Xanax is a brand-name version of the benzodiazepine medication alprazolam. This medication has several important, legitimate uses. Unfortunately, like all benzodiazepines, it can also be addictive if misused. By knowing what to look for, you can understand when use turns into an addiction. In this way, you can also gain awareness of when Xanax addiction treatment is appropriate.
What Makes Xanax Addiction a Serious Risk?
Xanax is widely used to treat two mental health issues: panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. It belongs to a group of medications known as high-potency benzodiazepines. These medications have a stronger effect on you than less potent benzodiazepines. In addition, Xanax does not stay in your system for very long. Instead, you need to take it again relatively soon to keep feeling its effects.
Together, high potency and a short period of activity make Xanax a heightened addiction risk. Why? You have greater chances of misusing a strong, addictive medication. You also have greater chances of misusing a medication that doesn’t last for long. When these two factors are combined, your risk for trouble increases.
Medication Misuse and Xanax Addiction
When doctors write Xanax prescriptions, they take certain precautions. These precautions include:
- Using as small a dose as possible
- Spacing out the time between doses as much as possible
- Limiting the overall length of your prescription
All of these steps are taken, in part, to help prevent physical Xanax dependence. This form of dependence is the first step in addiction. It is followed by psychological dependence and compulsive drug-seeking behavior. As a rule, addiction occurs when all three of these things are present.
Medication misuse greatly increases your addiction risks. You misuse Xanax whenever you don’t take it according to your doctor’s instructions. This same action is also known as Xanax abuse.
An example of misuse is taking Xanax more often than prescribed. The same holds for using larger amounts than prescribed. In addition, misuse occurs when you keep taking Xanax after your prescription ends. If you don’t have a prescription, all use counts as misuse. You can also misuse Xanax by taking it for recreational purposes with or without a prescription.
Recognizing When You Need Xanax Rehab
Only a qualified professional can say for sure if you need Xanax rehab. Still, on your own, you may recognize the presence of at least some addiction symptoms. Examples of those potential symptoms include:
- Not being able to control your Xanax use
- An inability to quit using the medication even when you try more than once
- Increasing tolerance to Xanax’s drug effects
- Making Xanax use the most important part of your daily routine
- Disregarding the mental and physical harm of misusing Xanax
- The onset of withdrawal when you try to quit taking the medication
It’s important to know that addiction is not the only reason for seeking Xanax rehab. You may also need help for serious, non-addicted medication abuse. Doctors do not view addiction and serious abuse as separate health issues. Instead, they form part of the same illness: sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic use disorder.
Seek Xanax Addiction Treatment at New Start Recovery
Are you concerned that you may need Xanax addiction treatment? Talk to the experts at New Start Recovery. We have the skill needed to determine if addiction is present. We also have the skill needed to treat Xanax addiction.
We help you create a workable plan for your care and recovery no matter how long you’ve been affected. And you can rest assured that your plan will be customized to the details of your unique situation. For more information on recovering from Xanax addiction, call us today at [Direct]. You can also reach us through our online form.