A Closer Look at the Dangers and Side Effects of Xanax

According to American Addiction Centers, “In 2021, over 106,000 people died in the United States from drug-involved overdoses. That’s nearly 292 people a day. Additionally, from 1981-2020, unintentional poisoning (from drug overdoses) had become the number one cause of injury-related death in the United States.”

Understanding how Xanax affects the brain, what can happen while mixing Xanax with other drugs, symptoms of withdrawal, protracted withdrawal, long-term side effects of Xanax, and many different aspects of benzodiazepine addictions is essential to recover once detox from Xanax entirely is complete and pursuing treatment further. 

It is the step that most people avoid taking because it is the hardest one of all. It is the opposite of how easy it is to get into addiction. Xanax as prescribed medication is one thing, but the risk of withdrawal could genuinely affect your life for the worse. 

What is Xanax (Alprazolam)?

Xanax, a brand name for alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine that is used to treat anxiety caused by depression or generalised anxiety disorders. It enhances the activity of some neurotransmitters in the brain, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). 

People take Xanax orally in the form of tablets. A benzodiazepine like Xanax has two forms, which are immediate-release Xanax (Xanax) and extended-release Xanax (Xanax XR). Immediate release means the drug goes into the system right after you take it. On the other hand, the extended-release means the drug enters the system slowly over time.  

Recognising A Xanax Addiction

The use of Xanax can lead to the development of tolerance, which in exchange can leave you needing a higher dose to maintain the calming effect. This can lead to needing excessively high doses, intoxication or even dependence on Xanax. Here are some symptoms you can keep an eye out for: 

• becoming incapable of decreasing or stopping the use of the medication
• blurry vision
• going as far as fabricating lies to get more access to the medication
• slurred speech
• impaired vision
• difficulty walking
• doing dangerous things while under the influence

Long-Term Effects of Xanax Use

An increased tolerance to Xanax develops several long-term severe side effects such as: 

• loss of appetite
• weight gain
• lethargy- a state of fatigue, low-energy and feeling unmotivated.
• forgetfulness
• impaired motor function
• liver damage
• seizures
• turbulent mood swings
• anxiety
• depression
• paranoia

Xanax Detox Process

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “detoxification refers to the process of reversing a patient’s physical dependence.” This means the medical detox is a process of stabilising after a long period of consistent Xanax abuse. This is usually done to help patients cope once they experience withdrawal. The timeline for the detoxification process to take effect could range around a few days to a few weeks depending on the severity of the addiction, how frequent did the patient take the drug and the method of detox used. 

The idea of the detox process is the patient is given medical treatment to make the effects of the withdrawal syndrome manageable. The goal is to get the patient stabilised physically before going through multiple sessions of counselling and therapy after the detox period.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

There are several symptoms associated with withdrawal such as: 

• Insomnia
• Sensitivity towards sound or light
• Difficulty concentrating
• Blurred vision
• Muscle cramps
• Paresthesia- numbness
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Seizures

Xanax Withdrawal Timeline

The experience of withdrawal from Xanax dependence could be different for everyone because there is a lot of factors than can weigh in on how it will manifest. However, the onset of the withdrawal symptoms usually appears within eight to twelve hours of the last dose. If you did not succeed on lowering the dosage of your intake, the symptoms will more likely be more intense as time progresses. 

Early withdrawal symptoms usually happen two days after the last dose. During this period, the patient may feel headaches, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness or panic attacks. 

Acute withdrawal symptoms take place from the third until the fifth or sixth day after the last dose. Additional possible symptoms are nausea, tremors, hallucination, aggression, high blood pressure, confusion and memory problems. 

Lastly, after a week of withdrawal, the physical symptoms may be more manageable however, late withdrawal symptoms may appear such as, anxiety, depression, insomnia, cravings of Xanax, or suicidal thoughts. 

Xanax Addiction Treatment Options

Xanax is a benzodiazepine that is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders however when you combine Xanax with alcohol, it can make the brain fail to signal the lungs to breathe. 

The management of benzodiazepine withdrawal starts with understanding the treatment options available and looking at what addiction treatment programmes near you fit what you need the most. 

Detoxification

A detox is required in order for the patient to remove the harmful substances from the body. Sometimes, this needs to be a medicated one for those patients who are experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms when they stop the consistent intake of the drug. The centre provides full medical support for the patients that follows Western standards of medicine that is supervised by their medical staff, psychiatrist and clinical director to treat withdrawal symptoms. 

Residential Treatment

Being dependent on Xanax can lead to serious side effects once it is not addressed right away. The centre offers their clients twenty-four hours of support a day from a trained team of professionals as well as an onsite clinical director and programme manager who works with you to ensure quality and affordable treatment programmes.

Personalised Programme 

Sivana Bali focuses on individuality more than profits because they only limit their intake up to twelve clients a time. This is to ensure that each client gets equal attention because everyone will receive an individualised treatment plan that could last as long as twenty-eight to ninety days. 

Dual Diagnosis 

Being addicted to Xanax, alcohol or other drugs may come with co-occurring mental health issues that needs to be addressed right away. By treating them right away, it gives the patients a fighting chance to turn their lives around and achieve success that they truly deserve. 

Therapy

The centre has the luxury of having counsellors present on site who are efficient in different modalities and can perform psychiatric evaluations if required. The therapies offered on-site are cognitive behavioural therapy, group therapy, and individual counselling sessions. 

Family programme

The involvement of the family of the patient while they are suffering from Xanax and pursuing treatment may be beneficial for further progress. The centre facilitates a separate family week programme onsite which takes place on the last week of the patient’s programme when they are almost healed from the damage done by addiction. 

Holistic therapy

Struggling with Xanax or any other addiction calls for repetitive protocols. It may get tedious and lose its appeal to the clients. The centre offers a wide range of activities as an alternative towards healing, such as yoga and reiki, which maximises the benefits of trying something new on the journey of recovery. 

Aftercare

The physical side effects of the drug like Xanax on a long-term basis calls for long-term support and luckily, from the start of addiction to the onset of withdrawal symptoms until the client finishes their treatment, the aftercare programme is designed to provide support to the patients while adjusting to reality after being isolated for a long period of time. 

Let Us Help You Treat Addiction to Xanax at Sivana Bali

The faster we learn more about our addiction, we can perceive how the short and long-term side effects can affect our lives and decide whether this is the road we want to end up on. Abuse and addiction are things that we cannot avoid in life because we have no control over the things that may trigger it. All we can do is control how we let it affect our lives. It is not as easy to directly say stop taking Xanax. 

Embrace the uncertainty and step out of your comfort zone at Sivana Bali. Rise above dangerous side effects and live a life you truly deserve.