Treatment may involve a combination of strategies, including detoxification and various psychotherapeutic and psychosocial approaches.
They work by increasing the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain.
This reduces the excitability of neurons (nerve cells), resulting in decreased feelings of anxiety.
Among older adults, long-term use of Xanax can also lead to cognitive issues that may resemble dementia.
However, the impairment may resolve after the drug is stopped.
Withdrawal from Xanax is characterized by physical effects and emotional symptoms.
Moreover, some people using Xanax can develop drug tolerance.
If you develop tolerance to Xanax, you may need to use higher doses to maintain a therapeutic effect.
This can lead to excessively high dosing, intoxication, and, in some cases, drug-seeking behaviors.
Another concern with Xanax addiction is the risk of overdose, which can result in acute benzodiazepine toxicity.
The symptoms of an overdose may persist for 12 to 36 hours.
For example, pulmonary aspiration during a lethargic state can lead toaspiration pneumoniaor permanent lung damage.
Risk Factors
Benzodiazepine addiction can happen to anyone, but certain groups are at greater risk.
Like many drugs, the presence of Xanax can be detected with laboratory tests.
The diagnosis of Xanax addiction is based on whether a person meets certain diagnostic criteria outlined in theDSM-5.
These classifications may help direct the most appropriate course of treatment.
Treatment
In the treatment of Xanax addiction, abstinence is often a goal.
This means discontinuing the drug after supervised decreases by a medical provider.
The process of reaching abstinence may involve detoxification (often referred to as detox) and behavioral therapies.
In some situations, an alternative approachharm-reduction strategiesmay be considered, particularly for people in whom abstinence is difficult.
Detoxification
Detox is a process during which a person stops taking a harmful drug.
The process can be rapid or gradual, depending on the drug.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy is an important component of recovery from drug addiction.
A number of different types of therapy are used in the treatment of substance abuse disorders.
You may benefit from one or more of these types of behavioral therapy.
The long-term abstinence rates after recovering from Xanax addiction vary significantly.
SAMHSA also provides an online treatment center location.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Xanax is not a narcotic.
The word narcotic refers to an opioid, or a certain class of drugs that primarily offer pain relief.
Examples of narcotics include morphine, OxyContin, and Vicodin.
These may be less likely to occur with low doses of Xanax.
An anxiolytic is a specific throw in of medication used for treating anxiety.
One common key in of anxiolytic includes benzodiazepines, such as Xanax.
They are not usually chosen as the first step in anxiety treatment since benzodiazepines can become addictive.
The half life of Xanax is 11 hours.
This is considered a short half life and contributes to the ease in which addiction can develop.
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