Xanax Detox in Orange County

Xanax Detox in Orange County

When doctors prescribe a medication, they believe that the benefits outweigh the side effects or downsides of it. Anti-anxiety medications can be very helpful for the millions who suffer from anxiety and panic disorders, but can also operate similarly to other addictive drugs like opiates, and lead to withdrawal symptoms with long-term use. A person may not feel addicted to it because it is helping with their anxiety symptoms, but cannot wean themselves off of it because the withdrawal symptoms are too uncomfortable.

Addiction to Anti-Anxiety Medication

Many people who suffer from anxiety may also have a difficult time finding the right medication to ease their symptoms. They may try multiple drugs like SSRIs without enough relief. This is when their doctor may turn to heavier anti-anxiety medications known as benzodiazepines or benzos, which include drugs like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium. 

Patients can do very well on one of these medications and can help stop anxiety and panic attacks. When benzos are taken as prescribed, a person can live a more normal life without their anxiety getting in the way. The downfall is that these medications can become physically addictive. They may need more of the medication to get the same effect or find themselves using it more often than needed. 

Drugs like Xanax and Klonopin can quickly build a physical tolerance in a person, and users will typically need more of the drug after a few months to get the same effects as they did at the beginning. Physical dependence means that once the person stops using or significantly reduces the amount, they will likely experience negative withdrawal symptoms such as depression, increased anxiety, insomnia, sweating, shaking, pounding heart, confusion, restlessness, and more. Long-term anxiety medication use changes the brain’s structure which leads to tolerance and eventually addiction.

Xanax is one of the most abused anti-anxiety medications and may require a treatment program in order to recover from addiction. Once addiction takes hold, daily responsibilities such as family, school, or work are affected as much of the person’s energy is used towards drug-seeking behavior. Some of the signs of Xanax addiction include:

What is Xanax Detox?

Xanax detox is a safe way to withdraw from the drug and eliminate the negative side effects of weaning off the drug. Withdrawal from Xanax can be long and produce severe symptoms when stopped abruptly. Tapering down is the safest and most effective way to detox, which can also reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. 

Tapering down involves gradually reducing the dosage over a period of time. Some doctors may recommend switching to a longer-acting Benzodiazepine, such as Klonopin, to help to taper off use. Xanax detox is best done under medical supervision.

The Xanax Detox Process

The best way to detox from Xanax is through tapering. The taper schedule will be based on certain factors such as environmental stressors, lifestyle, reasons for taking Xanax, personality, and clinical and personal support. The three approaches to tapering off Xanax are:

1. Carefully reducing your Xanax dose over time
2. Switching to longer-acting benzos, such as Klonopin
3. Prescribing other drugs to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms

Every treatment program will differ from person to person and may include one or more of the above approaches. Some people with milder Xanax addictions may be able to self-detox at home, but generally, medical supervision is recommended. A physician can monitor your progress and help treat medical conditions associated with Xanax withdrawals by prescribing medications such as antidepressants to help with the symptoms. They can also monitor your vitals and ensure your safety. Medical detox can also complete the detox process by making it more comfortable and reducing the likelihood of relapse because the withdrawal symptoms are too much.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

Anyone who uses Xanax runs the potential of developing dependence, but this is especially true for those who take the drug in larger doses or for a longer period of time than prescribed. This also increases the chances of suffering from withdrawal. Xanax dependence causes a person to not be able to function or feel normal, and may even experience physical pain and psychological disturbances. The higher the dosage or length of time taken, the more intense withdrawal symptoms will be.

Xanax is intended for short-term use because of its high addiction potential, especially compared to other Benzodiazepines. Some people have even experienced withdrawal symptoms while sticking to their prescribed dose for only a few weeks. But for those who abuse it by taking it for a longer period of time or in higher doses, experiences more severe side effects such as hallucinations and seizures.

Withdrawal symptoms appear suddenly and within a few hours of the last dose. The most common and severe symptoms include:

Because Xanax is short-acting, its effects are felt sooner and are also over quicker than most benzos. Withdrawal will start as soon as the body and brain are deprived of the drug. Withdrawal will start within a few hours and last for about a week but can continue for up to two weeks. The most intense symptoms happen within the first day and the person will start to feel better after the fourth day. Some people may still experience mild, lingering symptoms after two weeks.

There is also the possibility of rebound symptoms, which are intensified symptoms of pre-existing mental health disorders, which include anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks. These rebound symptoms usually go away after a week or so, but the underlying disorder may still require specialized treatment.

There is also a possibility of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) in which Xanax withdrawal may appear up to two years after detoxing. The symptoms will slowly decrease in severity and frequency over the recovery process. Some of the symptoms of PAWS include:

Xanax Addiction Treatment Options

When a person has become physically dependent on Xanax and maybe taking more than before to feel the same effects, it is likely they will feel withdrawals when they stop using. Medical detox is required for the sudden and intense symptoms of Xanax withdrawal.

Many Xanax addiction treatment centers offer medical detox as their first step to recovery. Professional programs can help address the physical and psychological dependence of Xanax. If you started taking Xanax because of a mental health disorder such as anxiety or panic attacks, those underlying issues will still be there. A treatment center that offers dual diagnosis treatment is the best option to help you recover from your Xanax addiction as well as address anxiety and panic disorders to help you avoid any future relapses.

After undergoing detox, depending on the severity of your addiction, you may choose inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation. Both types of programs will offer similar treatments including medication-assisted treatment, group, family, and individual therapy, 12-step programs, and even holistic treatments such as exercise, nutrition, and massage. Entering a rehab program after detox will give you the best chance for long-term recovery.

Detoxing Safely at Resurgence Behavioral Health

Xanax addiction can happen to anyone, even for those who have taken the medication as prescribed. The body can easily become physically dependent on the drug and requires medical supervision to successfully detox from. At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we offer Xanax detox in Orange County. We are committed to offering the safest and most effective detox treatments to our clients. It is important to remember that Xanax detox is only the first step in recovery. 

After you complete your detox program under medical supervision at Resurgence Behavioral Health, our clinical staff can help guide you into one of our inpatient or outpatient Xanax addiction programs. Some people may only need medication to assist them through the detox process while others may need longer-term medications, which our doctors can evaluate your condition and recommend ideal medications.

Because many who start using Xanax have an underlying mental health disorder, Resurgence Behavioral Health may be the ideal treatment program because we offer dual diagnosis treatment. While we treat your Xanax addiction, we will also help address underlying issues such as anxiety or panic disorders to fully help you heal. 

If you or someone you love is looking for Xanax detox in Orange County, please give us a call today. One of our addiction specialists will be happy to answer any questions you may have or help get you enrolled in our detox program.

If you are looking for top-rated Xanax detox, reach out to Resurgence Behavioral Health today! #xanaxdetox #resurgence https://t.co/Tms5VsDG8P

— Resurgence Behavioral Health (@RBHRecovery) March 8, 2022

Alexa Iocco