Xanax Addiction: Symptoms, Risks, and Treatment

Are you concerned that you or someone close to you may be struggling with a Xanax addiction? Read on to learn about the signs of Xanax dependency and the options for seeking help.

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Xanax (alprazolam) is one of the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications in the United States, data shows. As helpful as it is for many anxiety sufferers, it’s also a controlled substance that carries a high risk of misuse, abuse, and addiction. 

Benzodiazepines (sometimes referred to as benzos), like Xanax, are designed to provide fast-acting relief from anxiety and panic attacks, but their calming effects can quickly lead to overuse. What starts as taking Xanax occasionally for anxiety can easily slip into taking it too often, taking higher doses of it, or even feeling unable to function without taking it. Over time, this pattern of misuse can lead to Xanax addiction, a form of substance use disorder (SUD).

Read on to learn more about Xanax abuse, including its signs, symptoms, long-term effects, and types of Xanax addiction treatment.

What is Xanax addiction?

Benzodiazepines like Xanax are central nervous system depressants, which means they slow down activity in your nervous system and brain. They are commonly prescribed to help reduce anxiety and panic.

“Xanax works in a way that rapidly increases certain neurotransmitters in the brain, producing a calm and sedating effect,” says Rebecca Holland, a Charlie Health Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. “It is quick and powerful. Its fast onset often reinforces a cycle of dependency if underlying concerns are not addressed with psychotherapy for long-term management.”

For example, someone with an anxiety disorder like panic disorder might be prescribed Xanax and feel major, fast-acting relief when they take it when they feel a panic attack coming on. However, they might become dependent on it and feel like taking some Xanax is the only way to reduce their anxiety, especially if they aren’t working on managing anxiety in therapy. 

Not to mention, just like the medication works quickly, the brain and body also quickly adapt if the Xanax use is regular, resulting in developing a tolerance, Holland says. Additionally, when you develop a tolerance to the medication, it makes it difficult to stop taking it without experiencing mental and physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. “It’s like hitting a mute button on your nervous system, and eventually, it has to do a lot of work to relearn self-regulation,” she says.  

This is also part of what makes Xanax addictive — because it alters brain chemistry in a way that reinforces repeated use. Not to mention, for some individuals, Xanax induces feelings that make them feel great, leading them to want more and more. ‘For some, Xanax also creates a sense of euphoria, which can become something they actively seek out repeatedly, contributing further to addiction,” says Dr. Eli Muhrer, M.D., a board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with Charlie Health

What are the signs of Xanax addiction?

Major signs of a Xanax addiction include taking more medication than prescribed (either a higher dose, more frequently, or both) and using medications in situations that aren’t when they’re supposed to be taking them, Holland says.

“Usually, people start taking Xanax exactly as prescribed by their doctor, often to manage panic attacks or short-term episodes of severe anxiety. Some people quickly notice significant relief — maybe for the first time ever — and naturally want to maintain that feeling long-term,” says Dr. Muhrer. In turn, someone might take Xanax more frequently than they’re supposed to — daily or even multiple times a day, and they might use it to deal with minor stress rather than intense anxiety. 

Some other red flags and signs of misuse or addiction are buying Xanax illegally from unsafe sources or seeking out multiple providers to access multiple refills or ‘stockpile’ medication, Holland says. “Additionally, when we see use become more about avoiding withdrawal than treating symptoms, addiction is a serious concern,” she adds.  

Other general signs of a substance use disorder include:

• Being unable to cut back on drug use 
• Spending a lot of time getting the drug, using it, and recovering from it
• Having trouble at home, school, or work due to substance use
• Using the substance even though it’s causing you problems
• Choosing substance use over other activities
• Continuing to use the substance, even if you’re in danger 
• Experiencing new or worsening mental or physical symptoms due to the drug 

What is Xanax withdrawal like? 

