Long Term Effects Of Xanax Abuse
Xanax is a drug that is frequently prescribed for mental disorders such as anxiety or panic disorder. It may be prescribed in a tablet or extended-release capsule. Over 50 million prescriptions are written annually for this benzodiazepine drug. Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, which is in the category of benzodiazepine drugs.
Are The Long Term Effects Of Xanax Dangerous?
Long Term Effects Of Xanax
Xanax is a dangerous drug to abuse. The long term effects of Xanax misuse can be devastating physically, mentally, and personally. Physical effects include blurry or double vision, tremors, loss of muscle coordination, chest pain, increase in respiratory infections, memory impairment, and decreased libido. Mental issues can include depression, hyperactivity, and suicidal thoughts. In addition to the physical and mental health issues, personal problems can be difficult and include financial troubles, broken relationships, divorce, loss of job, legal problems, and jail. Senior citizens are especially susceptible to drug “hangovers” in the morning, memory loss, dementia, amnesia, and suicidal thoughts.
Xanax should not be used longer than a month, but even in that limited time frame individuals can become dependent on the drug if they misuse it. Abuse of Xanax not only leads to addiction, but when prescriptions are no longer available, people buy it from street dealers under the names zannies, handlebars, blue footballs, and benzos. If you are concerned that you or someone you care about may be abusing Xanax, watch for the following signs:
- Feel elated frequently
- Drowsiness follows elation
- Sleep for long periods
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Becomes light-headed
- Feels sluggish
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Lethargy
- Lack of motivation
If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or a family member, call Better Addiction Care (BAC) at (800) 429-7690, and speak to a rehab specialist. BAC’s free referral service helps thousands of people find the best addiction treatment facility for their specific needs.
Xanax Addiction Long Term Effects
Xanax addiction long term effects include tolerance, which means the amount of drug required to achieve desired results keeps increasing. If the person runs out of Xanax, he or she will experience withdrawal symptoms. The unpleasantness of withdrawal sends the person looking for more drugs to stop them. This is the point when a person can cross over into illegal activities to meet their need for more Xanax. Finding the financial means to pay for street drugs may cause some to skip paying bills, steal money or valuable items from family and friends, or try to get other doctors to write prescriptions (doctor shopping). If these types of activities are happening, it’s essential the person get professional help immediately before he or she ends up incarcerated or becomes the latest overdose victim.
Xanax Withdrawal
Xanax withdrawal must always take place in a supervised setting. Medical detox is the only safe way to go through Xanax withdrawal. If stopped abruptly, intense anxiety occurs including shaking and an increase in blood pressure. If the addiction is severe, just stopping can result in death. Accredited inpatient drug treatment facilities have doctors and psychiatrists on staff who supervise medical detox. Medications can be administered to lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms and provide a safe way to detox. Anxiety is the reason the Xanax was originally prescribed, and inpatient rehab provides psychiatric counseling to help find better ways to deal with it.
Better Addiction Care is waiting to help you find an addiction treatment center with the right programs to get you or your loved one into recovery from Xanax addiction. Life is waiting, so don’t waste another day of it dependent on Xanax.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, get help right away. Make a phone call that will connect you to a professional drug treatment center. The call you make may save your life or the life of someone you love. Call us today at (800) 429-7690.