Xanax is a brand-name prescription drug containing the drug alprazolam, commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and sometimes sleep disorders.
Xanax belongs to the benzodiazepine family of drugs and is the most widely prescribed and used benzodiazepine medication in the United States, with more than 48 million prescriptions dispensed each year.
While Xanax is safe and effective when taken as prescribed, it carries a potential for misuse and addiction. Xanax addiction and abuse can impact the mind and body in devastating, sometimes irreversible ways. Without treatment, the long-term effects of Xanax and similar drug abuse can significantly reduce your quality of life.
If you or someone you love are struggling with Xanax addiction, please speak with one of our trusted admissions counselors at our Massachusetts addiction rehab center about starting Xanax addiction treatment.
6 Long-Term Effects of Xanax Abuse
Xanax is typically prescribed for short-term use because regular, extended use can be harmful to your health. Six of the most common long-term effects of Xanax misuse are:
1. Physical Dependence
If you take Xanax regularly for an extended period (usually longer than two weeks), your body will adapt to the presence of the drug in the system. Xanax is a benzodiazepine and central nervous system (CNS) depressant, so it slows down bodily functions like breathing and respiration.
When you take Xanax, your body and its receptors must work overtime to compensate for these effects. However, when you stop taking Xanax after long-term use, your receptors will continue to fire as if the drug is in your body, leading to an excited, over-stimulated state, resulting in symptoms of withdrawal. This phenomenon is called physical dependence.
If you are physically dependent, you will experience symptoms of withdrawal if you suddenly stop taking Xanax.
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Anxiety: Often more intense than before taking the medication.
- Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
- Irritability: Heightened agitation or frustration.
- Mood swings: Sudden changes in mood, including depression or anger.
- Sweating: Excessive perspiration, especially at night.
- Headaches: Persistent and often severe headaches.
- Muscle pain: Aches and tension, especially in the neck, shoulders, and back.
- Nausea or vomiting: Feeling sick to the stomach, sometimes leading to vomiting.
- Tremors: Shaking, especially in the hands.
- Seizures: In severe cases, Xanax withdrawal can lead to life-threatening seizures.
- Increased heart rate: Palpitations or a racing heartbeat.
- Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.
- Confusion: Difficulty thinking clearly or concentrating.
- Panic attacks: Sudden, overwhelming episodes of fear or anxiety; may develop into panic disorder
Withdrawal symptoms can vary in intensity and duration depending on the dose and length of Xanax use. For severe symptoms, medical supervision is strongly recommended during the withdrawal process.
2. Xanax Addiction
Physical dependence is one of the first signs of addiction. Addiction develops after long-term, repetitive, and often compulsive abuse of a substance.
People who are addicted may find it impossible to control or moderate their drug use. They may place their drug use as a higher priority than more important things like school, work, or family.
3. Cognitive Issues
Even with short-term use, a common side effect of Xanax abuse is cognitive impairment, such as memory loss or loss of consciousness. However, after regular use, this cognitive impairment can become more permanent.
People may start having trouble forming new memories, learning new skills, or performing academic tasks. Studies show that Xanax abuse can also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia, which are conditions indicated by poor memory and cognitive function.
4. Mental Health Problems
Xanax (alprazolam) produces higher levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward. Over time, the brain will require more and more dopamine to feel the same effects, and the receptors will become less sensitive to dopamine.
In the long term, this can lead to feelings of depression and thoughts of suicide. Long-term Xanax abuse can also increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder, rebound anxiety during withdrawal, and other mood disorders like bipolar disorder.
Anxiety and substance abuse have a complex relationship. However, in many cases, both conditions are caused by similar root causes.
Common symptoms of both anxiety and addiction include:
- Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Drug cravings
- Agitation
- Shakiness
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
Rapid Xanax discontinuation can lead to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms like psychosis, catatonia, or seizures, so it is always best to detox under close medical supervision.
5. Liver Damage
Xanax is metabolized in the liver, but the liver can only metabolize drugs so quickly. Taking too much Xanax can overwhelm the liver and impact its ability to function to the fullest, increasing the risk of liver injury. Long-term exposure to too much Xanax causes trauma to the liver and increases the risk of liver disease and liver failure.
Fortunately, research shows that the liver can begin repairing itself after stopping drug use.
6. Cardiovascular Problems
Being a central nervous system depressant, Xanax slows down the heart rate and respiration. In extremely high amounts, it can cause an overdose and respiratory depression, causing you to stop breathing and depriving the brain of oxygen, causing cardiovascular and brain damage.
After long-term use, some Xanax users report experiencing tachycardia (rapid heart rate), heart palpitations (feeling of fluttering in the heart), and other cardiovascular issues. Some studies suggest that benzodiazepine use can be a risk factor in severe cardiovascular events.
How Woburn Addiction Treatment Can Help with Xanax Addiction
Woburn Addiction Treatment programs offer comprehensive care for individuals struggling with Xanax addiction, focusing on both the physical and psychological aspects of recovery. Xanax can be highly addictive when misused or taken for extended periods. At Woburn, we provide tailored Xanax addiction treatment plans designed to address the specific needs of each patient.
Medical Detox
The first step in Xanax addiction treatment is a medically supervised detox to safely manage withdrawal symptoms. Since abrupt discontinuation of Xanax can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms like seizures, anxiety, and hallucinations, detox is carefully monitored by medical professionals who ensure that patients gradually taper off the drug in a safe environment.
Therapy and Counseling
Once detox is complete, Woburn Addiction Treatment offers a variety of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to help individuals understand the underlying causes of their addiction and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Both individual and group therapy sessions are provided to give patients the emotional support and tools they need to manage anxiety and other triggers without relying on Xanax.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
For some patients, medication-assisted treatment may be offered to help ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. MAT involves using non-addictive medications that can help stabilize brain function and support long-term recovery.
Holistic Care
In addition to traditional therapy, Woburn offers holistic treatments such as mindfulness practices, meditation, and nutrition counseling to treat the whole person and promote overall well-being and balance in recovery. These methods help patients rebuild their mental and physical health while learning to live a drug-free life.
With the support of Woburn Addiction Treatment, individuals battling Xanax addiction can receive the comprehensive care they need to detox safely, understand the root causes of their addiction, and develop strategies for a successful, lasting recovery.
Reach Out for Help Today
If you or a loved one is struggling with Xanax addiction, it’s important to seek professional support as soon as possible. Xanax use and dependency can be dangerous, but with the right treatment plan, recovery can happen for you or your loved one.
At Woburn Addiction Treatment, our experienced team is ready to guide you through every step of the process—from detox to therapy and ongoing support. Don’t wait to take back control of your life. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you achieve lasting lifestyle changes and build a healthier, drug-free future.
Get The Care You Need and Deserve
Woburn Addiction Treatment is a leader in the addiction treatment field, with proven success in facilitating long-term recovery. Our team of top clinical & medical experts specializes in treating addiction coupled with mental illness, ensuring that each person receives individualized care. Call us – we’re available 24/day, 7 days/week.
