- leah k walker
Leah K. Walker
Leah K. Walker is a licensed marriage and family therapist, with a PhD in Family Relations from Florida State University. She has over twenty years of experience as a clinician and supervisor in mental health and substance abuse treatment. Currently, she is the Director of Quality Improvement and Risk Management at a psychiatric hospital. As a writer, Leah has written numerous articles on substance abuse and family relationships and continuing education courses on substance abuse and mental health.
Recent contributions of Leah K. Walker
Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms and Timeline
Published on February 10, 2019 Updated on September 21, 2022Alcohol withdrawal can occur when someone who has used alcohol heavily for an extended period of time stops using it or significantly reduces their drinking.1The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal typically start a few hours to a few days after the last use of alcohol.1Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary widely in intensity, from mild and moderate to severe.3 Severe symptoms occur in less than 10% of people who undergo alcohol withdrawal, but can be especially damaging, and possibly even life-threatening.2 Understanding what the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are and what a general timeline for the process looks like can help you be prepared for detox, the first step in recovery from alcohol use disorder.2 What Is Alcohol Withdrawal? Alcohol withdrawal is a condition that results from the abrupt cessation or reduction of alcohol use, especially after prolonged and heavy drinking.1 Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to severe and potentially life-threatening. Around 50% of people with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) will develop some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.5 However, it is difficult to predict who will have alcohol withdrawal symptoms and who will not. There are some cases where a person with a long-term, heavy pattern of drinking will develop seizures and other serious outcomes during withdrawal and some people with a severe AUD may show only a few mild symptoms.2 Generally, certain factors do influence the likelihood of alcohol withdrawal symptoms and their severity, including:1; 2 How many prior episodes of alcohol withdrawal a person has been through. What alcohol withdrawal symptoms were present during the person’s last withdrawal. The severity of symptoms in future withdrawal episodes often masks Withdrawal is relatively rare in individuals younger than 30 years old, with risk and severity increasing as age increases. Overall health. Genetics and family history of alcohol withdrawal. Other medical or mental health conditions a person may have. Nutritional deficiencies. The person is dependent upon other sedatives, hypnotic, or anxiolytic drugs. Causes of Alcohol Withdrawal Chronic alcohol use can lead to significant alcohol dependence, which builds as a result of certain types of adaptations in the brain. Over time, after the brain has made these adaptations to the regular presence of alcohol, should one slow or stop their use of alcohol abruptly, the balance of certain types of brain cell signaling tips towards a hyper-excitable state.6 With this abnormally elevated excitatory tone in the brain, a person may be at increased risk of seizures and certain other acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms. To put things simply, alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a result of characteristic, but maladaptive changes in brain chemistry.6 Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person, both in terms of what symptoms one experiences and how severe they are.2 Mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms may include:1,8 Anxiety. Insomnia and vivid dreams. Nausea and/or vomiting. Headache. Sweating. Increased pulse and blood pressure. Tremors. Perceptual distortions of sight, sound, and touch. Life-threatening symptoms indicate severe alcohol withdrawal, which can include the following symptoms:1, 8 Hyperthermia. Extreme tremors in the hands and arms. Significantly elevated pulse and blood pressure. Hallucinations (often visual). Agitation. Confusion and disorientation. Seizures. Delirium tremens. Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline The timeline for alcohol withdrawal varies, but usually, most people will experience:1; 2, 8 A few hours after the first drink a person will usually experience the first signs of alcohol withdrawal. Sometimes symptoms appear as early as 4-6 hours, before the body’s blood alcohol level has returned to zero. This can also take longer, sometimes around or even beyond 24 hours. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually peak on the second day, or two days after the last drink. Seizures, when they occur, usually begin within 8 to 24 hours after the last drink. Delirium tremens, the most severe and potentially life-threatening manifestation of alcohol withdrawal, generally appear 72 to 96 hours after the last drink. By day 4–5, the acute phase is largely over for most people. Alcohol Withdrawal Medications When a person goes through alcohol detox, medications may be given to help control or reduce the risk of experiencing certain severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. The most commonly used class of medication for alcohol withdrawal is benzodiazepines.2 Benzodiazepines help to control seizures during alcohol withdrawal. 