Used to treat panic disorders, anxiety, and sometimes depression, Xanax (the most famous name brand of the generic alprazolam) is a powerful benzodiazepine with a high addiction potential. Although it can significantly reduce challenging mental health symptoms, using it outside of your doctor’s directions can lead to dependence. This, in turn, can be a difficult cycle to break and professional intervention may be needed. Getting informed about the signs of Xanax withdrawal is a great place to start your process.
Contact Northpoint Seattle if you would like to begin the Xanax addiction recovery process in beautiful Washington State. We’re happy to answer your questions about Xanax addiction treatment. Simply call 888.483.6031.
What Are the Major Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms?
The physical and mental effects of Xanax withdrawal can begin quite rapidly after your last dose if you have become physically addicted to the drug. They may occur as soon as 24 hours after you take your final Xanax and include:
- Sudden intense returning anxiety – This can include events as severe as panic attacks.
- Physical symptoms – These include side effects like tremors, low appetite, hyperventilation, muscle spasms, sweating, hypersensitivity to touch or light, muscle spasms, and seizures.
- Mental health symptoms – Included here are insomnia, dissociation, hallucinations, delusions, severe confusion, and even breaks from reality.
When a person’s body is resetting after Xanax addiction, the process starts with acute withdrawal. This can last from about 5 days to a month after the last dose and the symptoms tend to be most intense during this period. Following acute withdrawal, symptoms tend to become significantly more manageable but some can last for up to a year. Receiving professional assistance for safe withdrawal will give you helpful tools and give you the opportunity to address any co-occurring mental health issues.
What Happens in a Xanax Treatment Program?
Detox, phase one of Xanax rehab, is usually offered in a special facility or hospital since it can be very challenging to undergo unsupervised. During this essential recovery stage, your body makes its first heroic strides toward being free from drug dependence. Monitoring greatly improves the odds of success since this discourages early relapse. It also affords you access to medical care if you need it and ensures you’re receiving proper nutrition and hydration.
Following detox, talk therapy is a keystone of effective recovery since this helps develop your agency and self-awareness. Working with a therapist, you’ll explore the root causes of your substance abuse, address any past trauma, and work to shift aspects of your life that may be contributing to excessive stress. Designing a comprehensive relapse prevention plan is also a great action at this time since it can help you identify your triggers in advance and either avoid them or develop effective support systems.
Group programming is likewise highly effective in Xanax treatment. Meeting with peers going through similar struggles can be a game-changer as you begin your healing journey. Building solidarity, being of service to others through presence and compassionate engagement, and learning from one another’s experiences are all key benefits of group therapy. Following formal treatment, you may also want to pursue an alumni program or another form of ongoing peer support. This ensures you have some continuity and ongoing access to resources when needed.
Schedule an Appointment for Xanax Addiction Treatment at Northpoint Recovery Today
Xanax affects brain chemicals dopamine and GABA, which create a euphoric high. While this can help treat anxiety or depression, it’s little wonder the drug carries such a high addiction potential as well. While some people may view it as “less serious” than other drugs, this is a fallacy.
In truth, Xanax’s chemical pathways can severely damage memory and language abilities over time. It can also trigger health problems like chronic fatigue and brain damage with habitual use. It’s best to break the cycle of Xanax addiction and with professional support. For help beginning this journey, contact Northpoint Seattle today at 888.483.6031 or by using our online contact form.