Xanax, also known as Alprazolam, is a powerful benzodiazepine prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizure disorders. The drug produces a calm and relaxed feeling by slowing down nerve cell activity in the brain and affecting the central nervous system. Xanax is increasing in popularity, with 50 million prescriptions written for the drug in 2013, and it is now the number one prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States.

Because Xanax is highly addictive, many people taking the drug can develop a dependence and experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop taking Xanax. According to psychiatrist Dr. Charles Raison, "Xanax has a very short half-life, which is a fancy way of saying that it goes into and out of the body very quickly. This property appears to make Xanax even more likely to cause emotional and physical dependency than other benzodiazepines. The short half-life means people will often start withdrawing from Xanax between scheduled doses, which tends to powerfully reinforce their psychological dependency of the medication." 

Quitting Xanax suddenly by stopping "cold turkey" can be extremely dangerous, and medically supervised Xanax detox can ensure the healthiest path to recovery.

What are the symptoms of Xanax withdrawal? 

Because it is a central nervous system depressant, Xanax can reduce anxiety by slowing down the heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. In addition to psychiatric reasons, the medication is also prescribed to decrease the risk of epileptic seizures. As with other benzodiazepines, the body can become dependent on the drug and adapts to functioning with Xanax.

Xanax Rebound Symptoms 

After quitting Xanax, a person may experience "rebound" symptoms. This means symptoms of a pre-existing psychological disorder may return, and the symptoms may be more intense. These may include anxiety, panic attacks, and inability to sleep. While these only may last about a week, rebound systems can be very painful and should always be monitored by a medical professional.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms 

Because Xanax is a short-acting benzodiazepine, the first withdrawal symptoms can appear only 6-12 hours after the last dosage. The intensity and length of withdrawal is different for every individual, but the most common signs of Xanax withdrawal include:

  • Increased levels of anxiety

  • Insomnia

  • Irritability

  • Panic attacks

  • Suicidal thoughts

  • Seizures

  • Headache

  • Blurred vision

  • Muscle aches

  • Tension in the jaw and/or teeth pain

  • Tremors

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Numbness of fingers

  • Tingling in arms and legs

  • Sensitivity to light and sound

  • Alteration in the sense of smell

  • Loss of appetite and weight loss

  • Cramps

  • Heart palpitations

  • Sweating and/or fever

  • Delirium

Xanax Detox and Treatment

Suddenly quitting Xanax can lead to the intense and painful rebound and withdrawal symptoms outlined above. The safest recommended way to detox from a Xanax addiction is to taper off the drug by gradually reducing the dosage each time. During detox, a medical professional must monitor the heart rate and blood pressure to ensure safety and the best chance of recovery.

As Dr. Peter Madill outlined, "following a sudden withdrawal, the brain thinks it's being injured, so it marshals all these other mechanisms to try and mitigate these reactions…fatigue, disorientation, malaise, severe panic and startle reactions, nerve pain, muscle aches, short-term memory loss. Xanax withdrawal especially can be dangerous, even fatal, which is why you need a slow, individualized taper." This is why a medically assisted detox is the best and most effective way to stop harmful substances and ensure safety if there are any complications. 

What medications are used in Xanax Detox?

During Xanax detox, most people will be tapered off the drug. However, some medications can be used in the Xanax detox process, which include: 

  • Antidepressants: Antidepressants, like fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil), may be prescribed to people who suffer from depression during alprazolam withdrawal.

  • Over-the-counter medications: Physicians may prescribe over-the-counter drugs for physical symptoms such as headaches, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Xanax Addiction Treatment Options 

Detox is usually the first step in many inpatient and outpatient Xanax addiction treatment programs. After overcoming the physical dependence on the drugs, it will be easier to manage addiction's other physiological implications. Beginning by treating a Xanax addiction through medical Xanax detox can be the beginning of a successful recovery.

Are you or a loved one struggling with a Xanax addiction? We are here for you, and we are here to help.