How to Detox from Xanax

Xanax, also called alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine that’s often prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Benzodiazepine medications are sedatives, so they slow the central nervous system (CNS) when taken and have a calming effect. That’s why they can help when someone feels anxious or panicked.

However, Xanax is highly addictive when misused or abused. Many people misuse prescriptions of the drug or use it recreationally for the high it causes when taken in large doses.

A cross-sectional analysis from the Journal of Psychiatric Services in 2019 estimated that about 30.6 million adults in the U.S. are prescribed benzodiazepines like Xanax each year, and 5.3 million of those prescribed the medication report misusing it at some point.

When someone becomes addicted to the medication, they will likely experience Xanax withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it. Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous or make it hard to stop taking the drug when not managed properly, so a well-rounded Xanax detox program is usually necessary to recover safely and effectively from addiction.

We’ll provide details on how to detox from Xanax and resources that can help with Xanax addiction treatment in the rest of this article.

Understanding Xanax Dependence

When someone takes Xanax in high doses, they’ll likely experience a rush of pleasurable feelings because it causes a release of neurotransmitters in the brain, often referred to as “feel-good hormones.”

The two primary neurotransmitters that Xanax causes the brain to release rapidly are GABA and dopamine. GABA is associated with calming effects, which is why the medication is used to treat anxiety and panic, and dopamine coordinates the brain’s reward system.

Studies show that when someone abuses drugs frequently that alter GABA receptor signaling, it can cause the brain to adapt and stop producing as much of the hormone naturally on its own. Instead, it’ll rely on you taking Xanax or other drugs to cause that immense flood of the hormone. This can make you feel reliant (or dependent) on the drug because of that effect and even feel like you can’t function normally without it.

Research also shows that the big release of dopamine that Xanax causes contributes to dependence. Specifically, since dopamine coordinates your reward system, it can draw someone to the rewarding sensation of taking the drug. Additionally, the brain will also adapt to large amounts of dopamine produced through drug use and slow its natural production of the hormone.

Lastly, when someone takes Xanax for a long time, they’ll begin to form a tolerance to the drug. That will cause them to have to take increasingly higher doses of the drug to achieve the same high. Taking higher and higher doses can worsen dependence, lead to more adverse side effects, and cause a greater risk of overdose.

Risk Factors for Xanax Dependence and Addiction

Along with how Xanax affects the brain when misused or abused, there are several other risk factors for Xanax addiction. Those include:

• Prolonged use: Generally, even for regular medical uses to treat anxiety or panic attacks, clinical research only recommends prescribing Xanax for 2-4 weeks since it has such a high potential for addiction. Taking it longer than that timeframe may cause dependence or withdrawal symptoms, even with regular dosages.
• High doses: Taking large doses of Xanax is much more likely to cause addiction. In medical uses, doctors only recommend it in the lowest effective dose for safety. You should always follow your doctor’s instructions when taking prescribed Xanax and avoid exceeding the recommended dosage.
• Genetics: A recent National Institutes of Health study showed ties between genetics and substance use disorders. Therefore, a family history of addiction is a common risk factor. However, even if there are genetic ties to addiction, you can still recover and build the skills to stay sober long-term.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

When someone struggles with Xanax dependence or addiction, they’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms when coming off the medication. Some common withdrawal symptoms experienced are:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety and paranoia
• Sweating
• Muscles aches and cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headaches
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Sensitivity to light
• Parathesis (prickling or burning feeling in the hands or feet)
• Insomnia
• Trouble concentrating
• Seizures
• Delirium

Some of these side effects, like seizures and delirium, can become dangerous if they aren’t adequately managed. Therefore, medical detox is recommended to help with tapering off Xanax and keeping you as safe and comfortable as possible.