Xanax withdrawal symptoms may range from uncomfortable to severe to medically dangerous. Holland says some common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Rebound anxiety
• Insomnia
• Tremors
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Heart palpitations
• Panic attacks
• Hallucinations
• Seizures

“What makes this particularly tricky is that withdrawal symptoms may not show up right away,” Holland says. “A person can feel fine for several days and then seemingly ‘out of nowhere’ begin experiencing significant symptoms of withdrawal.”

It’s important to seek medical attention and consult your provider if you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms and you want to stop taking Xanax so they can make a plan for you to detox and manage symptoms safely. 

“Xanax withdrawal can be highly variable but often lasts weeks to months, depending on an individual’s use pattern,” Holland says. “Acute withdrawal usually peaks within one to two weeks, but the protracted symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, sleep disruptions, can linger for much longer — months at times.” 

What are the long-term effects and risks of Xanax?

“Long-term use of alprazolam — and benzos in general — causes cognitive impairment, memory issues, emotional blunting, and depression,” Holland says. “Plus, as the dose requires constant increases, Xanax can ultimately make anxiety worse instead of less due to the GABA downregulation and rebound effects.”

She adds that some people may also experience:

• Decreased motivation
• Dull emotional range
• A disconnected sense of self
• Higher risks of falls, accidents, and respiratory depression (especially when combined with alcohol, opioids, or other benzos) 

What are the options for Xanax addiction treatment?

Xanax addiction treatment comes in two phases: first, you need to safely taper off the benzodiazepine and detox from it. Then, you need to seek therapy to address the causes of the addiction and improve your mental health in general to stay clean from the substance.

1. Taper or detox

“The most ideal situation is to complete a medically supervised taper of Xanax,” Holland says. “Inpatient detox is often warranted if someone has been using alprazolam for an extended period of time to ensure safety.” This is especially the case if someone is at risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, like seizures. 

2. Individual therapy

Then, it’s important to consider psychotherapy, AKA talk therapy, which is essential to address the underlying symptoms that prompted Xanax use to begin with, Holland says. She recommends cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or trauma-informed approaches.

CBT is one of the most common therapy modalities for both substance use disorder and anxiety disorder treatment. It helps you identify unhealthy and unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that may contribute to your substance abuse. You’ll also learn healthy coping strategies and relaxation techniques. This is also useful for learning to manage underlying anxiety and panic symptoms if you start taking a benzodiazepine for this reason in the first place.

Additionally, if trauma is a contributing factor to your Xanax use, it’s important to seek therapy to unpack and resolve this trauma, not just for the sake of getting and staying sober but also for the sake of your general mental health. 

Some other types of therapy that might be used for substance abuse treatment are:

• Psychodynamic therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Contingency management
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

3. Family therapy

Family therapy can play a major role in healing from a substance use disorder — especially if a child or teen is the one abusing the substance. A family therapist knowledgeable in substance abuse can help family members better understand addiction while also improving overall communication and conflict resolution within the family. Plus, you can address any conflict or unhealthy dynamics within the family that might be contributing to the substance abuse. 

4. Group therapy or support groups

Group therapy or support groups are also great additions to a plan for addiction recovery. These groups provide structure and accountability while allowing you to connect with people who are going through the same struggles as you and build emotional sobriety. You can consider twelve-step programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), or any other peer-led support groups that feel like a fit for you. Other options include: 

• Refuge Recovery
• Yoga 12-step Recovery (Y12SR)
• SMART Recovery

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one struggles with a substance use disorder, such as a benzodiazepine addiction, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for people who are dealing with serious mental health conditions, including substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions like anxiety disorders and depression.

Our compassionate clinicians meet you where you are on your substance use recovery journey and create personalized treatment plans to help you heal. They will teach you to manage anxiety, learn effective coping skills, prevent relapse, and promote long-lasting addiction recovery.

We incorporate trauma-informed, evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With this kind of holistic treatment, recovering from a Xanax addiction is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.