Dangers of Xanax overdose and Addiction
Xanax is a fast-acting benzodiazepine medication, most commonly prescribed for the treatment of severe anxiety-related disorders. In many cases, Xanax will be prescribed to treat panic attacks. Prescribing physicians suggest that the medication be taken at the onset of the panic attack – not taken daily. The reason behind this is that the medication is so potent and has such a high potential for abuse. As a whole, benzodiazepines were responsible for over 8,000 deaths in the United States in the year 2015 alone.
Since then, the number of accidental overdose deaths involving medications like Xanax has continued to skyrocket. Overdose can occur easily when more than the recommended dose is taken. If you have been suffering from a Xanax abuse disorder or you know someone who has, being able to instantaneously identify the symptoms associated with a Xanax overdose is of the utmost importance.
Symptoms of a Xanax Overdose
Most medical professionals will prescribe Xanax to be taken in small doses – between 0.25 and 0.5 milligrams at a time. In very severe cases of anxiety up to 4mg might be prescribed, but never more than this. If you take more than the recommended dose you put yourself at risk of overdose. This risk increases when another chemical substance – like alcohol – is involved.
The symptoms of Xanax overdose will typically include:
- Intense drowsiness/an inability to stay awake
- Confusion and disorientation
- A severe lack of coordination
- Reduced reflexes
- Moving in and out of consciousness
- Coma
- Death
If you witness a Xanax overdose, it is important that you immediately call 911. Calling for help as quickly as possible could mean the difference between life or death. If you know someone who has been abusing Xanax for any period, he or she must seek professional addiction treatment immediately. Xanax addiction is a progressive disease, meaning that the associated symptoms will continue to worsen over time. They will never resolve on their own and they will never be effectively treated without a curriculum of clinical care – like the one provided by Agape Treatment Center.
Xanax Addiction Treatment
Because Xanax is a benzodiazepine, the symptoms associated with withdrawal can be life-threatening when not adequately treated in a medical detox facility. For this reason, medically monitored detox is a necessary first step on every journey of Xanax addiction treatment and long-term recovery. Once medical detox is complete and the client has been deemed physically fit to continue in his or her treatment program, the next logical step is inpatient treatment. Inpatient or residential treatment (also known as drug and alcohol rehab) lasts for between one and three months depending on the severity of the addictive disorder (even longer if the Xanax addiction was severe and life-threatening).
Next, the individual moves onto a comprehensive and long-term aftercare program, which generally includes sober living housing and a continuation of clinical care in an intensive outpatient or outpatient program. Agape Treatment Center offers a quality continuum of clinical care that provides clients with all of the tools they need to maintain solid and fulfilling sobriety for the remainder of their lives.
Agape Treatment Center – Quality Clinical Care
At Agape Treatment Center, we offer a comprehensive and individualized program of care to men and women of all ages who have been struggling with a Xanax addiction for any length of time. Xanax overdose is responsible for hundreds of overdose-related deaths every year – the truth of the matter is, however, that every single one of these deaths could have been prevented. If you or someone you love has been abusing Xanax, get the help you need and deserve today. Simply give us a call and we will get you started on your journey of Xanax addiction recovery.
