Xanax is the brand name of the medicine alprazolam. It is a potent benzodiazepine in use since 1976. Available in the form of tablets and extended release capsules, it is prescribed for the management of mental health disorders like anxiety and phobias and physical disorders like insomnia. It has potent antianxiety, anticonvulsant and sedative effects. Xanax acts quickly with most of its effects occurring within an hour of its consumption or administration.
Side effects are encountered with almost all prescription medications. Some have serious side effects while others have mild ones. Xanax use also has side effects, some of which are:
If taken as per the prescription recommendation, the short-term effects of Xanax are useful for many people. It can help alleviate physical stress, restiveness, and feelings of uneasiness frequently encountered with anxiety. However, one does not need to use it for a very long time to experience some of its negative outcomes, like diminished concentration, memory deficits, and slurred speech. Even people using the prescribed amount may feel unusually tired, irritable, and confused, at times. These effects can become more dramatic if Xanax is used in larger quantities or for nonmedical purposes.
Prolonged use of Xanax is associated with the following long-term effects:
However, in spite of experiencing varied short- and long-term effects of Xanax use, these can be completely reversed if an individual addicted to Xanax seeks effective substance abuse treatment at a credible behavioral health center.
Overdose happens when an individual takes more than the prescribed amount of the drug, when one takes the drug more frequently or when one takes the drug with alcohol or other medicines. Xanax overdose can cause:
Long-term use of Xanax develops into tolerance in which more amount of the drug is required every time to produce the same effects. Prolonged use might also cause chemical dependency on the drug because of which one’s body does not function properly until the drug is taken. Other symptoms of Xanax abuse include:
Abstinence from the drug can give rise to dangerous and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with Xanax include:
Xanax drug addiction treatment commences with a medically supervised detoxification process. During this process, Xanax is gradually tapered off over a course of several weeks due to the risk of seizures and other such dangerous withdrawal symptoms. To control the withdrawal symptoms of Xanax, the doctor might start another benzodiazepine, with a longer half-life, which would then be weaned off gradually, under the care of trained addiction specialists.
Once the detoxification process is over, the medical team at the behavioral health center will start addressing the underlying reasons behind the addiction. For this, they may use therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management, in which the positive outcomes are incentivized.
Outpatient programs offer more flexibility to a person where they may have the option of spending the evenings with the family. It is less intense than an inpatient program, which is more structured. In an impatient program, the patient has to stay for at least 30, 60, or 90 days and undergo individual therapy, group therapy, recreational activities, and relapse prevention meetings, among others.
Invictus Health Group is a leader when it comes to substance abuse treatment or recovery programs for mental health disorders, co-occurring disorders, or behavioral issues. We have partnered with skilled and compassionate teams of professionals who help people navigate their recovery journey smoothly. Invictus Health Group and our partners offers:
For more information about our Xanax treatment plans, call our 24/7 drug addiction treatment helpline 866-548-0190 and speak to a representative today. You can also chat online to a representative who can conduct a free insurance verification for you.
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