Alprazolam Addiction Symptoms – 5 Warning Signs

Alprazolam, commonly branded as Xanax, is an effective medication for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. However, out of all benzodiazepines, it has the most abuse potential. Some signs of alprazolam misuse include:

• Sleeping more than usual
• Dizziness
• Trouble with coordination
• Wanting more medication
• Mixing it with other substances
• Not engaging in usual activities

If you are using alprazolam more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed. It is highly recommended to undergo an addiction evaluation to prevent the risk of a Xanax overdose. ChoicePoint, a top-rated drug rehab, is ready to offer all the support from initial evaluation to a personalized addiction treatment plan, also covered by insurance. Just make a call 844.445.2565, and our clinical staff will cover all for you. Help is there. Reach out today!

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Is Alprazolam Addictive?

Yes, it is considered one of the most addictive benzodiazepines. While it is an effective medicine, addiction specialists show their concerns, especially when it comes to people with a family history of alcoholism or drug use. Most commonly, people tend to abuse Xanax and Alcohol or mix xanax and cocaine for recreational purposes, peer pressure, or to relax their minds.

 Things to remember:

• Alprazolam is usually misused alongside alcohol and opioids
• Appropriate use of medication is unlikely to cause addiction
• Those with an existing addiction misuse alprazolam

Our DEA-certified doctors have created this quick 5-minute assessment. Take this test to ease your concerns about Xanax misuse or to check if recreational alcohol or cocaine use may be turning into addiction.

Free Addiction Assessment

Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.

Alprazolam Dependence VS. Addiction

When a person with anxiety uses benzo medication like alprazolam for a long time, their body may become accustomed to its presence. When stopped suddenly, this may lead to withdrawal. This is considered physical dependence. 

According to DSM-5, benzo abuse is classified under “anxiolytic use disorder”, colloquially referred to as sedative use disorder. Physical dependence on Xanax may not always lead to addiction. It is for addiction specialists to determine. 

In case of dependence, your doctor may:

• Change your medication
• Propose a different treatment
• Help taper off from alprazolam

It’s important to learn how long alprazolam stays in your system to take proper precautions to prevent potential abuse. 

5 Alprazolam Addiction Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Some signs determine whether you are addicted to alprazolam or not. 

1. Having No Control Over Usage

Another significant indicator of alprazolam addiction is being out of control. Some symptoms of this include:

• Not being able to cut despite deciding to
• Unintentionally taking more than intended
• Taking more than needed

If these signs resonate with you, it is better to get help. Call 844.445.2565 or access an addiction specialist via this form. 

2. Going Medication Shopping

Medication shopping means visiting different doctors to get your hands on alprazolam. If addiction gets worse, individuals may submit to obtaining it from illicit sources. Medication shopping may look like this:

• Always be on the lookout for more medication
• Asking family or friends if they have Xanax or other benzos
• Obtaining it even from questionable sources

This could be more unintentional. Taking medication almost becomes indispensable because otherwise, painful withdrawal hits.

3. Consistent Sedation

One of the key markers of alprazolam addiction is constant sedation. Individuals with alprazolam addiction will:

• Constantly seek out avenues to take alprazolam
• Being sleepy or sedated most of the time
• Either taking medication or recovering from it

Sedation can affect a person’s life negatively. It can have intense mental health issues.

4. Ignoring Work and Relationships

Addiction can affect work and interpersonal relationships. Some similar signs include:

• Missing important life events
• Trouble meeting work commitments
• Xanax use affects grades
• Getting distant from friends and family

5. Mixing It with Other Drugs

Mostly, individuals who misuse medications like alprazolam also use other drugs. This can lead to mixing alprazolam with other substances like alcohol. This practice is hazardous and can be fatal at any point. Common drugs used alongside alprazolam include:

• Opioids
• Alcohol
• Other CNS depressants

CNS depressants can exacerbate each other’s side effects, which is why you should be careful with them.

Dangers of Quitting Xanax Cold Turkey

Going Cold Turkey or Medical Xanax Detox?

If you are addicted to alprazolam, going cold turkey can result in fatal consequences because sudden withdrawal can cause seizures and could lead to a life-threatening situation. The ideal treatment is to go for rapid medical detox with a tapering plan under medical supervision to help you get Xanax out of your system safely. 

If you are a victim of polysubstance abuse, you may undergo treatment in the following formats:

• Inpatient addiction treatment
• Intensive outpatient addiction treatment
• Outpatient addiction treatment
• Online MAT program
• Online therapy for psychological support
• Aftercare

Medically Supervised Xanax Detox at ChoicePoint

We are offering all levels of care. Get compassionate, expert care 7 days a week, from rapid and safe detox to long-term support and availability of online sessions from the comfort of home. We accept most major insurance plans and have DEA-certified specialists ready to help you take the first step. Call now 844.445.2565 or schedule your free online consultation by filling out this form. 

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Important Queries Regarding Alprazolam

Alprazolam can be an effective tool. To safely navigate through your treatment, read this question/answer section.

Is .25 mg Alprazolam Addictive?

.25 mg alprazolam should be fine as long as it is being taken according to the prescription of your doctor. It is not a very high dose. However, if mixed with other substances, it can prove to be fatal. Therefore, work closely with your mental health specialist if you are taking the medicine.

Which Is More Addictive, Alprazolam or Diazepam?

Alprazolam is considered to be more addictive than diazepam. It is said to cause severe withdrawal in a short period. However, it is important to understand that this may vary from person to person and their usage.

Can Alprazolam Be Taken for Life?

While alprazolam is very effective for anxiety, it is not advised to take it for more than 4 months. For panic disorders, the timeline is even shorter. It should only be taken for about 10 weeks at max.

Can Alprazolam Cause Memory Loss?

Yes, one of the side effects of alprazolam is memory loss. However, not everyone will experience it. It is also associated with amnesia when taken in high doses, especially if you are mixing it with alcohol. This is commonly referred to as a Xanax blackout. 

Is It Okay to Take Alprazolam Every Night?

This medication should only be used as per the instructions of your doctor. If your provider has urged you to take alprazolam every night, you can do it. As for self-medication, you should never do it because it is highly addictive.

References

1. Ait-Daoud, N., Hamby, A. S., Sharma, S., & Blevins, D. (2017). A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 12(1), 4–10. https://doi.org/10.1097/adm.0000000000000350