2 Sometimes, people have to be given barbiturates instead of benzodiazepines. Certain anticonvulsants are also used to prevent seizures.2 When someone experiences hallucinations or delirium during alcohol withdrawal, they may also benefit from antipsychotic medications.2 You may have heard of medications that are used to treat alcohol use disorder, such as acamprosate, naltrexone, and disulfiram. While these drugs can help to prevent relapse or a return to drinking alcohol, they are not used during alcohol detox to manage withdrawal symptoms.2 Can You Quit Alcohol Cold Turkey? It is generally not advisable to quit the regular, heavy use of alcohol abruptly, or “cold turkey,” due to the unpredictable nature of alcohol withdrawal and the potential mortality risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures or delirium tremens. 2 As noted earlier, around 50% of people with alcohol use disorder will experience at least some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, but it can be difficult to predict who will experience symptoms and their severity.5 Seeking the advice of a doctor or the clinical staff at a medically supervised detox program can be beneficial, as they can best assess your individual risk.2 There is no need to try to go through an alcohol withdrawal alone or at home, as there are many treatment options available that can assure your safety and maximize your comfort. [vob-aktify-cta title="American Addiction Centers accepts many types of insurance" subtitle="Check your coverage online or text us your questions for more information"] Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment Medical detox programs for alcohol withdrawal can offer you medical oversight and support to help you rid your body of alcohol as well as position you for further treatment if you’re interested in quitting drinking. It is important to note that detox alone is often not sufficient for a person with a moderate to severe alcohol use disorder to achieve sobriety. Medical detox can be thought of simply a first step on your journey through addiction care and into recovery.2 Detox can help you with the medical and psychological support you need during alcohol withdrawal, including helping to control medical complications that threaten your safety, in order to stabilize you for inpatient or outpatient rehab treatment.2 Finding Alcohol Detox Programs Once you’ve decided to commit to alcohol addiction treatment, you’ll need to find a rehab that offers medical detox. A good first step would be to reach out to your doctor. They can help you determine your medical needs and may be able to refer you to nearby treatment facilities. You may also consider visiting the SAMHSA treatment locator for help finding nearby alcohol detox programs. Addiction helplines can also connect you with life-saving care. American Addiction Centers (AAC) operates a 24/7 helpline. Our professional staff can answer questions you may have about alcohol detox, help you find a detox facility near you, and help you determine how much of a detox program is covered by your insurance. Don’t delay critical care, call us today at [phone]. [accordion title="Rehab at American Addiction Centers"] Laguna Treatment Hospital Adcare - Boston Sunrise House Desert Hope Greenhouse Oxford Treatment Center Recovery First River Oaks [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab insurance coverage"] Ambetter American Family Beacon BHO Blue Cross Blue Shield Cigna Connecticare Geisinger HCSC Harvard Pilgrim Highmark Kaiser Permanente Magellan Magnacare Meritain Health Medicare and Medicaid Optum Oxford Health Providence Qualcare Sierra Health Tricare Triwest Tufts United Healthcare UPMC Zelis [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab near me"] Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab"] Choosing a rehab center Couples rehab Court ordered rehab COVID-19 and rehab Dual-diagnosis rehab Deciding you need rehab Helping a loved one go to rehab Preparing for rehab State-funded rehab Teen rehab Veterans rehab [/accordion][accordion title="Detox"] 24/7 detox hotlines Inpatient detox Outpatient detox Dangers of detoxing at home The cost of detox [/accordion] [sources] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment Services Administration. (2015). TIP 45: Detoxification and substance abuse treatment. Muncie Jr, H. L., Yasinian, Y., & Oge, L. K. (2013). Outpatient management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. American family physician, 88(9), 589-595. Kattimani, S., & Bharadwaj, B. (2013). Clinical management of alcohol withdrawal: A systematic review. Industrial psychiatry journal, 22(2), 100–108. Tiglao, S. M., Meisenheimer, E. S., & Oh, R. C. (2021). Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: outpatient management. American family physician, 104(3), 253-262. Wolf, C., Curry, A., Nacht, J., & Simpson, S. A. (2020). Management of alcohol withdrawal in the emergency department: Current perspectives. Open Access Emergency Medicine: OAEM, 12, 53. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Alcohol dependence, withdrawal, and relapse. Miller, S. C., Fiellin, D. A., Rosenthal, R. N., & Saitz, R. (2019). The ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine, Sixth Edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer. [/sources] ...
