Many people these days take a prescription for something. There seems to be a drug for everything from insomnia to panic attacks. Some of these medications are needed so the person can function in life. However, some don’t need the prescription and use the drugs recreationally. Whether you take drugs recreationally or as prescribed, if taken for too long, there is a good chance you eventually become dependent on them and end up addicted. One of those drugs is Xanax, which can worsen your panic attacks once you come off it, so a safe medical drug detox process is critical.
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Can panic attacks occur during Xanax withdrawal?
Yes, panic attacks can be a symptom of Xanax (alprazolam) withdrawal. Xanax is a benzodiazepine commonly prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders. When someone stops taking Xanax abruptly or reduces the dose too quickly, their body can react with a range of withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Panic attacks: Sudden, intense episodes of fear and anxiety.
- Increased anxiety: General feelings of heightened anxiety.
- Restlessness and agitation: Feeling restless or easily agitated.
- Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
- Sweating and tremors: Increased sweating and shaking.
- Headaches: Persistent headaches.
- Muscle pain and stiffness: Physical discomfort in muscles.
- Nausea and vomiting: Gastrointestinal distress.
- Seizures: In severe cases, withdrawal can lead to seizures.
Because of these potential withdrawal symptoms, it is important to taper off Xanax gradually under medical supervision rather than stopping abruptly.
What is Xanax?
Unfortunately, one prevalent drug that is pretty easy to get prescribed is Xanax, a brand name for alprazolam. Xanax is a potent benzodiazepine or benzo that is only recommended for use for up to six weeks. This drug usually is for those who suffer from anxiety and get relief when used as prescribed. It has also been reported from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) said that close to 10% of all emergency department visits related to the abuse of pharmaceuticals involved the benzodiazepine, or benzo, alprazolam.
According to the National Health Statistics Reports from 2014–2016, benzodiazepines were prescribed at approximately 65.9 million office-based physician visits. The rates for women prescribed the drug were also higher than the men (at 34 visits per 100 women).
Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms Explained
Benzodiazepines should be taken only as prescribed by your doctor. If you take Xanax more than prescribed or quit suddenly, doing so may cause unwanted withdrawal symptoms or worsen your condition or your loved one and may result in life-threatening conditions. For example, if you are taking Xanax for anxiety or panic attacks and have been taking the drug for a long time at high doses, it can cause and worsen your panic attacks and anxiety when you stop taking it.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms can take hold within hours of the last dose, and they can peak in severity within 1-4 days. During withdrawal, people can also experience:
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Muscle pain
- Tremors
- Diarrhea
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Insomnia
- Heart palpitations
- Sweating
- Anxiety disorders
- Panic attacks
- Seizures
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
Of course, several factors influence how long Xanax withdrawal can last, which include the following:
- The amount of the drug taken
- How often doses were taken
- How long the person misused or abused the drug
- How old you are
- Weight or body mass
- Metabolism speed
- Your liver function
There are those users who abuse Xanax and other benzodiazepines that may stop taking Xanax suddenly and don’t experience all of the dangerous side effects of Xanax, but you wouldn’t want to take a chance. Therefore, medical detox is always required for Xanax withdrawal.
Get the Help You Need for Xanax Addiction
At Allure Detox, we can help. Xanax addiction, which affects your mental health, is a severe chemical dependency that requires clinical supervision to ensure that a person can safely detox. At Allure Detox, we have medically assisted detox programs that provide replacement and comfort medication to ease withdrawal symptoms.
Our Xanax detox in West Palm Beach, Florida, is overseen by an experienced clinical staff that specializes in Xanax addiction recovery. Every person suffering from the use of Xanax and other forms of substance use leading to addiction is admitted into our comfortable Xanax deand tox unit and will be under the care of state-licensed clinicians, psychiatrists, counselors, and therapists. Each staff member of our cross-disciplinary team works to ensure that our clients are monitored around the clock. Call us and begin healing safely from addiction today.
FAQ
Can Xanax, a prescription medication, lead to panic attacks?
Published on: 2020-06-22
Updated on: 2024-09-23
