What Are the Dangers of Xanax Addiction?

While under the influence of Xanax a person should not drive, because Xanax causes slow reaction times and reduces the inability to think clearly. After getting high on Xanax a person may make a mistake that results in a fatal car crash. Xanax can also worsen problems such as depression, liver disease, kidney disease and lung problems. Xanax can cause memory problems, drowsiness, increased appetite and a lack of coordination.

What Happens in Xanax Abuse Treatment?

Xanax abuse treatment typically begins with detox, a cleansing process that empties the patient’s body of all traces of Xanax. After detox patients begin to receive treatment for the psychological component of Xanax addiction through counseling and other forms of therapy. Xanax abuse treatment is designed to treat the whole person rather than a singular disorder, as addiction is a disease that impacts a person in almost every way imaginable. After treatment former patients maintain their recovery through aftercare and support group meetings.

Need Help Finding Treatment for Xanax Addiction?

Are you abusing Xanax? Do you know and love someone who is addicted to Xanax? Whatever your situation, we can help. We are dedicated to helping people overcome substance abuse problems and repair damage done while high. Call our toll-free helpline for instant support from one of our trained counselors who can discuss treatment options and connect you to the treatment program that is right for you. We can also check addiction treatment coverage offered by your insurance and the approximate the cost of treatment. We are here 24 hours a day, so please don’t hesitate to contact us at anytime. All calls are absolutely free and confidential.

The Effects of Xanax Use

As Xanax enters the body, it acts directly on chemical and nerve receptors in the brain. The drug interacts with the neurotransmitter GABA and produces feelings of relaxation, calm and euphoria for the user. Taking Xanax long-term can desensitize and modify the natural function of these GABA receptors. Over time the brain becomes accustomed to artificially produced feelings of pleasure and tranquility. When Xanax use is reduced or stopped, the brain is no longer capable of producing natural chemicals on its own and begins to crave the drug in order to feel “good” again. This is the beginnings of an addiction or dependence on the drug.

Why Do People Keep Using Xanax If It Is Dangerous?

When the brain is altered by continued Xanax use, a person’s behaviors, thoughts and moods are controlled by an obsession for the drug. A person will experience intense physical and psychological cravings for the drug making the drug habit turn into a compulsive physical need. When an addiction has taken hold, a person will feel impaired when not on the drug. These feelings are known as withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from Xanax can manufacture extreme physical and psychological discomfort which prevents many people from quitting the drug. Common withdrawal symptoms from Xanax consist of the following:

• Reemergence of panic attacks
• Intense anxiety and apprehension
• Depression
• Nightmares, hallucinations and insomnia
• Psychosis or delirium
• Seizures
• Headache
• Memory loss
• Rapid and irregular heartbeat
• Nausea, vomiting, cramping and diarrhea

Who Is at High Risk for Developing an Addiction to Xanax?

Xanax is taken for a wide array of reasons ranging from health concerns to recreational use. Anyone who abuses Xanax or takes the drug in means not directed by a physician is at risk of developing an addiction. Certain people are more likely to develop an addiction than others, and these individuals include the following:

• Youth and partygoers. Xanax may be used as a party drug. Teens and partygoers like the pleasurable or relaxed state the drug provides.
• People with a mental health issue. People suffering from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders and other mental health concerns enjoy the temporary symptom relief that Xanax offers.
• Individuals in stressful situations. People under high amounts of stress and pressure often turn to Xanax to temporarily calm their nerves.
• People with sleep disorders. People who are unable to fall asleep may turn to Xanax, as it can cause drowsiness and sedation.
• People in drug-related environments. It is more likely for a person to develop an addiction, if he or she is surrounded by family, friends or peers who are abusing any kind of drug.

How Do I Prevent Xanax Addiction from Happening to Me?

If you have more questions about the complexities and consequences of Xanax abuse and addiction, please call our toll-free helpline today. We have a team of highly trained rehab counselors who are ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Our counselors are standing by 24 hours a day to provide you with the information you need about Xanax addiction or Xanax addiction recovery. Your call is free, and choosing to call may be a life-saving decision. Please call us today.

