Although this drug has somewhat of a socially acceptable reputation for helping with anxiety, panic and insomnia, it is a powerful drug that can easily become addicting. Xanax, the household name of a drug called alprazolam, is a drug that many are prescribed legally in small doses at their doctor’s discretion for conditions that include stress, anxiety and/or panic disorders. Although Xanax is prescribed legally in many cases, it can become an extremely addictive drug when used long-term.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is a powerful benzodiazepine that is often prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), insomnia and panic disorders. It is now the number one prescribed psychiatric medication in the US, which bodes the question “can you get addicted to Xanax even though it’s so commonly prescribed?”. The answer is, yes.
In the short term, Xanax relaxes the muscles and eases restlessness and anxiety or panic. In the long term, Xanax can cause what’s called “rebound” symptoms, meaning that the symptoms you are taking Xanax to treat will tend to reappear in greater severity once you stop taking the medication. This becomes a big problem for people with these disorders because given that the issues were severe enough to take medication in the first place, it is scary to think that the symptoms could be even worse once you’re off the drug. You may also be thinking, “can you be addicted to Xanax even if taking such a small dose?” The answer to this is also, yes.
Tolerance to Xanax develops quickly, requiring the user to consistently up their dosage in order to achieve the desired effects. This is why being addicted to Xanax is so common – it is some of the most highly addictive prescription drugs on the market, and it can hook a user in a matter of weeks.
Signs of a Xanax Addiction
There are common behavioral signs of addiction to Xanax that are important to look out for. Being addicted to Xanax looks like:
- Ignoring daily responsibilities such as school or work
- Inability to stop using Xanax despite wanting to stop
- Loss of interest or enjoyment in activities you previously enjoyed
- Seeking and obsessing over attaining the drug
- Losing control over the amount of the substance you are consuming
- A continued increase in tolerance causing you to take more and more of the drug
- Engaging in risky behaviors while under the influence of the drug and experiencing symptoms of withdrawal once you stop using the drug
If you notice these symptoms in yourself or your friend, it is important to seek proper care because there is a way to slowly taper off of Xanax, and it is highly recommended that you undergo this process responsibly.
How to Get Help With a Xanax Addiction
If you notice signs or symptoms of Xanax addiction in yourself or a friend/family member it is important to know that there is help out there. Being addicted to Xanax is not a lonely place – you can easily get the proper help. If a user wishes to stop taking Xanax after a dependency has formed, it is important to quit under medical supervision. The symptoms of Xanax withdrawals can be similar to that of a serious alcohol addiction, and in some cases these symptoms can even be deadly.
See Purpose is here to help with the withdrawal process, and this help involves slowly reducing the dosage of Xanax and eventually switching the client over to a long-acting form of the drug for a certain period of time. This way, you are able to gradually taper off of the drug, and this will help reduce symptoms of withdrawal. Next time you ask yourself “can you get addicted to Xanax even though it is so commonly prescribed?” know that the answer is, yes. The answer to the question of whether you can be helped also is and always will be, yes! Visit See Purpose today to discuss how we can help.
