Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms: How Bad Can It Get?

Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine to treat anxiety. You may get both physical and psychological dependence when you take it for an extended period. Physical dependence can develop in weeks or days; even you take it at the prescribed dose. Quitting Xanax may also be dangerous, as stopping it suddenly may lead to unwanted fatal withdrawal symptoms. 

Xanax is a sedative that slows down your thinking and other processes of the brain. If taken in small doses, it is helpful to manage anxiety. People with anxiety symptoms have excessive stress and worry compared to others. 

Despite being the most prescribed Drug, Xanax has an addictive substance. You may get addicted to this drug even at the prescribed amount, but it more likely occurs when you take it carelessly. You are highly recommended to take this drug only at the dose and do not exceed the medication above the prescribed time. 

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

The symptoms and signs of xanax withdrawal vary from person to person. Some researchers state that approx 40% of those taking this drug for more than six months may experience acute to severe withdrawal symptoms. And the remaining 60% of individuals may experience mild symptoms.

In some cases, people quitting xanax may experience some increase in their anxiety. Depending on symptoms’ severity, you can experience a worse level of anxiety than your pre-treatment level. It is very common for you may experience nervousness or jumpy during the treatment of your xanax withdrawal.

Physical Withdrawal Symptoms of Xanax

Xanax is a nervous system depressant; it can decrease the body’s blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature and minimize anxiety, panic, or stress. Xanax also helps to reduce the symptoms of seizures. When your brain becomes dependent on Xanax, regularly slow down all these things. If you suddenly quit taking xanax, these functions may rebound. 

Withdrawal symptoms of Xanax can start to affect your body within hours of the last dose and peak in severity within one to four days. While having withdrawal, you may experience a headache, blurred vision, tremors, diarrhea, muscle pain, insomnia, numb fingers, anxiety, sweating, panic, seizures, and paranoia.

Benzodiazepines are potent prescription drugs with sedative properties that can increase the activity of the neurotransmitter, also known as GABA. Xanax is among the most popular drugs in the family of benzodiazepines. According to some reports, it is the 11th most recommended drug to treat anxiety and panic disorders. 

As xanax is the most recommended drug, it is also considered addictive. The consumption of Xanax can lead to dependence, especially when taken for more than a month. GABA is your brain acting as a natural sedative that slows down the functioning reaction to stress. 

Xanax may influence GABA production, and your brain may stop making it without the presence of benzodiazepines. It may then become dependent on the medication, and when it starts leaving in the bloodstream, you experience withdrawal symptoms. Your brain then starts struggling to regain its natural sense of balance. Never ignore any withdrawal symptoms of this drug; it may be dangerous or life-threatening. When you notice any withdrawal symptoms, rush to your doctor immediately.

When you suddenly stop taking Xanax, you should closely monitor your blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate. 

Psychological withdrawal symptoms of Xanax

Xanax acts on the mood regulation, reward, and motivational regions of the brain. When your brain gets dependent on this drug, these parts of your brain are also get affected. When a person gets dependent on this drug, then tries to stop taking the medication. But your brain needs some time to return to its natural state and functioning. 

The psychological withdrawal symptoms from Xanax may include anxiety, paranoia, and panic. An individual may also experience depression and suicidal thoughts, which you should closely monitor during the Xanax withdrawal. The withdrawal of this drug unable the patient to control their irritability and emotions. 

Some of the other possible withdrawal symptoms of Xanax may include mood swings, hallucinations, nightmares, short-duration memory loss, or lack of concentration. 

How Long Does Xanax withdrawal last in your system?

Xanax is a short-acting benzodiazepine with average life of 11 hours. Your withdrawal symptoms begin as soon as the medicine becomes inactive in the blood plasma, mainly after 6 to 12 hours after the last dose. 

In short-acting benzodiazepines such as Xanax, mild withdrawal symptoms start within six to eight hours. It peaks around the second day and resolves within four to five days. Your withdrawal symptoms may last for weeks and months. The withdrawal symptoms may worsen if not treated at the correct time. 

In some cases, people also experience protracted withdrawal, including psychiatric symptoms and drug cravings. It may last for days, months, or years without being addressed by a professional.

Factors that may affect withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms for each individual are different, and the withdrawal duration may get affected by several factors. The more your body and brain are dependent on the drug, the more intense and longer you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Way of ingestion, regular dose, a combination of the drug with alcohol, duration of medication, abuse, or genetics may contribute to how quickly you become dependent on the drug and how long it lasts.

Mental health, history of addiction, high stress, medical complications, and other environmental factors can also affect the duration of the withdrawal symptoms and how many side effects you may get. The withdrawal symptoms of this drug become comfortable and less dangerous with the help of medical professionals. 

What is the treatment of xanax withdrawal symptoms?

Make sure you do not stop taking Xanax on your own. Doing such activity may be dangerous or life-threatening. Always seek a professional for the withdrawal of the drug. The treatment of xanax dependence began with a board-certified physician.

Benzodiazepines dependence treatment includes a slow detox timeline that decreases the severity of withdrawal symptoms. And psychological follow-ups such as group therapy.

Detox Process

Xanax withdrawal from detoxification is an extended form of taper for some people. In which the substance is given in the decreasing amount over a period of time. Withdrawal is safely controlled, and side effects are reduced with the slow tapering schedule. When your doctor gradually reduces the dose of xanax when taken for a short period, the severe withdrawal symptoms are largely avoided. Lon-acting benzodiazepines like Valium may substitute with Xanax during detoxification. 

When you keep a small dose of benzo in the bloodstream, your drug cravings are controlled for a short time until the medicine is removed from your body. Other medications such as beta-blockers or antidepressants are effective in treating specific Xanax withdrawal symptoms. 

Medical experts also agree that the safest and the best way to detoxify benzodiazepines is a combination of psychological support and gradual tapering. Professionals also recommend therapy sessions that include stress management techniques and prevention tools. They are beneficial while preceding the initial detox from Xanax. Such as CBT or Cognitive Behavioral therapy assists people to find links between their work, actions, and thoughts to make them positive in nature. 

You may suffer from a change in appetite and weight loss during Xanax withdrawal. So, make sure you take a balanced diet and healthy food during the detoxification. 

For more information or to buy Xanax online, you can contact us anytime you need. We will be happy to help you.