Xanax (alprazolam) is a short-acting benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety conditions like panic disorder. Even though Xanax has legitimate medical uses, it can lead to physical dependence and addiction.[1] If you or a loved one abuse Xanax, you might want to consider attending professional treatment.
When you are addicted to Xanax, your brain and body begin to rely on it to function properly. Once you stop consuming it, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, withdrawal can be dangerous with medical treatment, sometimes leading to seizures.
Xanax withdrawal can begin as early as 6 hours after your last dose and persist for up to 2 weeks. Thankfully, medical detox centers will slowly taper you off of Xanax with a long-acting benzodiazepine to lessen your symptoms.
What you will learn:
- What are the symptoms of Xanax withdrawal
- What is the Xanax withdrawal timeline
- How is Xanax withdrawal treated under medical supervision
What are the Symptoms of Xanax Withdrawal?
If you suffer from a substance use disorder, you know quitting a drug cold turkey will result in withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, Xanax withdrawal can be dangerous without assistance from healthcare professionals. For example, you could experience a life-threatening seizure.
The side effects of Xanax withdrawal might include:[2]
- Anxiety symptoms like panic attacks or hyperventilation
- Shaking and tremors
- Muscle spasms
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive sweating
- General feelings of discomfort
- Hypersensitivity to light, sound, and touch
- Psychotic symptoms like delusions or hallucinations
- Seizures
Since Xanax withdrawal can lead to psychosis and seizures, you should always seek help from a detox program. These facilities offer medical treatment and care from addiction specialists. You will also receive medications that lessen your symptoms and keep you stable.
What is the Timeline for Xanax Withdrawal?
Withdrawing from Xanax is never easy. However, if you attempt to overcome Xanax withdrawal on your own you could experience life-threatening symptoms. You should always attend a detox center or addiction treatment program.
Understanding the timeline for Xanax withdrawal might motivate you to seek the help you need. While the exact amount of time that withdrawal symptoms persist can vary from person to person, most people have a similar experience.
6 to 12 Hours
Xanax withdrawal symptoms can appear as early as 6 to 12 hours after your last dose. Usually, the initial symptoms are mild. You might experience feelings of discomfort, headaches, cravings for Xanax, and anxiety or trouble sleeping.
Even though the symptoms are not severe in the first few hours of withdrawal, it is best to be under the care of a medical detox program. Without support, you could suffer from a relapse.
24 to 72 Hours
Once it’s been 24 hours after your last dose, your symptoms will start to peak. Peak symptoms of Xanax withdrawal occur between 24 to 72 hours, which means your side effects will be at their worst. You might experience intense cravings to abuse Xanax, sweating, loss of appetite, discomfort, and severe symptoms like seizures or psychosis.
Thankfully, detox centers can prevent your symptoms from becoming severe by slowly tapering you off of benzodiazepines. Attending detox could be the difference between having seizures or not.
1 to 2 Weeks
Sometime between the first and second week of withdrawal, your symptoms will begin to lessen. If you are still experiencing any side effects by the second week, they are likely psychological.
When you attend medical detox, you will be transferred into an inpatient or outpatient rehab program once your symptoms subside. These programs are better equipped to manage mental health issues and will allow you to recover from the root causes of your substance use disorder.
How is Xanax Withdrawal Treated?
Xanax withdrawal is treated under medical supervision in a detox program. When you first arrive, you will be assessed to determine your specific needs and the severity of your withdrawal. Once your assessment is complete, the doctors can write a treatment plan that includes which medications to use to treat your symptoms.
During detox, Xanax withdrawal is always treated using the tapering method. Depending on your needs, they will either use a long-acting benzodiazepine like Valium or stick to Xanax. It usually takes 7 to 10 days to completely taper you off of Xanax.
In addition to offering medication for your physical symptoms, you will have access to a mental health professional. Whether you need a quick chat for advice or individual therapy sessions, you will have access to the care you deserve.
Once you have overcome your withdrawal symptoms, your doctor will refer you to inpatient or outpatient rehab. In these programs, you will address the root causes of your Xanax addiction and learn vital coping mechanisms to avoid relapse in the future.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Xanax Detox Center
If you or a loved one have been abusing Xanax long-term, it’s time to seek professional help. Xanax abuse often leads to addiction, which requires in-depth treatment. The first step in recovery from Xanax addiction should always be medical detox.
At PAX Memphis, we can connect you with a reputable Xanax detox center in your area. Our expert admissions counselors will assess your needs and make an informed recommendation on which detox center you should attend.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can connect you with a top-rated Xanax detox program in Memphis.
References:
- Medline Plus: Alprazolam
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal
- NIH: The benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome
- American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP): Tapering Patients Off of Benzodiazepines