Xanax Detox and Xanax Rehab

Xanax is the trade name for Alprazolam, a short-acting drug that is in the benzodiazepine class and is used to treat anxiety disorders. It is also used as an adjunctive treatment for depression. Alprazolam, is absorbed from the patient’s gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream. Once in the blood, the drug binds to receptors in the patient’s central nervous system and increases inhibitory effects.

Xanax is very effective for treating panic disorder, both with and without agoraphobia. It is also sometimes used for treating severe cases of borderline personality disorder.

While Xanax is extremely effective for treating panic attacks, some psychiatrists are reluctant to prescribe it because of the high possibility of a patient becoming dependant on the drug when it is used chronically. It is now generally accepted among psychiatrists and physicians that Alprazolam poses a high risk for abuse and addiction.

Drugs on the market containing Alprazolam include: Xanax, Alpllax, Alpralid, Alplrax, Alviz, Alzolam, Apo-Alpraz, Apraz, Calmax, Constan, Frontal, Frontin, Helex, Kalma, Kinax, Ksalol, Manorest, Misar, Neurol, Niravam, Paxal, Prazolex, Ralozam, Restyl, Sedipral, Solanax, Tafil, Trankimazin, Tranquinal, Xanor, Zamhexal, Zolarem, Zoldac.

Side Effects of Xanax

Common side effects of using Alprazolam include somnolence or drowsiness, feelings of unnatural euphoria and confusion. Less common side effects include headaches and fatigue. Rarely, a patient prescribed Alprazolam may experience sleep apnea, blurred vision, tachycardia, bradycardia, diarrhea, constipation and a host of other side effects.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

Patients attempting to withdraw from regular use of Xanax may experience agitation, panic attacks, rebound anxiety, muscle cramps and seizures.

Xanax Addiction

Prolonged use of Xanax will eventually change the user’s brain in fundamental and lasting ways. This helps to explain why the vast majority of addicts can’t simply quit taking Xanax without first seeking professional help.

Treatment of Xanax addiction is essential. Drug abuse hijacks the brain's normal pleasure and motivational centers, making drug use the highest priority in a user’s motivational hierarchy. Such changes in brain chemistry are responsible for the user’s absolute compulsion to seek and use drugs, otherwise known as addiction.

For some patients, substitution of Xanax with diazepam or clonazepam may reduce the risk of addiction. These drugs remain in the patient’s blood stream longer, leading to a reduced risk of dependency.

Xanax Detox

Detoxification from Xanax is absolutely critical to accomplish before commencing drug rehabilitation. Detox itself is not a treatment for Xanax addiction. But it usually helps relieve a user’s withdrawal symptoms while they adjust to a Xanax-free life.

Thankfully, there are plenty of effective ways of treating Xanax addiction. But long-term Xanax use should never be abruptly discontinued unless the user is under the supervision of an experienced physician. A doctor can manage a patient’s withdrawal symptoms and help minimize their withdrawal period.

During Miramar Treatment Center’s inpatient addiction treatment, patients are provided physician-assisted detox that is regularly monitored by health professionals. We also provide comprehensive rehabilitation services at our centers in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, Calif.