By Xanax belongs to a class of medications known as benzodiazepines. This type of prescription drug is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Xanax is classified as a controlled substance due to the high likelihood of its users developing an addiction to the drug.
Young woman is lying on the floor with a lot of pills. Overdose and suicide concept.
If you believe that you are exhibiting signs of Xanax dependence, you should seek professional assistance and treatment for safe detoxing and learning how to recover from your addiction.
Eight common symptoms of Xanax addiction include:
1. Neglected Responsibilities
As obtaining and using Xanax becomes the focus of your everyday life, you may find that your typical responsibilities and obligations are neglected. Family, work, social, and school obligations are usually pushed to the wayside as a drug dependence grows and begins to dominate your thoughts and actions.
2. Street Purchasing
As your addiction grows, you will likely find that the Xanax prescription you receive from your doctor is not enough to satisfy your cravings or physical and psychological dependence on the drug.
If you have turned to purchasing Xanax “on the street,” that’s a major red flag indicating an addiction. That doesn’t just include purchases from drug dealers—even buying pills from a friend or family member is considered street purchasing.
If you are street purchasing, chances are you’re also hiding your growing dependence from your loved ones. If you’re lying, stealing, or sneaking around to purchase Xanax, you should seek professional treatment for addiction.
3. Physical Health Problems
Xanax abusers are at a high risk of developing a number of life-threatening physical health problems. These issues may include:
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Drowsiness/Sluggishness
- Muscle weakness and degeneration
- Blurred vision
- Poor motor coordination
- Difficulty breathing/Respiratory distress
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
- Inability to Stop
A tell-tale sign of Xanax addiction is the inability to stop using the drug. If you continue to use Xanax even after your use of the drug has caused social, interpersonal, or physical health problems, you should seek professional treatment.
An addiction to any substance can not be overcome without professional help. Trying to quit using the drug “cold turkey” can have serious harmful effects on your health, and will do nothing to help you deal with cravings.
Many people with Xanax addiction will continue to use the drug despite legal, financial, or family troubles that are a direct result of their drug use. Addiction is that powerful.
5. Taking Higher Doses
As your body grows accustomed to your regular Xanax dosage, you will require higher and higher doses to achieve the same results. This concept is referred to as “tolerance.” Once you’ve built up a tolerance to Xanax, you may seek higher doses to produce the same feelings of intense calm, relaxation, and euphoria.
If you are taking more than the doctor-recommended dosage of your Xanax prescription, or purchasing the drug on the street, this is a sign of a budding drug dependency.
6. Experiencing Withdrawal
If you have tried to stop taking Xanax on your own, you may have experienced symptoms of withdrawal. These unpleasant symptoms occur when you remove a substance that your body has come to depend upon to function.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Convulsions or seizures
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Heart palpitations
- Insomnia
- Paranoia and anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Mood Swings and Memory Loss
Two common cognitive symptoms of Xanax addiction are unpredictable mood swings and memory problems. You and your loved ones may notice that you’re happy one moment, and inexplicably agitated the next.
Xanax is a sedative, which means its puts users in extreme states of relaxation—particularly at high doses. People abusing Xanax are often confused, or “in a fog.” If your Xanax use is affecting your ability to remember things or hold intelligible conversations, it may be time to consider seeking treatment.
8. Depression and Loss of Interest
Xanax addiction often causes a loss of interest in hobbies or activities. Things that you used to enjoy will no longer seem appealing. Depression is a common side effect of addiction, as well.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, please do not hesitate to reach out for professional help and treatment. For more information, please visit: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/xanax-addiction/
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