This can cause withdrawal symptoms that are both severe and sudden. Even the type of Xanax that is extended-release causes more serious withdrawal symptoms than most other varieties of benzodiazepine.
In fact, Xanax is 10 times more potent than Klonopin and Valium, two other benzodiazepines. Withdrawals and the painful side effects they produce make many people with benzodiazepine addictions reluctant to quit or even seek out help. Withdrawal symptoms typically begin a just few hours after the final dose, and can come on suddenly. The most common symptoms include: difficulty concentrating, headaches, heart palpitations, increased anxiety, insomnia, irritability, muscle pain and stiffness, nausea, panic attacks, seizures, suicidal thoughts, sweating, uncontrollable shaking, vomiting, and weight loss.
Rebound symptoms are also possible after stopping use of Xanax. Pre-existing psychological disorders enhance the severity of these rebound effects, which may include panic attacks, anxiety, and inability to sleep. Many variables influence the length of benzodiazepine withdrawal. Some include the length and severity of the period of drug abuse, the half-life of the drug, and the age of the person. People who have been using drugs for longer times periods will typically experience more difficult withdrawals.
Long-term benzodiazepine users can typically expect a minimum of five days of withdrawal symptoms. Certain underlying mental health and medical issues can also affect how long withdrawal persists, as the body and brain works to restore themselves to a pre-benzodiazepine state. For shorter-acting drugs like Xanax, which have a shorter half-life, withdrawal symptoms can begin as quickly as six hours after the last dose.
It can take one or two days for withdrawal symptoms to appear with longer-acting drugs such as Klonopin or Valium. The withdrawal symptoms for Xanax and other short-acting benzodiazepines usually peak at the beginning of the acute withdrawal stage and then slowly taper off for a week or more. This is because long-term, heavy use of benzodiazepines changes many systems in the brain and body.
Although the psychological symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal may be the most persistent, the physical symptoms are still very difficult to endure. And while nailing down a precise withdrawal timeline is impossible as all people are different, in general, most people experiencing benzodiazepine withdrawal will loosely follow this timeline.
Beginning with cravings for more Xanax and feelings of anxiety and restlessness, the first phase of Xanax withdrawal worsens as the soothing effects of the drug wears away, with symptoms peaking during the next phase.
Typically, benzodiazepine withdrawal begins within about 12 to 24 hours, and as soon as six hours, after the last dose. Most of the symptoms lasting around a week to 10 days. There are three basic phases of Xanax withdrawal, with the side effects for each phase highlighted below:.
Because Xanax is a benzodiazepine with a short half-life, withdrawals should start within approximately six to twelve hours after your last dose.
The first two days can be a real challenge and the risk of relapse is high. While the physical symptoms may be declining, the emotional symptoms of anxiety, depression, and moodiness may persist long beyond the initial withdrawal period. During this phase, the body is re-learning appropriate emotional responses and which endorphins it needs to create at which times. How long withdrawal lasts depends mainly on how long you have been using and at what levels.
Most people continue to abuse Xanax because the prospect of withdrawal is so daunting. However, a person can live happily without Xanax with the right support and qualified medical supervision. For example, withdrawal complications such as catatonia, seizures, and even death are possible. Severe symptoms that may occur if you quit Xanax suddenly without supervision include:.
This is why some medical detox experts will prescribe a longer-acting benzodiazepine such as Valium before starting the tapering off process; this reduces the likelihood of these dangerous complications.
The support of an addiction medicine specialist can help keep the process safer, and avoid the worst of detox. During a medical detox process, vital signs can be monitored closely, and trained staff can keep you comfortable and safe. If you or someone you know is dealing with Xanax addiction or going through withdrawal, Casa Palmera can help. To speak to a medical professional, call Casa Palmera at According to the classification, these drugs have a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence.
There is evidence to dispute this classification, though. Research indicates that physical dependence may begin in just a few weeks, even while taking the drugs in low therapeutic doses. Dependence appears to occur in a similar way to how it does with other addictive drugs. Taking benzodiazepines causes surges of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a type of messenger that is partly responsible for how humans feel pleasure.
The main cause of the symptoms of benzo withdrawal is the sudden reduction of dopamine in the brain. It is still mostly unknown exactly why this happens. More severe reactions or withdrawals may also be more likely when taking strong drugs either for long periods or alongside other types of medications. In most cases of benzo withdrawal, suddenly stopping the medication is not recommended, as it can be dangerous.
Benzo withdrawals can be severe, and life threatening complications can occur. A healthcare professional should supervise benzo withdrawal to help monitor and manage the symptoms. Tapering the drug by slowly reducing the prescription strength may help make withdrawal symptoms much easier to manage.
Additionally, medical supervision allows doctors to respond much more quickly to potential side effects and withdrawal symptoms. If withdrawal symptoms become severe, doctors may prescribe other medications.
They will make this decision on a case-by-case basis, depending on the type and severity of the symptoms affecting the individual. For example, doctors may recommend flumazenil Romazicon to help with severe withdrawal symptoms and other drugs, such as buspirone BuSpar , to help people with severe anxiety symptoms.
Other therapies, including counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy CBT , may be helpful for people looking to manage symptoms without relying on other drugs.
Benzo withdrawal can be a stressful process, but it is often necessary for people trying to get themselves off benzodiazepine drugs. Benzo withdrawals can cause many symptoms that vary in severity. Symptoms tend to start a few hours to days after the person stops taking the drugs, and they may last for a few weeks to many months before going away. No one should attempt to get off benzo drugs without the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Severe symptoms and reactions can occur, and working with a professional can help a person avoid or manage these symptoms. Anyone experiencing troubling symptoms from withdrawal, such as suicidal thoughts or tendencies, should seek immediate medical care. Withdrawal from normal dosage benzodiazepine treatment can result in a number of symptomatic patterns.
The most common is a short-lived "rebound" anxiety and insomnia, coming on within days of discontinuation, depending on the half-life of the particular drug. The second pattern is the full-blown withdrawal syndrome, usually lasting days; finally, a third pattern may represent the return of anxiety symptoms which then persist until some form of treatment is instituted.
Physiological dependence on benzodiazepines can occur following prolonged treatment with therapeutic doses, but it is not clear what proportion of patients are likely to experience a withdrawal syndrome.
0コメント