Xanax is a medication that helps many individuals cope with panic and anxiety disorders. It is a benzodiazepine that acts on the central nervous system to produce a calming effect. Unfortunately, prolonged use can result in increased tolerance and addiction. At San Antonio Recovery Center, our Xanax rehab center is designed to help patients work through the underlying causes of addiction and build healthy coping skills.
Even when taking Xanax exactly as prescribed, a person can become addicted to it without realizing it. The majority of the effects of the drug manifest within an hour of taking it. The total duration of its effects can be at least six hours. As a highly addictive and fast-acting drug, Xanax overdose symptoms can often be mistaken for its typical side effects and vice versa. The negative side effects of Xanax typically occur immediately on first use.
If you, a friend, or relative is struggling with Xanax abuse or addiction, reach out now to San Antonio Recovery Center at 866.957.7885
Xanax’s Side Effects After Normal Use
As benzodiazepines are prescribed for legitimate medical purposes and intended to slow down the central nervous system and promote calm, natural side effects should be expected.
For most users, typical side effects of Xanax when taken as prescribed include:
- A slowdown of brain functions
- Difficulty concentrating
- Slurred speech
- Memory problems
- Decreased coordination
- Irritability
- Confusion
Those symptoms can be accompanied by drowsiness, fatigue, and dizziness. Physical effects include low blood pressure, dry mouth, increased salivation, changes in the menstrual cycle, and urinary retention.
Xanax Overdose Symptoms
Because it is so fast-acting and toxic, Xanax can cause more severe, complicated overdose problems. The early symptoms of Xanax overdose, as previously mentioned, resemble the side effects of regular Xanax use.
Xanax overdose symptoms include difficulty in concentrating, drowsiness, and unusual talkativeness. Overdose can also result in changes in appetite, constipation, nausea, and difficulty passing urine. The problem occurs when the severity of these symptoms passes a safe threshold. Taking the prescribed amount of Xanax may cause drowsiness, slowed breathing, and lower blood pressure, but taking more than required could result in a medical emergency if the blood pressure or rate of breathing drops below a safe threshold.
When to Stop Using Xanax
Few of the preceding symptoms on their own are an accurate gauge that an overdose has occurred. However, Xanax users should pay close attention to how they feel during the several hours when any of those symptoms occur. If the symptoms persist, the best advice is to stop taking Xanax and refrain from consuming any other drugs or alcohol. If you’re struggling to quit using Xanax, a benzo addiction rehab center can help.
Severe Side Effects Indicate a Possible Overdose
Some Xanax users will experience more severe side effects and extreme Xanax overdose symptoms. They include
- Confusion and depression with thoughts of suicide
- Unusual changes in mood
- Memory problems
- Visual or auditory hallucinations
- Memory problems
- Seizures
Xanax overdose symptoms can also include difficulty in breathing as well as yellowing of the eyes and skin. There are even more severe signs of Xanax overdose that could indicate that someone is in danger. They include profound confusion and severe cognitive problems; the person may have lost consciousness, be unresponsive, and breathe very slowly.
Mixing Xanax with Alcohol Can Lead to Addiction
Finally, Xanax use can be lethal when used with alcohol. In addition to behavior associated with extreme intoxication–such as slurred speech or staggering–signs and symptoms of Xanax abuse used in combination with alcohol include a comatose state with an extremely slow breathing and pulse rate.
Also, using Xanax in combination with alcohol can generate feelings of intense euphoria. That feeling is the positive reinforcement the brain employs to keep taking Xanax and alcohol. That mutual reinforcement, in turn, leads to the disease of addiction.
San Antonio Recovery Center Offers Xanax Addiction Treatment
There is no reason you or a loved one must struggle with Xanax abuse or addiction. At San Antonio Recovery Center, our goal is to offer high-quality addiction treatment programs that work to arrest the damage and help you or someone you love start down the path of recovery. The most effective way to regain control of your life is by seeking a professional Xanax rehab center.
Contact San Antonio Recovery Center today at 866.957.7885, or contact us online so that you can begin your journey to recovery. Don’t let addiction control your life. Take charge now.
