This will include medical, psychological and social addiction treatments, to ensure each connection to Xanax can be diminished. As withdrawal symptoms make an appearance, it is also likely that individuals will abuse Xanax and consume higher doses to delay those unbearable side effects. Xanax has similar effects to drugs such as benzodiazepine yet is recommended for short-term use only. If Xanax is consumed for a long period of time, a dependence on the drug can occur. As Xanax is a benzodiazepine, it has similarities to alcohol in its ability to create a physical addiction.

For example, Xanax, one the most frequently prescribed benzodiazepine, has an immediate but shorter effect, while Valium, Librium, and Dalmane are long-acting agents lasting up to three days. Research suggests that as many as 8 million people in the UK may be grappling with an anxiety disorder, with women twice as likely to receive a diagnosis of anxiety. Moreover, the incidence of anxiety disorders has increased recently, notably since the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the intricate relationship between anxiety and addiction is crucial to provide comprehensive care and effective treatment for those affected by these conditions. This is because some of the drugs’ side effects include drowsiness and fatigue.

You’ll be weaned off Xanax bit by bit, to ensure your brain re-adjusts without severe complications. Addiction will affect everyone differently, yet damage to an individual’s mental and physical health, relationships, quality of life and career is more than likely. A further danger of developing an addiction to Xanax is the potential of aggravating the initial mental health or anxiety disorder driving consumption. In this situation, it is more than likely that alternative drugs will be used in combination with Xanax, known to negatively impact cardiac and respiratory health. Yet, many individuals are now purchasing Xanax illegally, through illicit and black-market sites. With the desire to purchase high quantities of the drug, individuals are self-medicating their anxiety disorders.

The most frequently prescribed benzodiazepine in the UK is diazepam, known by the tradename Valium. In comparison, alprazolam is a faster acting drug and is about 10 times stronger, meaning that it can rapidly cause feelings of sedation. It’s not clear if the drugs implicated in Xanax-related deaths in Northern Ireland are counterfeit versions of the benzodiazepine or are authentic prescription drugs illegally sourced from other countries. From the first time you speak to us, you are guaranteed complete discretion, professionalism and compassion. We will also support your family and loved ones throughout your treatment process. You are likely to feel quite drowsy and calm and unable to think clearly and maybe unsteady on your feet.

At our centres, you can expect to be working alongside other patients undergoing similar treatments. Some might be there for Xanax treatment, while others are recovering from different drugs. Our rehabs work with shared experience, cultivating a space that is mutually uplifting and encouraging.

Therefore, it is important that detox is done under medical supervision and monitored by professional addiction treatment services. When taking a drug (particularly if it’s long-term) the euphoria the person once experienced is no longer as intense. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most common and effective type of therapy used to overcome Xanax addiction.

Xanax enhances the effects of GABA, increasing this calming effect and helping you to feel more relaxed. When you become anxious, your brain releases a natural chemical known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to help you feel calmer. You should only take Xanax if it has been prescribed to you by a doctor, and never for longer than recommended. Also known as Alprazolam, Xanax belongs to the benzodiazepine family along with other depressants such as Valium and Rohypnol. When drinking beer and taking Xanax simultaneously, people tend to take too much of the latter. As a result, the body’s tolerance for Xanax grows, encouraging users to raise their dosages to attain the desired benefits.

Signs and symptoms of Xanax abuse

The danger of this combination is that it depresses the central nervous system and can lead to respiratory failure, over-sedation, coma, and death. What makes the mix so potent is that both alcohol and Xanax are tranquilizers that affect the GABAergic system. While other drugs like opioids have been declining over time, benzo prescriptions continue to rise. In fact, between 1996 and 2013 it is estimated that these prescriptions rose by over 67% (from 8.1 million to 13.5 million). Like most benzos, Xanax works by attaching to the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, effectively controlling the neurotransmitters that contribute to anxiety and stress.

Dual diagnosis treatment

One of the most concerning aspects of Xanax use is how it has been marketed to women over the years. In the 70s and 80s, Xanax was commonly referred to as the “housewife drug.” Women were encouraged to take Xanax to help them deal with the stresses of homemaking and childcare. This marketing campaign had lasting effects on society, leading to a widespread belief that taking medication to cope with daily life was acceptable and even necessary. You can be prescribed benzodiazepines by a doctor to treat things like anxiety and insomnia. They can make you feel calm, relaxed and sleepy, but they can also make you confused and drowsy. Dopamine is your brain’s happiness chemical, which means that when your brain receives more of it, it reduces the fight-or-flight effect of panic and increases feelings of pleasure.

Xanax is not illegal, but it is a controlled substance and only available through prescription in the UK. As is the case with many prescription medications, it can be obtained in other ways by those who wish to use it recreationally. However, long-term abuse of Xanax can significantly impact normal motor skills which make driving and using heavy equipment extremely dangerous. Due to its sedating effects, long-term Xanax abuse can leave you feeling disconnected from the world around you, and in a constant state of drowsiness. It can also slow down your cognitive abilities and reflexes, leaving you feeling underwhelmed and confused.