Alprazolam Side Effects

Find out about benzodiazepines side effects and how detox can help

Have you been taking Alprazolam to get high?  Do you know about the drug and its dangers? If you don’t, you should. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine psychoactive drug sold under the brand name Xanax. The medication is usually prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia and panic disorders, but abuse of the drug can cause dangerous Alprazolam side effects. Patients who use Alprazolam medication long-term can become addicted to it. Most Alprazolam abuse is found among adolescents who buy the drug illegally for the purpose of getting high, or heroin and cocaine addicts who use the drug to sleep.

Alprazolam Side Effects

Alprazolam alters brain activity and affects the central nervous system. When taken as recommended Alprazolam side effects can produce feelings of peace, tranquility, relaxation and improved sleep. When the drug is abused it can create a host of benzodiazepines side effects, which may include:

• Sedation, relaxed muscles, decreased libido, weakness, impaired performance, dizziness
• Reduced inhibitions, memory loss, confusion, fear, panic, irritability, depression, restlessness, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, changes in behavior
• Light and sound sensitivity, talkativeness, difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, coma
• Dry mouth, increased salivation, nausea, constipation, physical stress, impaired coordination

Tolerance and Overdose

Addiction to Alprazolam occurs when a person builds up a tolerance to the drug and begins to take more of it to get the same effects as before. The body will continue to adapt to the increased doses of the drug which can become extremely toxic and cause an overdose. When the amount of the drug has been compounded in the body, benzodiazepines side effects may increase in intensity. Taking Alprazolam with other drugs, especially opioid drugs, or alcohol can also cause an overdose with symptoms ranging from extreme sedation, severely depressed breathing and coma. Anyone who is experiencing an Alprazolam overdose should receive immediate medical attention.

Benzodiazepines Withdrawal

Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can cause life-threatening complications, and should never be attempted without the help of benzodiazepine addiction specialists. The safest way get off of benzodiazepines is to gradually be weaned off of the drug at a drug rehab center. You will receive a medically supervised detox where you will be monitored 24/7 by the experienced medical staff, who will keep you safe, stable and as comfortable as possible with the use of medications to address drug cravings and other withdrawal symptoms.

The duration of withdrawal from benzodiazepines is different with each patient and is usually dependent on the severity of their addiction. The first appearance of symptoms can occur within 6 to 12 hours after the last dose of the drug was taken. Withdrawal symptoms usually peak during the second week of detox and will then begin to subside. There are some cases where symptoms can last for months or longer, and sometimes symptoms will not subside in a linear fashion but will wax and wane.

Benzodiazepines withdrawal can be extremely difficult without professional help. Some of the benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Muscle pain, nightmares, weakness, fatigue, sweating
• Memory problems, impaired concentration, changes in perception
• A headache, nausea, dry retching, weight loss
• Mood swings, panic attacks, anxiety, depersonalization, psychosis, irritability, hallucinations
• Hand tremors, tachycardia, palpitations, seizures, suicide

The medical staff at the rehab treatment center should be knowledgeable and experienced with benzodiazepine withdrawal so that they can offer you the safest way to get off of the drug. An experienced staff can slow down or temporarily stop the process if necessary, although that is usually not necessary. You will be kept safe and as comfortable as possible throughout the detox process, and it will be finished before you know it.

You can emerge on the other side of addiction with renewed hope and strength for the future. Individual counseling, behavioral therapy, and relapse prevention strategies will equip you to continue on a sober course for your life, and you will be free from addiction.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.