Home » Drug Addiction »
Xanax
At Gulf Coast Recovery Center, our mission is to help people suffering with substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder to reclaim their sobriety and live to their full potential. Located in Tampa, our Xanax rehab is dedicated to helping clients overcome their Xanax addiction as well as any co-occurring mental health disorders. We offer outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs to make our treatments as accessible as possible.
Are You Ready To Change Your Life?
Take Action Now.
What is Xanax?
Xanax is the brand name of Alprazolam. It is part of a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, or “benzos” for short. Benzos increase the brain’s production while releasing GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes calm and relaxation.
Xanax is considered a controlled substance by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is classified as a Schedule IV substance. Schedule IV substances are drugs that contain a risk of misuse and drug dependence.
What is Xanax Used For?
Xanax is a brand-name prescription sedative prescribed by healthcare professionals for people living with panic and anxiety disorders or insomnia.
Originally synthesized in the early 1990s by pharmaceutical manufacturer Upjohn, Xanax was almost immediately hailed as a “miracle drug” for quickly relieving anxiety. This excitement proved short-lived, as reports of frequent Xanax abuse became known. Today, Xanax falls somewhere between legitimate prescription pharmaceutical and dangerous drug.
How Does Xanax Rehab in Tampa Work?
Medical professionals agree that the most successful way to stop taking Xanax is through a combination of prescription medication and therapy. For many people, this multi-front approach is necessary to sustain long-term recovery.
Xanax rehab typically begins with detoxification, or detox. Detox programs are run by healthcare professionals who can dispense medications that can alleviate one’s Xanax withdrawal symptoms. It is highly recommended that those going through Xanax detox do so in a medically supervised setting, due to the potential for serious side effects.
Following detox, people who enroll in outpatient (OP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment can access both individual and group therapies for a pre-set amount of hours per week. People participating in this kind of treatment are free to return to their homes—or another substance-free living space like a sober living arrangement—at the end of each day.
Signs and Symptoms of Xanax Addiction
Besides increasing the production and release of GABA, Xanax also stimulates the brain to release dopamine, a “feel good” neurotransmitter found in the brain’s pleasure center. The brain remembers this as a desirable behavior, leading to a craving for Xanax to again experience those feelings of pleasure.
The signs and symptoms of Xanax addiction include but are not limited to:
- Building a tolerance to Xanax over time, requiring increasing amounts of Xanax per dosage
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after stopping the use of Xanax, or if the usual dose is reduced
- Repeated problems meeting family, work, or school obligations
- Spending a significant amount of time obtaining Xanax, using Xanax, or recovering from the side effects of using Xanax
- Continuing to use Xanax despite experiencing negative personal outcomes
Risk Factors of Xanax Addiction
Understanding the risk factors involved in Xanax addiction can help people take proactive measures to prevent addiction. These include:
- Prescription misuse. Taking Xanax in higher doses, or more frequently than prescribed, risks addiction.
- Duration of use. Long-term Xanax use is more likely to lead to dependence than short-term use.
- Personal or family history. A personal or family history of substance abuse, including alcohol or other drugs, increases the risk of Xanax addiction.
- Mental health conditions. People with anxiety, depression, panic disorders, or other mental health disorders are more likely to misuse Xanax to self-medicate, which increases the risk of addiction.
- Polydrug use. Combining Xanax with other substances can intensify the “high” and increase the risk of addiction.
- Social environment. Peer pressure and exposure to friends or acquaintances who misuse Xanax can also contribute to Xanax addiction.
Long-Term Effects of Xanax Addiction
Long-term Xanax addiction can have several significant and potentially serious effects on a person’s physical and mental health, their relationships, and their overall well-being. Some of these effects include:
Physical Health Effects
- Tolerance. Over time, the body grows tolerant to Xanax, requiring higher doses to achieve the same “high.” This leads to an increased risk of overdose.
- Withdrawal symptoms. When people addicted to Xanax attempt to reduce or stop their use, they often experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and seizures in severe cases.
- Cognitive impairment. Long-term Xanax use impairs cognitive function, including memory problems and difficulty concentrating.
- Overdose. Taking large doses of Xanax, or combining the drug with other substances like alcohol, can result in overdose, which can be fatal.
