Xanax is a substance that is part of the benzodiazepine drug class. Benzodiazepines are prescription drugs used to treat anxiety and panic disorders.

Xanax is a powerful version of this drug class, and due to its addictive nature, it is typically not prescribed long-term. Taking Xanax for more than six weeks is not recommended, and it is not available to buy over the counter.

Taking Xanax that is not prescribed or taking more than the recommended dose is considered Xanax abuse. Abusing prescription medications can have dangerous consequences; it can even be life-threatening.

Uses and Effects of Xanax

Xanax is the brand name of the drug Alprazolam. This drug primarily affects the central nervous system as a central nervous system depressant. This means it can have a calming, sedative effect. These sedative effects of Xanax are beneficial in treating anxiety disorders and panic attacks. For those with severe mental health issues, it is prescribed not as a cure but as a short-term solution to cope with the symptoms.

Taking Xanax for a panic disorder can be very effective. A panic disorder can be debilitating, and a person may require treatment from mental health services.

A person taking Xanax may feel relaxed and sleepy. The calming effects of Xanax will be experienced just under an hour from ingesting the substance and will peak around one to two hours after. The drug effects may also cause severe sleepiness. Ths is due to the effect the substance has on a person’s brain chemicals.

The Cycle of Xanax Addiction

Like any addictive substance, the cycle begins with initial use. Xanax is typically prescribed to treat anxiety disorders but is not usually considered a long-term or permanent solution.

A person could take the drug for a short period of time and not become addicted. For example, a doctor may prescribe anti-depressant medications for someone with a mental health disorder like depression.

If the person is struggling with anxiety alongside the depression symptoms, they may be prescribed Xanax on a short-term basis until the anti-depressant drugs begin to take effect. They may not have a desire to continue taking the anxiety medication once the depression symptoms have alleviated. However, Xanax addiction can affect anyone that takes the drug.

After the period of initial use, a person may continue taking the drug. The next stage in the cycle is Xanax abuse.

Misuse and Addiction

Unfortunately, Xanax is a highly addictive drug. After the period of initial use, a person may enjoy the rewarding effects of the drug and start to abuse it.

Drug abuse, in regards to prescription medication, could mean taking more than the recommended dose. It can also look like taking the drug for a longer period of time than recommended.

In the case of Xanax addiction, a person may start to take it in dangerous ways. They may crush the tablet to snort it because snorting a substance is the fastest way to obtain the euphoric effects.

If a person can no longer legally obtain the tablets from healthcare professionals, they may resort to illegally getting the drug. This comes with its own unique issues and dangers.

A person may become desperate to obtain the drug, engaging in ‘doctor shopping’ (going to different doctors to try and receive a prescription) or purchasing from a drug dealer. Over time, when a person continues to abuse a substance, it can lead to drug addiction. This is especially true for benzodiazepines like Xanax.

Physical Dependence

Xanax dependence occurs when a person abusing Xanax does so for some time. The body starts to adapt to the presence of the substance in the system. When this happens, a person cannot just stop taking it cold turkey. If they do, the body can go into shock.

When the body goes into shock from suddenly having the substance removed from the system, it can result in extremely uncomfortable symptoms. Due to the severity of withdrawal symptoms, a person may be tempted to take the substance to make them stop.

Withdrawal from Xanax can be very difficult to overcome on your own. This is how the cycle of Xanax addiction can keep a person in its grip.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person. The severity of the withdrawal depends on how long a person has been taking the substance. Taking benzodiazepines for an extended period of time and suddenly stopping can result in:

• Intense anxiety
• Stomach pain
• Agoraphobia
• Vision problems
• Difficulty concentrating
• Migraines
• Restlessness
• Disturbed sleep
• Sensitivity to light
• Weight loss
• Extreme emotional responses

These are common symptoms, but there is no exact way of predicting how a person may experience withdrawal symptoms. A long-time Xanax user may experience worse symptoms than someone who recently became dependent.

In extreme withdrawal cases, a person can experience:

• Seizures
• Psychosis
• Delusions

Xanax withdrawal can cause mental health issues. It can cause long-term physical health issues and even death. Removing a drug suddenly from your system can be very unsafe. It is recommended that detox be done with medical supervision.

Is Xanax Dangerous?

Xanax may not be dangerous for those with panic disorders who occasionally take Xanax to relieve tension. However, in higher doses, it can have potentially lethal consequences.

Drug Purity

If a person regularly engages in Xanax misuse, they may resort to obtaining it illegally. In recent years, there have been many cases of counterfeit Xanax being sold.

Without testing the tablet purchased, it’s not possible to know if it is pure or not. There have been many cases of fake Xanax being Fentanyl or other opioid drugs. Other drugs like Fentanyl have a much higher risk of overdose than Xanax. Xanax use is dangerous, but it is difficult to overdose on Xanax.

A person seeking to abuse Xanax, not realising it is Fentanyl, can easily take a lethal dose. An overdose is a medical emergency and requires emergency medical attention.

Memory Loss

Addiction to Xanax is also dangerous due to its effect on memory. In extreme cases, an illness known as anterograde amnesia can be caused by extensive Xanax abuse.

Anterograde amnesia is a condition that stops a person’s brain from forming new memories. For this reason, Xanax use has been thought to increase the chances of dementia in older adults; however, there are conflicting peer-reviewed studies in this area.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction

If you drink alcohol while taking benzodiazepines, it can be very dangerous as Xanax increases the effects of alcohol. This can be an extremely lethal combination of substance abuse, and the person may wake up with no recollection of the events.

Health Issues

If a person snorts Xanax, they can get respiratory depression. This occurs when the lungs are damaged, and breathing is impaired. Taking Xanax in this way is a good indicator that a person is struggling with substance abuse and should investigate treatment options.

Abusing prescription drugs is a serious medical condition, and a person should inform their healthcare provider. If a doctor prescribes Xanax and the patient has started to form a mental or physical reliance, they should tell their doctor immediately.

Xanax Overdose

While it is difficult to overdose on Xanax, it is not impossible. When Xanax addiction is combined with alcohol addiction, an overdose is possible.

Overdose Symptoms

If someone takes a high dose of Xanax, they could overdose. The symptoms of a Xanax overdose include:

• Slowed breathing
• Slow heart rate
• Extreme sleepiness
• Impaired co-ordination
• Coma
• Death

If someone takes Xanax they have illegally obtained, there could be Fentanyl present in the tablet. If this is the case, the presence of opioid drugs increases the chances of overdose. If someone you know is exhibiting signs of an overdose, they should go to the emergency room.

People At Risk of Addiction

Addiction can happen to anyone. There are no specific predictors of addiction, but some things are known. Those who are at a higher risk of developing an addiction include:

• People who have experienced trauma
• People with mental health disorders
• Those with chronic pain

People seeking treatment for panic disorders are at a high risk of developing a Xanax addiction. When seeking addiction treatment, it is important to inform a doctor of all the medications you are taking.

Addiction Treatment Options

If you are struggling with Xanax dependency and require addiction treatment, Addcounsel is here to help. We craft a unique, tailored treatment programme for each client’s specific needs.

We offer a range of services, from PTSD therapy to medical detox for substance withdrawal. We provide these services in a private location and operate on a ‘one client at a time’ basis. If addiction has begun to impact your everyday life, help is available.

Contact us today to discuss your treatment plan. Recovery can be difficult, but it is possible with the right support.