Benefits of Sobriety and Causes of Xanax Addiction
Although many people become addicted to the high that Xanax produces, the benefits of sobriety are much greater. When a person stops abusing a substance like Xanax, they have more energy and strength as well as better physical health. They also experience mental and emotional benefits like better concentration and focus, improved self-esteem, and less anxiety and depression. In addition to these benefits, people who recover from an addiction to Xanax find that their interpersonal relationships and professional lives improve.
If there are so many benefits of sobriety, why do so many people become addicted to Xanax? While it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact cause of addiction, there are a number of variables that seem to play a role.
An Overview of Xanax
Before delving into information about Xanax strengths and types, it makes sense to discuss the basic facts about the drug. Xanax is a depressant in the benzodiazepine class of drugs. In general, depressants are designed to treat anxiety and panic disorders by binding to specific locations on gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain and altering the brain’s chemistry.
When a person suffers from clinical anxiety and takes Xanax as prescribed, they should experience a reduction in their symptoms. While the drug can be habit-forming, it is fairly safe when used under the supervision of a physician. However, Xanax can be very addictive and incredibly dangerous when it is abused. In fact, Xanax is a schedule IV drug, since it carries such a high risk of dependency.
The Different Types of Xanax
Xanax comes in different forms and strengths, and its effects vary depending on the type and potency of the drug. Most of the time, Xanax comes in the form of a bar or a pill. Each type of Xanax has a different dosage and each form of the medication is distinguishable by appearance. Here is an overview of a few of the different types of Xanax, including their appearance and dosage.
Side Effects of Xanax Abuse and Overdose
Most people who take Xanax as prescribed will not experience side effects; however, people who abuse the drug have an increased likelihood of experiencing a wide variety of negative physical and mental effects, these Xanax side effects include:
It is also very common for people to accidentally overdose on Xanax. Prompt treatment for an overdose can mean the difference between life and death. As a result, it’s critical to know the symptoms of a Xanax overdose.
Treatment for Xanax Addiction
Although some people may try to stop taking Xanax without medical assistance, it can be very dangerous due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms. The safest way to stop taking Xanax is to undergo a medically-supervised detoxification (detox) process. During detox, a person slowly stops taking Xanax to reduce the amount of the drug in their system. By tapering off of Xanax under close medical supervision, there is a reduced risk of developing serious or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
After undergoing medical detox, the next step in the recovery process is psychological counseling to address the roots of addiction and help the person develop new coping strategies to replace the role that Xanax played in their life. Counseling can be performed one-on-one, with family members, or in a group setting, depending on what is helpful for the patient.
In addition to detox and counseling, ongoing support from loved ones, support groups, and medical professionals is important to help a person maintain long-term sobriety. After all, recovering from addiction is a lifelong journey.