Anytime a person has an addiction to Xanax, they will go through withdrawal. When Xanax is abused for a long period of time, and the user abruptly stops, they can serious withdrawal symptoms.
Hard to Diagnose
Withdrawal from Xanax is quite similar to other benzodiazepines; however, panic attacks and depression are much more common and severe when coming off of Xanax. Much of the withdrawal symptoms are psychological; so it can be very difficult for a doctor to diagnose a patient as going through withdrawal.
Common Symptoms
Patients have a difficult time verbally describing what they are feeling, but many of the descriptions are similar to those they had before they started using Xanax. There are certain symptoms that most people go through in the early stages of withdrawal. They may seem anxious, apprehensive, and have tremors. This may progress to the person experiencing anxiety, at the same time their heart rate will increase.
Difficulties
If a person has severely abused the drug, they may have a difficult time understanding reality during their withdrawal. As the withdrawal continues, the user will have a significant disturbance in their balance and may feel very dizzy. They may have difficulty in swallowing, writing, talking, or getting dressed. The user may have severe hot and cold sensations and have extreme outbursts of crying. In this stage of withdrawal a person with a Xanax addiction may seem extremely fearful. For example, they may fear having a heart attack or stroke.
Amplification of Sensory Information
People who severely abused or had an addiction to Xanax may have an amplification of their sensory information when going through withdrawal. An example of this is the user may feel like their teeth are rotating in their sockets or parts of their body falling off. As the withdrawal symptoms further progresses, the user may have illusions and hallucinations. It is very common for Xanax abusers and addicts to think that they are having a serious mental and nervous breakdown during their withdrawal. Many times users think that they are “going crazy”.
Major Symptoms
As the withdrawal process continues, the person may seem completely disorientated and delirious. In some instances a person can go into seizures. Hallucinations, delirium, and seizures are all considered to be major symptoms of Zanax withdrawal; not every person who abused or had an addiction to Xanax will experience these.
It Can Be Life Threatening
Many people who severely abuse or have an addiction to Xanax may be taking between 15 and 30 pills a day. If they are at this point, it would be very dangerous to quit on their own. If they were to stop using without medical supervision, they may have life threatening seizures and convulsions. This is another reason why this drug is trying to be banned by so many medical experts worldwide.
Weaned Off
Sometimes, the withdrawal can be incredibly difficult and painful; a person with an addiction to Xanax should be gradually weaned off by a medical professional. Once a person has been weaned off, they can be treated for the psychological aspect of their addiction.
How Long Can It Last?
Withdrawal symptoms can last for 6 months to 2 years, not all patients will have symptoms for this long, but normally addicts will have withdrawal for quite some time.
Xanax Addiction Treatment
Detox Center
Xanax addiction treatment normally begins with admission to a detox center. This will help the person to be treated and supervised by medical professionals when they are experiencing the first stages of withdrawal. The user is normally weaned off of the drug and may be given other medications to lessen the severity of the symptoms. Going through detox can last between 10-14 days.
Residential Rehab
Once a user successfully completes a detox, they will move into a residential rehab to continue their treatment. Most people with a Xanax addiction, have emotional traumas, a rehab will teach them how to cope with their feelings that they have blocked out, and how to live a healthy life. A rehab will be a supportive and therapeutic environment, which will eliminate temptations and distractions; this will give the person the chance to focus on any issues surrounding their recovery. Normally, 90 days at a residential rehab is recommended for people who are recovering from an addiction to this horrible drug.
