U.S. doctors prescribe more Xanax than any other benzodiazepine, including Valium and Ativan. Between 40 and 50 million Xanax prescriptions are filled every year to treat a variety of psychological and medical disorders, such as anxiety, panic disorder, insomnia, seizures, severe muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Although Xanax does provide symptom relief, it is easily abused and extremely addictive.
In 2020, the U.S. FDA mandated that all benzodiazepine packaging contain a warning about the drug’s risks of physical dependence, harmful side effects, addiction, and severe withdrawal reactions.
Hickory Treatment Centers offers Xanax addicts a safe, compassionate environment in which to receive the kind of evidence-based psychological and medical care they need. We help people get past the withdrawal stage, the craving stage, and that challenging “gray” area of recovery that involves learning why you or someone you know got addicted to Xanax.
How Xanax Addictions Begin: When One Pill Is No Longer Enough
A central nervous system depressant that increases dopamine and GABA levels in the brain, Xanax “calms” nerve signaling activity in the brain. It also interacts with the brain’s reward circuits associated with addiction.
It can take as little as a few weeks to develop an addiction to Xanax. Signs that you or someone you know has developed a dependency on Xanax include:
- Taking more Xanax than originally prescribed because you have developed a tolerance for its effects
- Buying Xanax illegally when your doctor won’t write any more prescriptions
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking Xanax
- Inability to control cravings for Xanax
- Putting yourself in potentially dangerous situations just to obtain Xanax without a prescription
- Neglecting personal responsibilities (paying bills on time, going to work, family matters) because you are spending all your time and money on getting Xanax
Trying to overcome a Xanax addiction without first completing medical detoxification can be life-threatening. The risk of rebound symptoms (worsening of anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks) and physical symptoms (heart arrhythmia, severe dehydration from vomiting, difficulty breathing) should be taken seriously. Our addiction treatment center provides doctor-supervised detox programs, crisis counseling, and medications to relieve withdrawal symptoms.
What Happens After Detoxing from Xanax at Hickory Treatment Centers?
In addition to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), holistic activities, and nutritional guidance, Hickory Treatment Centers offers a form of CBT called dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Designed to address individuals who experience intense and inconsistent emotions, DBT teaches these four basic skills to help them regulate emotions: distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Learning distress tolerance skills is particularly helpful when recovering from a Xanax addiction. Your DBT therapist will show you how to distract and calm yourself when emotions become too overwhelming and uncontrollable. Certain “trigger” events are bound to occur at some point that may compel you to start using drugs again. With DBT, you will master coping techniques that, when combined with CBT approaches, stop you from allowing stressful situations to interfere with your recovery.
Contact Hickory Treatment Centers for Immediate Help with a Xanax Addiction
Visit our contact page here or call 1-800-604-2117 to find a Hickory Treatment Center near you. We will help you every step of the way before, during, and after your recovery from substance abuse. We genuinely care about ensuring your life or the life of someone you know is lived to its fullest and happiest.
