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In 2015, more than 17 million people used Xanax and generic alprazolam products. More than 4 million of those people misused the products, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. That’s more than the combined number of people who misused lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium) products. They may visit multiple doctors to get Xanax prescriptions or buy it on the street. They may also turn to alcohol or other depressants when Xanax isn’t available. In many cases, people addicted to Xanax believe they need it to relieve anxiety.

You may benefit from one or more of these types of behavioral therapy. Upon leaving the treatment center, many people will pursue a 12-step recovery program to maintain abstinence or stabilization and maintenance. A number of different types of therapy are used in the treatment of substance abuse disorders. Even if a person tries to stop taking Xanax, the fear of withdrawal and rebound can be so strong that the adverse consequences of stopping seem to outweigh the benefits. Xanax addiction is specifically part of a subcategory of substance use disorder known as sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder.

Xanax Addiction Treatment

This guide will examine the effects of this habit, as well as signs to look out for when Xanax dependency is suspected. Read on to learn the best ways to manage and overcome this addiction to ensure normal daily functioning. Various treatment options are available for a person with SUD.

The diagnosis of xanax addiction is based on whether a person meets certain diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5. Additionally, some people are predisposed to substance addiction, possibly due to genetic factors and altered activity of neurotransmitters in the brain. As many as 44 percent of chronic benzodiazepine users ultimately become dependent on their drug of choice, the Journal of Addictive Behaviors notes. Addiction is often due to psychological factors that influence individuals to keep using. Treatment may also address other underlying conditions, such as anxiety or depression.

What is Xanax?

Research from 2015 suggests that 20⁠–50% of people experience withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing high dosage benzodiazepines. Behavioral therapy is an important component of recovery from drug addiction. While detox medications are focused on avoiding adverse effects of withdrawal, behavioral therapy is a process that is focused on maintaining recovery.

Lingering effects or “fuzzy feelings” may stretch out beyond that for several more hours. Doctors generally recommend that first-time Xanax users start with the lowest possible dose. Until you know how the drug will affect you, it’s better to take less and build up to a higher dose. Some people have also reported memory loss or blacking out and not remembering what happened for several hours.

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Prescription drug addiction can negatively affect your health. Drug addiction can also put a strain on your finances https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and relationships. Fentanyl is also illegally manufactured and sold as an illicit recreational drug.

In October 2017, the CDC reported that fentanyl is involved in over half of opioid-related overdose deaths across 10 states. If you are concerned about the risks involved in Xanax tapering for any reason, discuss these concerns with a doctor. While inpatient treatment is typically more expensive, it is covered by many insurance plans. Xanax is a short-acting drug, which means your body metabolizes it very quickly. Tapering Xanax is challenging because the amount of the drug in your system quickly goes up and down with each dose.

Xanax Addiction And Abuse Treatment

Everyone metabolizes medications differently, so the half-life is different from person to person. 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. Yes, Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine prescription drug and is classified by the DEA as Schedule IV controlled substance. Studies with alprazolam have also shown an increase in dopamine levels in the brain, which are linked to the brain’s reward system. Most drugs involved in misuse or addiction frequently lead to dopamine release.

• But the anxiety that they experience when they stop taking the drug is actually a symptom of Xanax withdrawal.
• Detoxification, or detox, is the process of allowing a substance to leave the body while treating and mitigating any withdrawal symptoms.
• Some people become addicted to illicit recreational drugs, such as cocaine or heroin.
• They produce “highs” that can feel similar to the effects of alcohol.
• With drug dependence may also come tolerance, which is when you need more and more of a substance to achieve the same effect.

Just because a doctor prescribes a pill doesn’t mean that it’s safe for everyone. As the number of issued prescriptions rises, so do the rates of people misusing prescription drugs. Switching from short-acting Xanax to its longer-acting cousin Valium will make it easier for you to quit. Once you are stabilized on a dose of diazepam, your prescribing doctor will help you slowly taper down a little bit at a time. This gives your body and mind the time to adjust to life without Xanax. The symptoms of Xanax withdrawal typically appear within 8 to 12 hours of your last dose.