Xanax Addiction Treatment: A Guide to Lasting Recovery

Are you concerned that you or a loved one may be struggling with a Xanax addiction? Read on to learn about Xanax addiction treatment options and information on Xanax withdrawal and detox.

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Alprazolam, more commonly known by its brand name, Xanax, is one of the most commonly prescribed and most commonly abused anti-anxiety medications. It falls under the category of benzodiazepines, colloquially referred to as “benzos.” While many people take Xanax safely and as directed under a doctor’s care, its fast-acting calming effects make it easy to misuse and abuse, especially for those looking to self-medicate or chase a high.

Over time, this misuse can lead to Xanax addiction, a form of substance use disorder (SUD). Seeking Xanax addiction treatment is crucial for both short-term and long-term safety. The drug has a high rate of overdose, and withdrawal symptoms can be potentially life-threatening, says Nicole Lonano, a Charlie Health Group Facilitator. Read on to learn more about Xanax addiction treatment and achieving long-lasting recovery. 

An overview of Xanax addiction treatment options

There are two phases of Xanax addiction treatment. First, you have to taper off and detox from the drug safely. Then, you must seek mental health support to address your addiction and underlying causes. Depending on your unique circumstances, you may want to choose inpatient or outpatient treatment for your benzodiazepine addiction. 

Inpatient care

Inpatient rehabilitation, also known as rehab, is recommended when the Xanax addiction is severe and/or co-occurs with other addictions or other serious mental health conditions. There is 24/7 monitoring and medical care, which is especially helpful in the early days of withdrawal. Here, patients can also undergo a medically assisted detox in a safe setting. In a rehab treatment center, there’s typically a mix of individual therapy, group therapy, and other activities, providing a holistic approach to recovery. 

Outpatient care

For those who need less intensive care in cases of less severe addiction, outpatient care is an option. You can work with a therapist or team of mental health professionals to address your addiction and underlying mental health struggles. If you need more than once weekly therapy but don’t require 24/7 monitoring, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are a great middle ground.

No matter which treatment path you choose, professional support and dedication to sobriety are key to recovering from benzodiazepine addiction. 

What are the types of therapy used for Xanax addiction treatment?

Some of the most commonly used therapies for Xanax addiction treatment are cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, contingency management, and family therapy. These modalities can help you get sober and stay sober from Xanax by addressing underlying triggers, thoughts, and behaviors that contribute to substance use. Therapy also helps you learn healthy coping strategies, emotional regulation skills, and more tools that support long-term recovery. 

Additionally, if you have a co-occurring mental health condition, it’s important to work with a therapist who specializes in dual diagnosis, meaning they know how to address comorbid substance abuse and mental health conditions. It’s also common to struggle with more than one addiction at once. For example, someone may be addicted to both Xanax and opioids or Xanax and alcohol. In these cases, the risk of an overdose is even higher since these substances are dangerous to mix. Any treatment you pursue should address all co-occurring mental health conditions and any other present addictions.

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the best therapies for substance use disorders since it addresses how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors contribute to substance use, Lonano says. In CBT, you will identify unhealthy, unhelpful thoughts that might be related to your Xanax use and any underlying mental health conditions. Then, you’ll challenge these thoughts and create healthier, more helpful new thought patterns. You will also learn coping skills you can use to manage stress, anxiety, and difficult emotions without benzodiazepines.

2. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

DBT is a mindfulness and skills-based therapy that’s an offshoot of CBT. It consists of four modules:

• Mindfulness
• Distress tolerance
• Emotional regulation
• Interpersonal effectiveness

By learning skills from these modules, you will learn how to cope with difficult emotions in a healthy way rather than turning to maladaptive coping skills like drug use. You’ll also learn how to have healthy relationships, which is a bonus since addictions often negatively affect relationships. 

3. Motivational interviewing 

Motivational interviewing is a type of collaborative therapy that allows you to explore your feelings while working towards a goal –– in this case, recovering from Xanax addiction. This therapy is designed to help people with substance use disorder overcome ambivalence, which refers to having mixed feelings about getting sober from a substance. Your therapist will help you determine the reasons you want to quit Xanax, empowering you to find your own motivation to pursue change.  

4. Contingency management

Contingency management is a behavioral approach to recovering from substance use disorder by using rewards like prizes or gift cards to incentivize positive behavior. For example, you can get rewarded for attending therapy or for abstaining from Xanax and passing drug tests. This can help you stay motivated to keep making more healthy choices and stay sober from benzodiazepines and other drugs.  

