Xanax Detox and Withdrawal
Xanax, alprazolam by its generic name, is a drug used to treat anxiety and belongs to a medication class called benzodiazepines. The drug acts on the nerves and brain to enhance the effects of some natural chemicals in the body. But it has a chance of being abused. People take Xanax because it gives a sense of calm. This is helpful during panic attacks. Some use it to help with insomnia. Over time some people develop a tolerance and require higher doses of Xanax to feel the same effects. Ingesting large amounts of the drug carries a high risk of overdose and death. That’s why ending a Xanax dependency is so important for future health and wellness.
If you’ve become dependent on Xanax and your substance abuse is spiraling out of control, suddenly quitting Xanax cold turkey can cause uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal symptoms. You can wean off the drug and control Xanax symptoms with professional assistance and support from a drug and alcohol detox center like Vogue Recovery Center. Find out what Xanax detox is like and what to anticipate during your journey to Xanax abuse recovery.
Xanax Detox: What to Expect
It’s possible to develop a physical dependence on Xanax even if it’s used for a short period of time. A physical dependence is when your body becomes used to having the drug in your system. When the drug is taken away, you experience symptoms of withdrawal, the unpleasant physical and psychological side effects of stopping the medicine. Your dosage, or how much Xanax you’ve been taking and for how long, affects how severe your symptoms are.
You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Xanax suddenly or reduce your dosage. There are several things that can affect the type and intensity of Xanax addiction withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Use frequency
- Dosage
- Duration of use
- Using other drugs at the same time, like alcohol, opioids, or other prescription medications
- Personal well-being, both physical and mental
Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms
When someone stops taking Xanax, they might experience:
- Insomnia
- Memory loss
- Stress and soreness in the muscles
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Nausea
The above symptoms of withdrawal are physical, but your mental health may also be impacted by Xanax detox, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Agitation
- Difficulty focusing and paying attention
Because Xanax has a high potency, its withdrawal symptoms are more severe than withdrawal from other benzodiazepines.
How Long Does Withdrawal Take?
The withdrawal timeline for Xanax depends on your usage pattern and personal traits. Xanax is categorized as having a half-life of around 11 hours. That is how long it takes for the drug to reduce to half its starting dose in your body. You may begin to feel the first signs of withdrawal 6 to 12 hours after taking your final dose. Within four weeks, the physical symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal usually start to improve, but psychological symptoms typically take much longer. Most addiction treatment organizations advise behavioral therapy to alleviate psychological symptoms of Xanax withdrawal.
The timetable for Xanax withdrawal is:
- After the final dose, between 24 and 72 hours: Withdrawal symptoms are typically at their worst at this stage. Symptoms may include sleeplessness, nausea, and mood fluctuations.
- Week 1: Some of the more difficult Xanax addiction withdrawal symptoms should be over. Depression may begin to set in.
- Week 2: At this stage, emotional symptoms can get worse. The most common signs are irritation and depression.
- Weeks 3 to 4: Physical withdrawal symptoms usually subside in weeks three and four. It is normal for mental and emotional symptoms from Xanax withdrawal to continue.
How to Safely Withdraw from Xanax: Medical Detox
In order to recover from a Xanax addiction, the first step is to undergo medical detox. Detoxing without supervision or guidance from a doctor is not advised. This is true even if you’ve only been using Xanax for a short time and/or you’ve followed your prescription. Medical detox is important because you can’t move on from your addiction while the drug is still in your system. If you’ve been using Xanax for more than six months, it’s more likely you’ll experience moderate to severe symptoms during withdrawal.
Many medicines are used to aid in Xanax withdrawal. A number of medical professionals advise using a benzodiazepine that is less potent to deal with symptoms. Clonazepam and clonidine are the two most widely used choices. Additionally, drug rehab facilities may recommend other medications to treat symptoms. Speaking with professional rehab program counselors can offer a better idea of what withdrawal treatment program might be like for you.
Xanax Withdrawal: On Your Own vs. at a Detox Facility
Attempting to detox from Xanax on your own can be dangerous. Getting assistance from a medical professional can help you manage detox safely and effectively. Addiction treatment at Vogue Recovery Center means around-the-clock care and support throughout the medical detox process. No matter how strong your support system is at home, it’s always helpful to have detox specialists on hand to manage health concerns that arise during the medical detox process. Addiction professionals discourage Xanax users from attempting detox on their own. The risk of physical harm, emotional distress, and relapse are greater when you attempt detox without professional help.
The availability of aftercare is another advantage to detoxing at a prescription drug detox center. Treatment centers like Vogue Recovery Center offers levels of care ranging from 24/7 inpatient treatment to basic outpatient programs. When you’re already at the facility, it’s easier to find the aftercare you need to achieve long-term sobriety. Your drug addiction treatment case manager will help find the right therapies and programs to promote continued sobriety after you’ve safely detoxed from Xanax.
Xanax Detox Program at Vogue Recovery Center
If you have experienced exceptionally stressful situations, it’s common to look for coping mechanisms. Perhaps that’s made you more dependent on Xanax than you’d like to be. Detoxing from Xanax is the essential first step on the path to getting your life back. Vogue Recovery Center has the medical detox program to keep you safe and as comfortable as possible.
The cost of residential rehab, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, or any of the other drug abuse and relapse prevention programs shouldn’t be a deterrent from getting the help you need. Insurance may cover all or part of your Xanax detox program. When you contact Vogue Recovery Center, our team helps verify insurance and find the drug or alcohol detox path best suited for your needs.
To learn more about our many levels of medically supervised substance abuse treatment and how we can assist you in achieving meaningful recovery from addiction, call our friendly and professional admissions navigators any time of the day or night. We can answer your questions about what treatment centers do, what to anticipate throughout recovery, how to begin admission into the program, and how to pay for treatment.
Medically Reviewed by Kelsey Jones, MS, LPC
