If asked what drugs people most often grow dependent upon, many people polled would likely respond cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines. In most cases, drugs occasionally prescribed for legitimate purposes would be overlooked.
However, many such chemicals end up being abused and can increase the addict’s chances of experiencing serious personal, financial, and health consequences just as much as well-known designer drugs. One such substance is known as Xanax.
Xanax Overview
Xanax is the brand moniker for the drug Alprazolam. This substance is part of the Benzodiazepine family of chemicals, which are a group of tranquilizing agents.
Clinical Uses
In particular, Xanax is often employed to address mental issues like panic disorders and anxiety.
Systemic Impact
Upon entering one’s system, Xanax increases the strength and concentration of brain chemicals responsible for regulating relaxation. Therefore, users often experience a quick and significantly increased level of calmness.
Addictive Capacity
The pleasant impact produced by Xanax often increases one’s desire to use said drug. However, over time, users must ingest increasingly larger quantities of the chemical to produce intended effects. In light of such issues, doctors are typically discouraged from prescribing therapeutic dosages of the substance for more than six weeks.
That said, individuals using the drug for legitimate medical issues can and do grow dependent on the chemical. Moreover, its perceived positive mind-altering properties make it a popular black market substance people obtain, sell, and purchase illegally.
Withdrawals
Those who have used Xanax for prolonged periods or ingested prodigious amounts often experience appreciable withdrawal symptoms when abruptly ceasing its intake. Withdrawal manifestations often begin within a few hours following the last fix and are typically divided into two categories, physical and psychological.
Physical
Physical withdrawal could impact several bodily symptoms and cause a wide array of symptoms including:
- Digestive problems like diarrhea, nausea, appetite loss, and vomiting
- Headaches
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Muscle tension
- Elevated body temperature
- Excessive sweating
Moreover, as withdrawal progresses, the afflicted subject might encounter more serious concerns, such as high blood pressure, tingling and numbness in the extremities, vision disturbances, convulsions, and delirium.
Psychological
Persons abruptly ceasing Xanax use might expect to encounter psychological manifestations like nervousness, extreme irritability, confusion, depression, fear, and possibly even paranoia.
Long-Term Impacts
Medical researchers have concluded that continued Xanax abuse can precipitate long-term consequences including:
- Cognitive decline
- Aggression
- Diminished motor skills
- Negative emotions
Furthermore, Xanax abuse could result in serious liver damage and chronic seizure disorders.
The Recovery Process
In recognition of these sobering facts, dependents are firmly urged to seek immediate and professional assistance to break their addictions and avoid these potentially serious ramifications.
Detox
The recovery process’s first phase is detox. During this stage, addicts eliminate the drug from their bodies. That said, addiction treatment professionals implore those considering Xanax treatment do so under strict medical supervision. Medical professionals caution that unsupervised efforts are ill-advised and could pose significant risks.
Those with long-standing addictions or whom have ingested excessive quantities could experience dangerous, potentially life-threatening impacts. Therefore, said subjects are usually best served undergoing this process under the close monitoring of experienced drug withdrawal specialists.
Moreover, Xanax must be withdrawn carefully. Physicians supervising one’s detox will use similar substances to gradually wean the afflicted subject off the drug. As this undertaking progresses, said medical professionals will manage symptoms and reduce dosages over time until the afflicted person’s system is completely cleansed.
Industry professionals maintain that it is difficult to gauge Xanax detox duration. Specific length will hinge on several factors, such as one’s weight, age, general health, and body’s receptiveness to the process. On average, the procedure can usually be completed in anywhere from several weeks to a couple of months.
Following Detox
Those fortunate enough to detox Xanax from their bodies are still not entirely home free. Dependents must then cope with the mental impacts of addiction long after the physical dependency has passed.
Fortunately, entering an inpatient rehabilitation facility might render this effort more manageable. Those making this commitment will be under the tutelage of numerous addiction specialists and mental health professionals who will formulate individualized programs geared towards helping the recovering addict partake in crucial tasks such as:
- Identifying the underlying reasons they grew addicted to the substance
- Creating productive, healthy coping mechanisms
- Addressing external challenges that might precipitate relapse
- Medical care to address co-existing physical or mental maladies
Additionally, subjects in treatment can expect to be given instruction regarding all aspects of adapting to life as a sober individual.
Contact Us
Those dealing with a Xanax addiction or know of someone who is are strongly encouraged to reach out to us. Our skilled, well-versed, caring team of addiction treatment professionals enjoy a favorable record of helping former addicts conquer this and many other dependencies. Call us at 833-846-5669.