Xanax is the brand name of generic Alprazolam.
This prescription medication is in the benzodiazepine (benzo) class of drugs. As a potent sedative, it is frequently prescribed for the short-term treatment of anxiety and panic disorders, sleep disorders, and general stress-related symptoms.
Xanax depresses the central nervous system, producing sedative effects
and mild euphoria, making it attractive for recreational use. However, addiction is known to occur, even when prescribed for moderate use.
Effective treatment for addiction to Xanax needs to have a dual focus. First, we need to treat the physical dependence with medical detox. After that, we approach the mental cravings and underlying compulsive thoughts to break the foundation of psychological addiction.
Xanax works by enhancing the effects of the GABA neurotransmitter.
GABA has inhibitory effects on the nervous system, meaning it slows down and controls messages related to stress and anxiety. When there are lower levels of this chemical in the brain, these feelings heighten. Xanax boosts the brain’s ability to process GABA at its receptors, meaning individuals feel a calm, sedating effect when it is in the system.
When Xanax wears off, users return to their previous feelings of stress or anxiety. However, with continued use, the brain develops tolerance and physical dependence on this drug. This means that the brain has shifted its baseline functioning to assume the external sedating effects of Xanax. This is the root cause of both physical addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
If you have developed a physical dependence on Xanax, stopping abruptly brings on a host of withdrawal and rebound symptoms, which is doubly harmful.
Severe symptoms are independently dangerous, but they also can lead individuals to self-medicate to avoid unmanageable symptoms, thereby continuing the vicious cycle.
The most common symptoms of Xanax withdrawal are:
Cravings and obsessive thoughts about use are also a symptom of Xanax withdrawal. Tolerance starts to recede quite quickly in individuals who have stopped using the drug, and acting on these cravings can put users attempting to recover at greater risk of overdose.
However, withdrawal symptoms are manageable, and medical intervention can make this process safer and more comfortable. If you are experiencing Xanax withdrawal, please seek medical advice.
Addiction is a condition characterized by compulsive use of a substance. In cases of Xanax addiction, withdrawal symptoms are one of the main reasons users relapse. If you know that you have developed a dependence or have struggled with withdrawal in the past, know that effective medical treatments can help.
Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) refers to a detox process whereby a client’s symptoms are evaluated, and medication is then prescribed to alleviate any harmful effects caused by withdrawal.
Many anti-anxiety medications can be administered as a part of this treatment, depending on the individual’s needs. Most commonly, medical staff will prescribe long-acting benzos such as diazepam or clonazepam that are slowly tapered off in a supervised process. In some cases, we may recommend treatment with drugs outside of this family, such as buspirone, an anti-anxiety medication that effectively treats many mild withdrawal symptoms.
MAT is especially recommended as a treatment for Xanax addiction in people who are:
At Cirque Lodge, residential MAT is a therapy that allows us to supervise the detox process from start to finish, and there are many advantages to this form of addiction treatment.
Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous, and when unmanageable, they can lead to even riskier relapses. Benzo withdrawal can produce seizures and commonly causes severe mood swings and psychological symptoms such as increased anxiety, paranoia, dissociative feelings, and suicidal ideation. It may become challenging to take care of yourself when these symptoms are heightened, and erratic behavior can put you and others around you at risk.
Undergoing detox with the support of medical staff on call is a far safer option than unsupported withdrawal. MAT at Cirque Lodge is supervised by a team of addiction specialists and medical professionals who prioritize your comfort and safety every step of the way.
Debilitating acute withdrawal symptoms can cause unnecessary suffering during the early days of the recovery process, which in turn can undermine an unsupported individual's efforts to stay sober. MAT provides a medical buffer, allowing us to treat rebound and withdrawal symptoms during detox. Our luxurious Cirque Lodge facilities are designed to keep clients as comfortable as possible during this sensitive transition.
Our campus provides a private, serene, and substance-free environment and is set high in Utah’s breathtaking Rocky Mountains. When you go through withdrawal at home, you may be particularly prone to contextual triggers that crop up in daily life and drive cravings. Choosing a residential location for Xanax addiction treatment removes you from the stress and tension of everyday life while physical dependence symptoms subside.
MAT at Cirque Lodge is supervised 24-7 by dedicated physicians and psychiatrists, meaning that if necessary, we can respond swiftly if a need to change your treatment arises. We can also adjust the detox timeline depending on how you are responding to treatment to allow for the optimal tapering of any prescribed medications.
For most people, Xanax addiction is more than physical dependence.
The road to long-term sobriety requires us to build self-awareness and healthy ways of coping with the stressors and situations that trigger the psychological facets of addiction. At Cirque Lodge, we work with our clients to get to the root cause of their psychological addiction, and addressing behaviors associated with misuse is the second key to treatment.
Addiction treatment is one aspect of general mental health maintenance that needs to be approached holistically, and we begin with an assessment. As you go through the assessment and evaluation process, our staff will also test for related co-occurring disorders.
It is common for Xanax addiction to be complicated by or rooted in other underlying conditions, so we offer dual diagnosis in recognition of that fact. When other conditions are present, we adjust our treatments to give you the best chance of success.
The heart of our treatment lies in the 12-step program. We expand on this throughout your stay with us through a unique regimen of cognitive and experiential therapies.
Our staff includes an expert cohort of psychiatric and mental health professionals that will customize your treatment plan to your needs. This will generally include:
Regardless of the type of treatment, we like to include our breathtaking natural environment as part of our program whenever possible. Cirque Lodge is uniquely placed in a state-of-the-art campus high in Utah’s Rocky Mountains, and this tranquil setting is the perfect place to begin your recovery journey.
