Can Anxiety Relief Come at the Cost of Cognitive Health?

If you have anxiety that prevents you from falling asleep at night, your doctor may recommend taking your last dose of Xanax before going to bed. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the possible risks and benefits of taking Xanax. There are special rules around prescribing and supplying Schedule IV controlled drugs. Cannabis is often known as marijuana or “weed.” Taking Xanax with cannabis could increase the risk of side effects from Xanax, especially sleepiness. Due to this interaction, doctors will typically advise that you do not take Xanax with cannabis. Xanax is FDA-approved to treat panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, in adults.

• This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Xanax.
• Xanax, a commonly prescribed medication for anxiety and panic disorders, can lead to addiction characterized by both physical and psychological symptoms.
• Even more concerning is the potential for FDA-unapproved pharmaceuticals to be manufactured outside of the United States with unsafe ingredients, such as fentanyl.
• Individuals who take it recreationally often mix it with alcohol, marijuana or other drugs.
• While Xanax is sometimes prescribed for longer than a few weeks to manage certain anxiety disorders, prolonged use can lead to a rebound of anxiety symptoms when the drug is eventually stopped.
• The compounded effects of combining these drugs may be dangerous and put you at risk for health issues or death.
• The severity of the disorder can be classified as “mild” if two to three criteria are met, “moderate” if four to five are met, and “severe” if six or more are met.

Understanding the Physical Impact of Xanax Addiction

Due to the risks of alprazolam withdrawal symptoms, professional treatment should always be sought when ending use. When withdrawal is done under the supervision of medical staff, the effects can be diminished, leading to a safer withdrawal process where any complications can be addressed. Alprazolam (Xanax®) is one of the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications. While this medication can treat many conditions, it’s not without risks. Talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns or questions you have about alprazolam.

• Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug that has a calming and relaxing effect.
• The researchers used a unique lab model called “Guwiyang Wurra-TSPO knockout,” a healthy mouse lacking a protein present in the mitochondrion, the cell’s energy-providing organelle (5).
• After detoxing, treatment should involve therapy to treat the drivers of addiction.
• You can reach out to your doctor or pharmacist if you have additional questions.
• Cigarette smoking decreases blood levels of this medication.

Rare or serious side effects

Carbamazepine is also known to enhance catecholamine function and therefore may improve symptoms of sleep disturbance, anxiety, and mood instability, which are common in withdrawal. This explains its positive effects in general for the treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. It is also consistent with open-label reports and a double-blind study supporting the use of carbamazepine in benzodiazepine withdrawal (Björkqvist et al., 1976).

Can stopping Xanax treatment cause a hangover-like feeling?

Over time, this may lead to a toxic buildup of the drug and eventually an overdose. When it comes to the long-term management of getting off benzodiazepines, there are two directions you can go. Research shows that most stable, healthy adults will achieve long-term abstinence after completing a taper. If you are concerned about https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the risks involved in Xanax tapering for any reason, discuss these concerns with a doctor. While inpatient treatment is typically more expensive, it is covered by many insurance plans. Estimates suggest that about 10% to 25% of people who use benzodiazepines long term experience what’s known as protracted withdrawal.

Common questions about Xanax

Furthermore, the short duration of action and the potent calming effects of Xanax make it particularly susceptible to abuse. People may seek out its anxiety-relieving xanax addiction effects without considering the risk of addiction. The abrupt discontinuation of Xanax can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which may perpetuate the cycle of use.

Will I need to take this drug long term?

Taking more than the prescribed dosage or using Xanax without a prescription is considered abuse of the drug. However, even those who follow a prescription can fall victim to Xanax addiction and abuse. It eases anxiety by boosting the effect of GABA, a type of neurotransmitter in your brain. If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech.

Behavioral Therapy

The mind becomes accustomed to the drug and can go through periods of insomnia, depression, paranoia, and irritability while trying to come off it. The majority of withdrawal symptoms can be treated during medical detox to make the process as comfortable as possible for those in detox. Xanax belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, and it is a Schedule IV controlled substance, meaning it is considered to have a low potential for abuse.

What may interact with this medication?