Xanax Withdrawal and Detox in Colorado

Xanax, the brand name for the alprazolam, is the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepine nationwide, with more than 3.9 million Americans receiving prescriptions for this drug in 2019 alone.

Xanax is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety and panic, and it can also treat nausea related to cancer treatments. Despite its benefits, it is a Schedule IV controlled substance, meaning there is a risk of abuse, addiction and dependence. Xanax has been linked to 20% of suicide deathsamong Coloradans between 2015 and 2017.

Living with a Xanax use disorder can be frightening when you don’t know what withdrawal will bring. This fear is one of the top reasons people don’t try to recover. It’s crucial to equip yourself with the necessary information about Xanax withdrawal — withdrawal symptoms, how long Xanax withdrawal lasts, and what detox from Xanax is like.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

Xanax works by enhancing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is the brain’s main calming neurotransmitter, so taking Xanax can make you feel calm and relaxed. Because of how Xanax works in the brain, it can be easy to become dependent on the drug. If you stop taking Xanax, your body must then cope with suddenly having less efficient use of GABA.

As with most other drugs, Xanax withdrawal symptoms typically include both mental and physical effects, but the duration and severity of Xanax withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on several factors. These factors include the length, frequency, and dose of substance use, and whether or not other substances were being used at the same time.

Physical Xanax withdrawal symptoms include:

• Sweating
• Rapid pulse
• Hand tremors
• Insomnia
• Nausea or vomiting
• Grand mal seizures

Mental Xanax withdrawal symptoms include:

• Hallucinations
• Agitation
• Anxiety

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms Duration

Because Xanax is a short-acting benzodiazepine, withdrawal doesn’t last as long as it would with a long-acting alternative like Valium. However, the duration of withdrawal can vary based on the individual, their level of drug use, and whether they were misusing other drugs as well.

Generally, the process of withdrawal from Xanax can look something like this:

• Stage 1: Symptoms start to appear during the initial stage of withdrawal from Xanax, which occurs within 1–2 days after the last dose for most people.
• Stage 2: Withdrawal symptoms often peak in intensity during the second day of withdrawal.
• Stage 3: After peaking, withdrawal symptoms can continue for 2–4 weeks or more. Benzodiazepine withdrawal does not improve linearly and can wax and wane throughout this period. Symptoms may seem to improve, only to worsen before improving again.
• Stage 4: Symptoms, especially anxiety, may subside completely only to reemerge and fluctuate over the next several months.

Factors Affecting Withdrawal Symptoms

Xanax withdrawal symptoms can wax and wane unpredictably. For this reason, it can be difficult to identify risk factors for severe Xanax withdrawal symptoms. However, researchers conclude that people on high Xanax doses may be more at risk of withdrawal symptoms than people on lower doses.

Like many other substances, stopping Xanax “cold-turkey” is likely to trigger withdrawal symptoms. For this reason, many doctors prefer to taper, or slowly decrease, the Xanax dose over a period of weeks to months. In some cases, your doctor may transition you to a longer-acting benzodiazepine like Valium, and then taper that drug, as this can minimize withdrawal symptoms.

Xanax Withdrawal Treatment

Because Xanax withdrawal can have dangerous consequences like seizures, experts recommend that the detox and withdrawal process is done under medical supervision.

Medically-Supervised Xanax Detox

Instead of attempting Xanax withdrawal remedies, choosing a medically-supervised detox program is recommended. During an inpatient Xanax detox program, you have a medical team who monitors you constantly and who can help you feel as safe and comfortable as possible during detox.

Your medical team can help comfortably taper your Xanax dose to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Other medications can be prescribed as needed to treat some withdrawal symptoms as they arise. This can include medications like prochlorperazine to treat nausea.

Find the Help You Need

If you or a loved one live in Colorado and have a Xanax use disorder, there are several detox centers in-state that specialize in Xanax detox, including The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake.

The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake is a Colorado Xanax detox facility where you can enter straight into treatment programming once detox is completed. We serve the needs of people from Colorado Springs, Boulder, Denver and all of Colorado, as well as people from around the country.

Give us a call to speak with one of our skilled, compassionate representatives who can help you begin your recovery journey.