What is the most important information I should know about Xanax withdrawal?
Xanax (alprazolam) is a commonanti-anxiety medication.
Xanax can help people who are in acute distress, but it is not intended for long-term use.
Verywell / JR Bee
The long-term use of benzodiazepines like Xanax can potentially create problems with dependence andwithdrawal.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Xanax withdrawal can also be medically serious.
The only safe way to quit is to slowly taper down your dose under the direction of a doctor.
Quittingcold turkeycan increase your risk of extreme and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including delirium and grand mal seizures.
Deliriumis a state that involves temporary, abrupt changes in cognition and behavior characterized by agitation and disorientation.
Reckless prescribing practices have contributed to thousands of cases of dependence and misuse.
Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms & Signs
The signs and symptoms of Xanax withdrawal vary from person to person.
What Does Xanax Rebound Mean?
Xanax’s potency is linked with increasedrebound effects.
This is sometimes called Xanax rebound anxiety.
It is common to feel nervous, jumpy, and on-edge during your taper.
Many people experienceirritabilityand agitation, which can cause problems at home, work, or school.
You might be easily annoyed or short-tempered with family or friends.
Insomnia, another symptom, can also contribute to these feelings of anxiety and agitation.
How Long Does Xanax Withdrawal Last?
The symptoms of Xanax withdrawal typically appear within 8 to 12 hours of your last dose.
If you fail to taper your dose, your withdrawal symptoms will grow increasingly intense.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
Protracted Xanax withdrawal can last up to one year.
Tapering means taking progressively smaller doses over the course of several weeks.
It is not recommended to taper without the assistance and recommendations from your prescribing doctor.
Xanax is a short-acting drug, which means your body metabolizes it very quickly.
Switching from short-acting Xanax to its longer-acting cousin Valium will make it easier for you to quit.
This gives your body and mind the time to adjust to life without Xanax.
Its up to you and the doctor to figure out the best tapering schedule for your individual needs.
If you plan to or have become pregnant, you will need to discuss your options with a doctor.
Part of that conversation should include reviewing the risks and benefits of continuing versus tapering benzodiazepines during your pregnancy.
Some people continue taking benzodiazepines throughout their pregnancy while others follow a dose tapering schedule.
If you dont have insurance, visit a community health center.
You may be better suited for inpatient detoxification.
While inpatient treatment is typically more expensive, it is covered by many insurance plans.
Research shows that most stable, healthy adults will achieve long-term abstinence after completing a taper.
The key to achieving this goal is to follow the tapering schedule to the very end.
By the end of your taper, you might be cutting pills into halves or quarters.
Links & Resources
Brett J, Murnion B.Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence.Aust Prescr.
2015;(5):CD009652.
2019;6(1):657-662.
Shyken JM, Babbar S, Babbar S, Forinash A.Benzodiazepines in pregnancy.Clin Obstet Gynecol.
2019;62(1):156-167. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000417
American Psychiatric Association.
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.
2018;7(2):20. doi:10.3390/jcm7020020
