Signs of Xanax Addiction

Many prescription drugs are psychoactive, or have mind-altering properties that make users feel happy and relaxed, making them prone to abuse. Even though it may be found in medicine cabinets across the country, Xanax, a benzodiazepine commonly prescribed as a sedative to help people sleep or as an anti-anxiety medication, can be easily abused. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, meaning they target areas in the brain responsible for anxiety and fear, and they suppress some the brain’s natural messengers, or neurotransmitters, leaving people feeling calm and mellow. Medications like Xanax are meant to be used short-term for temporary relief, and can lead to health risks and psychological issues if used beyond their intended scope and duration. Xanax abuse, taking it for any purpose or any way other than prescribed, can be very dangerous and even life-threatening because it makes chemical changes in the brain and body that can be difficult to reverse.

What to Watch For

It may be difficult to ascertain if someone you know and love is abusing a prescription medication like Xanax. Someone abusing Xanax may exhibit some of the following warning signs:

• Seeking additional Xanax beyond the scope of their prescription
• Doctor shopping or visiting multiple doctors to get prescriptions
• Financial difficulties
• Withdrawal or isolation
• Difficulties with work or school performance
• Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
• Personal relationships may suffer
• Mood or personality alterations
• Stashing pills or bottles in multiple and easily accessible locations
• Seeing empty pill bottles in their trash

Some of the physical symptoms of Xanax abuse include:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Memory trouble
• Confusion
• Inability to focus
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Slurred speech
• Lack of coordination
• Headache
• Tremors

Being a CNS depressant, Xanax suppresses functions necessary for life, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Taking more than the recommended dosage can lead to overdose and death. In 2016, NIDA reported that benzodiazepines were involved in 10,684 overdose fatalities. They also reported that from 2002 to 2016 there was a 8-fold increase in the total number of overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines.

Long-Term Health Concerns

Benzodiazepine drugs, like Xanax, have additional health issues than can occur when used for an extended period of time. When used for a prolonged time, the brain becomes tolerant to the drug, and you will require more and more of it in order to feel its effects. Not only does this increase your risk for an overdose, but it can also make you feel dependent on the drug in order to feel “normal.” When you stop taking Xanax, you may experience violent and even dangerous withdrawal symptoms as your brain rebounds in an attempt to balance itself. These symptoms may include seizures, a spike in blood pressure, and intense anxiety. Long-term use of Xanax can also lead to depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, as well as the potential for disrupted memory and cognitive functions.

If you believe that you, or someone you love, are dependent on or are abusing Xanax, it is time to seek help. Since the withdrawal process can be difficult, it should always be managed by health care professionals. At Futures, we can help determine the right treatment plan for your unique needs. Call now to get the help you need.