Xanax Addiction: Signs and Side Effects of Xanax Abuse

Xanax, the brand name for alprazolam, is a prescription medication in the benzodiazepine class. Often used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, Xanax is a fast-acting sedative that’s typically prescribed for short-term use due to its potency and risk of dependence.

Between 1996 and 2013, prescriptions for benzodiazepines like Xanax rose by 67% in the U.S. Thanks to its calming effects, Xanax quickly became one of the most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety relief.

However, in recent years, prescribing trends have shifted. Since 2017, prescriptions for Xanax have declined, but misuse remains widespread. An estimated 5.3 million Americans misuse benzodiazepines each year, with Xanax among the most frequently abused. In fact, around 17% of all benzodiazepine users report misuse, making this drug class one of the most misused in the country.

What makes Xanax especially concerning is how quickly dependence can develop. Even compared to other benzodiazepines, alprazolam is associated with a higher risk of addiction, overdose, and severe side effects. Stopping Xanax abruptly can lead to intense withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, and seizures, especially without medical support.

If you or someone you know is struggling with Xanax addiction or misuse of any benzodiazepine, you’re not alone, and help is available. Keep reading to learn more about the warning signs of Xanax abuse, potential side effects, and how to get help.

Xanax works by enhancing the brain’s gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitters. GABA slows down brain activity, producing a calming effect. When Xanax binds to GABA receptors, this sedative effect increases, leading to a very fast decrease in the symptoms associated with anxiety, stress, and panic.

The way Xanax affects the brain is an effective short-term treatment for anxiety disorders, but it also makes the brain quickly grow used to getting a Xanax-induced boost. This causes a decrease in the brain’s own GABA production, leading to physical benzodiazepine dependence—a condition where the body gets used to a benzodiazepine drug like Xanax. The user must take more Xanax to get the same effect and, at the same time, take a certain amount of the drug to avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms or rebound anxiety.

Many Xanax addiction causes can be traced back to psychological dependence as well. Xanax provides very fast and notable anxiety relief, which can easily reinforce its use. It can be tempting to take Xanax to ease the stress and emotional discomfort that comes from everyday situations. This kind of misuse can quickly make users feel like they need Xanax to function day-to-day: psychological dependence.

Increased psychological and physical dependence can quickly spiral out of control, leading to addiction.

Xanax abuse happens when someone takes the medication in ways other than prescribed.

Common forms of Xanax abuse include:

• Taking more than prescribed
• Using Xanax without a prescription
• Using Xanax recreationally (just to feel relaxed, euphoric, or detached)
• Mixing Xanax with other substances like alcohol or opioids

Recreational Xanax use is especially harmful because the habitual use of a drug that creates strong, immediate, pleasant effects tends to quickly cause compulsive drug-seeking behavior—prescription drug addiction.

Physical dependence on Xanax (growing tolerance and withdrawal symptoms) can happen even when the drug is taken exactly as prescribed. Psychological dependence happens when someone starts depending on Xanax to feel okay regularly, but even then, they may still be in control of their use.

Addiction describes what happens when dependence causes uncontrollable cravings for Xanax and a general loss of control over its use. Someone with a Xanax addiction will often prioritize getting and using Xanax over other aspects of their lives, like relationships, finances, and their health, even if that prioritization has negative consequences.

Yes, Xanax can and often does cause dependence, even when it’s taken exactly as prescribed. This is because of the drug’s quick, strong effects on the brain. Xanax dependence can happen in as little as a few weeks.

Physical dependence on Xanax often leads to addiction, but these conditions aren’t the same. Physical dependence describes what happens when your body adapts to the presence of Xanax, needing more of the drug to experience the same effects and to avoid prescription drug withdrawal. Addiction is heavily psychological as well, causing compulsive use and cravings. Someone can be physically dependent without being addicted.

Whether someone is experiencing Xanax benzodiazepine dependence or addiction, suddenly quitting can be dangerous. It can trigger serious withdrawal symptoms that may lead to mental and physical emergencies and even death.

Xanax addiction signs can come in many forms, including behavioral, psychological, and physical. Often, Xanax addiction signs mimic general benzodiazepine abuse warning signs.

Behavioral signs include:

• Doctor shopping (i.e., trying to get Xanax from multiple doctors)
• Asking for other people’s Xanax
• Secretiveness around Xanax use, such as lying about usage
• No longer participating in important hobbies or other activities
• Declaring an intention to quit but not quitting
• Neglecting responsibilities

Physical signs include:

• Drowsiness
• Slurred speech
• Slow reflexes
• Lack of coordination
• Decreased effectiveness of drugs
• Other physical Xanax dependence symptoms

Psychological signs include:

• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Cravings
• Emotional numbness
• Depression when not using
• Feeling disconnected from reality

It is crucial for individuals taking Xanax and their loved ones to recognize the symptoms of Xanax addiction so that they can promptly seek assessment and treatment.

Users may feel the first signs of Xanax withdrawal within hours of their last dose, more likely if they’ve been taking the drug for a while or in higher doses. Xanax leads the body quickly, which tends to lead to faster symptoms of withdrawal.

Common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Rebound anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Irritability
• Sweating
• Difficulty concentrating
• Flu-like symptoms
• Muscle tremors
• Insomnia

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be particularly risky because the nervous system tends to become hyperactive without it. Users who have taken Xanax for a long time or in higher doses have an increased risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. Stopping Xanax can even prove fatal.

