Understanding Xanax Addiction
Xanax belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. These drugs are typically prescribed to help treat:
- Anxiety disorders
- Seizures
- Panic disorders
- Severe insomnia
While benzodiazepines such as Xanax are often highly effective for treating these disorders, they have an extremely high potential for addiction and abuse.
Like many other addictive substances, Xanax use can cause people to feel intense waves of euphoria, stress relief, and subsequent drug cravings. This can lead to repeated Xanax use above and beyond what was prescribed, which can quickly develop into a substance use disorder.
Xanax acts on the brain by activating GABA receptors. GABA is a neurotransmitter within the brain that is responsible for calming the central nervous system and making people feel relaxed, disinhibited, and sleepy.
When people use Xanax repeatedly, their brains and bodies become accustomed to this effect, raising their baseline levels of stimulation so that they feel “normal” while under the influence.
Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms
This effect on the GABA receptor is the source of Xanax withdrawal symptoms when people suddenly stop using. When a frequent user suddenly stops taking Xanax, their central nervous system becomes dangerously overactive. People can experience withdrawal symptoms that include:
- Shakes
- Delirium
- Confusion
- Aches
- Hallucinations
- Intense drug cravings
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Panic attacks
- Insomnia
In severe cases, people undergoing Xanax withdrawal may experience life-threatening seizures. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can actually result in death if it is not treated by medical professionals.
Since the symptoms of Xanax withdrawal are so dangerous and severe, it is imperative that people attempting to reach sobriety do not quit Xanax cold turkey. Instead, they should seek out a Xanax detox program that can manage their severe withdrawal symptoms.
How a Xanax Detox Can Help
Gloria Detox and Rehab Center’s Xanax detox program has several options to help treat and reduce the intense symptoms of Xanax withdrawal. Our medical detox was built from the ground up to help people overcome acute withdrawal and is staffed with a team of medical and mental health providers who have years of experience helping people achieve recovery.
Medical Detox
The key aspect of an effective Xanax detox program is the use of targeted medications that can make the Xanax withdrawal process much safer and more comfortable.
Using a technique known as a medical taper, our detox team can slowly wean people off of benzodiazepines in a safe and controlled manner. We’ll also administer supportive medications to alleviate rebound anxiety and other withdrawal symptoms.
The taper process typically includes careful administration of benzodiazepines or similar drugs in progressively smaller doses. This measured approach ensures that people’s bodies can slowly transition back to a safe state, and it markedly reduces the experience of uncomfortable symptoms.
Controlled Environment
Of course, physical withdrawal symptoms aren’t the only factor that holds people back from achieving recovery. Several other factors can impact whether a person makes it through this difficult stage, including:
- Everyday life stressors
- Peer pressure
- Environmental triggers
At Gloria Detox and Rehab Center’s Xanax detox center, people can find relief from these pressures in a safe and controlled environment.
Our luxurious treatment facility offers a drug-free environment free from the triggers that people often face in their homes or communities. Each patient is under 24/7 direct medical supervision, which allows our team to closely monitor treatment progress and treat any withdrawal symptoms that occur during the process.
In addition, patients have constant access to addiction treatment professionals, which can provide an effective and meaningful source of social and emotional support.
Stages of Medical Xanax Detox
Detox from Xanax typically takes place across several distinct stages. Each of these stages helps people with a different aspect of overcoming Xanax addiction and plays an important role in their overall recovery.
Assessment
The first stage of Xanax detox is a thorough assessment by our medical and mental health team. This stage occurs on your first day of treatment. The assessment screens for any pre-existing medical conditions, co-occurring mental health disorders, or relevant history that may impact your course of treatment.
Our team may ask you questions like:
- How long have you used Xanax?
- What is your typical Xanax dose?
- How frequently do you take Xanax?
- Do you use any other addictive substances?
- Are you experiencing any mental health symptoms?
This information helps our team design a personalized treatment approach for your stay in medical detox.
Treatment
The treatment stage takes up the bulk of your stay in detox. During this stage, our team closely monitors each patient for withdrawal symptoms, cravings, or health concerns and can administer targeted medications and therapies to make people feel more comfortable.
The length of the treatment stage depends upon how severe your withdrawal symptoms are. Some people may complete treatment within a week, while others may need two weeks or more to deal with both acute withdrawal and protracted withdrawal symptoms.
Transition
The final stage of medical detox is transition. While medical detox is an important first step, it must be followed by entering an addiction treatment program that can help people build the tools for lasting recovery.
At Gloria Detox and Rehab Center, our team plans your transition of care from the moment you arrive. For most people, this typically means entering our inpatient treatment center, where you can learn the skills to sustain your recovery for years to come.
Xanax Detox at Gloria Detox and Rehab Center
When you’re ready to begin treatment, reach out to the team at Gloria Detox and Rehab Center by calling or filling out our confidential online contact form. Our team will be there to support you at every step of your recovery journey so you can overcome your addiction once and for all.
