There are many medications available to you to manage anxiety-related issues. For instance, your doctor might prescribe Xanax to treat a panic disorder or other anxiety-related condition. It relaxes you and also has some antidepressant properties. But, as a benzodiazepine, this medication can have a dark side as well. One can develop a substance use disorder in certain cases.
As with any medication, it’s vital to strictly follow your doctor’s guidelines for use. It’s not uncommon for individuals to inadvertently misuse their medication. This can, unfortunately, lead to dependency or addiction. Here are the must-know Xanax addiction signs. The Santé Center for Healing believes in educating individuals about the risks involved with drug use, even if it is prescription drugs. Once you understand the Xanax addiction signs, you’ll be better able to find the necessary treatment so you or a loved one can heal and recover.
What Makes Xanax Addictive?
Strangely enough, what makes Xanax’s method of providing relief effective can be its downfall. The chemicals contained in the medication affect particular receptors in the brain. Continuous use results in the development of a tolerance effect. Therefore, you need to take more to feel the same relief.
In the same vein, you quickly develop a dependency on the sedative effects of the drug. You might enjoy the way it makes you feel even if you don’t have a panic attack. For some, the drug lets them take the edge off. They believe that they can handle situations better with the medication in their system. However, a dependency isn’t just psychological; it’s physical as well.
Once individuals develop a tolerance for a substance, their dependency usually revolves around needing the substance to function normally as their brain chemistry has been altered. This is why professional drug addiction rehab is necessary.
Xanax Addiction Signs
How do you know that you’re developing a chemical dependency? Look for the development of withdrawal symptoms. They typically include dizziness, weakness, depression, and an inability to rest. You feel on edge without the drug.
These signs go away when you return to using. This combination of physiological Xanax addiction signs is a reliable indicator of dependency. Psychological addiction is just as easy to notice. You develop the firm belief that you can’t function without the medication.
You might persuade yourself that you need the drug to go to work and later on get some sleep. Almost all of these signs occur during withdrawal periods, like when you run out of the medication or are late taking the next dose. Getting professional help is vital at this point.
Some other signs of Xanax addiction are:
- You take more of the drug than you intended.
- You spend a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of the drug.
- You continue to use it even though it’s causing problems in your life.
- Your work, school, or home life suffers because of your drug use.
- You give up activities you used to enjoy so you can use the drug.
- You keep using it even though it’s putting you in danger.
- You continue to use it even after it damages your relationships.
- Your drug tolerance has increased, meaning you need more of the substance to feel its effects.
If you’re displaying any of these Xanax addiction signs, it’s imperative that you get professional help as soon as possible. The Santé team can provide the necessary guidance and support to help you through detox and withdrawal so you can start your journey toward recovery.
How Rehab Can Help You Overcome Addiction
When you enter a Xanax addiction treatment program, you work with therapists who help you heal. You start with an intake interview that identifies your needs. Next, you undergo therapeutic interventions that might include:
- Dual diagnosis assessment for underlying co-occurring mental health disorders
- Detoxification that lets you gradually withdraw from Xanax under medical supervision
- Residential rehab as a way to make changes to behavioral patterns to avoid recurrence of drug abuse
- Family therapy, which benefits program participants who have issues related to co-dependency or other dysfunctional patterns
- Psychotherapy that provides you with the understanding of addiction and trigger signs
Part and parcel of this treatment model is a substantial investment in relapse prevention. The goal of the therapies is to ready you for a sober life. Some program participants need help with building awareness about triggers and stressors. Others need assistance when communicating with prescribing caregivers to protect against other drugs that might cause addiction.
Take Your First Step on the Road to Recovery with Santé Center for Healing
The first step is always the hardest, but you don’t have to do it alone. The Santé team is here to support you through every phase of addiction treatment and beyond. We offer a full continuum of care that starts with detox and withdrawal and continues all the way through to aftercare planning.
Do you notice some or all of these Xanax addiction signs in your life right now? It’s never too early or too late to get help. Reach out to the Santé Center for Healing. Call 866.238.3154 to connect with an intake specialist.
