It can be dangerous to stop taking Xanax when you have this substance use disorder. The withdrawal symptoms can be fatal. Thankfully, you don’t have to take the risk. Effective treatment for Xanax withdrawal is available. To learn more, reach out to Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today at 866.294.5306.
What Happens During Xanax Withdrawal?
When you take Xanax for an extended period or in large doses, you’re at risk for developing a dependence. At this point, your brain has become dependent on the drug to function normally. When you don’t take the medication, your brain thinks that something is wrong. Its response takes the form of mental and physical withdrawal symptoms.
The symptoms are some of the most dangerous among benzodiazepine drugs. Xanax has a short half-life, which means that it works quickly in the body and leaves quickly. It’s even 10 times stronger than other benzos, including Klonopin and Valium.
For these reasons, suddenly quitting Xanax can cause acute and severe withdrawal. Some people even experience symptoms between doses.
Symptoms and Timeline
The Xanax withdrawal timeline and symptoms vary from person to person. However, there’s an average duration and typical symptoms.
In most cases, Xanax withdrawal begins six to eight hours after the last dose. The first symptoms to manifest are irritability and anxiety. As the process progresses, the symptoms worsen and peak by the 72-hour mark. By this time, muscle pain, insomnia, shaking, and sweating have manifested.
Anxiety and insomnia may continue after this point, but the rest of the symptoms slowly subside. The worst of the process usually ends in 10 to 14 days. However, post-acute withdrawal can last for three to six months after the final dose.
Furthermore, many people use Xanax and other benzodiazepines to manage mental health symptoms. If you stop using these medications, some of the symptoms that linger during your withdrawal include anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping. Without the benzos inhibiting these symptoms and tools to manage them naturally, you may find yourself unable to cope. As a result, finding a detox center that offers dual diagnosis treatment is critical. Dual diagnosis can provide relief for many of your withdrawal symptoms and help you manage your mental health condition.
What Is the Treatment for Xanax Withdrawal?
The best place to get Xanax withdrawal treatment is at a Xanax detox center. Since your specific needs will differ from someone else’s, the facility will create a customized treatment plan. In general, it could use one or two methods.
Tapering is a safer method than quitting cold turkey. It involves your detox center, slowly reducing your Xanax dose. The facility might even switch you to longer-acting benzo during the process. This method prevents or at least lessens the severity of your withdrawal symptoms.
Medical detox is the second method. It involves using other medical treatments to aid the withdrawal process. For example, over-the-counter medicines can address symptoms such as muscle aches.
Despite these methods working on their own, combining them provides the most effective and safest treatment for Xanax withdrawal. Meditation, yoga, and similar holistic therapies help as well. We offer a range of therapies, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Family therapy
- Meditation therapy
- Group therapy
Get Help During Xanax Withdrawal
Do you need treatment to overcome Xanax dependence or addiction? Serenity House Detox & Recovery has a range of substance use programs and services, including:
- Men’s detox program
- Women’s detox program
- Relapse prevention
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- A holistic approach to treatment and therapy
Don’t let the fear of withdrawal keep you from stopping your Xanax use. Get treatment for Xanax withdrawal to overcome your substance use disorder. Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery at 866.294.5306 to begin your journey toward sobriety.
