For the ones that are not familiar with the drug, Xanax is used for treating symptoms associated with depression, like anxiety, panic issues, and stress caused by other factors. When we experience such states, it is because some chemicals in our brain are no longer balanced. This imbalance makes us feel stressed, anxious, nervous or panicky. Thus, Xanax will work by slowing down the central nervous system’s activity and, implicit, of the substances that may be unbalanced. Still, there are many precautions and side effects of this drug. And people that use it in a frequent manner, they end up facing with a real addiction, as it will be hard to let it go. The withdrawal symptoms are quite severe when they happen, so you’d better know them and the risks you are facing when trying to quit a Xanax treatment.
Signs of Xanax abuse
Even if it is a medicine that should make some things better, like alleviate depression, Xanax can even make it worse, if the drug is taken for an extended period.
Are you taking Xanax for your anxiety issues? Then here are some signs that may indicate a drug abuse. Everything will start to change, from mood to behavior, you will even experience physical symptoms and psychological ones as well. Even if a period of felt calmer, if you abuse Xanax you may even feel anxiety and depression levels rise. You will feel restless, angry, agitated, you will mood swings or feel hyperactive. You will start visiting more doctors so that you may obtain more Xanax prescriptions. You may be tempted to forge prescriptions, or even steal Xanax. You will begin to neglect your personal life, family, develop a violent behavior, increasing the dosage of the drug, and other practices that will affect your life quality. Mentally, you will feel disoriented, have trouble focusing, memory issues, confusion, and even experience hallucinations. Your body functioning will also change, losing appetite, bad digestion, swollen limbs, drowsiness, headaches, heart palpitation and more.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms timeline
The timeline regarding withdrawal symptoms of Xanax may vary from one person to another, considering for how long you took the drug and in what quantities. Not everybody will experience the same set of symptoms or at the same intensity, although there is a timeline that can be taken as a general example. Thus, in the case of people who only took Xanax for short periods and in small dosages, withdrawal symptoms may be experienced at most up to four days after quitting the treatment. Also, in these cases, the patient only used Xanax according to the doctor’s prescription and just to manage anxiety issues, not for any other purposes, like acquiring a high state of mind. If we are talking about a person addicted to Xanax, who used the drug for extended periods and in high dosages, the first withdrawal symptoms may appear within a few hours after taking the last dose and may be present for several weeks, or even more in the worst cases.
Xanax detox
As in the case of any detox program, also in the case of Xanax things must be taken one step at a time. A forced detox may cause you discomforts, as the body needs time to manage without the presence of the drug. If you require dealing with anxiety and panic issues, then your treatment will be switched to something different, in case Xanax is giving you such a hard time. Detox will start by gradually lowering the dose of Xanax and replacing it with the new drug. This adjustment period will take from 10 days to 14 days, according to the response of your body. Of course, it may also last lesser or longer if the situation requires it. During this period, your doctor may recommend you to eat healthy meals, to support your body in making the recovery. Massage sessions, acupuncture, or anything that may help you deal with any nervousness states or discomfort, caused by the detox, are also welcomed.
How to alleviate Xanax withdrawal symptoms
When fighting with symptoms caused by quitting Xanax treatment, knowing your alternative medication options may help you get through them easier. For instance, there are some drugs, which are not addictive, to help you manage things like insomnia if this is a symptom that is bothering you. Nausea and muscle pains can also be treated with medicines that do not cause addiction.
Also, the entire detox issue will be easily handled by a professional detox program. The personnel in such facilities are trained to manage these cases, knowing exactly what to do in these cases. Here, you will find the attention and support you need, in such cases. Starting with the treatment, advice, and supervision, regardless of the symptoms you are experiencing, will all be here. And do not leave until the entire program is over. Not going all the way may result in addiction relapses, so all your effort and trouble will be for nothing.
While in the detox program, it is good for you to start socializing with the rest of the patients that are in the group, with the doctors and nurses. It is the time you get your old life back, and that means to start creating new social relationships. It is reassuring to know that you are not the only one going through this ordeal. Others suffer as well and struggle to get out of this vicious circle.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help more than you think. It will be hard in the beginning to be able to make choices that are right for you, but making some changes will help you get on the right track in no time. For instance, drinking enough water and staying hydrated can help diminish the symptoms. When appetite is starting to return, eating healthy food will support your organism in this struggle. So do avoid any fried foods, junk foods, foods with too much sugar and so on. You will be amazed just how many benefits a healthy diet can bring you. After all, you are doing all these so that you will be happy again.