Severe withdrawal risks include:

• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Psychosis
• High blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate
• Difficulty breathing
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

Xanax has some of the most severe potential benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, with a higher risk of death than many other benzodiazepines. This can happen for many reasons, including severe seizures, self-harm, and heart problems made worse by other health issues.

There’s also a heightened risk of relapse followed by overdose because the body has lost some of its tolerance to Xanax during the attempted detox. One study found that alprazolam overdoses led to ICU admission twice as often as other benzodiazepine overdoses.

For that reason, it’s essential to have medical supervision during withdrawal. Healthcare professionals can help users gradually decrease their dosage, lowering Xanax detox risks and easing withdrawal symptoms.

Even short-term Xanax use can cause many different physical and mental side effects. For every 311 Xanax prescriptions, one results in a drug abuse-related emergency room visit.

Short-term Xanax side effects include:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Slow reflexes
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Trouble concentrating
• Speech and coordination problems

Long-term Xanax abuse can lead to:

• Memory loss
• Trouble learning new things
• General cognitive decline
• Brain fog
• Emotional numbness
• Physical dependence
• Addiction
• Increased risk of overdose

Mixing Xanax with other substances like alcohol or opioids can be especially dangerous. The cognitive effects of Xanax depress the nervous system, often causing slowed breathing and heart rate. Alcohol and opioids can have the same effect. This multiplies the risk of respiratory depression, coma, and even death.

Roughly 75-80% of all fatal Xanax overdoses are caused by polydrug use, mostly opioids or alcohol. While combining substances can increase their pleasant effects, the risks of using Xanax and alcohol or opioids aren’t worth the high.

Not everyone who takes Xanax becomes addicted. Many factors influence who is at risk for Xanax abuse.

Many personal and genetic factors can put someone at higher risk of Xanax addiction.

Personal and genetic risk factors include:

• Addiction in the family: A family history of addiction or substance abuse may indicate a higher risk for Xanax addiction because of environmental and/or genetic factors.
• Age: Xanax misuse is most common among young adults, aged 18-25, at a rate of 5.2%. This age group is more likely to use Xanax recreationally or to self-medicate.
• Personality: Certain personality traits also tend to align with higher rates of addiction, like impulsivity, risk-taking behavior, and a tendency to self-medicate.
• Personal history: A personal history of general substance misuse is also one of the biggest Xanax addiction risk factors.

Mental health and addiction are often linked. In part, this is because mental health disorders like anxiety and panic attacks are often treated with addictive medications like Xanax, but mental health issues are also more likely to increase substance abuse risks.

People struggling with anxiety disorder, panic attacks, etc., are more likely to rely on Xanax to cope with everyday situations, especially if they don’t have access to other forms of support.

Someone’s surroundings can have one of the biggest impacts on their risk of Xanax addiction.

Someone’s environment may influence Xanax abuse through:

• Peer pressure
• Easy access to Xanax
• High-stress living or work situations
• Unstable living conditions
• Lack of social or emotional support
• Cultural attitudes that dismiss the risks of prescription drug use

Knowing you or a loved one is at higher risk for Xanax addiction can make you more aware of the warning signs of addiction and make you more likely to seek help sooner.

Xanax addiction diagnosis typically requires an in-depth assessment by a doctor, psychiatrist, or licensed mental health professional. This assessment includes the patient’s detailed medical history, a discussion of their drug use patterns, and a review of their symptoms and behaviors. Addiction screening tools may be used to quickly rule out or confirm certain conditions, and to determine how severe someone’s substance use disorder is.

Xanax addiction is considered a type of substance use disorder (SUD), as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The DSM-5 lists 11 criteria for SUD. To be diagnosed, someone must have at least two of the listed symptoms within a 12-month period. DSM-5 criteria for SUD include:

Impaired control:

• Using Xanax for increasing amounts of time or in larger doses
• Consistent desire to use or failed efforts to reduce usage
• Significant time spent getting, using, or recovering from substance use
• Intense cravings for the drug

Social impairment:

• Inability to meet important work, school, or home obligations
• Continuing to use despite the social or interpersonal problems it causes
• Abandoning or reducing social, occupational, or recreational activities

High-risk Use:

• Recurring use in dangerous situations, such as while driving
• Continued use despite worsening physical or psychological health

Physical Dependence:

• Tolerance (needing to take more Xanax to get the same effect)
• Withdrawal (experiencing withdrawal symptoms or using Xanax to avoid symptoms)

A prescription drug addiction assessment can lead to a diagnosis and determine how severe someone’s SUD is (mild, moderate, or severe).

Getting an early Xanax addiction diagnosis can make someone far more likely to recover from their condition. Getting treated early may mean someone can avoid more intensive treatment options, may be spared from many long-term health problems, and have a reduced risk of experiencing serious withdrawal symptoms, including the risk of overdose.

Xanax dependence can quickly develop into an all-consuming and even life-threatening addiction that can seem impossible to beat, but the sooner you seek help for yourself or a loved one, the more achievable long-term recovery from this particularly addictive substance is.

Seeking help early also decreases the likelihood of long-term health issues and the risk of overdose, so it’s critical to get support for prescription drug addiction as soon as possible.

RehabNet’s addiction resources are available to help you find confidential, professional Xanax addiction help options. Our 24/7 helpline can assist you in finding Xanax rehab for yourself or a loved one. If you’re ready to take the first step toward recovery, give our helpline a call today.