How to Detox From Xanax Safely
There are many reasons why anyone might decide they need to stop using Xanax, and medically assisted detox is the best way. Cold turkey detoxing from Xanax on your own shouldn’t be considered an option, as the risks are very high without professional assistance.
Before you begin your Xanax withdrawal, it’s crucial that you understand how this drug works in your body so you know what changes might occur and the risks they pose as it leaves your system.
This knowledge can help you plan ahead for any uncomfortable symptoms that may come up during the process of Xanax detox.
What is a Xanax Detox?
Xanax detox is the process of slowly removing the benzodiazepine from your system. Xanax detox typically includes a taper of another benzo, such as Klonopin or Valium.
Withdrawal symptoms typically include panic attacks, seizures, or delirium tremens (DTs) that are potentially life-threatening for between two and 14 days after cessation of use.
Medical detox treatment helps ease going through the initial detox period with as little discomfort as possible.
One thing that a good Xanax detox program will do is teach you how to manage your symptoms while coming off the medication (with the help of therapists and medical professionals) so that withdrawal symptoms are minimal, if not non-existent.
Your recovery time will vary based on several factors; however, it typically takes about five to seven days for most people to complete a Xanax detoxification process at home (under the care of their primary physician) or in a treatment center.
The two things you need to keep in mind while detoxing from Xanax are knowing your dosage and understanding your withdrawal symptoms.
If you know what dosage you were taking when you decided to withdraw from the drug, then you will be able to determine how fast your body will rid itself of the Xanax.
Remember that detoxing from Xanax is not as simple as stopping all at once, and if you aren’t careful or don’t take it slow, then you can become very sick because of the withdrawal symptoms associated with taking too much of the drug.
How Long Will a Xanax Detox Last?
If you’ve been taking benzodiazepines regularly and then stop, your body will react in a number of ways. First, there is an initial phase called “acute withdrawal” that can range from 10 to 14 days.
Withdrawal may begin within six hours after the last dose of Xanax was taken—although some effects are felt within an hour or two.
Symptoms typically peak around two weeks with long-acting benzodiazepines like Xanax.
When you take Xanax and stop suddenly, intense anxiousness often occurs that can last up to a month without treatment. This is due to post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which can be treated with other medications.
When you’re withdrawing from benzodiazepines, the process isn’t easy. Symptoms will vary depending on how long you’ve been using or addicted and your body’s natural response to drugs in general.
The worst acute symptoms last 10 to 14 days until these symptoms begin fading away. Detoxing at a treatment center with professionals is one of the best ways to ease the transition to not using Xanax.
Other signs of dependence come on more slowly over time but usually peak within ten days after stopping use completely. Symptoms linger for about 30 days following cessation.
How long the detox process takes depends on a number of factors. Other factors associated with how long it takes to detox from Xanax include:
- The length of time you used the drug
- If a doctor prescribes other medications during detox
- Individual body chemistry
- Genetics
- Anxiety experienced prior to Xanax use
Regardless of what your personal situation is, medical detox can make the withdrawal process easier by taking away most if not all uncomfortable symptoms.
Because complications with withdrawing can end up having life-threatening consequences, medical detox is necessary for those struggling with benzodiazepine dependence.
What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms During a Xanax Detox?
Because of how Xanax works—by increasing GABA neurotransmitter signals—once dependence has developed, stopping use can cause some very uncomfortable side effects.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms start out mild at first but worsen over time. Some of the symptoms of Xanax withdrawal can include:
- Anxiety (general or otherwise)
- Inability to sleep
- Excessive sweating
- Tremors
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Weight loss
- Hallucinations
The symptoms of withdrawal from Xanax can be very uncomfortable and difficult to manage, but they’re also very treatable, particularly if you have the support of a medical team or treatment center who can help you with these symptoms.
The severest symptoms typically occur if you’ve been taking high doses of Xanax and then quit cold turkey.
Your body’s chemistry has adapted to alprazolam, and when the drug leaves your system too quickly, you can become very sick.
Withdrawal from benzos can be dangerous in some cases, particularly if there are co-occurring psychological disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar.
Seizure disorders can also increase symptoms and the risk for life-threatening symptoms.
Consider seeking Xanax detox treatment, as the withdrawal period is extremely dangerous. If you try to quit Xanax all at once after years of use, you may:
- Vomit uncontrollably
- Be at risk of seizures, especially if mixing with alcohol
- Experience depression or, if previously depressed, a relapse of depression
- Experience panic or anxiety disorders
- Develop more serious mental health conditions in people who are prone because of genetic conditions or past experiences that trigger specific mental health problems
Before you try quitting Xanax on your own, try talking with a treatment professional about what might happen when you stop taking this drug.
Ask your doctor about the withdrawal period and where you can go for help if your withdrawal from Xanax might be difficult.
What Types of Treatment Are Used During a Xanax Detox?
Xanax detox and addiction treatment programs may include any of the following:
- Taper medications and medical care to ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure safety
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Psychiatric assessment
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Family therapy
- Nutrition
- Meditation
- Co-occurring disorder treatment
Can You Detox from Xanax at Home or Not?
It’s important to realize that with Xanax detox, side effects can be minimized or even non-existent.
That’s because most will offer medications like anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants to help ease you off the medication while still making sure your body doesn’t go into shock during the process.
Not all types of detox are safe; therefore, it’s best to speak with a doctor first before undergoing any method of withdrawal on your own.
Certain types of people are more at risk than others for facing more serious withdrawal symptoms or developing mental health problems as a result of Xanax addiction, which is considered a psychological dependency rather than an addiction to a substance like alcohol or heroin.
How to Find a Xanax Detox Center Near Me
Zinnia Health has rehab programs in several states, making it easy to find a Xanax detox center near you.
The best way to find the nearest detox facility is through the locations page on our website or by calling our support line.
These are side effects most people will experience when quitting Xanax after using it for years on end without tapering off doses gradually enough.
Zinnia Health offers programs dedicated to helping those who need an easy detox from this powerful prescription drug.
If you’re addicted to alprazolam or have been misusing Xanax recreationally for some time now, please reach out. We can help get you started on a Xanax detox program.
Call Zinnia Health at (855) 430-9439 for more information about how we can help you or someone you love to get started on a Xanax detox after quitting this powerful drug. Don’t wait — call today.
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