Xanax withdrawal side effects

Normal Xanax withdrawal side effects include restlessness, anxiety, and fatigue. But stopping Xanax suddenly can also induce seizures, psychosis, and suicide. More here on potential side effects during Xanax withdrawal here.

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Withdrawal side effects of Xanax

When you stop taking Xanax (alprazolam) after weeks or months of daily use, it’s normal to experience side effects. In fact, the group of symptoms associated with Xanax cessation are called Xanax withdrawal symptoms. And although detoxing from Xanax can provoke serious side effects, how do you know if symptoms of Xanax withdrawal are normal? What if you require medical help?

Keep reading if you would like to know more about how Xanax withdrawal can affect you and what to expect with Xanax side effects. For example, Xanax withdrawal lasts how long? Then, we invite your questions about Xanax withdrawal at the end.

Withdrawal effects of Xanax

Xanax (alprazolam) is an extremely effective mood stabilizer which is prescribed to treat anxiety. Xanax effects the GABA receptors in the brains which calms the “nerves”, taking care of anxiety or panic disorders.

Part of its effectiveness is due to the fact that alprazolam is a short acting benzodiazepine. However, you can become dependent on Xanax quickly and the longer you use Xanax, the greater the body will rely on its presence to keep body functions normal. So, withdrawal is a process by which your body tries to regulate itself after a period of physical dependence when Xanax is no longer in the body. While the central nervous system normalizes, your body experiences pain and discomfort.

Withdrawal can occur for a few reasons and at different times. You can trigger withdrawal by missing a dose of Xanax. Or you can trigger Xanax withdrawal effects when you significantly decrease regular dosing amounts or frequency. Finally, Xanax withdrawal effects occur when stop taking Xanax cold turkey (dangerous, and not recommended). But what are the exact effects of Xanax withdrawal?

Effects of Xanax withdrawal

You may not want to hear this, but Xanax is one of the hardest medications to withdraw from. The effects of withdrawal from Xanax can be very uncomfortable and potentially risky because Xanax withdrawal can induce seizures, psychosis, and suicide (especially if you don’t taper your doses). Not only can withdrawal side effects mimic being sick, but the symptoms that Xanax was originally used to treat (anxiety, panic, depression, etc.) can resurface and may be worse than before. The physical and mental discomfort of getting off Xanax compound the experience of withdrawal. Side effects of Xanax withdrawal can include:

  • anxiety
  • abdominal cramps
  • confusion
  • dizziness
  • fatigue
  • fear
  • increased blood pressure
  • panic attacks
  • paranoid psychosis
  • restlessness
  • seizures
  • severe skin rash
  • speech problems
  • tremors
  • vomiting

Furthermore, stopping Xanax suddenly can be dangerous and can make post-acute withdrawal more likely in the months after acute withdrawal. Most doctors don’t recommend decreasing alprazolam doses by more than 50% at a time. However, even if you slowly taper off Xanax you can still experience symptoms of withdrawal in terms of mood and temperament changes. Exepct some form of withdrawal side effect as your body tries to re-establish homeostasis.

Side effects of Xanax withdrawal

Xanax reacts with specific sites in the brain which directly affect mood and serotonin regulation. This makes withdrawal a complicated and dangerous process. Below are several complication that can occur because of a sudden discontinuation of Xanax.

Psychosis: If you stop taking Xanax too quickly, detox can result in psychosis and spark suicidal thoughts or other harmful behaviors. If this occurs, you should be admitted to a hospital so that you can be monitored and helped through the process of withdrawal without harming yourself.

Post-acute withdrawal (PAWS): This set of symptoms occurs in the weeks to months after initial Xanax withdrawal. Post acute withdrawal side effects associated with Xanax include discomfort, difficulties with sleeping, and mild irritation. If you experience PAWS, it is important to know what is going on and to attribute symptoms to this condition. You can help treat Xanax PAWS with natural and over the counter sleeping aids, supplements, and daily exercise to help regulate withdrawal side effects.

Seizures: One serious side effect of sudden Xanax withdrawal include seizures. Carbamazepine or another type of anticonvulsant can be prescribed and administered to control seizures induced by alprazolam withdrawal. These medications can help manage side effects of Xanax withdrawal as well as the tremors that can occur during withdrawal.

Xanax withdrawal side effects treatment

You can trigger serious withdrawal effects when you stop taking Xanax withdrawal cold turkey. This is why the best form of Xanax Withdrawal and Detox Treatment includes a slow taper off alprazolam UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION. When you withdraw in this way, you allow the body time to regulate without alprazolam. Because so much can go wrong during Xanax withdrawal, tapering is the most frequentlyrecommended treatment for Xanax withdrawal side effects

Further, if you are suffering from addiction to Xanax, don’t withdraw on your own. Seek out a Xanax detox center and treatment facility that can help you withdraw safely, treat side effects, and address the psychological aspects of withdrawal. There are ways you can treat Xanax addiction and withdrawal side effects simultaneously, but you’ll need medical help.

Xanax withdrawal side effects questions

Do you have any Xanax withdrawal side effects questions? Please, if you still have questions regarding the side effects of Xanax withdrawal ask. We will get back to your questions as quickly as we can.

Resources: Pub Med: Seizures
Daily Med: Alprazolam
NCBI: Alprazolam use and dependence. A retrospective analysis of 30 cases of withdrawal
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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