Read moreDetox Treatment for Drugs and Alcohol
Published on February 10, 2019 Updated on February 07, 2022Detoxification, or detox for short, is the first stage of treating many types of drug and alcohol addiction and commonly precedes additional substance rehabilitation efforts. Detox treatment helps a person make it through the first phase of recovery, as acute intoxication and any lingering toxic influence of drugs and/or alcohol subside.2 It is important to note that the purpose of detox is to achieve medical stabilization safely through a 5-7 day perioid where drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to potentially life-threatening. After detox, you should expect to attend inpatient rehab or another form of addiction therapy. Rather, it is to safely stabilize patients through withdrawal symptoms that, depending on the severity of your situation, may range from uncomfortable to potentially life-threatening. In short, while this article will teach you how to detox safely. It is important to understand that detox is not a substitute for therapy and most successful attempts at sobriety involve a combination of detox and rehab. 2 Medical Detoxification Process There are several different types of detoxification. Medical detox treatment involves supervision and potential medical intervention at the hands of a medical team while you are undergoing detox treatment. This supervision is typically 24/7. As part of a medically monitored inpatient program, physicians are available at all times during the day, at least by phone, and nursing staff is present at all times to assess and monitor the person who is undergoing detox.2 Some detox centers, known as "social detox" centers, attempt to avoid using the medication-based intervention process. The precise medical detoxification processes may vary. However, if you're still wondering what happens in detox, there are three essential components common to different medical detox and withdrawal management programs:2 Evaluation—A thorough assessment will be conducted to determine your specific needs for the best course of treatment. You may undergo drug testing and speak to a variety of staff, including doctors, nurses, and counselors. Your length of drug or alcohol use, the severity of your addiction, and your underlying emotional and medical conditions will all be taken under consideration during evaluation. Stabilization—May include both medical and psychological interventions to help manage intoxication and withdrawal. Medications may be administered when needed to manage symptoms of withdrawal as well as any complications to arise. Ideally, this is the time in detox where you also learn about the process of treatment; your family may also be involved in your treatment. Fostering patient entry into additional treatment—An important component of any detox program will be preparing a patient for and facilitating the transfer to additional rehabilitation programming like inpatient rehab. The importance of continuing treatment after detox cannot be stressed enough, especially for someone who has previously fallen into the trap of undergoing detox and then not completing treatment. How Long Does Detox Treatment Last? The length of detox varies from person to person, based on the substances used and other factors. For example, a rough timeline for alcohol detox may progress over the course of one week from the time of the last drink, with the peak of withdrawal occurring at around three days.3 The withdrawal timeline for opioids varies based on factors including the type of opioid used and how much was used.2 Opioids with a shorter half-life, such as heroin, may give rise to withdrawal symptoms within 8 to 24 hours after last use, with symptoms largely resolving by 10 days out. Withdrawal for those substances with a longer half-life, such as methadone, may progress a bit more slowly, with the most acute symptoms showing up within 12 to 48 hours after the last use and potentially persisting for as long as 20 days.4 Why Is Detox Treatment Helpful? At times, people eager to begin their sobriety journey may contemplate just abruptly stopping any additional drug or alcohol use on their own. While detox from alcohol and certain types of drugs is commonly done under medical supervision, you may have heard of stories of people going “cold turkey” and stopping the use of a substance at home. However, withdrawal from certain substances, such as opioids, can be severely unpleasant and, for other substances, like alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, unmanaged withdrawal can be dangerous or even life-threatening. Ultimately, if you're wondering, "is detox safe?" the answer is often "no" unless it is supervised by a clinical or medical professional. The use of medication in a professional detox program can help make withdrawal symptoms more manageable. Medications for opioid addiction, for example, include opioid agonists such as methadone and buprenorphine to stabilize someone experiencing withdrawal from heroin or prescription opioids, as well as clonidine