Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms
Xanax is the brand name for Alprazolam, which falls under a classification known as benzodiazepines. It is primarily prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder(GAD) , General Panic Disorder (GPD) and various phobias, as well as for treatment of sleep disturbances, temporary situational anxiety, or muscle tension. It is one of the most difficult of the benzodiazepines to detoxify from because Xanax has the shortest half-life, making withdrawal symptoms more pronounced than other drugs in its class.
Developing a Tolerance and Dependency to Xanax
While there are protocols that should be followed when a patient is taking Xanax, it does not reduce the risk of them developing a tolerance and dependency to the medication. Within a week of taking Xanax the body will begin to develop a tolerance, requiring higher or more frequent doses to acheive the desired effects. As the use of Xanax continues, within one month the patient can develop a dependency. They will begin to experience mild withdrawal symptoms between doses. If these symptoms are not shared with the prescribing doctor, the patient can find themselves in a full addiction to Xanax, requiring medical treatment to detox and recover.
Xanax Withdrawal
Xanax is one of the hardest pharmaceutical drugs to withdrawal from today. The withdrawal symptoms can be excruciating, and even life-threatening as it can induce seizures and cause suicidal thoughts. Xanax withdrawal causes the symptoms it is used to treat to be intensified throughout the detox period.
Patients going through Xanax withdrawal often experience a wide array of psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms including:
- fear
- depression
- nausea
- diarrhea
- trembling
- dizziness
- headaches
- fatigue
- elevated systolic blood pressure
- restlessness
- hypochondriasis
- impaired concentration
- nightmares
- muscle spasms
- cramps or fasciculations
- hot and cold flashes
- paranoia
- muscle pain
- hallucinations
- increased sensitivity
- tachycardia
- hypertension
- hypotension
- anger
- confusion
- sweating
- fast pulse
- blurred vision
- dysphoria.
Life-Threatening Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms typically only occur due to the abrupt cessation of use or an drastic dose reduction. These symptoms may include:
- seizure
- coma
- convulsions
- catatonia
The onset of Xanax withdrawal symptoms can be expected within 48 hours and will typically last for approximately 2 months. As the body becomes stabilized, the more adverse withdrawal symptoms will begin to fade, as the less acute symptoms may persist for a year or more. However, the dose and time-span the individual was using Xanax will determine the duration of withdrawal, as well as the severity of acute and post-acute withdrawal symptoms.
Treatment for Xanax Withdrawal Syndrome
Each patients needs are going to be different. The type of treatment needed will depend on the time-span and the dose the patient was taking Xanax. Typically Xanax withdrawal syndrome can be treated with a dose reduction therapy. Your doctor will gradually reduce your Xanax dose until you are able to completely stop its use without experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
However those patients who are suffering from a severe addiction to Xanax will require medical treatment through a detoxification program. During this process you will be medically supervised as your body is cleansed of the chemicals and toxins related to Xanax. You will undergo prescription medication therapy to help ease symptoms of withdrawal during the detoxification process. You will also undergo therapy sessions to help treat the underlying cause of your dependency to Xanax, allowing you to make a full recovery and get any mental or emotional illness under control without the aid of a prescription medication.
