Written by Drew Redd. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
Beat Xanax addiction with expert care and compassionate support from Ardu Recovery Center.
Our drug addiction treatment programs give you the tools to take control of your life and forge your own destiny.
Ardu changed my life in so many ways. I truly am grateful for every staff member there. They are warm, caring, understanding and inviting. I truly believe that i wouldn’t be where i am today without them. Every single person there fought for me when i didn’t know how to fight for myself.
Xanax (alprazolam) is part of a class of medications called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepine medications produce feelings of relaxation and calm in the brain, which is why many people are easily addicted to its sedative and anxiety-relieving effects. With repeated use, the brain adjusts to the presence of Xanax and begins to depend on it to maintain chemical balance in the brain. Over time, you may become addicted to Xanax and rely on its effects to feel normal.
Xanax is prescribed to treat symptoms of anxiety disorders such as panic disorder. It works by slowing down the movement of brain chemicals that may have become unbalanced, leading to anxiety. When taken as prescribed by a doctor, Xanax can provide short-term relief from overwhelming anxiety and panic attacks.
While beneficial for treating anxiety under medical supervision, Xanax and benzodiazepine addictions pose significant risks. The dependence and withdrawal effects make Xanax addiction particularly risky and difficult to overcome. Both recreational short-term use and long-term Xanax use can lead to severe side effects and addiction.
If you’re finding yourself dependent on benzodiazepines and want to get clean, our benzodiazepine treatment center is here for you. We provide personalized support to help you safely taper off benzos while managing withdrawal symptoms in our benzo detox facility.
While helpful when used short-term as directed, long-term, unregulated use of Xanax carries increased risks of:
Proper medical treatment is crucial for slowly tapering Xanax use under medical supervision. This can alleviate the withdrawal symptoms and mitigate these long-term health dangers. An even more immediate threat is a high risk of overdose.
Xanax overdose occurs when a person takes too much Xanax at once, whether intentionally or accidentally by combining it with other central nervous system depressants such as alcohol, opioids, or sedatives.
Xanax overdose is characterized by:
Successful addiction treatment helps people break the destructive cycle of addiction and achieve lasting sobriety through lifestyle changes, counseling, and social support. At Ardu, we understand the unique challenges of Xanax addiction. Our comprehensive addiction treatment programs can help you reclaim your life.
Addiction is a complex issue that requires professional guidance. A comprehensive program addresses the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of Xanax addiction through counseling, therapy, and support systems.
Xanax withdrawal can be extremely difficult and even life-threatening without proper medical supervision. When you quit Xanax abruptly, you can trigger intense psychological and physical symptoms. Our medically-assisted detox program gradually tapers dosages over time under 24/7 monitoring to minimize these dangers.
For many people, Xanax addiction frequently co-occurs with other mental health issues. Ardu provides dual diagnosis treatment that doesn’t just treat the addiction—our integrated approach addresses underlying conditions such as anxiety or depression simultaneously. By healing the mind and body together, we promote comprehensive recovery.
Our Xanax detox services provide a safe environment to help you through the withdrawal process. We understand that detoxing from Xanax can be incredibly challenging, which is why our detox center offers comprehensive medical detox programs.
The detox process begins with a full assessment to understand your unique situation and develop an individualized treatment plan. Our medical professionals then use medication management and medication-assisted treatment to alleviate the uncomfortable and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms you may experience.
Throughout detox, you’ll receive around-the-clock care and monitoring from our compassionate team. We’ll make sure you’re as comfortable as possible while your body rids itself of Xanax’s physical dependence. Our goal is to minimize risks and set you up for success in the next phase of treatment.
Our Xanax rehab takes place in a professional treatment facility focused on evidence-based treatment. Everyone’s journey to healing is unique, so we create individualized treatment plans tailored specifically to your needs. Our compassionate team draws from proven therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing, to uncover the root causes of your addiction.
Alongside individual and group counseling sessions, we incorporate holistic wellness practices to promote complete mind-body healing. Our goal is to equip you with the tools for lasting recovery from Xanax.
Ardu Recovery Center offers both inpatient and outpatient options to meet your needs.
Whichever type of treatment you choose, our team creates individualized programs using proven therapeutic approaches. We’ll help you build the skills for lasting sobriety from Xanax while accommodating your situation.
Substance use disorders, such as Xanax addiction, often co-occur with mental health conditions, a situation known as co-occurring disorders. Many turn to Xanax to self-medicate symptoms of mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and more. This path of self-medication only provides temporary relief while fueling a vicious cycle.
We understand the complex interplay between Xanax addiction and co-occurring mental health issues. That’s why our integrated treatment approach simultaneously addresses substance abuse and any underlying mental health disorders or behavioral health conditions.
Our mental health professionals conduct comprehensive evaluations to identify all mental health indicators and medical conditions that may be impacting your well-being. With these insights and with the help of our mental health counselors, we create individualized treatment plans alongside medication management when appropriate.
Our dual diagnosis treatments for co-occurring disorders along with Xanax addiction include:
Our goal is to equip you with coping strategies to overcome substance abuse while learning to manage your mental health in healthy ways.
