When are Xanax withdrawal symptoms experienced?
Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine that is administered for treatment of anxiety and panic disorder. It increases the activity of GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid) in the brain. GABA is the chief neurotransmitter in the central nervous system which regulates neuronal activity and thus affects a number of reactions, including the mood. The increase in GABA leads to decrease in anxiety.
When Xanax is used during a prolonged period of time, it can cause physical and mental dependence in patients because the brain gets accustomed to the medication. It becomes a part of routine chemical processes in the system, and the natural amount of GABA produced in the patient's brain is decreased. The longer period of Xanax usage, the lower the amount of GABA in the brain, the higher doses of the medication are required to achieve the same effects.
Abrupt stopping of Xanax often leads to unpleasant symptoms that include severe dysphoria and physical uneasiness which are known as withdrawal syndrome. Xanax (alprazolam) is considered to be a rather potent benzodiazepine, and withdrawal symptoms may occur even between regular doses, or if a single usual dose of Xanax is missed. Moreover, Xanax appears to be somewhat different from the other benzodiazepines in terms of detoxification, and the ability of patients to self-detox or gradually taper off of the drug is noticeably less than in case with the other benzodiazepines.
Xanax (alprazolam) is a fast and short-acting medication. The effects of taking a dose of Xanax are felt very soon, but the effects of quitting it are experienced soon, too. Withdrawal symptoms can usually be reported in 6 to 12 hours after the last dose is taken. They rapidly accelerate, reaching the peak level in about 3 days. Although they are gradually relieved then, residual symptoms of withdrawal can be reported for up to several months.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms include:
As you may see, the most common withdrawal symptoms are very close to the symptoms Xanax is prescribed for. That is, Xanax is used to treat mental disorders, and quitting Xanax brings them back (abrupt quitting can make them even worse). Seizures are reported quite rarely, but they are the most serious symptoms in the list, and can be life threatening. However, all of the symptoms are rather uncomfortable, and one should try to avoid them.
How to avoid Xanax withdrawal?
To avoid "cold turkey" detox, Xanax should not be stopped abruptly. The formula is very simple: more Xanax means less GABA (which keeps on being effective in spite of its lessened amount due to Xanax ability to make it more active); less GABA requires more Xanax (otherwise, the lessened amount of GABA leads to very unpleasant reactions in patients). After sudden cessation of Xanax, the patient faces a problem of having a lowered level of GABA in the brain which is not stirred up by doses of Xanax any more. After the brain has got used to Xanax, and the level of GABA has been decreased, the brain needs time to restore the natural level of GABA again, but it cannot be done at once. To avoid withdrawal, Xanax (alprazolam) has to be discontinued gradually by tapering off the dosages.
How to get off Xanax?
It is usually recommended to reduce regular Xanax doses by 0.125 mg increments once in a week, or by 0.25 mg increments once in two weeks. It is not recommended to skip a dose of Xanax, or make the regular intervals between the doses remarkedly longer, especially in the beginning of cessation, because waiting for another dose can result in worsening withdrawal. However, the recommended schedule depends on the individual response and the previous period of Xanax usage, and should be determined by the doctor.
How long is the period of tapering?
Unfortunately, it takes time to get accustomed to living without Xanax again, and after a prolonged period of taking of Xanax, one may need several months to get back to normal. But there's a good news: if Xanax (alprazolam) is taken as prescribed (that is, not abused or overdosed), the medication does not cause psychological addiction, and after tapering down off the drug, one needs no addiction treatment. To prevent the development of addiction in patients and make the process of tapering off easier and possible withdrawal symptoms milder, the doses of Xanax should not exceed 4 mg taken daily.