for additional symptom relief.2 Professional detox also can help keep someone as safe and comfortable as possible during benzodiazepine withdrawal. Detox protocols for sedative drugs such as these may first involve the substitution of a relatively long-acting benzodiazepine, which is then used to slowly taper a person off entirely.2 If you’d like to know whether your insurance may cover the full or partial cost of rehabilitation at one of American Addiction Centers’ various rehab centers across the states, simply fill in your information in the form below. [ssvob] What Type of Detox Program is Right for Me? With varying types of detox programs, you may be wondering which is right for you. Inpatient detox, which requires you to live on-site for a 5-7 day period, is for those with severe addiction-related risks. Outpatient detox, on the other hand, is either administered reserved for people with little to no risk of dangerous withdrawal symptoms. If you are not sure which is right for you, seek the advice of a treatment provider or medical professional. Generally speaking, however, if you suffer from the following conditions or symptoms, you should consider inpatient detox unless informed otherwise by a medical professional.6 Coronary artery disease or insulin-dependent diabetes. Severe psychiatric disorders, such as suicidal thoughts or attempts, hallucinations, delusions, cognitive deficits, or psychosis. Co-occurring sedative addiction. Liver problems, such as jaundice. Have a history of withdrawal delirium or seizures. Fail to respond to medications with 1-2 days. Pregnant. Don't have a secure home setting or support network. Are in an advanced state of withdrawal (hallucinations, high fever, delirium, etc.). Can I Self-Detox at Home? Some people may undergo a detox treatment program on an outpatient basis, but the decision to do so should be made only with the careful evaluation and guidance from a trained addiction treatment professional. In some cases, unmanaged withdrawal could also lead to immediate relapse as the withdrawing individual seeks to put a stop to the unpleasant symptoms. While withdrawal experiences vary widely from one substance to the next, some signs and symptoms of acute withdrawal include: 2 Insomnia. Anxiety. Stomach cramps. Nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea. Fever. Sweating. Goosebumps. Excessive tears and runny nose. Bone and muscle aches and pains. Muscle spasms. Given symptoms such as these, it’s clear that withdrawal can be quite an unpleasant and challenging hurdle to early recovery. As mentioned, abruptly quitting certain other substances on your own may also be dangerous. Detoxing from substances such as alcohol and benzodiazepines can result in seizures, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, or even death.2 Because of the significant risk of severe and/or complicated withdrawal with substances such as these, many individuals require supervision and medical care while detoxing. Considering these risks, the safest and fastest way to detox is under the supervision of medical addiction treatment professionals. Is Detoxing Safe While Pregnant? Detox is possible during pregnancy with careful medical oversight. While the exact number of pregnant women who undergo detox each year is hard to locate, 22% of substance use treatment programs have specialized tracks for pregnant women.5 There are numerous protocols for detox from benzodiazepines, alcohol, opioids, and other substances. Some of the dangers of detox while pregnant can include miscarriage and fetal death so, before starting a detox program, clinicians will carefully discuss with the patient and weigh the risks and benefits of detoxification at each woman’s particular stage of pregnancy.2 Again, the question of safety with regard to detox hinges on whether or not you seek professional detox treatment. Do I Really Need Drug & Alcohol Detox? If you’re unsure whether you really need help during withdrawal, ask yourself some of the following questions? Am I actively avoiding withdrawal symptoms? Do I have physical pain when I cut back or stop? Do I experience psychological distress when I’m unable to use? Have I ever had thoughts of harming myself or others when I try to quit? Am I physically dependent on alcohol, benzos, sedatives, or opioids? Answering “yes” to any of these questions indicates you might need some form of drug & alcohol detox. Answering “yes” to the last question indicates a need for medical detox, as the withdrawal syndromes associated with alcohol, sedative, and opioid dependence can be quite severe. When assessing someone for detox, addiction and medical professions gather information about your current level of usage, previous attempts to quit, and any medical and mental health conditions. 