5. Family therapy

Family therapy can play an important part in recovery, especially when a child or teen is struggling with addiction. A therapist specializing in substance use disorder can help the whole family understand how addiction works, improve familial communication, and learn healthy conflict resolution skills. A family therapist can also help address any unhealthy family dynamics or conflicts that might be contributing to substance abuse. 

What is the importance of support groups for Xanax addiction treatment? 

Support groups, while not officially therapy, are great additions to a treatment plan for Xanax addiction recovery. Oftentimes, addiction feels very lonely and isolating. Support groups can counteract this, allowing you to connect with people who are going through similar struggles as you, Lonano says. Plus, they help with relapse prevention planning and accountability to stay sober, she adds. 

You may consider twelve-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or any other peer-led group that feels like a good match for you. Other examples of sober support communities include:

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

Psychiatric medication and Xanax addiction

When you are seeking treatment for an addiction, it’s crucial to address underlying mental health conditions or stressors that contribute to drug use to ensure lasting sobriety. Substance use disorder commonly co-occurs with:

• Anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder)
• Depression
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Personality disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia

Therapy is a great tool for addressing these mental health conditions that co-occur with substance use disorder. In some cases, a mental health professional might suggest psychiatric medication to help manage symptoms that may have led to your Xanax abuse in the first place.

If you were prescribed Xanax for anxiety, you may benefit from non-addictive anxiety medications, such as antidepressants like SSRIs or SNRIs. Psychiatric medication and therapy together can provide the tools and symptom relief to improve mental health and prevent relapse. 

What should I expect from the detox and withdrawal process? 

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. “Xanax addiction can cause physical dependence, meaning your body starts needing the medication to function normally. If the medication is suddenly stopped, withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous,” says Dr. Eli Muhrer, M.D., a board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with Charlie Health. That’s why it’s essential to have a plan and support in place to help you come off of Xanax safely and comfortably. 

Dr. Muhrer says potential Xanax withdrawal symptoms include:

• Shaking
• Sweating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Confusion
• Seizures

If you decide to quit Xanax or any other benzodiazepine, you should not quit cold turkey. “Detox doesn’t mean stopping Xanax immediately—instead, it involves gradually reducing the dose in a controlled way to keep you safe and comfortable,” Dr. Muhrer says. “Throughout the detox process, doctors regularly check for withdrawal symptoms and adjust the tapering schedule as needed.” 

Consult a professional to determine whether you need close medical monitoring in an inpatient setting to detox or if you are going to taper off more gradually under the supervision of an outpatient provider. 

How long does Xanax detox take? 

The length of time it takes to detox from Xanax depends on the person. It can take anywhere from days to months, depending on your circumstances.

“The length of detox can vary significantly based on how long you’ve been taking Xanax and how your body responds when lowering the dosage,” Dr. Muher says. “Detox might take days to even a week or more if you’re in an inpatient facility equipped to monitor and detox a person safely, or weeks to months if you’re tapering off gradually with outpatient care.”

How to achieve lasting recovery from Xanax addiction

Recovery doesn’t stop with detox and a few weeks of therapy. Sobriety is a lifelong journey. It’s important to continuously make healthy, positive choices to achieve both physical and emotional sobriety. Here are some tips for maintaining lasting recovery and sobriety:

• Continue to attend therapy sessions 
• Take care of underlying mental health conditions 
• Take prescribed medications as directed (if applicable)
• Have a support network of trusted loved ones you can confide in
• Surround yourself with positive influences and stay away from those who pressure you to use drugs 
• Join a sober support network (like Narcotics Anonymous or other peer-led groups)
• Create a relapse prevention plan (with the help of your therapist)
• Take care of your physical health by getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating a balanced diet. 
• Manage stress and anxiety in a healthy way
• Engaging in hobbies 
• Practicing self-care

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one struggles with a substance use disorder, such as a Xanax addiction, Charlie Health can help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for individuals dealing with serious mental health conditions and substance use disorder. Our program incorporates evidence-based therapies, like CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing, into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions.

An IOP is a great option for those who want to recover from a Xanax addiction and need more support than weekly therapy but don’t require the 24/7 monitoring of inpatient care. With this kind of support, recovery is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.