There are hundreds of drugs that are prescribed to patients every day, but most of them have the potential to become addictive even when we use them properly. The trouble is, it can be difficult to know what to do about addiction and what the proper steps should be to get clean. Dealing with addiction is a delicate process that requires the right type of treatment from a licensed treatment facility, but it helps to know what type of drug you’re dealing with and what the steps to treatment are in order to get the right kind of help.
At Hillside Mission Recovery we know the value of having all the information you need when you or a loved one decides to get treatment for their addiction. Each and every drug addiction is different and so are the effects of that addiction on the individual. In this post we will look at the prescription drug Xanax, what it is, why it is addictive and how to detox from Xanax as well as what to do afterward.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is the brand name of a drug known as Alprazolam. Alprazolam is in a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. The drug is used to treat a number of different medical issues including most notably the treatment of anxiety. Xanax is one of the most highly prescribed anxiety medications in the country, making it easily accessible for those that wish to use the drug even for illicit purposes.
Apart from anxiety, Xanax is also used to treat issues like stiffness, muscle spasms, and even seizures as part of a combination treatment plan. Because of the many uses of Xanax, it can be difficult to tell if a person is using the drug as prescribed or if they have become addicted.
Why Is Xanax Addictive?
Like most drugs, Xanax is addictive because it acts on the body in some way. In the case of Xanax specifically, it alters the chemistry of the brain. The reason that this makes drugs addictive is that over time, the changes that occur in the body, the nervous system, or the brain, make a person resistant to the effects of the drug. This means they have to take more of the drug to produce the desired effect.
This is coupled with the fact that over prolonged use, a person’s body becomes chemically dependent on the drug to where if they stop using, they face withdrawal symptoms that can at times be life-threatening. This is the main reason why it is never a good idea to try and quit using any kind of drug cold turkey. The proper way to quit using drugs is through detox.
How to Detox From Xanax
Detox is an important step on the path of recovery and knowing how to detox from Xanax is equally important. Detoxing involves stopping using the drug and letting it get out of a person’s system. While it may be tempting to try and detox at home, this is never a good idea for several reasons.
Firstly, detoxing at home is very dangerous due to the side effects of withdrawal and the potential for even life-threatening medical complications. While withdrawal symptoms can vary wildly, there is the possibility of severe complications. Secondly, a person who tries to detox at home is much more likely to relapse and start using again due to the cravings and the urge to relieve the pain of withdrawal.
The proper way to detox from Xanax is to do so at a licensed treatment facility where the client can be supervised by a medically trained staff. This way their health and safety can be monitored and the person has a much greater chance at getting clean and sober.
What To Do After You Detox From Xanax
The next step after you detox from Xanax is to continue with a prescribed treatment plan like the individualized plans we provide here at Hillside Mission Recovery. Detox is only the first step in the recovery process. Once the detox is completed, the client enters our inpatient treatment program where they receive services designed to help them identify the cause of their addiction.
Treatment also includes counseling on how to deal with the factors that led to addictions and how to return to a normal life without drugs. Once the treatment plan is complete, clients typically transition back to a normal life. However, we also offer aftercare services like 12-step programs and mentoring to help people struggling with addiction stay clean and sober for the long term.
If you or someone you know is addicted to Xanax, contact Hillside Mission Recovery today.