2 This information about the severity of your addiction, drug tolerance, and physical dependence helps to complete a picture of your overall well-being, as well as the risks and benefits of detox treatment. Not every person abusing alcohol or other drugs will need a formalized detox program, but many will require specialized treatment based on their unique situation and current health. In either case, Be careful about making assumptions about the best treatments for you or someone you love. It is both smart and safe to get the advice of a medical professional. Medically-Assisted Detox Near Me The good news for you reading this is that there are plenty of detox centers throughout the United States providing medically supervised detox. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of detox and inpatient treatment in the United States with twelve locations across the country. That means there's always a local American Addiction Centers option or one close by available for you. If you're wondering how to get into detox at an American Addiction Centers facility, the answer is simple. Call our detox hotline. You'll start by speaking with one of our team members and we'll work with you to understand your situation and craft a personalized detox treatment plan for you. [accordion title="Find Local Detox Centers"] Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming [/accordion] [accordion title="Pay for Detox with Insurance"] Ambetter American Family Beacon BHO Blue Cross Blue Shield Cigna Connecticare Geisinger HCSC Harvard Pilgrim Highmark Kaiser Permanente Magellan Magnacare Meritain Health Optum Oxford Health Providence Qualcare Sierra Health Tricare Triwest Tufts United Healthcare UPMC Zelis [/accordion] [vob-aktify-cta] [sources] Substance Abuse and Mental Health and Services Administration. (2019). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health and Services Administration. (2015). Detoxification and substance abuse treatment. Gortney, J.S., Raub, J.N., Patel, P., Kokoska, L., Hannawa, M., & Argyris, A. (2016). Alcohol withdrawal syndrome in medical patients. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 83(1), 67. World Health Organization. (2009). Clinical guidelines for withdrawal management and treatment of drug dependence in closed settings. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2017). 2017 state profile—United States and other jurisdictions, National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS). British Columbia Medical Association. (2013). Problem Drinking Part 3-Office Based Management of Alcohol Withdrawal and Prescribing Medications for Alcohol Dependence. [/sources] ...
Read moreXanax Withdrawal Symptoms, Signs, & Detoxification
Published on February 10, 2019 Updated on May 26, 2022Xanax is a prescription benzodiazepine medication used to manage anxiety and panic disorder.1 Even if used properly, you can become addicted via physical dependence through prolonged use of the drug. Once physical dependence on Xanax develops, potentially severe withdrawal symptoms may occur to people who try to quit "cold turkey" or abruptly cut off their use.1 Anyone can become dependent upon Xanax after prolonged use. Whether under the direction of their physician or for recreational use, Xanax's negative side effects do not discriminate. Some people abuse Xanax for recreational purposes for its sedating high.3 Others may use it in order to self-medicate their anxiety or their insomnia. Xanax is also commonly sought out by people looking to alleviate the side effects or soften the comedown of a stimulant high (such as from cocaine, meth, or Adderall).4 Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms Regardless of how you came to be physically dependent on Xanax, you may require professional help to quit, in order to safely manage a withdrawal syndrome that can be both physically and psychologically severe (and sometimes life-threatening, in the case of seizures).1 Xanax binds to certain receptors in your central nervous system and, in doing so, increases the activity of an inhibitory neurotransmitter known as GABA. The resulting increase in GABA activity creates a temporary calming and sedating effect. While benzodiazepines can be effective anxiolytic medications, their misuse can quickly lead to physical dependence. Physical dependence is often an indication of addiction. Though people who are not addicted and also use Xanax as prescribed may experience some degree of withdrawal upon stopping. Addiction encompasses much more than simply going through withdrawal upon substance cessation; it involves compulsively seeking and using a substance even when it has a multitude of negative effects on your life, such as:4 Job loss. Problems at school. Family conflict/strained relationships. Legal charges. Damage to physical or mental health. Some people using Xanax on a prescription basis may not feel that they need any help when they decide to quit. However, for anyone who has developed a significant severe physical dependence on a benzodiazepine, there is a high level of risk associated with abruptly quitting. Medical detox provides a safe environment for withdrawal and minimizes the chances of relapse or serious medical complications.2 What Is Xanax Withdrawal Like? When you first quit, you'll experience the more medically threatening, acute symptoms. A