Xanax Abuse is on the Rise
Xanax Drug Abuse
For years, Xanax abuse has been on the rise. Xanax is one of the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines used to treat panic disorders, stress, and anxiety.
Xanax is often recommended for short-term use only, but this rule is rarely adhered to. This benzodiazepine is addictive, and its effects are appealing to many.
Anxiety disorders are some of the most common mental health concerns in the country, and many affected individuals will turn to drugs or prescription medications for help. In fact, about half of individuals who experience a mental illness will also experience a substance use disorder. It’s vital to remember that there is a better way to cope with your mental health disorder than through the use of drugs or prescriptions.
Immediate Placement in Xanax Rehab
How to Avoid Xanax Addiction
Mental health conditions occur in high numbers in the United States. Generalized anxiety disorders are incredibly common. Panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression are also very common.
Bipolar disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are not far behind. For many individuals, relying on medications seems like the easiest solution. For many, it seems like the only solution.
Lax attitudes toward prescription benzodiazepines contribute to this problem. From 2009 to 2014, benzodiazepine prescriptions rose by 226%. A lack of information and understanding may lead to a life-long cycle of abuse and addiction.
Learn More About Xanax Rehab
Drug Addiction is Also a Mental Illness
What many people don’t know is that drug addiction is also a mental illness. Just like anxiety or depression, it alters your brain chemistry in fundamental ways. Compulsive behaviors and cravings replace everyday needs and desires over time.
Xanax may reduce stress and help you sleep in the short-term. However, when you misuse your prescription or purchase Xanax on the street when it runs out, you run the risk of developing an addiction. Xanax abuse can lead to powerful addictions. And over time, it may worsen your original mental health condition.
The best way to avoid Xanax addiction is to take it only as prescribed. Xanax is meant for short-term use. Follow your doctor’s instructions. Consider exhausting other alternatives first. If you experience anxiety or insomnia, test out healthier coping mechanisms. Build a strong support system. Use regular exercise, yoga, and meditation to unwind. Practice gratefulness by writing down one good thing that happened each day. Write letters and read books. Seek therapy and professional emotional support.
We can help. From medication management to holistic remedies, we’ll help you put your Xanax abuse or addiction behind you.
Xanax Addiction
Xanax abuse starts with taking an extra dose on a particularly stressful day, asking to refill your prescription so you can continue beyond short-term use; or, taking a few pills from a friend or purchasing them on the street. There are many ways to abuse Xanax.
The real problem begins when abuse evolves into Xanax addiction. Xanax is a strong benzodiazepine that impacts your mental health. Almost one-third of intentional overdoses or suicide attempts involve benzodiazepines.
If your Xanax abuse has crossed into an addiction, we are here to help.
Xanax and Heroin
One of the largest concerns with Xanax is that it often leads to other addictions.
Xanax and heroin both depress the central nervous system. They interact with important brain and body functions, and combining the two can be a deadly combination. Heroin reduces pain and increases pleasure. For individuals with high levels of stress and anxiety, this can be an appealing combination. However, there are no approved medical uses for heroin, and escalating from prescription drugs to heroin is never a good idea.
When Xanax and heroin are combined, the result is often life-threatening. They both interfere with essential life functions and brain responses. Together, they can slow your breathing to dangerous rates. Difficulty breathing, nausea, confusion, and irregular heartbeats are also common. Combining the two can impair cardiac functions and increase your chance of an overdose.
If you or someone you love is combining Xanax and heroin, reaching out for help can save a life.
Xanax Detox Withdrawal Symptoms
Challenging withdrawal symptoms and cravings may prevent you from getting sober on your own.
A lack of healthy coping mechanisms or support groups may leave you feeling helpless. An inability to overcome your anxiety may make you feel like Xanax is the only way to help you feel better effectively. This is simply not true.
At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we can help you overcome your Xanax addiction. We’ll address both the addiction and your underlying mental health issues. First, we’ll help you work your way through a detox. The following symptoms often accompany Xanax abuse and addiction:
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Muscle pains
- Tremors
- Diarrhea
- Numbness in the fingers
- Sound and light sensitivity
- Weight loss (due to decreased hunger)
- Difficulty sleeping
- Heart palpitations
- Sweats
- Anxiety, panic, or paranoia
- Seizures
Anyone who takes benzodiazepines for more than three to four weeks will likely experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking them abruptly. This is one factor that drives relapse rates. Social and environmental factors often play a part, and family history is a significant factor. Each of these (and other individual factors) will impact the length, type, and intensity of the withdrawal symptoms you experience.
A tapered, supervised Xanax detox is safer than at-home cold-turkey quitting. We’ll give you a safe and comfortable place to get through the worst parts of your recovery.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms often begin within a few hours of the last time you took it. They’ll typically hit their peak around one to four days later. From there, they’ll begin to dissipate. You’ll notice that you feel clearer. You’ll feel ready to face your addiction head-on. If you have severe withdrawal symptoms, we may offer a medically-assisted detox. The medications we use are medically-approved and non-addictive. They will help ease your pain and discomfort while you detox.
Xanax is very addictive, so it’s normal to feel withdrawal pains and cravings during detox. It’s essential to remain patient and remember that withdrawals won’t last forever. Your body is restoring order and balance. It may be temporarily uncomfortable, but it is very much worth the effort in the long-term.
Once you’re through your Xanax withdrawal, you’ll begin your addiction treatment plan. We’ll help you determine which treatment methods will be the most effective for you. We often begin with an inpatient program lasting 30, 60, or 90 days. Once patients graduate from this program, aftercare planning and services are available.
Outpatient care is an excellent way to continue receiving support and guidance after you’ve returned home. Therapy and support groups will be available to you each week. We recommend continued care for long-term sobriety.
Free Insurance Verification for Xanax Rehab
Xanax Addiction Treatment at Resurgence
If you’re ready to move past Xanax abuse and addiction, we’re ready to help. Your addiction treatment plan will be customized. It’ll be built with your needs and addiction in mind. Every step of the way, we want what’s best for you.
At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we offer addiction treatment that works. Our range of therapies is highly effective in treating addictions. We’ll help you identify and overcome the root causes of your addiction, so they can’t follow you throughout the rest of your life.
We’ll help you build support groups, cope with anxiety and stress in healthy ways, and manage daily sobriety.
Call today to get started with our free insurance verification.