Typical Withdrawal Timeline

The withdrawal timeline when coming off Xanax can vary based on individual factors. To give you a general overview, here’s a timeline for what the average person experiences:

• Within 6-12 hours after stopping use: After about 6-12 hours of stopping Xanax, most people will start to notice early withdrawal symptoms like anxiety or irritability. You’ll likely feel cravings to take Xanax, which is why it’s good to have supportive treatment professionals around to help as needed.
• After 1-4 days of stopping use: The most substantial withdrawal symptoms will occur during this timeframe. They can consist of more uncomfortable side effects like panic attacks, insomnia, muscle pain, and intense cravings for the drug.
• After 5-14 days of ending use: Here, you’ll notice the severity of withdrawal symptoms decreasing, but they should still be appropriately managed to ensure full recovery.
• After weeks or months: Some persistent symptoms can still linger for weeks or months after. You may also notice certain things trigger cravings for Xanax, such as daily stresses or being in environments that remind you of drug use. It’s essential to have a relapse prevention plan in place to cope and manage triggers.

Risks of Self-Detox

One of the most significant risks of self-detoxing from drugs like Xanax is that you could experience severe side effects and health complications that require immediate medical treatment. For example, experiencing seizures could become life-threatening without proper treatment. Additionally, side effects like delirium could cause extreme episodes of confusion or delusions that lead to irrational or dangerous behaviors.

Another considerable risk is relapse. Studies show that well-rounded treatment consisting of therapy, monitoring, and social support can reduce relapse rates. Treatment will also help you build skills and coping strategies to reduce the chances of relapse later on.

Lastly, there are many mental health challenges associated with Xanax withdrawal. It can cause anxiety, panic, depression, or even suicidal thoughts. Support will keep you safe and help you manage this difficult period.

Safe Xanax Detox Methods

The safest way to detox from Xanax is to complete a medical detox program at a treatment center. During a medical detox, you’ll have 24/7 medical and treatment support to keep you safe and comfortable.

Doctors can also help with strategies to reduce withdrawal symptoms, like properly tapering off or medication-assisted treatment if it’s determined that your symptoms may be more severe.

Treatment Options After Detox

A growing body of research is showing that longer-term addiction treatment leads to better results. Therefore, completing a more extended program at a treatment center is often a good idea after detox.

Depending on your needs, treatment professionals may recommend inpatient or outpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment involves living at the treatment facility, where you’ll consistently have a supportive and stable environment. Outpatient treatment allows you to attend regular treatment sessions but return home each night.

During either inpatient or outpatient care, you’ll continue to receive individual therapy, group therapy, and life skill-building sessions that help manage recovery.

After completing a longer-term treatment program, many treatment centers provide aftercare where you receive regular check-ins or can continue attending therapy sessions. Your treatment team will likely also recommend resources in your area, such as support groups like Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery.

Conclusion

Xanax is a highly addictive sedative drug. Someone struggling with addiction or dependence will likely experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping use that must be managed appropriately.

We’re here to provide support at Genesis House. We offer medical detox, inpatient treatment, and outpatient treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. When you work with us, you’ll have support from our treatment professionals each step of the way with a personalized plan that leads to success.

References

1. Maust, Donovan T., et al. “Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse among Adults in the United States.” Psychiatric Services, vol. 70, no. 2, Feb. 2019, pp. 97–106, doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201800321. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30554562/
2. Li, Xiaofan, and Paul A Slesinger. “GABAB Receptors and Drug Addiction: Psychostimulants and Other Drugs of Abuse.” Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences (Print), 1 Jan. 2020, pp. 119–155, doi:10.1007/7854_2020_187. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33442842/
3. Ait-Daoud, Nassima, et al. “A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal.” Journal of Addiction Medicine, vol. 12, no. 1, Aug. 2020, pp. 4–10, doi:10.1097/adm.0000000000000350. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5846112/
4. Kennedy, Kieran M, and Julien O’Riordan. “Prescribing Benzodiazepines in General Practice.” British Journal of General Practice, vol. 69, no. 680, 28 Feb. 2019, pp. 152–153, doi:10.3399/bjgp19x701753. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6400612/
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. “New NIH Study Reveals Shared Genetic Markers Underlying Substance Use Disorders.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 22 Mar. 2023, https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/03/new-nih-study-reveals-shared-genetic-markers-underlying-substance-use-disorders
6. Guenzel, Nicholas, and Dennis McChargue. “Addiction Relapse Prevention.” Nih.gov, StatPearls Publishing, 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551500/
7. Beaulieu, Myriam, et al. “A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of the Long-Term Treatment and Support of Substance Use Disorders.” Social Science & Medicine, vol. 285, no. 285, Sept. 2021, p. 114289, doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114289. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S027795362100621