Xanax dependence involves your brain adjusting its natural production of chemicals in response to the consistent presence of the substance. Xanax addiction, on the other hand, involves long-term changes to the reward system of your brain (particularly the mesolimbic dopamine pathway). Xanax addiction is when you compulsively seek and use the drug despite its negative consequences.
Signs of Addiction to Xanax
These effects often improve over time, after reducing or discontinuing use under medical guidance. To understand what Xanax does and why it’s effective, it helps to know how it interacts with your brain to ease anxiety and panic symptoms. Every month, 150,000 people search for addiction or mental health treatment on Recovery.com. Paroxetine is used treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders. Alprazolam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol.
Mental Health Therapist
Although Xanax is primarily metabolized by the liver, prolonged use can also affect kidney function, especially in individuals with preexisting kidney conditions 3. The kidneys remove the byproducts of medications such as Xanax and this procedure puts pressure on the kidneys and may cause harm to the kidneys, including impaired kidney function over time. People with kidney disease should be cautious when taking Xanax and the doctors may have to reduce the dosage to protect the kidneys even further.
Addiction Treatment
- “They achieve this by increasing the effects of GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid—one of the main calming or inhibiting neurotransmitters in the brain,” says Dr. Dimitriu.
- Keep this medicine in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse.
- Be honest about any side effects or changes you notice—this helps your provider to accurately guide your treatment plan.
- The amount of time Xanax stays in your bloodstream and directly alters your brain functions and chemical balance is dependent on its half-life.
Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose of liquid alprazolam. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device. Do not share alprazolam with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. Alprazolam is commonly used to treat the following conditions.
What Happens To Your Brain When You Take Xanax
- Illegally purchasing Xanax from unregulated sources increases the risk of consuming counterfeit pills, which contain dangerous substances like fentanyl.
- A person may need stronger doses of Xanax to achieve the same calming effects as originally experiences.
- Thus, the question of what does Xanax do to your brain can be answered in a few different ways, depending on how a person takes it, in what amount, and for how long.
- Even small amounts of alcohol can intensify Xanax’s effects on your nervous system.
It may also be prescribed for insomnia, premenstrual syndrome and depression—although these are non-FDA labeled indications of the medication (or what is called “off-label” use). Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following. While less common, the most serious side effects of alprazolam are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Alprazolam solution should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). You can write the date on the bottle the day you open Halfway house it as a reminder.
Introduction to Ativan and Xanax
Caffeine can increase your body’s xanax addiction production of stomach acid and relax your lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle that prevents acid from traveling back up your esophagus. It takes just 15 to 20 minutes for caffeine to hit your bloodstream, but its effects can last anywhere from one to 10 hours. One half of your face might droop, one arm might suddenly become immobile and your speech might be slurred. If you experience any of the following, it’s time to see a doctor. Nearly 42 million Americans regularly deal with headaches and migraine attacks, according to the National Headache Foundation, most of them women.
- A common appeal of Xanax is its ability to produce a high in larger doses.
- The most common Xanax withdrawal symptoms are rebound anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.
- They provide the user with a sense of calmness, easing away those anxious feelings, or acting like a sedative or muscle relaxer.
- However, some people experience sleep problems (insomnia) as a side effect of Xanax.Only take Xanax as prescribed.
- Xanax works by enhancing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that slows down brain activity and produces calming effects.
- Taking alprazolam if you have depression may lead to an extremely elevated mood (mania) or can worsen your depression.
The most effective way to prevent lasting effects of Xanax on the brain is to seek professional help. As the body develops a tolerance to the drug, people may notice a decrease in its effectiveness within the first few weeks of use. Symptoms of withdrawal typically begin two to seven days after your last dose.
If you’re one, you might be used to the discomfort, the pain and the other symptoms, too — nausea, light sensitivity and fatigue, to name a few. You probably take pain medication, rest for a bit and then continue with your day. Along with its needed effects, alprazolam (the active ingredient contained in Xanax) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Xanax only for the indication prescribed. Cymbalta (duloxetine) is used to treat major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder and …
Because it provides a temporary solution, it is suitable for use by individuals suffering from acute anxiety. Unfortunately, one of the major downsides of Xanax is that it is a highly addictive medication. This is why it is extremely important to take it as prescribed and if you are starting to feel dependent or addicted to the medicine, let a medical professional know as soon as possible. There are other ways to treat anxiety and it’s symptoms without having to take Xanax, so make sure you do your best to get help without fear of anxiety returning.