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Prescription drug addiction is a serious issue, and the mental health crisis in the UK has led to more people seeking medication to help them. Benzodiazepines are a type of drug that are used to treat anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks.
Xanax is a brand of alprazolam and belongs to the benzodiazepine family. It is used medically but also can have negative impacts on your life.
In this blog, you’ll find information on what you need to know, including how Xanax can affect you, what the signs of addiction may be and what help is available.
What is Xanax and How is it Used?
Xanax, as stated above, is a benzodiazepine which is prescribed in the US to treat mental health conditions such as anxiety and panic disorders. Despite its widespread legal use in the USA, in the UK, it is a Class C drug, though a verified private doctor can prescribe it. Xanax cannot be obtained via the NHS.
Xanax is a depressant that affects your central nervous system. And, as a depressant, it slows down your brain and body, making you feel relaxed and drowsy. Potential side effects of Xanax include coordination issues, low blood pressure, breathing issues and vomiting.
How Does Xanax Affect the Body and Brain?
Xanax affects your brain by impacting GABA levels. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a neurotransmitter that can depress your central nervous system. Xanax increases the activity of GABA in your brain, binding to specific GABA receptors. This causes the calming effects of the drugs, promotes relaxation and decreases anxiety.
If Xanax is taken in larger doses or abused, then dopamine levels in your brain can increase. Dopamine is the pleasure hormone and increased levels in your brain can mean that you develop an addiction quickly. Your tolerance quickly builds up as your body becomes used to the increased dopamine levels, and you need to take more time to feel the effects.
Is Xanax an Addictive Drug?
Yes, it is.
With Xanax, you can be both physically and psychologically dependent on it, meaning you are suffering from addiction. Dependency is the physical side of an addiction, as your body will go into withdrawal without the drug in your system. Addiction is the compulsion to take a drug that is driven by psychological needs.
Xanax is significantly misused in the US, with a reported 5.3 million people abusing the drug. Xanax use is not as widespread in the UK, but we make up 22% of the global sales of the drug.
Long-term Xanax misuse can lead to serious consequences for you. It can lead to chronic depression, cause memory loss, psychotic episodes, and periods of confusion.
Signs and Symptoms of Xanax Addiction
Xanax abuse, like any drug addiction, can develop gradually and be hard to spot. Recognising the signs of addiction can be the first step to recovery as you come to see how Xanax is impacting your everyday life. This is why it’s vital to know the signs of addiction and then act.
Physical symptoms include:
- Drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
Behavioural symptoms include:
- Doctor shopping
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Legal problems
- No longer doing things you once enjoyed
- Poor work/school performance
Why is Xanax So Addictive?
Xanax has a high addiction potential because it gets into the bloodstream quickly and acts fast. The quick onset of the desired effects increases the chances of people taking it again to get high, which occurs towards the beginning of the drug’s effect timeline – after an hour or so.
The repeated use will eventually lead to a tolerance build-up. Soon, you have to take more Xanax to get the effects you got from the drug initially. Your body becomes dependent on the drug, and withdrawal occurs if you go a day without Xanax.
Xanax withdrawal can be particularly intense, and you may experience seizures, tremors, nausea, anxiety and hallucinations. You might anticipate these effects, so take the drug pre-emptively, leading to a compulsion to take Xanax – ultimately developing an addiction.
As withdrawal can be intense, there are many dangers linked to unsupervised detox, including heart issues and potential death. When it comes to Xanax, you must seek professional help to cope with withdrawal.
Treatment Options for Xanax Addiction
If you are showing signs of Xanax addiction, then you need to get help quickly. Addiction is a progressive problem, meaning that it will only get worse if left untreated. The good news is that there are many available options.
The two main rehabilitation pathways are attending outpatient and inpatient programmes. They are similar in the treatments they offer but inpatient is the better choice if your addiction is severe. Choosing an inpatient programme means moving into a facility for a short time and experiencing a more intense recovery programme.
No matter what you choose, an effective addiction treatment programme will help you deal with both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. Getting professional help is vital to ensure safe withdrawal from Xanax and a long-lasting recovery.
Detox in Rehab
Detox is the process of purging the toxins from your body by stopping your use of Xanax. You do this to end your physical dependence on the drug. At a rehab centre, you can go through a medical detox – meaning that medication may be given to help alleviate severe withdrawal symptoms.
Therapies
During rehab, you will encounter an array of behavioural, individual, group and holistic therapies. These provide a comprehensive approach to the psychological side of addiction. You will come to learn more about your addiction, better understand your triggers and the underlying causes and come up with better-coping mechanisms.
Living Free from Xanax Dependency: Recovery and Aftercare
Rehab is not the end of the recovery journey. Maintaining a drug-free lifestyle can sometimes be a day-by-day struggle but some resources offer continuing support.
Aftercare is an important part of the recovery journey. Rehab Clinics Group offer free aftercare sessions, allowing you to stay connected to us and the people you have met in rehab. Building these connections will help you not feel isolated during your recovery and give you a supportive space to voice concerns and work through addiction-related issues.
These groups can form part of a support system that includes friends, family and other support meetings such as AA and NA. Counselling can also help you stay on top of your addiction.
The most important aspect of recovery and aftercare is your dedication. If you commit to recovery, you will gain the benefits. Making changes to your life – eating well, exercising, finding new hobbies – are all beneficial to maintaining sobriety.
Get Help With Your Xanax Addiction Now
Well, is Xanax an addictive drug?
Despite being useful for mental health issues, the risks of the drug are too great. It is addictive and can cause irreparable damage to your life. If you are suffering from Xanax addiction, then it may be time to get help.
At Rehab Clinics Group, we provide expert rehabilitation services with an understanding and supportive approach. For more information, call us at 0800 470 0382 or text HELP to 83222.