rapid reduction or complete cessation of Xanax may trigger the most severe and dangerous adverse effects, such as seizures.2 A medical detox approach will help you to taper off Xanax and will reduce the risks of dangerous complications. Longer-term treatment avenues and engagement with aftercare can help with the more drawn-out, protracted symptoms—keeping people on track and perhaps making relapse in response to persisting symptoms less likely. Xanax withdrawal symptoms may vary in severity from person to person, and not everyone experiences all of them. Xanax withdrawal symptoms include:2,5 Anxiety. Insomnia. Restlessness. Unintentional and purposeless movements. Hand tremors. Muscle spasms. Excessive sweating. Rapid pulse. Nausea/dry heaving. Vomiting. Weight loss. Muscle pain. Headaches. Hallucinations Delirium. The biggest physical risk of withdrawal from Xanax is that of seizures. Seizures can be life-threatening if not treated properly. Another risk of Xanax withdrawal that can be extremely distressing to the individual is rebound anxiety, a condition in which anxiety symptoms recur or even escalate to a level higher than a person experienced before taking Xanax.4,6 Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) Additionally, some people experience a condition known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), in which people experience changes in mood and cognitive functioning lasting for many weeks or even months after withdrawal from a drug. Researchers believe that PAWS arises as a result of physiologic changes to the brain that result from repeated drug use. The symptoms of PAWS, as well as their severity and how often they occur, vary from person to person. We have listed the most common symptoms below:7 Cognitive problems, including issues with learning and memory. Anxiety Depression Irritable mood. Obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Loss of interest in most things. Problems interacting with others. Greater sensitivity to stress. Cravings for drugs. Xanax Detox Treatment Withdrawal symptoms can persist for a long period of time, but the symptoms will differ according to the phase of recovery: 8 Detox treatment plans will vary for each individual and will be influenced by many factors, including any polysubstance dependence, as well as the individual's overall mental and physical health. In some cases, the doctor will first order a slow taper off Xanax to give the body time to safely adjust to lower doses. Reducing the dose helps alleviate, and may even prevent, many common symptoms experienced during withdrawal. Some people can undergo a Xanax taper under a doctor’s supervision on an outpatient basis. However, this option is only appropriate when the person's doctor has thoroughly evaluated the risks and determined whether it is safe. 2 Additionally, while some people may prefer the idea of detoxing on an outpatient basis, many reported that inpatient treatment worked best for them.3 [accordion title="More about detox"] Detox 24/7 detox hotlines Inpatient detox Outpatient detox Medical detox Dangers of detoxing at home The cost of detox [/accordion] [accordion title="Detox at American Addiction Centers"] Laguna Treatment Hospital Adcare - Boston Sunrise House Desert Hope Greenhouse Oxford Treatment Center Recovery First River Oaks [/accordion][accordion title="Detox insurance coverage"] Ambetter American Family Beacon BHO Blue Cross Blue Shield Cigna Connecticare Geisinger HCSC Harvard Pilgrim Highmark Kaiser Permanente Magellan Magnacare Meritain Health Medicare and Medicaid Optum Oxford Health Providence Qualcare Sierra Health Tricare Triwest Tufts United Healthcare UPMC Zelis [/accordion] Will your insurance cover Xanax detox? We can help - check your coverage instantly or text us your questions using the tools below. [vob-aktify-cta] Should I Quit Xanax? You may wonder if Xanax is a dangerous drug, especially if you are taking it with a doctor’s approval. For many people, a short-term course of Xanax can be safe and effective. However, Xanax is associated with a number of risks that extend beyond that of physical dependence such as irritability, hypotension, slowed pulse, respiratory depressions, loss of libido, and long-lasting cognitive impairments. There's also a chance you may experience memory loss and suicidal thoughts as well. 1,4,8 Additionally, overdoses are a high risk when it comes to Xanax, as well. This risk is heightened when the drug is consumed simultaneously with certain other substances. The greatest danger for overdose occurs when people mix Xanax with opioid painkillers or alcohol, as all of these substances are central nervous system depressants, and the compounding effects of mixing these substances can significantly repress breathing and may lead to a coma or death.1 It is also important to note that the elderly are more sensitive to the effects of Xanax and may accidentally overdose more easily than younger people.1 How Can I Recover From Xanax Addiction? Treating an addiction to Xanax involves much more than just undergoing detox to