Rehab centres all over the UK are equipped to treat addiction, but do they know enough about alprazolam (Xanax) addiction?
As experts in alprazolam addiction, we can refer you to a treatment provider that is trained and equipped to deliver the personalised alprazolam treatment plan you deserve.
Simply give us a call on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international) for a free telephone assessment today.
Even if you’re not quite ready for sobriety, why not let us walk you through your options?
Alprazolam (brand name: Xanax) is a short-acting benzodiazepine, making it a central nervous system depressant.
Its ability to slow down the nervous system makes it an effective treatment for anxiety, panic disorder, and insomnia. It has also been prescribed for depression and premenstrual syndrome.
Whilst alprazolam is more commonly taken in the US, it is a highly addictive drug that has caused many people in the UK to develop dependency and addiction.
Alprazolam is not available on the NHS, but is sometimes prescribed privately, or obtained through illegal means.
The general risk factors for drug addiction also apply to alprazolam, such as:
When we look at alprazolam in particular, one key cause of addiction is the strength of the drug, and its rapid onset.
When people take this drug, it enters the bloodstream within a couple of hours, and can be extremely effective at reducing anxiety symptoms.
For people suffering from anxiety, the appeal of such a fast onset can lead to frequent use, which creates an increased tolerance.
The user then needs more of the drug to get the same effects, which is often a precursor to dependence, and ultimately, addiction.
What’s more, the more users of alprazolam, the higher the addiction rate will be.
As more people are being diagnosed with anxiety disorders in the UK, or are simply experiencing more anxiety than ever, it’s no surprise that this type of addiction is also cropping up more and more.
As alprazolam is designed to reduce anxiety, many of the symptoms are anxiolytic and sedative. Patients often feel much more calm and relaxed post-consumption.
They may experience:
Not all anxiolytic and sedative symptoms are going to create a positive experience for the patient, so the following side effects may occur:
The effects of alprazolam use are not the same as the effects of addiction.
Once you are reliant on a drug, you are likely to experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms that prevent you from enjoying your everyday life, and cause you to adopt negative behaviours.
It’s important to know that many people hide their addiction very well. The signs aren’t always obvious, which is why it’s important to look out for your loved ones, and talk openly about addiction to reduce the taboo.
Living with the physical, psychological, and behavioural symptoms of alprazolam addiction is not sustainable.
Many people with this type of addiction struggle to follow through with their responsibilities, such as turning up to work, maintaining friendships, sleeping enough, and eating well.
In severe cases, this can lead to issues such as unemployment, criminal activity, broken relationships, and serious health issues.
When someone first starts to use alprazolam, they may feel they are in control, and perhaps they are. However, this can quickly change, and addiction creeps up on us faster than we can predict.
This is why early intervention is so important. Even if your problem is mild, get the help you need, and you may be avoiding a lifelong addiction.
Below, we outline some common myths about alprazolam addiction:
Whilst alprazolam can help with anxiety symptoms, it’s not the only tool that works. Other medications, interventions and coping mechanisms can be used to treat anxiety just as effectively.
The most effective treatment for alprazolam addiction is a tailored treatment plan that incorporates detox, therapy, and aftercare.
The detox alone will not help you to address key issues that led to the addiction, meaning your chances of reengaging in addictive behaviours are much higher.
It is not safe to suddenly stop taking alprazolam when you are dealing with dependence or addiction. The potential for severe withdrawal symptoms is too high, and without medical monitoring, this could pose a life-threatening risk.
If you’re ready to get sober but you want to avoid dangerous withdrawal, please get in touch with Rehab 4 Addiction for specialist guidance on staying safe.
As disappointing as relapse is, it is not the end of recovery. Staying sober permanently is an extremely difficult journey, with plenty of risk of relapse along the way.
Recovery is about choosing sobriety every day, so even if you have experienced relapse, you simply need to choose sobriety again.
We hear countless stories of people who are living free of alprazolam use, and are thriving in all aspects of life, but have dealt with relapse at various points in their journey. It’s about the overall picture!
Detoxing from alprazolam can be risky, but it’s a much-needed step in order to break free from the addiction.
Medically-supervised detoxes ensure patients can withdraw from alprazolam safely. If any health issues arise, including severe withdrawal symptoms, doctors can intervene immediately and reduce the impact.
Methods such as comprehensive assessments and gradual tapering ensure patients can slowly wean off alprazolam, instead of going cold turkey, which is more likely to cause serious issues.
The environment for an alprazolam detox is often an inpatient rehab, where patients will go on to engage with group therapy, individual therapy, workshops, and various other addiction treatment sessions.
Detoxes can also occur in outpatient clinics (both NHS and private), and at the patient’s home.
Residential rehab for alprazolam addiction involves three main stages: detox, therapy, and aftercare.
Some patients will begin therapy as soon as their detox begins, but others need to work on their health first and only start their psychological interventions post-detox.
The types of therapy offered in UK rehabs are diverse, making rehab an inclusive environment.
Options include:
Other activities will be incorporated into the rehab schedule, from stress management to meal planning.
However, therapy is the dominant method used, so patients can expect to meet with a therapist on a daily basis, both individually and in groups.
As you would expect, therapy doesn’t have the same effects for everyone.
That’s why the vast majority of rehabs provide tailored treatment plans, allowing them to focus on the specific needs and treatment goals of each of their patients.
Rehab isn’t a quick fix. In fact, the day a patient leaves rehab may be their trickiest day.
Recovering from addiction in the “real world” comes with strong triggers, and the lack of 24/7 care that was once available in rehab can hit hard.
This is where aftercare plans come in.
Part of the role of a rehab employee is to prepare you for the rest of your life. They will contemplate ways to help you stay sober, using what they know about you, your addiction, and your preferred treatment types.
Taking all this information, and meeting with you to get your ideas, staff will create an individualised relapse prevention plan for your time after rehab.
It’s usually planned to last for one year, but many of the resources can be used long-term, such as:
We are an experienced team with a shared passion for addiction recovery. Many of our staff are in recovery themselves, and are keen for others to feel the benefit of addiction treatment.
Treatment comes in all forms, from an alprazolam detox to a 28-day rehab programme. We work on a case-by-case basis to locate the best type of treatment for you, according to your specific goals.
Fancy a chat about it? Call us on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international). We’re here for you anytime.