Mental Health Effects
- Anxiety. Surprisingly, long-term Xanax use can lead to increased anxiety and panic attacks, as the body becomes reliant on the drug to manage these symptoms.
- Depression. Xanax addiction can contribute to the development of depression, potentially leading to a cycle of worsening mental health.
- Psychological dependence. Individuals who grow dependent on Xanax often feel unable to cope without the drug.
Social and Relationship Effects
- Isolation. Xanax addiction often leads to social isolation, as people prioritize their drug use over spending time with non-users.
- Strained relationships. Addiction can strain personal relationships due to the addict’s propensity for erratic behavior, wild mood swings, and other addictive behaviors.
- Criminal activity. Many people turn to illegal activities to obtain Xanax, potentially leading to legal problems.
- Financial strain. Maintaining a Xanax addiction is costly, often leading to insurmountable debts
Xanax Withdrawal + Detox
Depending on the user’s drug history, the process of Xanax rehab can be a lengthy and complicated one. That said, the process tends to move through three main stages:
- Early withdrawal. Early withdrawal occurs roughly 24 hours after the last use of Xanax. Initially, symptoms can be as mild as a headache but grow more intense with time.
- Acute withdrawal. Stage 2 withdrawal happens about 48 hours after the last dose of Xanax and can last for four or five days. Withdrawal symptoms tend to range from moderate to severe in intensity until they peak. The peak period can occur anywhere from five days to two weeks after the last dose. Complete acute withdrawal can take a month or two for long-term Xanax users.
- Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). Some people experience PAWS that can last for months or even years. PAWS is psychological and emotional withdrawal where cravings for Xanax can be triggered. However, with appropriate treatment, even PAWS passes eventually.
One of the most effective methods of withdrawal from Xanax involves medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is a unique, two-fold method of treatment, focusing on administering prescription medication to patients in recovery while implementing mental health therapy.
Medically Reviewed
Medically Reviewed by
Jennifer Strong, LMHC
Written by Gulf Coast Recovery Staff Updated on January 12, 2024
Get Help Now
Rehab in Tampa, FL
Mental health disorders and addiction can severely impact your quality of life. But there is hope for recovery. Call Gulf Coast Recovery today to begin treatment with us.
Facility Image Gallery
Find Xanax Rehab In Tampa, FL
If you are looking for Xanax rehab in Tampa, the treatment offered by Gulf Coast Recovery Center might be right for you. Our staff of experienced professionals are ready to respond to your inquiries regarding detox and addiction treatment. Addiction to Xanax is dangerous. Contact us now to take the first step toward lifelong recovery and wellness.
TESTIMONIALS
Success Stories & Testimonials
They recognized me as an individual. This is not a place that has cookie-cutter treatments that they attempt to force every patient to fit into. They realize that different people with similar problems respond differently, some better to one type of treatment and some not so much. I feel like that is why I succeeded here.
Brandi Carr
I can’t say enough about Tampa Bay Recovery. Jeff, Josh, and the rest of the staff are compassionate, kind, and invested in your recovery. They offer wisdom and knowledge that comes from personal experience and that is invaluable. The community feel and structure gives you the support you need to concentrate on your sobriety. I would recommend this program to anyone searching for a safe sober living environment.
Jennifer London
Great community! Phenomenal housing! (Great layout, open concept, spacious, big garage). Great support network of staff! Great area of AA or NA meetings. Everyone/therapist/Technicians at TBRC are wonderful, open minded individuals that are there to listen. Your not alone so get help before it’s to late.
Anthony Biagini
I had been in all levels of treatment care before coming to TBRC. This is the first place where I found an excellent level of commitment, care and treatment. This facility truly cares for its patients. Most of the people who work at TBRC have walked in “our shoes” (the alcoholic or addict) at some point in their lives. This makes them UNIQUELY able to help and understand it’s patients. After several years of relapsing, Tampa Bay Recovery taught me how to live the life of recovery..I recommend this facility above any I have attended.
Caprice Montgomery
Getting treatment made a huge difference in my effort to try to get clean. I worked at it for ages and it just didn’t happen for long until I finally came in here. Now, I’ve been clean almost two years. It feels so good to be in control of my life again.
Karen Spencer
