Xanax is the brand name of the drug alprazolam, which is a type of benzodiazepine. Most commonly, Xanax is used for treating generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder. However, many individuals become addicted to Xanax, causing physical dependency and creating chaos.
Detoxing from Xanax is the first step to recovering from addiction. While many individuals may be tempted to try to detox from Xanax at home, working with a qualified treatment center to manage detox symptoms is vital. It can help individuals struggling with addiction safely begin the process of recovery and build the necessary skills for long-term recovery.
Detoxing From Xanax
Xanax is a type of drug that causes depression in the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, it creates a calming effect on those who take it. While it is not in the most addictive class of drugs, it can cause dependency for many people. Research indicates that individuals who have taken Xanax for three to four weeks are likely to have withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it completely. Therefore, detoxing from Xanax is an important part of healing from this physical dependency.
Detoxing from Xanax can commonly cause the following symptoms to arise:
- Anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Nightmares
- Irritability
- Rage
- Dissociation
- Delirium
- An increase in panic attacks for individuals with panic disorder
- Hyperadrenal states, which include increased heart rate and other symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms from Xanax often begin shortly after the last dose taken. However, every person’s symptoms will be different. Many people have a combination of the symptoms listed above, each ranging from mild to severe. The length of time taken, dosage, and other drugs being used simultaneously all play a role in a person’s symptoms when detoxing. Additionally, most people who prescribe Xanax recommend a taper to slowly stop using it, which will help decrease withdrawal symptoms.
Benefits of Detoxing From Xanax at a Treatment Facility
The detox process is an important part of any addiction treatment. However, it can be challenging to navigate feelings about detox. This is particularly true for individuals who are highly successful working professionals struggling with addiction.
Most working professionals are highly accomplished and intelligent people. They have worked hard for their success personally and professionally. Therefore, they have confidence in their ability to do whatever they set their minds to.
While this is a very helpful and important trait for creating success, it can create false beliefs surrounding detox. This is because addiction is a disease that impacts the brain, creating uncontrollable cravings for drugs and alcohol. Therefore, it is not something a person can think through. There is a physical component that sheer will cannot usually overcome. This is why legitimate recovery requires both a detoxification phase and treatment.
Managing Symptoms
Detox symptoms will vary depending on the situation. However, when moderate to severe detoxing from Xanax can go beyond discomfort. Detoxing at home is not safe because it does not provide the necessary support and medical supervision necessary to manage symptoms as needed. This is especially true for those who are struggling with addiction and other health concerns that might be impacted by withdrawal symptoms.
There are multiple ways in which a treatment center can manage symptoms through detox. Through medication-assisted treatment (MAT), clients can receive supervised medications that help to regulate brain chemistry. This helps decrease detox symptoms while clients address other aspects of addiction through different therapeutic modalities.
Long-Term Recovery
For those struggling with addiction, detoxing is the first step toward long-term recovery. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that staying in treatment and managing withdrawal symptoms are two of the most important aspects of effective addiction treatment.
Detoxing at a treatment facility offers both of these aspects of a successful program: a regimented, professionally managed detoxification process, and the administration of ongoing treatment because of the nature of inpatient care.
A treatment facility that helps assist and provide support for both detox and treatment helps clients manage the negative symptoms of detox which in turn helps them remain in treatment. Detoxing at home may seem appealing. However, it can be very difficult and also dangerous because of the physical effects of detoxification. People often stop the process because it is so uncomfortable and hard to tolerate. If your goal is long-term recovery, working with a treatment facility will keep you safe and be more effective in helping you find peace from addiction.
Learning Necessary Coping Skills
As we’ve said, detoxing from Xanax is the first step in addiction treatment. However, long-term recovery also requires learning new coping skills that help individuals to live drug and alcohol-free for life. Since Xanax is a drug used to manage anxiety, recovery often means finding alternative options to cope with anxiety.
Every person has unique needs in addiction treatment. For some, recovering from a Xanax addiction might mean being prescribed anti-anxiety medication that can be safely used long-term. Some may find natural supplements or calming therapies that help. Others will benefit from learning new coping skills to deal with daily stressors. Many individuals will benefit from both medication and behavioral coping skills, both of which can be gained at a treatment facility.
Many working professionals are extremely successful and self-driven individuals. While being self-sufficient is an excellent quality for accomplishing things at the office, it is not always helpful in recovery. When considering detoxing from Xanax, it is important to recognize the dangers of detoxing at home. At Pacific Sands Recovery Center, we understand how challenging it can be to ask for help. However, our detox and treatment facility was created to facilitate change for working professionals. Through detox, medication-assisted therapy (MAT), and other therapeutic modalities, our clients go on to heal long-term from the use of addictive substances. To learn more about our programs and how we can help you safely detox from Xanax or other substances, call (949) 426-7962 today.