Can Xanax Addiction Develop after One Use?

Even when taken as prescribed, Xanax is only advised to be taken for a few weeks at once. A person taking Xanax once may think it is ok to take it every now and then, on the weekends, or at parties. This can easily lead to tolerance and cause permanent changes in the brain’s reward center, leading to cravings and more regular use. Physical dependence can occur in a matter of weeks, and the strong mental effects can lead to mental addiction very quickly. Once a person is mentally addicted and physically dependent, quitting can be very difficult and medical assistance is often needed.

Risks of One Time Use of Xanax

People may be more likely to try Xanax when in social situations, such as at a club or party. Xanax can have a strong sedative effect, especially the first time it is taken. This has led to Xanax being used as a date-rape drug. When combined with alcohol Xanax is more likely to cause heavy inebriation, loss of memory, and possibly overdose. If none of this occurs with the first use, the health risks of taking Xanax increase every time you take it.

Risks of Occasional or Short-Term Xanax Abuse

Even when taken as prescribed, Xanax can have negative side effects after only a few days or weeks of use. When you abuse Xanax you risk the following possible side effects:

• Short-term memory loss
• Nausea
• Sexual dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Menstrual changes

Withdrawal can begin to occur after only a few times using Xanax, and can make it extremely difficult to stop using. Withdrawal symptoms can include the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Anxiety
• Rapid heartbeat
• Insomnia

Consequences of Xanax Addiction

Once changes have taken place in the brain and addiction has developed, users are more likely to go to great lengths to acquire and use Xanax. When tolerance develops and the previous dose no longer has the desired effects, an addict will often take large doses or combine it with other drugs or alcohol to experience the euphoria. This causes more damage to a persons’ health and has a greater risk of overdose. Signs of possible Xanax overdose include the following symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Fainting
• Suppressed breathing
• Coma
• Death

Help for Xanax Abuse

Xanax can be very hard to quit on your own. Call our toll-free helpline for more information about addiction and treatment options. We are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions and provide guidance for rehab.

How Does Xanax Addiction Happen?

Xanax is a benzodiazepine. It helps calm a person by changing their brain chemistry. For people with chemical imbalances this correction can provide real relief. However both recreational and prescription users can become dependent on the drug. They will experience a wide range of physical withdrawal symptoms if and when they try to quit, and these symptoms may including the following:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Flu-like symptoms
• Pain in muscles and joints

They are also likely to experience a range of psychological withdrawal symptoms including intense anxiety, depression and even thoughts of suicide.

How to Get Clean from Xanax

Because Xanax is used to treat psychological disorders, users will need to find recovery services that address both addiction and co-occurring mental health concerns. The most successful Xanax recovery programs involve careful treatment of the physical and mental aspects of the disease alongside any and all co-occurring conditions. Rehab professionals draw up customized treatment plans for each patient, and these plans may involve multiple proven therapeutic techniques such as the following:

• Personal counseling
• Support group meetings
• Introduction to healthy new activities and skills
• Empowering education about addiction and recovery
• Medically supervised detox
• Preparation for life after rehab

Quality Xanax addiction treatment is experienced in a relaxing and healthy environment with around the clock care and close attention paid to each patient’s needs.

Find Help for Xanax Addiction Today

If you are struggling with an addiction to Xanax, do not take your concerns lightly. If left untreated you will experience legal problems, financial distress, broken relationships and potential severe health concerns. Call our toll-free helpline today, and we will answer all of your questions and connect you with the best recovery resources for you. Our goal is your recovery and good health. Call today.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

Attempting to detox from a Xanax addiction without medical supervision can be dangerous. During withdrawal an addict may experience any or all of the following symptoms:

• Insomnia
• Tremors
• Convulsion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hallucination

Adding any of these symptoms to the addict’s original state of anxiety could lead to serious health hazards. Additionally, unsupervised withdrawal may lead to seizures, which could be life-threatening.

