Xanax is a prescription drug used to treat anxiety and insomnia. However, it comes with a high potential for abuse. Xanax is often used recreationally, and you can become addicted to Xanax even if you have a prescription from a doctor. You may wonder: What does Xanax addiction feel like? How do you spot the signs of Xanax addiction in yourself or someone else?
When Xanax addiction happens, a Xanax addiction treatment center can help. Promises Behavioral Health offers treatment services for substance use disorders (SUDs) and other mental health conditions. If you think you or a loved one has developed an addiction to Xanax, we can help you get back on track. Call 844.875.5609 today for more information on the Xanax addiction treatment programs offered at Promises Behavioral Health locations throughout the United States.
About Xanax Abuse and Addiction
Xanax is one of many prescription drugs that can easily lead to addiction. Xanax is the brand name of the generic drug alprazolam, a type of benzodiazepine. It’s a sedative usually prescribed to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and sleeplessness.
How Does Xanax Abuse Develop?
If you’ve been prescribed Xanax, following dosage instructions carefully is essential. You can quickly become addicted to this prescription medication, especially if you don’t take it as prescribed. Xanax is only intended for short-term use, and you should never exceed dosage instructions. Unfortunately, even individuals who take Xanax as prescribed can become addicted.
Xanax is heavily abused. It’s prevalent among teens and college-aged students and often mixed with alcohol, which has dangerous and sometimes fatal results.
What Does Xanax Addiction Feel Like?
Xanax produces a relaxing, euphoric effect. It slows down physiological functions like heart rate and breathing rate. It also slows down racing thoughts and can make a person feel sleepy, which is why it’s often prescribed to treat anxiety and insomnia.
Xanax addiction makes you feel like you need to continue taking more to feel mentally, emotionally, or physically well, even though continued use only harms your health on all levels.
Signs of Xanax Addiction
Xanax addiction begins in one of two ways: through recreational use or because a doctor prescribed it. Signs that you’re becoming addicted to your Xanax prescription include:
- Taking a higher dosage than prescribed
- Taking does more frequently than instructed
- Having multiple prescriptions from different doctors
- Borrowing Xanax from friends when your prescription runs out
- Altering your medication, like crushing and snorting pills
- Constantly thinking about your next dose
- Worrying about your prescription running out
- Feeling dependent on your prescription
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you skip a dose or run out
- Cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Choosing Xanax use over other life activities
- Xanax use impacts work, school, and relationships
- Xanax use brings financial or legal troubles
- You feel you need to keep using it despite the negative consequences
A Xanax prescription can easily lead to Xanax addiction if you’re not careful. Deviating from instructions in any way is a sign that you’re becoming dependent on the drug. You should never take Xanax if it hasn’t been prescribed to you. Recreational use quickly leads to addiction.
Symptoms of Xanax Withdrawal
Unfortunately, it’s easy to become physically and psychologically dependent on Xanax. As the drug leaves the body, it’s also common to feel withdrawal symptoms that can include:
- Emotional changes
- Irritability
- Muscle cramps
- Difficulty sleeping
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Sweating
- Tremors or convulsions
Withdrawal symptoms indicate that a person has become dependent on Xanax.
Find Xanax Addiction Treatment with Promises Behavioral Health
Xanax addiction seriously harms your health and quality of life. As addiction progresses, it’s more likely to lead to legal and financial issues, harm your mental and emotional health, and put you at risk of fatal overdose.
What does Xanax addiction feel like? If you keep asking this question, it could be a sign that you or someone you love may have become dependent on Xanax. Promises Behavioral Health offers professional Xanax addiction treatment and support for underlying conditions that may have led to Xanax use, like anxiety. Contact Promises today at 844.875.5609 to learn how our programs and services across the United States can help you or your loved one overcome addiction and lead a happier life.