Xanax withdrawal can be very dangerous and should be treated properly by professionals. Benzodiazepine, the drug in Xanax, is popularly used to treat sleeping problems in adults. Withdrawal symptoms related to Benzodiazepine are common in young adults. Benzodiazepine has the ability to control your central nervous system and give you the peace and tranquility you desire to head to sleep.
Besides helping you sleep, Benzodiazepine is also known to treat a number of conditions, such as anxiety, seizures, and insomnia, among other panic disorders. Benzodiazepines can also help treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms and give you the relief and peace you require.
A recent study from medical experts in the United States revealed that skilled doctors prescribe Benzodiazepine to almost 14 plus percent of all their patients. Additionally, over 5 percent of these patients get a higher dose of the drug in comparison to others.
Higher doses of Benzodiazepine can have a massive impact on the human body. The high dose has the tendency to alter brain chemistry and even lead to an addiction, which can be extremely difficult to withdraw from.
If you are withdrawing from Benzodiazepine or Xanax, you will probably be going through a world of symptoms. These symptoms may force you into starting the drug again, but you have to stay strong.
In this article, we take a look at some of the tips you can follow to minimize the withdrawal symptoms of Xanax or Benzodiazepine. Stay with us as we look at the drug, its brand name, withdrawal symptoms, and tips to follow.
The Brand Names of Benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepine goes by a number of brand names in different medications. The drug is an active part of many medications and has successfully been used by many American adults from 1996 onwards. Recent research found that the percentage of American adults to have used a benzodiazepine prescription increased by almost 30 percent.
The same research identified over 5.5 percent of all consenting American adults had consumed Benzodiazepine in one form or the other. It is believed that more than 50 percent of all these prescriptions were meant for anxiety.
Considering the increasing use of Benzodiazepine as a drug, the medications using it as a primary ingredient have since doubled. We now have a number of brand names going around for Benzodiazepine, including;
- Klonopin,
- Alprazolam
- Ativan
- Librium
- Halcion
- Restoril
- Niravam
- Valium
- Xanax
- Tranxene
Each one of these brand names is meant for a different purpose and can treat anxiety and depression in users. Ativan, for instance, is used to treat and manage anxiety in patients with depression.
Xanax, the core focus of this article, is used to treat panic disorders and panic attacks. Xanax can also be used as a sleeping tablet to sleep for patients with anxiety and others suffering from panic attacks. On the contrary, Xanax is not recommended for patients suffering from bipolar disorder. The pill is not to increase excitability and insomnia in patients, which can eventually lead to side effects in patients with bipolar disorders.
What are the Withdrawal Symptoms Associated with Xanax?
Some of the Xanax withdrawal symptoms people usually experience include:
- Anxiety and panicking. People may feel agitated.
- Frequent palpitations in the heart.
- Frequent headaches
- High blood pressure
- Mood swings.
- Pain in the muscles with stiffness.
Since Xanax can cause chemical changes within the brain, it can cause your body to mentally rely on the impact of the drug. People who try to quit Xanax do experience withdrawal symptoms and may feel relief as soon as they turn back to the drug.
Some of the patients may even witness post-acute withdrawal symptoms or PAWS. The symptoms may last for extended durations in such cases and may be impossible to get rid of.
Tips to Minimize the Pain of Xanax Symptoms
Some tips that can actually help minimize the impact of Xanax withdrawal include:
Go for Healthy Ways of Distracting Yourself
Perhaps the best way to ease benzodiazepine symptoms is by going for healthy ways of distracting yourself. Withdrawal symptoms are common, and you will most definitely experience them. You shouldn’t spend your time wasting your mental energy on these symptoms. Instead, you should go for healthy methods of withdrawal.
Some of the healthy distractions you can follow here include:
- Watch a movie
- Create a journal
- Listen to music
- Start reading
- Start going for a walk or reading
- Take a bath
- Go walk your pet
These healthy distractions will help divert your mind.
Meditation
Xanax withdrawal may make your mind panic and lead to heightened forms of anxiety. Quieting your mind down in such instances can be a real challenge. However, meditation can help you prosper through the most difficult of challenges.
You can follow these tips to meditate perfectly:
- Sit in a quiet place and clear your mind.
- Take 20 slow deep breaths and exhale as long and as much as you can.
- Open yourselves up to let difficult sensations and emotions pass through.
- Remember why you should follow gradual processes over overnight success.
Pick an Old Hobby
A Xanax addiction may take you away from the things that matter in life. When you have more time in your life, you can pick up an old hobby and continue it further. You can sign up for your local book reading class that you stopped attending, or you can watch tutorials online to learn new skills. Whatever you do, make sure you enjoy it. Think as little as possible about Xanax consumption.
Spend Time with Your Loved Ones
Finally, you can start spending time with your loved ones and family members. Talk to them about how you feel and the active steps you’re taking to kill the symptoms. The interaction will help you through Xanax withdrawals.
If your Xanax withdrawal symptoms are increasing by the day, you might find it best to get professional help. You can contact a mental health professional to help you with the process.
