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About 70% of adults in the U.S. report that they have at least one daily prescription medication that they take. While not all medications have intense withdrawal symptoms, or any at all, when the body becomes accustomed to an alteration caused by a medication, you can sometimes aptly feel its absence when you stop taking it.
Let’s look at a very basic example: if you take a daily allergy medication and you forget to take it for a day or two, you might notice an increase in the allergy-related symptoms you experience those days. Now what about medications that help assist with slightly more intense things, like panic attacks or seizures? Benzodiazepines commonly assist with these things but are known to cause withdrawal. Xanax, in particular, is well-known for its withdrawal symptoms.
What exactly does this withdrawal entail? Does everyone who takes this medication risk experiencing withdrawal? How does Xanax withdrawal affect you in the long run?
Here at Serenity Lane, we believe in talking openly about substances of all forms in order to provide free, educational material for all who need or want it. Let’s dive into Xanax withdrawals, how they happen, how long they last, and what treatment options can help you recover from them.
In 2019, Oregon was ranked the highest in regard to percentages of adults who experienced symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Over 45% of adults in Oregon in 2019 reported symptoms of a GAD.
Benzodiazepines, or “benzos,” are a medication that are commonly prescribed to those trying to manage a GAD. Benzos are a central nervous system depressant. This means that they slow down the messages that pass from your brain to the rest of your body. This can be especially helpful for GADs, panic disorders, and seizure disorders as it can give the body time to calm down.
Xanax is in the benzodiazepine family. Like with any medication, there are always risks of side effects. Oftentimes, Xanax serves as an “as-needed” medication as opposed to one taken on a consistent basis. When people misuse Xanax and take it outside of a prescription, they can increase their risk of experiencing side effects, especially long-term ones.
Short-term side effects can be felt within the period you’re partaking in the medication or sometimes a day after.
Some of the most common side effects of Xanax consumption in any form include:
Long-term effects will only occur in those who have a history of substance use with a particular substance.
Here are some of the common long-term side effects of Xanax use.
Xanax withdrawal can occur in as little as a few hours after your last dose. How long does it continue after that? While this timeline won’t fit every situation, it can give you a fairly good estimate of what the process will look like.
On average, the withdrawal period from Xanax lasts a few weeks.
Let’s look into how that’s broken down:
There isn’t a set amount of Xanax one must take in order to experience withdrawal. Your risk of experiencing it does increase the longer you take Xanax, especially if you are taking it regularly against medical advice.
Rest assured, that a single dose of Xanax on its own should not be cause for alarm regarding withdrawal.
Things like weight, age, history of substance use, and how much food or other substances you have in your body all play a role in exactly how your withdrawal experience goes.
Xanax is a short-acting benzo. Short-acting refers to how quickly a substance is absorbed into the system, its effects are felt, and how quickly it then leaves the system. When a substance that impacts the brain and body quickly acts and then leaves, it can make the body scramble to fill its absence. This time period of your body adjusting to its absence is what causes withdrawal.
Because Xanax is short-acting, the body doesn’t get much time to adjust to it being gone. It’s fairly abrupt, all things considered. This is why most Xanax prescriptions are prescribed to be used “as needed”. If a doctor is trying to stop your Xanax use, they will slowly taper you off instead of cutting you off cold turkey. Even with the tapering process, some people still experience withdrawal.
What exactly does withdrawal from Xanax look like? If you notice any of the following signs in yourself or a loved one, you might be experiencing Xanax withdrawal:
Are you looking to start your journey to recovery and work towards moving away from benzodiazepines? You are in the right place. Here at Serenity Lane, we offer treatment options for benzodiazepine addiction and other forms of substance use. Our team can provide everything from detox to inpatient and outpatient programs depending on your level of need. We believe in making sure your recovery path suits your unique needs and not just shoving everyone onto the same exact schedule.
If you have any questions about our treatment options, recovering from benzos, withdrawal, or more, feel free to give us a call at (800) 543-9905. Our Serenity Lane team is here and ready to help when and if you need it.
How Long Do Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
The most intense Xanax withdrawal symptoms usually last 3 days, though symptoms as a whole can last up to a few weeks after your last dose.
What is the most associated risk with taking Xanax long-term?
In addition to long-term side effects such as depression and anxiety, there is also a risk of developing problems with your memory, potentially leading to memory loss.
What Are The First Signs Of Xanax Withdrawal?
Vertigo, hallucinations, cramps, memory loss, double vision, and a burning or itching sensation on your skin are all common signs of Xanax withdrawal.
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