Choosing a Xanax Rehabilitation Facility

Professional rehab facilities offer the security of 24-hour medical supervision, which can help reduce your anxiety. Knowing that the detox program has been designed specifically for you based on your medical history, drug abuse history, mental health history and family history can help give you the assurance you need to find recovery. Another benefit of inpatient rehab programs is that they allow you to focus solely on your recovery process without the everyday distractions and responsibilities of living at home.

Professional treatment programs can offer many other benefits including the following:

• The programs help you to uncover any underlying issues that may produce anxiety and stress
• The programs teach healthy behavioral strategies for dealing with those issues
• The programs provide a community of people who share your struggles and can help you through the rehab process
• The programs offer nutritional and fitness lessons to help strengthen your body against the damage that drug abuse may have caused
• The programs provide stress-relieving activities that can help strengthen your resolve to deal with your anxiety without using Xanax

Getting Help for Xanax Addiction

If you or someone you love is struggling with a Xanax addiction, please call our toll-free number today. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about finding the best rehab treatment programs for your situation. We are here to help.

• Panic disorders
• Panic attacks
• Depression
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Agoraphobia
• Anxiety disorders

It is a benzodiazepine drug and is addictive. Misuse or abuse of the drug greatly increased the addiction potential.

Xanax Addiction Rehabilitation

If you have become addicted to Xanax, the first step in recovery is to remove the toxins of the drug from your body through detox. In a quality rehab facility this detox is medically supervised and closely monitored to ensure that you are safe and as comfortable as possible during this process. After detox rehab patients will be offered a variety of therapy and counseling options that will address the addiction and all underlying issues.

What Happens after Xanax Rehabilitation?

The reasons a person is afraid of hating being sober after Xanax rehab is often closely associated to the reasons he or she started taking Xanax. A person who was experiencing anxiety, panic disorders or depression may worry that once he or she stops using Xanax, such symptoms will returns. Without treatment a return of mental health symptoms is a real possibility, but an integrated treatment program not only assists a person in breaking free from their drug use but also helps a person learn coping skills to deal with or manage mental health issues.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “effective integrated treatment consists of the same health professionals, working in one setting, providing appropriate treatment for both mental health and substance abuse in a coordinated fashion.” Integrated treatment combines services to deliver a seamless treatment experience that gives a person a better chance of maintaining abstinence and achieving a healthy and happy lifestyle. An integrated treatment program also recognizes the importance of helping people learn to socialize and build relationships that can provide support after treatment.

Get Help to Maintain Your Xanax Addiction Recovery

If you are struggling with Xanax abuse or addiction, you may not be successful in your recovery until you get the help needed to look at both the addiction and any co-occurring mental health issues. We know it is difficult to take the first step towards recovery, but you can find a life after addiction. Please call our toll-free helpline to learn more about rehab and what life after rehab is like. We are here 24 hours a day, so please call now.

• Seizures
• Aggression
• Irritability
• Lack of coordination
• Low blood pressure
• Suppressed breathing

When Xanax is abused, these symptoms can increase along with a general deterioration of physical and mental health. Xanax users may experience the following:

• Trouble thinking constructively
• Agoraphobia
• Increased anxiety
• Depression
• Loss of interest in leisure activities
• An inability to express or experience feelings

Abusers of Xanax will also begin to develop a tolerance to the drug, requiring increasingly greater doses in order to feel the effects of the drug or to simply avoid withdrawal symptoms. In the process of trying to get high a person may accidentally overdose. A Xanax overdose can cause a person’s heart and breathing to slow to the point of coma or possibly even death. These effects can be magnified if the Xanax is used in combination with other drugs or alcohol.

Xanax and the Brain

Because Xanax alters the chemicals in the brain, use of the drug can have far-reaching consequences. Xanax affects the GABA neurotransmitter in your brain which works to regulate feelings of anxiety. If too much Xanax is taken over a period of time, the brain will come to expect the drug’s presence and alter its production of GABA. This means that dependence will form and painful and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms will arise if the drug use is stopped. Even after one stops taking Xanax there can be long-lasting results such as the following:

• Impaired coordination
• Mental health disorders
• Decreased IQ
• Problems with concentration

The brain often returns to normal function, but these effects can be permanent. The longer a person abuses Xanax, the worse the effects are on the brain.

