Why Is Xanax Abused?

Despite this, the temptation to abuse Xanax may be too good to resist for a lot of people. American Family Physician considers benzodiazepines like Xanax to have a considerable potential for abuse, especially for certain “at risk” populations. What makes Xanax so inherently addictive is that its effects are felt almost immediately upon consumption (as fast as 25 minutes, according to The Fix), but dissipate after just a few hours. This makes people compelled to take more Xanax, even if it means violating the boundaries of their prescription. But the effect of consuming more Xanax means that the patients’ tolerance for the Xanax builds up, leading them to take larger and larger doses. Over time, this gets them hooked on the Xanax.

This is also why the ideal Xanax prescription should be for as short a period of time as possible (no more than four weeks, at most), to minimize the risk of the patient’s body getting acclimatized to the drug. Even if the patient requires a long-term Xanax plan, it is better for the treatment to be staggered with intermittent stages of consumption and tapering off, than for the person to receive continuous Xanax. The doses should also be as low as possible.

Once dependence is in place, the fear of withdrawing from the Xanax kicks in. Individuals may genuinely want to stop taking Xanax if they recognize the unhealthiness of their situation, but the symptoms of opiate withdrawal are often so bad that they go right back on the Xanax for fear of experiencing those symptoms again.

Xanax Abuse Demographics

Health After 50 explains that there are a number of risk factors that can cause a person to knowingly and willfully consume more Xanax than is recommended. Such risk factors may include mental health conditions, but they may also include debilitating and intrusive pain, as well as a likelihood to engage in impulsive (and potentially dangerous) behavior.

Since women and older patients tend to be prescribed Xanax more than men and younger patients (the co-chairman of the medical scientific subcommittee of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence says that Xanax dependence is a serious problem (especially among young women), those populations are more likely to develop addictions. Women, for example, have a “heightened fear response” (in the words of the Journal of Psychiatric Research), which the Anxiety and Depression Association of America says makes them more susceptible to developing anxiety and stress disorders than men.

The “swift, calming effect” of Xanax has also led to the drug being abused by people who simply want to experience the powerful, euphoric feelings of relaxation and tranquility, even if they have no medical reason for a Xanax prescription. The New York Times reports on the recreational use of Xanax being so bad that in 2011, a clinic in Louisville put a stop to all Xanax and alprazolam prescriptions, with a plan to wean pre-prescribed patients off the drug(s) by the year’s end. Quoting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Times reports that between 2004 and 2008, emergency rooms saw increased visits of 89 percent as a result of “nonmedical benzodiazepine” use, including such drugs as Xanax.

Comprehensive Treatment & Rehab for Xanax Addiction

Treatment for a Xanax addiction involves countering the addiction on two fronts: the physical compulsion for the client to take Xanax and the mental craving for more of the drug.

To address the first front, a client will undergo medical detox, with the goal of weaning off Xanax with as little distress as possible. Since the effects of withdrawal can be very painful and traumatic, treatment center staff might prescribe a course of anti-anxiety and anticonvulsant medication. Ironically, benzodiazepines are “effective in the treatment of withdrawal symptoms,” in the words of American Family Physician.

Due to the administration of anti-anxiety drugs being performed by trained staff members in a controlled environment (who have a full understanding of the client’s medical history and toxicology), a client can be put on a drug regimen to ease the withdrawal process, while incurring as minimal risk as possible. This is also why withdrawal should never be attempted alone, as the risk for relapsing and seizures (a danger pointed out by an article published in the Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association) far outweighs the remote chance of a successful DIY detoxification.

Detox is only the first part of the treatment process; the second part involves addressing the mental damage done by Xanax addiction. To that effect, the Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology says that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has shown considerable effectiveness in helping clients taper off benzodiazepine use. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a system of counseling whereby a client is helped to see how patterns of thought and behavior led to Xanax abuse and addiction. A therapist works closely with the patient on devising healthier and more positive ways of dealing with the root issues behind Xanax abuse, and also shows the client how coping skills and methods for dealing with the lingering compulsion to seek out Xanax.

A treatment model like CBT can also address the presence of a co-occurring disorder ” a client who has both an addiction to Xanax and a mental health disorder at the same time

Does Insurance Cover Xanax Addiction Treatment?

Depending on your insurance provider and level of coverage, insurance may be able to cover all or part of the cost of rehab and treatment. Verify your insurance instantly below.

Addictive Behaviors
published a study where researchers examined the effectiveness of CBT in treating those who presented with both post-traumatic
stress disorder and a substance abuse disorder. While conceding that their study was not a comprehensive one, the researchers
reported that their findings provided support for using CBT to treat co-occurring disorders.