Signs of Xanax Addiction
Xanax is a sedative known for its calming effects. However, this prescription medication is also highly addictive. When someone begins misusing Xanax, certain behaviors and physical changes may start to show up. These are often the first signs of Xanax addiction. They may include blurred vision, drowsiness, poor judgment, mood swings, and risky behaviors like driving under the influence.
People struggling with Xanax misuse might seek pills from others, visit multiple doctors, or try to cut back unsuccessfully. As tolerance to Xanax builds, higher doses are needed to feel the same effects, making withdrawal especially challenging and, in some cases, life-threatening. A medically supervised detox with Pride Detox is the safest way to begin recovery.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is a short-term medication used to treat panic, anxiety disorders and insomnia. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, or ‘benzos’ for short. These medications work by slowing down the nervous system, which can make you feel calm and sleepy.
When taken exactly as prescribed, Xanax can be helpful for people struggling with anxiety. But when it is misused, either by taking too much, taking it without a prescription, or using it to escape uncomfortable feelings. It can quickly lead to addiction.
How Does Xanax Affect the Brain and Body?
Xanax affects both your brain and body by slowing things down to help you feel calm. It works by activating parts of your brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. These receptors help your brain relax when you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed. When Xanax boosts their activity, you might feel sleepy, your muscles may loosen up, and your worries may fade away. But this calming effect also slows down how your brain sends messages, which is why people might have trouble remembering things or feel like they are in a fog.
Over time, your brain can get used to having Xanax around, so it stops working as well unless you take more. This can make it hard to stop using it. If you are struggling with anxiety or stress, there are safer ways to deal with it. Xanax is just one tool, and it is okay to get Pride Detox to help if you notice that the drug is taking over your life.
What Is Xanax Addiction?
Xanax addiction happens when someone starts relying on Xanax to feel calm or to cope with anxiety, even when it is no longer helping them. Xanax works by calming certain parts of the brain, but over time, the brain gets used to it. That means the same dose stops working, and a person might feel like they need more to feel okay. Some people start feeling worse when they stop taking it suddenly. They might have tremors, rebound anxiety or low mood. Even people who are taking Xanax the way a doctor told them to can have a hard time stopping.
What are the Signs of Xanax Addiction
If you can spot the signs of Xanax addiction, then you can tell when it is time to seek help for you or someone you care about. The signs may show up physically, behaviorally, and psychologically in these ways:
Physical Signs
- Always feeling tired or unusually drowsy.
- Slurred speech (talking slowly or unclearly).
- Wobbly movements or poor balance.
- Dizziness or nausea.
- Frequent headaches.
- Trouble remembering things.
- Needing more to feel the same effects.
- Feeling sick when you stop using (shaking, sweating, insomnia, or even seizures).
Behavioral Signs
- Using Xanax without a prescription or taking more than what was prescribed.
- Visiting multiple doctors to get more pills (called “doctor shopping”).
- Hiding pills or lying about how much you’ve used.
- Avoiding school, work, or responsibilities.
- Spending a lot of money on the drug.
- Losing interest in friends, hobbies, or Pride events you once loved.
- Taking dangerous risks, like driving while under the influence.
Psychological Signs
- Mood swings or becoming easily annoyed.
- Feeling down or emotionally numb.
- Worrying a lot between doses.
- Panicking if you can’t find more Xanax.
- Feeling detached, like you're floating outside your body or not really present.
Seek Professional Help for Xanax Addiction
One of the most harmful myths out there is that addiction is a choice or a sign of weakness in an individual. That isn’t true in the slightest. Addiction can entrap anyone, regardless of their class, gender, age, sexual orientation, or background. And in the LGBTQ community, it’s even more important to approach this topic with compassion, not shame. We need each other to support those of us struggling with addiction and to stay strong rather than suffer in silence without seeking the help needed.
If you or someone you care about is LGBTQ and struggling with a Xanax addiction, Pride Detox can help. There is absolutely no shame in reaching for it. Please reach out for help. Contact us today at 1-866-465-6889 to begin your Xanax detox journey and return to a life with no more addiction.
If your anxiety gets worse every time you try to stop taking Xanax, it is a sign that your body has grown dependent on the drug. When you try to stop without medical support, that sudden shift can cause something called rebound anxiety, i.e., the symptoms feel even more intense than before you started the medication. The best thing you can do is to get professional support as rebound anxiety can be a sign of Xanax addiction. A Xanax detox program like the one at Pride Detox can help you come off the drug safely. We will also teach you other ways to manage anxiety that do not involve benzodiazepines, like trauma-informed therapy and LGBTQ affirming support groups.
It is never advised to abruptly discontinue a medication, even at the point where you fear you might be addicted to it. It may lead to serious withdrawal symptoms like seizures, extreme anxiety, insomnia and even hallucinations. Call Pride Detox at 1-866-465-6889 to get professional help as you stop Xanax.
While Xanax addiction does not happen after a single use, it can develop faster than people expect. The rate at which addiction occurs depends on the quantity and frequency with which it is used. Some people may take it once in a while for anxiety and do not develop benzodiazepine use disorder, while others use it regularly and their bodies get used to it, i.e., tolerance. Everyone responds differently to the drug due to the variance in our genetic makeup. While some could become addicted to Xanax in a few weeks, others may use it for months without getting physically dependent.
Call us today for LGBTQ+ affirming substance use detox?
Our team of compassionate professionals understands the unique challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community in seeking treatment, and we are here to provide the support and care you need to begin your journey towards recovery.