ingested as prescribed by a doctor.

Xanax is also sometimes prescribed in low-dose forms. "Lower dose Xanax works the aforementioned as traditional Xanax but impacts the tolerance and withdrawal wheel less dramatically, as there is less of the substance present to influence physiology," Glowiak says.

However, just because y'all are using low-dose or extended-release Xanax does not mean addiction is no longer a risk. "[In] either instance, when abused, individuals may manipulate the pills to ingest in a manner to achieve desired results and/or take more than than prescribed. Doing this defeats the purpose," Glowiak says.

In other words, while low-dose Xanax and Xanax XR may help to mitigate the risk of addiction, they are non foolproof approaches—and for some individuals, addiction can still develop

v. At that place are ways to lessen the chance of Xanax habit.

Every bit noted, there is no perfect solution to avoiding habit to Xanax if you lot are taking information technology, as its unique backdrop tin lead to addiction. Nevertheless, there are steps you can take to reduce the adventure of addiction.

The simplest way to lessen the risk? Seek other treatment methods. "The best way to avoid becoming addicted to Xanax is by not taking it," Glowiak says. "In that location are other options toward reducing anxiety that include less invasive medications, supplements, talk therapy, healthy coping skills, exercise, and otherwise."

However, sometimes avoidance merely is not possible. "In cases where anxiety has reached a bespeak where Xanax is the all-time intervention, it is important to take as prescribed," Glowiak says.

Understanding the risks of Xanax habit—and staying on the sentinel for signs of habit and abuse—are also important. "Understand the drug, its effects on physiology, and potential side furnishings," Glowiak says. "If one is still struggling with the prescribed dose, it should all the same be taken as prescribed merely communicated with the prescribing physician."

It is especially important to keep in communication with your doctor when taking Xanax. Ensuring your doctor is aware of your medical history—including past struggles with habit—as well every bit your experience taking Xanax, and any medications you may be taking alongside Xanax, tin help ensure y'all avoid dependency and take the drug safely.

vi. Detox is challenging merely worth it.

Getting over Xanax addiction is difficult and may experience incommunicable. Indeed, information technology tin can involve a long procedure, and fully healing from addiction tin can sometimes take months.

"Even when a patient is tapered downwardly by their prescribing physician over several weeks, they are likely going to experience symptoms of withdrawal," Masry says.

"Tapering" is when a person is slowly weaned off of a drug, and contrasts with a "cold turkey" approach, which is when you terminate using a substance all at once. While tapering is ofttimes a safer method of quitting—and this is particularly true with Xanax—it can also be hard.

"Xanax is just a especially hard drug to detox from—there'southward no fashion to guarantee a pain-free detox," Masry says. Even with a potentially challenging detox and recovery, speaking with your medico and having a clear programme tin aid reduce and somewhen eliminate your dependency on the drug.

Ultimately, with organized care, getting over a Xanax addiction can be accomplished. It's important to formulate a holistic treatment plan–not only for detox, but for sustained abstinence and recovery. Knowing what could happen during your detox and recovery procedure, likewise as the medical and psychological interventions available to mitigate symptoms, volition ameliorate fix you for successful treatment

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Source: https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/prescription/xanax-addiction-facts

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