The Dangers of Getting High on Xanax

When you are high on Xanax, your brain isn’t functioning at the level it should be. This can lead to dangers and consequences. It makes you disoriented, impairs your coordination and lessens your inhibitions. Being high potentially leads you to do things you wouldn’t normally do such as driving under the influence or having unprotected sex. These activities can harm you, and they can pose a threat to others.

Do You Need Xanax Help?

Xanax abuse is a big problem, so don’t wait to get help. Our trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions and help you find solutions for Xanax abuse or addiction. Please call our toll-free helpline now, and end the problems with a Xanax high today.

How Xanax Addiction Starts

Many people believe that prescription drugs are safe or that you cannot become addicted to a drug you are prescribed by a doctor. A steady inflow of foreign chemicals from prescription drugs like Xanax can change the way the body functions. The reward paths in the brain are disrupted when large or continuous doses of Xanax are taken. This imbalance creates the following:

• Feelings of euphoria
• Cravings for more Xanax
• Changes in mood or personality
• Withdrawal symptoms

After tolerance has built up and you need larger doses of Xanax to achieve the desired effects, you may become dependent on Xanax. Many patients, when they feel unexpected cravings for Xanax, simply increase their dosage without speaking to their doctor. Others may take more Xanax to combat the appearance of withdrawal symptoms. Xanax can take control of a person’s life. His or her daily activities begin to revolve around getting and using Xanax, and the drug is no longer a harmless prescription.

Signs of Xanax Addiction

If you suspect you or a loved one is addicted to Xanax, there are warning signs you can look for that make detecting substance abuse easier. The following are a few common signs of addiction that may be exhibited by someone abusing Xanax:

• Taking larger doses of Xanax
• Taking the drug more often than prescribed
• Going to multiple doctors for extra prescriptions
• Lying, stealing or participating in deceptive behavior to obtain more pills
• Hording or stashing Xanax
• An unexplainable need for Xanax
• Changes in mood or personality
• Changes in social circles
• Unexplained lack of money
• Financial/legal trouble

How to Use Xanax Safely

Talk to your doctor about how your medication is affecting you. He or she may decide to switch your medication or find an alternative solution. Do not stop taking Xanax suddenly, because this may cause withdrawal symptoms such as the following:

• Seizures
• Uncontrollable shaking
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Depression
• Aggressive behavior

Because of these symptoms your doctor will likely decrease your dosage gradually. An addiction to prescription medication can catch a person off-guard or make an individual feel ashamed, but you are not alone. Addiction to Xanax prescriptions is a common problem that many people face. Admitting there is or may be a problem is the first step to recovery. You can overcome addiction and start again.

Prescription Xanax Abuse or Addiction Help

We can help you explore your use of the prescription drug Xanax to determine if a problem exists or how a problem can best be addressed. We are here 24 hours a day, and all calls are free. If you are ready to leave Xanax behind, give us a call.

• One can build a tolerance to Xanax. This requires larger doses in order to get high, or feel the drug’s intended effects. Higher doses of the drug increase the likelihood of addiction and other dangers.
• When larger or more continued doses are taken, a person can actually develop a physical need, or dependency, for the drug in order to function. Think of it like coffee, but much, much stronger; once the body gets used to operating with drugs, it needs drugs to function.
• Over time the body will become accustomed to the drug and not want to be without it. As a physical reaction the body will go through withdrawal when users do not take the drug regularly. Withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking high blood pressure and intense anxiety, make a user feel miserable, uncomfortable or unsatisfied when they are not using Xanax. This frequently prevents users from quitting.

Can Recreational Xanax Use Cause Permanent Damage?

