Addiction, which includes physical dependence, goes much deeper than tolerance. Someone who is addicted isn’t able to stop taking the drug despite the consequences to their health, lifestyle, and the lives of others. Misusing Xanax can cause addiction, overdose, and possibly death.

• Medicines that interact with alprazolam may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with alprazolam.
• The first step is to know that your questions and feelings are normal.
• Many effects of Xanax addiction, including short-term memory loss, are treatable and can get better in time.
• Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy.

Is Xanax a controlled substance?

They may also prescribe this form if your panic disorder symptoms come back or worsen between doses of immediate-release Xanax. It’s important to talk with your medical professional before you stop Xanax treatment. If they recommend that it’s safe for you to stop taking the drug, they’ll lower your dosage gradually over time.

Would my doctor prescribe Xanax for depression, sleep problems, or other conditions?

• Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so.
• The kinds of side effects you can have may vary depending on the condition you’re using Xanax to treat.
• Even when taken daily as prescribed, users can quickly build up tolerance and dependence.
• Taking more than the recommended dosage can lead to severe side effects, including coma and, in some cases, death.
• This system helps regulate breathing, actions, thinking, and more.

This results in a calming effect that helps relieve symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder. Dependence – especially physical dependence – can also lead to withdrawal symptoms, and in some cases these can be very severe. Opioids are a class of drugs that includes prescription pain relievers and illegal substances such as heroin. They work by binding to opioid receptors in your brain and body. This can cause a number of effects, including a decrease in your ability to feel pain and a sense of euphoria. When you’re ready to begin your recovery from Xanax addiction, we’re here to help.

Frequently asked questions

Data sources include Micromedex (updated 6 May 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 6 May 2024), ASHP (updated 10 Apr 2024) and others. It’s not good to mix Xanax and alcohol, as both are central nervous system depressants and slow the activity of the brain. Mixing alcohol and Xanax can raise your risk of experiencing more severe side effects of https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the drug, such as dizziness, slowed breathing and extreme sleepiness. Xanax is an effective medication, and some people use it without a prescription or in a manner different from their prescription. The drug can cause side effects, especially if people combine it with other CNS depressants, such as antihistamines, opioids, and alcohol.

• Furthermore, there is some association of Xanax with an increased risk of suicide.
• While these are the most common side effects of Xanax, they may not happen to you.
• Long-term opioid misuse can change the way your brain works, affecting your ability to think clearly and making it very difficult to quit.
• If you’re an adult ages 65 years and older, if you have decreased liver function, or if you take a drug called ritonavir, your doctor will prescribe a lower Xanax dosage.
• You may also have an increased risk if you take Xanax for a long period of time.
• If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

Treasury Department to block the financial assets of criminal organizations responsible for trafficking fentanyl and other illicit opioids. To be successful, be aware of the role that eating plays in your life and learn how to use positive thinking and behavioral coping strategies to manage your eating and weight. Dr. Albers says many factors can influence our feelings about food and our eating behaviors. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use alprazolam only for the indication prescribed. The long-term abstinence rates after recovering from Xanax addiction vary significantly. About 80% of older adults achieve abstinence, while about 25% of those with complicated addiction with polydrug use achieve abstinence.

Boxed warnings

Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well. Women should inform their care team if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Patients over 65 years of age may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

And being sedated for a really long time can cause some health problems. Consumers should also be aware that pharmaceuticals purchased from unregulated manufacturers or internet sources overseas pose serious health threats. Consumers can protect themselves and their families by only buying prescription medicines from U.S. pharmacies. Talk with your doctor or dentist if you have anxiety before medical procedures.

Ask a pharmacist

They may recommend over-the-counter laxatives to help relieve this side effect. Xanax may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. There are some differences in the side effects of Xanax and Xanax XR. To learn more about Xanax XR’s xanax addiction side effects, talk with your doctor or see the drug’s prescribing information. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed.

Congress passed a bill targeting financial assets of fentanyl traffickers

• That’s one reason Xanax has such a high abuse potential; drugs with a short half-life tend to be more commonly misused.
• Xanax and Valium may be used to treat anxiety disorders, although both drugs have other uses that differ.
• Because Xanax is sedating, Dr. Dimitriu says he generally asks patients to try their first dose during an afternoon or evening when being sleepy wouldn’t be problematic.
• Alprazolam is one of the most prescribed medications in the world.

She lives in Connecticut with her husband, son and dog. Since Xanax can interact with a long list of prescription and over-the-counter medications, be sure to disclose to your doctor what medications you are currently taking. Benzodiazepines like Xanax are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity and relax the muscles. “They achieve this by increasing the effects of GABA [gamma-aminobutyric acid]—one of the main calming or inhibiting neurotransmitters in the brain,” says Dr. Dimitriu. When you get Xanax from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle.