Benzodiazepine Pharmacology and Central Nervous System Mediated Effects

Throughout this process, the brain is becoming more reliant upon the drug to feel normal. Xanax belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, and it is a Schedule IV controlled substance, meaning it is considered to have a low potential for abuse. That being said, the evidence speaks for itself, as thousands seek treatment every year for dependencies on this drug. Other commonly prescribed benzodiazepines that pose a risk of dependence include Valium (diazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam). Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine drug widely prescribed to treat anxiety disorder. Benzodiazepine addiction is a growing concern in the United States, with around 30% of opiate overdose deaths also involving drugs like Xanax.

What are Xanax Overdose Symptoms?

• This gives your body and mind the time to adjust to life without Xanax.
• Additionally, about 26 percent of high school seniors in 2014 reported abstaining from all substances, including alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco.
• There are well-recognised harms from long-term use of benzodiazepines.
• Addiction, or substance use disorder, is when a person continues to use a pleasurable substance or perform a pleasurable action despite negative consequences the substance or action causes.

It provides clients with the ability to maintain their employment and family responsibilities while attending treatment. Outpatient care is recommended for people with a strong support system at home. Family therapy is also offered by The Recovery Village during this step, helping patients reconcile with family for effective healing. When someone is dependent on Xanax, they must take it to feel normal and avoid uncomfortablewithdrawal symptoms. When this behavior begins to have harmful impacts on everyday life, substance use disorder (SUD) is the result. Even if you only take Xanax for a period of several days, you may develop a physical dependence on the drug.

How to Recognize and Treat Xanax Addiction

In general, the optimal treatment of these conditions in primary care is non-pharmacological, particularly psychological and behavioural, therapies. Because of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, long-term use of benzodiazepines can lead to dose escalation and worsening of the underlying condition. Xanax is a prescription medication that’s used to treat anxiety and panic disorder. Xanax is one of the most popular anti-anxiety drugs in the United States — and also one of the most commonly abused.

Xanax Abuse and Addiction

If you are using Xanax without a xanax addiction prescription, you can still work with a doctor to taper down your dose. Start by visiting a primary care doctor or urgent care center and tell them that you are in or are planning to be in benzodiazepine withdrawal. A rebound effect is the reoccurrence of a symptom after a person stops taking the medication that was treating it. For instance, someone taking Xanax for anxiety is likely to have a reoccurrence of their anxiety symptoms during withdrawal. Benzodiazepine dependence and overdose are on the rise, increasing more than four times between 2002 and 2015.

Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)

Dependence becomes a problem when individuals take Xanax for nonmedical reasons or when they don’t communicate with their doctor. Some people take the medication recreationally to feel carefree or overly relaxed. After a period of regular use, it is best to slowly stop the medication under your doctor’s direction.

Withdrawal symptoms can begin quickly in some people, even after just a week or two of benzodiazepine use. Physical tolerance and addiction are multifactorial processes that involve drug pharmacology, patient factors such as past or current drug use, and social and environmental cues. Although treatment outcomes are comparable to that of other chronic conditions, recovery is an https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-alcohol-can-affect-relationships/ ongoing process that can take time.