Beach House Center for Recovery provides medically supervised, individualized treatment programs for Xanax addiction. We proudly provide a compassionate, safe, and nurturing environment for a diverse population of patients at our state-of-the-art addiction treatment campus.
What is Xanax Addiction?
Xanax is a benzodiazepine (benzo) drug used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. The drug facilitates the release of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which promotes a feeling of calm.
Although Xanax, the brand name for alprazolam, is widely prescribed as a short-term treatment for severe anxiety, it has high addiction potential. Approximately 44% of users develop a Xanax addiction.
Xanax is an exceptionally addictive prescription medication for several reasons:
- It alleviates negative symptoms of severe anxiety.
- It initiates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that causes euphoria.
- It quickly alters the brain’s structure, leading to tolerance after a few uses.
Xanax has meaningful clinical uses and can be used successfully under proper medical support. Unfortunately, when Xanax is over-used, administered inappropriately, or used in combination with other substances, it can lead to addiction and deadly outcomes.
A person’s likelihood of Xanax addiction differs depending upon several factors. Individuals with a family history of addiction are often more likely to develop substance use disorders, and some are more vulnerable to substance use disorders because of enhanced neurological responses to stimulants or depressants.
Signs and Symptoms of Xanax Addiction
When taken in medically appropriate doses, Xanax is an effective treatment for anxiety, causing minimal side effects. However, you can become addicted to Xanax even if you have a prescription. Xanax is commonly misused in the following ways:
- Taking doses over the prescribed amount.
- Using increasing amounts to feel the desired outcomes.
- Needing to use the drug to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
- Combining Xanax with alcohol or other substances.
- Injecting or snorting the medication.
- Taking the drug for recreational purposes, with or without a prescription.
Over time, continual use of Xanax can lead to dependency as the body adapts to the drug. Increased dosages are eventually needed to achieve the intended effect, significantly raising the chance of accidental overdose and drug-induced toxicity.
One of the most significant indications of Xanax addiction is the inability to cease the drug due to fear of experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms. Outside a medically supervised environment, Xanax withdrawal can be very dangerous, even life-threatening. Severe withdrawal symptoms can lead to heart attack and respiratory failure, which can be fatal.
Because of the potentially dangerous effects of Xanax withdrawal, it is critically important to experience the detoxification process under continual medical supervision to assure safety and comfort
Some common behavioral indications of Xanax addiction include the following signs:
- Disinterest in fulfilling personal, professional, or family responsibilities.
- Trying and failing to stop taking Xanax.
- Increased risk-taking behaviors.
- Becoming less able to perform work, school, or personal duties because of Xanax use.
- Preoccupation with finding and taking Xanax.
- Taking higher and higher doses of Xanax.
- Losing interest in activities and events that were once pleasurable or important.
- Continuing to take Xanax regardless of the physical and psychological damage.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when Xanax use stops.
- Devoting excessive time to taking Xanax, recovering from Xanax use, or sourcing more Xanax.
- Having significant legal or financial problems because of using Xanax.
Beach House Center for Recovery: Our Xanax Addiction Treatment Approach
Beach House Center for Recovery is proud to offer a customized treatment program where every patient is given a personalized addiction treatment plan to address the foundational issues that trigger substance misuse. Our low patient-to-therapist ratio, holistic treatments of bio-bed biosound therapy, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation offer exceptional outcomes.
Xanax dependence is a serious medical condition, but there is hope. For additional information, contact our compassionate and helpful admissions counselors today.
