Marijuana Weed Withdrawal: Symptoms & Treatment

But people often take them with alcohol or other drugs, either of which can be dangerous or even deadly. About 3/4 of deaths that involve benzodiazepines also involve an opioid drug. Synthetic benzodiazepines, sometimes called “street,”  “designer,” or “novel” benzos, are classified as schedule I. These drugs are made in illicit labs and sold for recreational use. The immediate discontinuation of Xanax can lead to serious and life threatening withdrawal symptoms. Healthcare professionals can also use medication to help a person detox.

When should I see my healthcare provider about marijuana withdrawal?

• Most people will feel the strongest impacts from the drug for two to four hours.
• That’s more than the combined number of people who misused lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium) products.
• If you take away the blockades gradually, your brain can reduce its chemical traffic to match.
• Xanax, one of the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines, is generally considered safe for short-term use, but it can cause side effects like sleepiness, headaches, lethargy, dry mouth, and memory problems.
• Xanax can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol.
• Xanax addiction can be serious and affect a person’s mood, behavior and physical characteristics.

If a person has an addiction to Xanax, they are unable to stop taking it, despite negative consequences. Additionally, people who take it every day may develop physiological dependence, meaning that the body requires the medication to function properly. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, the level of anxiety you experience during Xanax withdrawal may be more intense than what you experienced before taking Xanax.

Xanax Addiction: How Addictive is Xanax?

But they can be addictive, especially if you take them every day or use them long-term. Addressing Protracted Withdrawal SymptomsXanax addiction can lead to protracted withdrawal symptoms, which may last for months or even years. These symptoms, including persistent anxiety, depression, and cognitive difficulties, require long-term management. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of psychotherapy are essential for addressing these prolonged symptoms, helping patients develop coping strategies and reduce the risk of relapse. Managing Acute Withdrawal SymptomsDuring the acute phase of withdrawal, patients may experience intense symptoms such as panic attacks, severe anxiety, and agitation. To mitigate these, healthcare providers may prescribe longer-acting benzodiazepines like diazepam or clonazepam, which help stabilize the patient while reducing the risk of severe reactions.

Benzodiazepine FAQs

In the body, alprazolam increases the effects of another substance called GABA, which is a neurotransmitter that down-regulates excitatory brain activity, slowing down the firing of neurons. This results in alprazolam’s ability xanax addiction to produce a sedating, tranquilizing effect. However, Xanax withdrawal can lead to a seizure in some cases, and seizures can be a life threatening medical emergency. Reducing Xanax usage slowly and under medical supervision can help reduce this risk. Xanax withdrawal can have serious side effects if not managed correctly. But a doctor can help you design a tapering schedule if you need to stop taking the medication.

More than 4 million of those people misused the products, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. That’s more than the combined number of people who misused lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium) products. Upjohn Laboratories introduced Xanax in the United States in 1981. Unlike Valium, the most popular anti-anxiety drug during the 1970s, Xanax was marketed as the first drug to reduce panic attacks.

What to expect from treatment

• Eliminating an addiction to Xanax involves multiple stages of rehab that target the physical, psychological, and emotional causes.
• The majority of people who misuse Xanax are between the ages of 18 and 25.
• Jenn is passionate about inner growth and the power of the mind-body connection, and this informs her writing and research on addiction treatment.
• Once this is completed, your program may offer you referrals to support groups, sober living programs, or various therapies.
• If you’re considering taking Xanax or are curious about its potential to help you feel less anxious, talk with your doctor.

Some supplements, such as valerian and melatonin, might also help you get some relief from your symptoms, but research has found mixed results. Your care team can offer more guidance on safely trying these supplements. After a month or so, your brain gets used to sending off more neurotransmitters just so some can get past the benzodiazepine blockade. When benzodiazepines attach to your neurons, they invite a bunch of chloride ions inside. These ions change the neuron’s electrical charge, so it has to work much harder to activate and send signals.

• If you’re predisposed to seizures, your risk of having a seizure may also increase during the withdrawal period.
• These drugs slow down your central nervous system, cause sedation and muscle relaxation, and lower anxiety levels.
• The longer you’ve been taking the drugs, the higher your risk for this.
• If a user wishes to stop taking Xanax after dependence on the drug has formed, it is not recommended to quit “cold turkey” or without medical supervision.
• There are several proposed explanations for why these groups may be at risk.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of psychotherapy are essential for addressing these prolonged symptoms, helping patients develop coping strategies and reduce the risk of relapse.

It typically involves 5-20 hours of treatment per week, depending on the type of outpatient treatment chosen. Estimates suggest that about 10% to 25% of people who use benzodiazepines long term experience what’s known as protracted withdrawal. Quitting cold turkey can increase your risk of extreme and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including delirium and grand mal seizures. If you have been taking Xanax several times a day, then quitting is going to take time, patience, and determination. The only safe way to quit is to slowly taper down your dose under the direction of a doctor.

While monitoring clients, treatment centers slowly taper them off Xanax by gradually reducing their daily dosage. Long-acting benzos, such as Klonopin or Librium (chlordiazepoxide), may be substituted for Xanax during tapering. Urine screenings, which are sometimes used during treatment to encourage abstinence, can detect Xanax for up to a week after last use.

Xanax Addiction Treatment

Enrolling in a rehabilitation program has helped many people recover from Xanax addiction. They can give you a schedule of when and how to reduce your dosage. It’s important to note that a doctor can help you taper your Xanax dosage even if your Xanax wasn’t prescribed to you. Most symptoms of Xanax withdrawal are unpleasant and distressing but not life threatening.