Xanax acts directly on the brain’s central nervous system. The drug acts as a depressant to the brain’s neurons resulting in lowered brain activity; in doing so a user can feel more relaxed, calm or even sedated. Over time a person may become psychologically dependent upon the drug as well. Brain activity controls every function of the human body. By messing with the brain’s chemical make-up, a person is causing the brain to be reliant on Xanax. Without the drug the brain will feel excruciating psychological confusion and pain causing the following symptoms:

• Rebound anxiety
• Depression
• Paranoia
• Severe mood swings
• Agitation
• Restlessness
• Suicidal thoughts

Psychological dependency can forever alter the brain’s natural chemical balance, requiring the use of medication in order for one to feel normal or well.

What Are the Side Effects and Other Dangers of Xanax Use?

As a central nervous system depressant, Xanax causes side effects that impair one’s mental and physical coordination. Side effects of Xanax use may include the following:

• Respiratory depression
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, coma
• Mental confusion, hallucinations, paranoia
• Short-term memory loss
• Severe mood swings: aggression, rage, hostility
• Agitation, hyperactivity, mania, restlessness
• Suicidal thoughts
• Overdose
• Death

These side effects lead to thousands of emergency room visits each year. Accidental injury and death, unfortunately, are frequent results of Xanax abuse; and this affects not only the user but those around them as well, i.e. cases of drugged driving accidents.

Xanax Addiction Help

There is always a deeper cause when it comes to substance abuse; it can be peer pressure, stress, hurting emotions, or even psychological or physical pain. Whatever the reason, substance abuse is not the answer. Drugs will not provide a permanent cure, heal or solve your problems; they will only make them significantly worse.

If you are struggling with a drug habit, please call our toll-free helpline today. Our experienced counselors can speak to you about the many treatment programs and options available that can help you get your life back on track. We are here 24 hours a day to assist you in your recovery needs.

Hiding Anxiety and Xanax Addiction

Xanax (a brand name version of the drug alprazolam) is prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe anxiety disorders, panic attacks and moderate to severe stress. If you were prescribed Xanax for one of these conditions, you have probably become quite proficient at keeping your feelings hidden from others. Hiding your anxiety may involve doing the following:

• Putting on a smile for your children or attempting to keep your normal family routine so that the children do not suspect that something is wrong
• Trying to stay focused at work
• Repeating activities several times to ensure that your stress does not cause you to overlook a task or perform something in error
• Making light of your anxiety with colleagues and friends by making jokes or simply not engaging with them
• Giving assurances to your spouse or partner that you will be fine

With this history of developing strategies to keep your anxiety and panic away from those around you, you may feel that you will proficient in keeping your addiction out of others’ lives as well. What you may not realize is how significant an impact your addiction has on the lives of your loved ones.

What Others See When You Are Struggling with Xanax Addiction

The side effects of Xanax abuse or addiction that your children, coworkers, friends or family can see include the following:

• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Impaired coordination and balance
• Lightheadedness
• Short-term memory loss
• Change in libido
• Constipation
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Increase in appetite
• Skin rash
• Slurred speech
• Vertigo

Xanax Abuse and Its Effect on Others

If you are a parent, one of the biggest concerns you may have is how your Xanax abuse is affecting your family. Children often believe they are the cause of family troubles or changes in parents’ behaviors, or they will worry about what they can do to fix a problem. Children do not often express the fear and uncertainty they feel when they see a parent acting in an unusual manner. They internalize these feelings and falsely accept responsibility and blame. This is extremely unhealthy for a child.

If you are an employee, the previous hard work and dedication that you gave to your job will be lost to changes in behavior and performance related to Xanax abuse. Your absenteeism may increased, or your ability to focus will decrease. You may appear to be scatterbrained and not as productive. Your employer has a bottom line to manage and cannot tolerate decreasing performance.

Get Help for Xanax Addiction

Your Xanax addiction has an effect on the people in your lives. We understand that it is difficult to admit an addiction, but doing so can improve your life and that of your family and friends. Call our toll-free helpline to learn how you can overcome Xanax addiction. You can rebuild healthy relationships and make a positive change for yourself, your children or your loved ones. We are available 24 hours a day to help.