Withdrawal symptoms are possible in individuals who have developed a benzodiazepine dependence. Serious symptoms include seizures and, in severe cases, coma and even death. When Express Scripts, Inc., a managed-care pharmacy, looked at more than 13,000 women 60 and older who were taking benzodiazepines, they found that more than half were taking the drugs improperly. Nearly 60 percent of these women were taking the drugs for four or more months, a length of time that significantly increases the risk of dependence or addiction.
When attempting detox, it is strongly advised that people seek the help of professionals. Detoxification can be dangerous if it is not properly monitored and treated Meth Withdrawal Symptoms to match shifts in symptoms. Excessive aggression is a symptom of Xanax addiction that many people experience. This disease can express itself in various ways, from mild irritability to frequent outbursts of physical aggression.
That’s why if you think you’ve developed an addiction to Xanax – it’s important you get the right help quickly. While using Xanax regularly might provide you with a huge sense of relief at first, after a while you may start to notice various symptoms beginning to manifest the longer you abuse it. If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you know, keeping an eye on symptoms of Xanax addiction may help you identify the problem before it escalates.
Close to 600 adults received their first prescription for benzodiazepine between 2008 and 2016 from either primary care physicians or other non-psychiatrists. They also calculated a medication possession ratio (MPR) of how many days’ supply they had been prescribed to how many days the prescription was valid. These drugs are being increasingly scrutinized as drivers of America’s addiction epidemic, alongside opioids, as more and more Americans struggle to get off them. Call us for confidential advice and compassionate care from our highly trained medical staff.
Symptoms of Xanax Addiction
Fake prescription medications are illicitly manufactured to mimic the effects of certain prescription drugs, most commonly benzodiazepines and opioids. They are most commonly used for abuse purposes and are very dangerous as they are not regulated by any governing body to ensure that they are safe for human consumption. Like other benzodiazepines, alprazolam can cause problems when taken without medical supervision.
Physical health risks
A person will be supported through these therapies to understand the causes of and triggers that maintain the addiction. Practical techniques and strategies are provided so that people become aware of and learn how to manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. At this point, it’s incredibly important to bear in mind how a severe Xanax (alprazolam) addiction alters the structure and functioning of the brain. As well as the shape of the brain-altering, its chemicals become unbalanced, this has a knock-on effect to all the bodily systems and functioning. If Xanax is prescribed, it’s imperative that you talk through all other medications, including vitamins and supplements that you take with your doctor. Individuals who engage in polydrug use involving Xanax should be aware that they are putting themselves at serious risk for physical and psychological harm.
“Xanax is one of the most dangerous drugs to come down from, even including heroin,” said Kathy Vinson, director of nursing at Holy Family Substance Abuse Alcohol/Drug Treatment Center in Des Plaines. “We often see the same pattern with prescription drugs,” said Dr. Martin Doot, chief of addiction medicine at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. “They come out, they are heavily marketed and the abuse liability is typically minimized. When Xanax came out, many doctors were sold on the idea that it was not addicting.” Dependence on Xanax can occur when the body is reliant on the chemical interactions caused by the drug. In this case, medical support may be required to help wean the individual off the drug.
Professional medical support can guide you through the process safely and as comfortably as possible, and medics can intervene in the event of any medical complications. The effects of Xanax can be highly addictive for individuals suffering from mental health issues. Known for its ability to suppress anxious feelings, influencing a calming state, consistent use is likely. Those calming feelings will become an ongoing physical and psychological desire, driving cravings.
If you use Xanax frequently, the brain gets used to these altered levels of neurotransmitters and starts to rely on the drug to feel happy. With this growing dependence, Xanax addiction creeps in and you begin to use Xanax compulsively, despite any negative consequences. If you are considering starting your Xanax recovery journey at home, we understand why this might seem like the better option. With the freedom to remain in your own space, near your loved ones and home comforts, this can appear like it would be the ideal set-up. However, the Xanax detox process can pose a number of risks, and it is essential that you are aware of them before making this decision. When coming off Xanax, acute withdrawal symptoms will typically present themselves anywhere between eight to twelve hours after your last dose.
Adolescence is by definition a rocky and even troubled time in a person’s life. They weren’t taking Xans to socially lubricate or keep the party going – like many of us did/do with cocaine or ecstasy. Self-medicating is nothing new – in fact, it can be done with alcohol, food, or otherwise legal substances – but the proliferation of benzodiazepines (particularly Xanax) is a worrying trend. Last year health group UK Addiction Treatment said it had seen a 200 per cent rise in people being admitted to treatment centres and rehab solely for Xanax addiction.
