Xanax Abuse

Xanax Abuse Info

While Xanax might be a Schedule IV drug, that doesn’t mean it’s non-habit forming. In fact, if you’ve been taking Xanax for a while and you stop, you might develop withdrawal symptoms. Because your body has gotten used to constantly having Xanax in your system, withdrawal symptoms are its way of trying to cope. Some withdrawal symptoms of Xanax include:

• Headaches.
• Shaking.
• Seizures.
• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Depression and irritability.
• Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
• Blurry vision.
• Sensitivity to sound and light.
• Trouble sleeping and concentrating.

To combat these symptoms, it’s best to enroll in a drug and alcohol rehab program. In a drug rehab program, you’ll get medically supervised care to guide you through the withdrawal process.

Increased tolerance is another problem of long-term Xanax use. This is when your body requires a higher dose of Xanax to achieve the same effects. Studies aren’t clear on when exactly increased tolerance starts to form, which is why it’s so important to follow your doctor’s directions when taking the drug.

Xanax Abuse Statistics

In 2013, there were over 48 million alprazolam prescriptions dispensed in the United States, meaning nearly one-sixth of the country is on the drug. Unsurprisingly, it’s the second most common prescription medication according to data from emergency department visits.

Perhaps because it’s so widely available, alprazolam is the most common benzodiazepine involved in emergency department visits for drug misuse. In 2011, there were 123,744 emergency department visits involving the nonmedical use of the drug. There were 1,200,000 emergency department visits for the nonmedical use of prescription drugs in 2011, meaning alprazolam accounted for around 10 percent of these visits.

Not only is alprazolam widely misused, but it’s also the most potent kind of benzodiazepine. In hospital admissions when alprazolam was involved, patients stayed an average time of 19 hours. This was 1.27 times longer than admissions for other benzodiazepines. What’s more, patients on alprazolam were 2.06 times more likely to require intensive care compared to those on other kinds of benzodiazepines.

Xanax Drug Rehab

So what can you do if you’re addicted to Xanax? The first step is to find a drug detox center to help you safely wean yourself off Xanax. After you’re clean, the next step is finding a drug and alcohol rehab facility.

In drug rehab, you’ll receive a combination of therapies to help you change your outlook on life. These therapies work to change your drug-seeking behaviors so you’ll be less likely to return to Xanax in the future. Some of the therapies you might see in drug and alcohol rehab include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy.
• Contingency management interventions.
• Community reinforcement approach.
• Motivational enhancement therapy.
• The Matrix Model.
• 12-step groups.
• Family behavior therapy.

If you’re misusing Xanax, don’t let yourself become another statistic. Get the help you need today to start taking back your life.