Xanax Withdrawal and Detox Center in Dallas

Xanax is a brand name for a type of drug known as benzodiazepines. Alprazolam is its generic name. It’s used to treat anxiety and panic disorders by acting as a sedative. Off-label use includes the treatment of insomnia, but the FDA does not approve it for this purpose.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine, meaning it is a central nervous system depressant. Like many other sedatives, Xanax (alprazolam) works by binding to GABAA receptors in the brain to decrease the overall level of brain activity and reduce feelings of anxiety.

However, abusers often take Xanax with other drugs like alcohol or cocaine to enhance its effects, leading to accidental overdose. People who drink and former drug abusers experience more significant mental impairment when taking Xanax, so if you fall into this group, you are at an elevated risk of complications.

First introduced in the U.S. market in 1981, alprazolam (Xanax) has an intermediate onset of action. It also has a shorter half-life, or a quicker elimination, from the body than other commonly prescribed benzodiazepines such as Valium or Librium.

Increased Xanax-related emergency room visits have risen in the last 10 years. Approximately 50% of these visits do not involve other drugs, indicating Xanax is potent on its own. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has identified “doctor shopping” and prescription forging as significant sources of black-market alprazolam.

Since 2006, there has been a rapid increase in the number of people admitted to drug treatment centers in the U.S. for sedative or tranquilizer use in general — particularly Xanax. This increase tracks closely with the rise in legal prescriptions written for Xanax, suggesting that the rise in legal availability may indirectly fuel Xanax abuse.

• The 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that young adults were the most likely to have ever used these drugs for nonmedical purposes. 
• The rate of abuse for those aged 18-25 (10.3%) was nearly double that for those aged 26 or over (5.7%).

• A 2011 study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence reported equal representation of all racial groups and genders among young adults abusing benzos in nightclubs.

Xanax provides rapid symptom relief for anxiety disorders within a week of beginning treatment and no decrease in effectiveness even when used for several years. So, despite problems with abuse and Xanax detox, it is still commonly prescribed.

Side effects include

• Lightheadedness
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Sedation
• Memory impairment
• Poor balance
• Appetite changes

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Weight gain
• Dry mouth
• Reduced libido
• Fatigue

More severe side effects include

• Respiratory depression
• Jaundice
• Seizures
• Suicide
• Slow heart rate

• Severe low blood pressure
• Fainting
• Movement disorder
• Increased heart rate

Professional help is a must. About one-third of people who take benzos for 6 months or longer will experience health problems, including seizures, when they try to quit.

Withdrawal symptoms can include

• Anxiety
• Blurred vision
• Diarrhea
• Dry heaving and vomiting
• Headaches
• Heart palpitations
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle pain and stiffness

• Numb fingers
• Panic attacks
• Paranoia
• Poor concentration
• Seizures
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Sleep problems
• Sweating
• Tremors
• A host of perceptual changes

The Xanax withdrawal timeline is fairly standard. Withdrawal typically begins 6-12 hours after the last dose. Symptoms may be anxiety, headache, and insomnia. Symptoms can intensify between 1 and 4 days after the last dose. By this time, symptoms of anxiety may return and worsen.

But how long does Xanax detox and withdrawal last overall? After 5 days, when symptoms peak, they will begin to lessen, although they may be present for another week to 10 days.

Symptoms beyond the initial 2-week withdrawal period are identified as postacute withdrawal. In this situation, the symptoms are generally less intense. However, they can linger for a long time, with some patients experiencing them for as many as 2 years.

Unlike the initial symptoms, postacute withdrawal symptoms appear in waves. While they’re less intense and not steady, they do pose a risk. Long-lasting withdrawal symptoms, left untreated, increase the chance of relapse.

• Irritability and hostility
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fatigue

• Insomnia
• Limited ability to focus or think clearly
• Low libido
• Chronic pain
• Drug cravings

Like any benzodiazepine, Xanax mixed with other substances can lead to more intense withdrawal symptoms and medical emergencies. Mixing Xanax and heroin increases the risk of overdosing. Taking Xanax while using cocaine can produce feelings of anxiety and lead to dangerous behavior. The mixing of Xanax and alcohol can be dangerous and deadly as well.

The risk of experiencing unsafe Xanax detox symptoms is high when attempting to quit using Xanax alone. If you’ve tried to quit in the past, you may remember difficulty falling or staying asleep, feeling irritable, and suffering from anxiety or panic attacks. Other challenging physical conditions may include trembling, nausea, muscle pain and stiffness, and headaches. In addition, you may notice your ability to concentrate is greatly affected.

Serious Side Effects of Xanax Detox Without Medical Supervision

• Seizures
• Psychosis

• Hallucinations
• Return to Xanax use

Trying to quit Xanax cold turkey or without a doctor’s supervision can be extremely dangerous. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, act on the brain’s reward, mood regulation, and motivation regions. When an individual who is dependent on Xanax tries to quit taking the drug, the brain needs time to return to normal levels of functioning. Withdrawal can lead to seizures, panic, and even death. More professionals than ever agree that detox and medical supervision are necessary.

A medically monitored detox provides a safe space for those wanting to end their Xanax use. At a medical facility, withdrawal symptoms can be safely controlled, and side effects reduced with a slow and controlled tapering schedule set up by a professional.

At times, a longer-acting benzodiazepine, like Valium (diazepam), may be substituted for Xanax during detox. Keeping a small amount of benzo in the bloodstream may control drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms until the drug is completely weaned out of the system. Adjunct medications like antidepressants, beta-blockers, or other pharmaceuticals may effectively treat specific symptoms of Xanax withdrawal.

Existing health conditions, including mental health disorders, are also a part of the ongoing care provided to a patient at a detox facility. This setting and the expertise of the medical professionals allow a patient to safely experience Xanax withdrawal and prepare for the next steps in their recovery journey.

Restored Path Detox is DFW’s premier location for sophisticated medical Xanax detox. Conveniently located in Frisco, we provide a safe sanctuary for healing that is also a state-of-the-art detoxification facility for a wide range of substances.

Our compassionate physicians and therapists want you to get well and are committed to removing any existing barriers to your care. Restored Path’s team of board-certified physicians and highly qualified RNs have extensive critical care experience. They are available to monitor your detox program 24 hours a day, seven days a week.