At Ardu, we employ a range of evidence-based therapies to comprehensively treat Xanax addiction:
Through this multi-faceted approach combining individual and group work, we empower you with the tools to achieve lasting freedom from Xanax dependence.
Even after you complete the initial treatment, aftercare services are important in overcoming addiction. We’ll work closely with you to develop a personalized aftercare plan to support your transition back into everyday life while minimizing the risk of relapse. Relapse prevention is a critical component of our program at Ardu. We equip you with the skills needed to identify triggers and manage cravings before a relapse occurs.
Our aftercare programs also include individual counseling sessions to reinforce the coping techniques learned during treatment. We facilitate local support group meetings and alumni gatherings because having a strong sober community is key. If you ever feel triggers arising, our team is just a phone call away to provide guidance and get you back on track.
Prolonged, compulsive use of Xanax can lead to uncontrolled, drug-seeking behavior despite negative consequences. The warning signs of addiction to Xanax can be both behavioral and physical.
The behavioral signs include:
Physical symptoms of Xanax addiction may include:
If you recognize Xanax addiction symptoms in yourself or a loved one, reach out for help today to take the first step toward hope and healing.
When someone develops physical dependence on Xanax after prolonged use and then stops taking it abruptly, they experience acute withdrawal symptoms due to the body’s adaptation to the drug. The effects of withdrawal from Xanax can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. The peak Xanax withdrawal phase usually lasts 4-7 days after last use.
Common symptoms of withdrawal may include:
A gradual withdrawal process with the help of skilled professionals can make all the difference. They can ease the most severe acute withdrawal effects, monitor your health, and help you stay on the path towards recovery, even when it’s difficult.
Our Xanax addiction treatment can pave an easier road to long-term recovery from Xanax addiction. Located in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains of Provo, UT, Ardu facilities are a tranquil space where you can embrace the life of sobriety.
Don’t let you or your loved one become another statistic in the “war on drugs.” Reach out today and our caring specialists will be ready to work with you on a personalized treatment plan and get you on the road to recovery.
Anyone struggling with Xanax abuse or addiction can be eligible to enroll in our Xanax addiction treatment center.
Our recovery center welcomes people seeking help to overcome their Xanax addiction. Our dedicated staff of experienced professionals is here to guide and support you in your addiction treatment process, laying the foundation for long-term sobriety and relapse prevention.
To enroll in an Ardu Xanax treatment program, contact Ardu Recovery Center online or via phone (801-810-1234). We will work with you to find a recovery path that works for you during the detox process and beyond. Read our admissions process page for more information.
Ardu Xanax addiction treatment services are covered by most insurance providers. If you want to verify your health insurance coverage and gather more payment information and the Medicaid redetermination process in Utah, visit our insurance verification page.
Drew Redd is the executive director of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
One Xanax (alprazolam) a day can lead to addiction, even when taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax work by boosting the calming brain chemicals, but the brain compensates by reducing its own production, leading to dependence and withdrawal symptoms when stopping. While occasional, short-term use carries less risk, any regular daily dosing increases the likelihood of developing physiological dependence and addiction over time.
A standard 0.25mg dose of alprazolam can be addictive with repeated use. While this is considered a low therapeutic dose, the potential for addiction exists with all benzodiazepine drugs. With continued use, the brain becomes reliant on the drug’s calming effects and develops a physiological dependence, which requires medical detox to safely discontinue.
Xanax is primarily prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. It works by increasing levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that slows down the excessive brain activity linked to anxiety and feelings of worry. While providing short-term relief from acute anxiety symptoms, Xanax does not address the underlying psychological causes of these mental disorders long-term. Concurrent therapy is recommended for comprehensive treatment.
While Xanax can provide a calming, sedative effect that may temporarily quiet racing thoughts, it does not actually “stop” the cognitive process of thinking itself. The benzodiazepine works by boosting GABA to reduce excessive neurological firing in key brain regions. Chronic use can eventually impair concentration, memory, and normal cognitive function.
10 milligrams is an extremely high, potentially dangerous dose of Xanax. The maximum therapeutic dose is typically 4mg per day, divided into smaller doses. Anything over 4mg significantly increases the risks of overdose, coma, life-threatening respiratory depression, and adverse effects such as dizziness, slurred speech, and blurred vision. Most prescriptions start at just 0.25mg to 0.5mg doses taken on an as-needed basis only for anxiety relief.
Xanax (alprazolam) is not recommended for treating depression alone. As a benzodiazepine, it is an anti-anxiety medication that works by boosting GABA levels in the brain. While it can provide temporary relief from acute anxiety symptoms, it does not address the underlying neurochemical causes of depression. For co-occurring depression and anxiety disorders, an integrated treatment plan combining therapy, antidepressants, and lifestyle changes is needed for comprehensive care.
The occasional use of Xanax as prescribed for short periods may be relatively safe, but there are still risks involved with any benzodiazepine. Even single doses can potentially cause excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination. The more frequently it’s taken, the higher the chances of developing dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal effects. Long-term or recreational Xanax use should be avoided due to the high potential for addiction.
Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy on April 22, 2024
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