remove the drug from your body. After detox, a follow-up treatment program, either on an inpatient or outpatient basis, is necessary to help you deal with the addiction itself and learn improved coping skills that don't involve turning to Xanax or any other substances when you're feeling triggered or overwhelmed by cravings. However, several non-pharmacologic therapies can help a person to cope with anxiety without benzodiazepines. These include: 10 Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT. Studies have shown that CBT is effective for many people who have various forms of anxiety, such as panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety. Eye movement desensitization processing (EMDR). This is another practice found to be effective with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as panic disorders and phobias. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). This therapy type involves learning skills such as mindfulness to cope with dysregulated feelings and emotions. DBT has been helpful to many people who have anxiety disorders. [accordion title="Xanax rehab near me"] Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming [/accordion] [accordion title="Xanax rehab centers"] Rehab Choosing a rehab center Couples rehab Court ordered rehab COVID-19 and rehab Dual-diagnosis rehab Deciding you need rehab Helping a loved one go to rehab Inpatient rehab Medication assisted rehab Outpatient rehab Preparing for rehab Relapse prevention State-funded rehab Teen rehab Veterans rehab [/accordion] Can I Ever Take Xanax Again? You may be scared that you can’t handle your anxiety without Xanax. It is not likely that your doctor will want to prescribe Xanax after you have developed an addiction to it. In addition to therapy to help with anxiety, there are non-addictive medications, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) that can provide relief to many people who have anxiety. Commonly prescribed SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), and citalopram (Celexa). Some of the popular SNRIs include venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).12 You may be able to work with your doctor on developing a treatment regimen that utilizes medications with much lower addictive potential. More on Xanax: Xanax Information at a Glance1,4,9 Medication Name, Costs Class of Medicine Generic Name: Alprazolam Brand Name: Xanax Brand Name Variations: Xanax XR Cost/Price: Varies Used to Treat Addiction? No Used for: Anxiety treatment Chemical Name: 8-Chloro-1-methyl-6-phenyl-4H-s-triazolo[4,3-α] [1,4] Duration of Action: Several hours Form, Intake, and Dosage Interactions and Complications Drug Forms: Tablets Administration Routes: Administered orally Dosage: Up to 4 mg per day Overdose: Exceeding 5 mg per day Alcohol Interaction: Heightened side effects, including memory loss, dizziness, and respiratory depression. Prescription Medications: N/A Contraindications: Glaucoma, concomitant ketoconazole, itraconazole Effects and Adverse Reactions Substance Abuse Short-Term: Headaches, insomnia, constipation, diarrhea, blurred vision, drowsiness, nausea, memory loss, thoughts of self-harm or suicide Long-Term: Depression, unusual behavior, memory loss Risk of Substance Abuse: Yes Signs of Abuse: Irritability, confusion, mood changes, symptoms of depression Physiological Problem Signs and Symptoms Dependence and Addiction Issues Withdrawal Syndrome Onset: 6-8 hours after the last dose Withdrawal Symptoms: Increased anxiety, nausea, irritability, sweating, insomnia, tremors, seizures, delirium Tolerance: Users may develop tolerance. Physiological dependence: Yes Legal Schedules and Ratings Controlled Substances Act Rating: Schedule IV [sources] U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2017). Daily Med: Xanax: Alprazolam Tablet. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2006). Physical Detoxification Services for Withdrawal from Specific Services. Liebrenz, M., Gehring, M. T., Buadze, A., & Caflisch, C. (2015). High-Dose Benzodiazepine Dependence: A Qualitative Study of Patients’ Perception On Cessation and Withdrawal. BMC Psychiatry, 15(1), 116. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. Petursson, H. (1994). The Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome. Addiction, 89 (11), 1455–1459. Herman, J. B., Brotman, A. W., & Rosenbaum, J. F. (1987). Rebound Anxiety In Panic Disorder Patients Treated with Shorter-Acting Benzodiazepines. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. The University of California at Los Angeles. (2018). Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. Ashton, C.H. (2004). Protracted Withdrawal Symptoms from Benzodiazepines. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2018). Medline Plus: Alprazolam. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. (2016). Treatment: Therapy. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016). Substance Use: Prescription Drugs. Lampe, L. (2013). Drug Treatment for Anxiety. [/sources] ...
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