Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Detox Treatment
Xanax (xanax Overview), the brand name of alprazolam is an anti-anxiety medication. It is a controlled medicine belonging to the benzodiazepine class of medicines. It mainly treats generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder. But it is also good at treating insomnia and poor sleep. Being a fast-acting medicine, it works for anxiety and panic attacks within a short time. Besides treating anxiety, it also carries risks of addiction and dependence. Along with that, you must know about xanax withdrawal symptoms as well. These risks increase with long-term use or misuse. That’s why, doctors prescribe it only for short durations. Considering the potential risks, it is important to use xanax with caution.
Why Is Xanax Addictive?
Dependance and addiction occur when the body becomes resistant to the medicine. As a result, the usual dose of the medicine doesn’t benefit you. You will need a higher dose to achieve the desired effects. Using higher doses leads to overdose and serious side effects. You may also experience withdrawal symptoms on stopping it all sudden. That’s why, it is placed in the category of Schedule IV controlled substances. That’s why, xanax carries the risks of addiction, misuse, and withdrawal symptoms. So, you should use this medicine only for a short term. Moreover, you will need a prescription to buy xanax online UK.
Understanding The Timeline of Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms
Xanax causes withdrawal symptoms after stopping using it, especially after long-term use. According to studies, you may start experiencing xanax withdrawal symptoms after 24 hours of the last dose. The withdrawals may last from a few days to weeks depending on the dose of xanax you have consumed. In general, doctors suggest taking this medicine for up to 6-8 weeks. Xanax still can cause withdrawal on discontinuation.
Some studies state that 40% of people experience severe withdrawal symptoms when using xanax for up to 6 months.
Benzodiazepine (What are Benzodiazepines?) withdrawal is of two types – acute withdrawal and protracted withdrawal. Acute withdrawal lasts between 5-28 days after stopping xanax. At the same time, protracted withdrawals may last for a year or more.
Potential Withdrawal Symptoms of Xanax
Xanax withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be worse and life-threatening. Here are some common withdrawal symptoms of xanax:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Depression and sudden mood changes
- Insomnia and sleep problems
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle spasms and cramps
- Irritability and restlessness
- Trouble concentrating
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Hyperventilation
- Abnormal and tingling sensations in arms and legs
- Hypersensitivity to light, sound, or touch
This is not the complete list of withdrawal symptoms. Doctors state that some people may develop other symptoms as well. Some people experience memory and cognition problems after discontinuation of the medicine. These symptoms can be worse if you stop xanax after long-term use.
Factors Affecting the Withdrawal Symptoms of Xanax
Now, that you know xanax has very severe fatal withdrawal symptoms, you should be careful of them. There are many factors influencing the withdrawals which are:
- Using higher doses
- Using many benzodiazepine medications at one time
- Long-term use of benzodiazepines
- Use of short-acting benzodiazepines like xanax
- People having panic disorder
- People with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding
Xanax has higher chances of rebound insomnia as a withdrawal symptom than others. Along with that, long-term use of xanax changes the way the body absorbs and metabolizes it. Xanax takes more time to get metabolized in elder adults and people with liver disorders.
Treatment Options for Xanax Withdrawals
You know withdrawal symptoms of xanax are very disturbing and can be severe. So, management of these withdrawal symptoms is crucial to avoid their harmful impacts. The best way to reduce the risk of xanax withdrawal symptoms is to slowly reduce xanax dosage. But reducing the dose of xanax is a bit challenging. Because its concentration peaks and goes down quickly in your system. This is because it is a short-acting medicine and leaves your body after a few hours of intake. So, it is important to consult the doctor for tapering xanax.
To prevent the effects of sudden changes in the concentration of xanax, the doctor may switch you from xanax to diazepam (long-acting). Due to this quitting xanax will become a little easy for you. [Clonazepam 2mg dosage guide]
Along with tapering, the doctor may suggest more than one treatment options to deal with xanax withdrawals. Some of those treatment options are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Using herbal sleep aids like valerian root and chamomile
- Meditation Techniques, mindfulness, and exercise
- Melatonin supplements
Besides these treatment methods, some medications like antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and beta blockers are also effective in managing xanax withdrawals.
Conclusion
Xanax is one of the best medications for anxiety and panic disorders. A large number of people use this medicine to deal with these issues as it has many benefits. It is a fast-acting medicine so, it doesn’t take much time to start acting. But this medicine comes with some risks along with the benefits. Now, the question is, is xanax uk nhs for anxiety or panic disorders? Yes, the doctor can prescribe xanax for anxiety, but need to be careful while using this medicine. Misuse of xanax may lead to addiction, dependence, and severe withdrawals on sudden discontinuation.
To deal with the withdrawal symptoms, the doctor suggests tapering xanax. Apozepam is one of the most used medicines to taper Xanax. It is a substitute for diazepam and the doctor may suggest taking Apozepam instead of xanax.