Alprazolam Detox Centers
Alprazolam is the generic version of the popular anti-anxiety drug Xanax. It has a very short half-life, which makes it excellent for relieving anxiety quickly. Unfortunately, it is also highly addictive and surprisingly easy to abuse.
During the recent crack down on prescription drug abuse, doctors and other clinicians discovered the serious effects of alprazolam. People taken off alprazolam suddenly are subject to a very serious withdrawal period. For help with your alprazolam withdrawal, all you need to do is call us at 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?).
What are the Symptoms of Alprazolam Withdrawal?
As with any addictive drugs, alprazolam withdrawal has some serious symptoms. You may experience these symptoms if you are:
- A chronic user, meaning you have been using alprazolam for an extended time
- A heavy user, meaning you might use for a short or long time in high doses
- A recreational user, you use the alprazolam without a prescription
- A prescription user with a dependence on the medication
Although there are other situations that produce withdrawal symptoms, these are the most common. According to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program of Connecticut and other states, the symptoms of alprazolam withdrawal are:
- Severe rebound anxiety
- Headaches
- Depression
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
You are likely to experience these symptoms if you stop taking alprazolam suddenly. Although they are unpleasant, they are rarely deadly. Unfortunately, these symptoms will often lead to relapse and relapse related overdose.
Along with these extremely dangerous symptoms of alprazolam withdrawal:
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Fever
- Coma
- Death
Alprazolam withdrawal quickly goes from bad to deadly, if left untreated.
What are the Dangers of Going through Alprazolam Withdrawal Alone?
According to the National Institute on Biotechnology Information, it is possible for a person to die during both sudden withdrawal from alprazolam and during improper tapering of the medication. There are cases where a patient began seizures after stopping the medication and continued to convulse even after a tapering was started.
Treatment centers have the power to treat and control these seizures and help you avoid these dangers. Going through withdrawal from alprazolam alone is simply too much of a risk to your life. It is important to find the correct treatment center to detox from this drug safely. To find the right treatment center for you, call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?).
Other dangers of withdrawal, aside from the symptoms are:
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Fever
These symptoms may appear any time you withdrawal from alprazolam and are the reason why you need assistance when you choose to stop this drug. To find the help that you need, call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?).
Another danger of alprazolam withdrawal is not necessarily a symptoms of withdrawal. It lies in relapse related overdose. This condition happens when you detox off a drug or medication and then go back to using it. Detox lowers your tolerance and if you take the same amount you did before detox, you risk a serious overdose.
What is Alprazolam Detox?
Alprazolam detox is the process of stopping alprazolam use with support. The support can be through a variety of treatment sources including inpatient and outpatient treatment. It is important to use a treatment center that is right for your individual needs and treatment goals.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, detoxification is not a substitute for treatment, it is the beginning of a comprehensive treatment programs. If you are addicted to alprazolam, you will need both a detoxification program and a treatment program. To explore your treatment options all you have to do is call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?).
What are the Treatment Methods for an Alprazolam Detoxification?
Alprazolam detoxification is a necessary part of any alprazolam addiction treatment. There are a few safe ways to detox from this medication.
Tapering
Tapering is often the first option for detox. Although tapering does not always stop all of the symptoms of withdrawal, it often keeps the withdrawal from becoming dangerous.
During a tapering program, doctors gradually reduce the amount of alprazolam until you are completely off the drug. The length of tapering depends on how much you are taking.
If you are on large amounts of alprazolam, your tapering length can be up to six to eight weeks. If you are on relatively small amounts of alprazolam, typical tapering length is around two to four weeks.
Unfortunately, unless you are in an inpatient setting or are extremely disciplined, tapering does not always end an addiction. It is very easy to go back to using when you have it readily available. One 0.25 pill rapidly becomes four 0.25 pills when you are experiencing intense cravings.
Medication Replacement and Tapering
According to the University of Michigan, one of the more effective forms of alprazolam addiction treatment involves replacing it with medications such as:
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Klonopin
- Librium
- Buspar
Although some of these medications are benzodiazepines, they are less addictive and less likely to be abused. They are also much easier to taper than alprazolam, which as a quick acting benzodiazepine, it is highly addictive and difficult to stop the desire for a quick rush.
The treatment center or doctor then tapers you off the replacement benzodiazepine as they would any other medication. The tapering schedule is often similar to that of alprazolam. It runs in two, four, six, and eight week cycles.
Counseling and Behavioral Methods
Counseling and behavioral methods are normally combined with tapering or medication replacement. The behavioral methods counselors use the most are:
- 12 step facilitation therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Contingency management
- Motivational enhancement
Each of these therapies is designed to help you end your dependence on alprazolam for good.
Where can you Find Treatment for Alprazolam Dependence, Addiction, and Withdrawal
Finding the right treatment center is extremely important to your recovery. Fortunately, finding a treatment and detox center is not a difficult task, all you have to do is call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?). We can help.