What Does Xanax Withdrawal Feel Like

The withdrawal effects of alprazolam feel like the opposite of the drug’s impact on the body once used. Its sedative factor calms individuals who are suffering from anxiety and panic attacks and as soon as detox treatment takes place, the brain struggles to function without the substance and brings in intense episodes of relapse as well as other withdrawal symptoms.

What do you feel after Xanax wears off?

Once your medication with this drug stops, you will immediately feel its withdrawal effects. The average half-life of this benzo is around 11.20 hours. It means, it takes 11.20 hours for half of Xanax to be washed out from your body.

In terms of the specific feelings you will feel during withdrawal, here they are:

• Memory loss
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Slow body coordination
• Headache and more

The only safe way to withdraw from the substance is to seek the assistance of a physician so that vital signs can be monitored, the physical condition can be assessed from time to time, and dosage can be adjusted depending on how the body can manage the shift. Withdrawal without medical help is fatal and definitely not advisable to do.

Are the Withdrawal Effects the Same for Xanax and Valium

Both drugs are under the benzodiazepine class, yet Valium has a faster reaction time than Xanax. Also, the former wears off longer, so Valium’s withdrawal symptoms will be felt longer for most patients.

In terms of specific withdrawal symptoms, both are the same since they come from the same drug class and function. But in terms of side effect intensity, Xanax produces stronger ones, which makes it more dangerous to abuse.

How Long Does Xanax Withdrawal Last

Within the first six to eight hours after the last dose, withdrawal symptoms can start to kick in. The severity usually depends on the extent to which the body has established physical dependence on the drug. It is on the second day when the person will experience the most extreme discomfort of withdrawal and this can slowly subside until five days.

Apparently, some symptoms can last for two weeks while for some cases, it can reach months or a year of experiencing swings of psychological symptoms and intense craving for the drug. This is crucial since a prolonged withdrawal can usually cause relapse and most of the time trigger substance abuse.

An individual is usually at a high risk of relapse on the first week of withdrawal and this can be extremely challenging since the intensity of what has been usually experienced can double. About 60% of people who withdraw from benzodiazepines, the class of drugs where Xanax belongs, have experienced a relapse.

Besides treating the physical aspect, the detox plan for Xanax includes counseling that helps restore the right behavior of the patient. While physical symptoms can manifest extremely during the first week, it is the psychological symptoms that can progress for quite some time.

What is the Timeline for Xanax Withdrawal

A more specific overview as to what can be experienced during withdrawal can be summed up in the following timeline. It can be useful to be aware of these likely symptoms so that when one experiences it, they can identify that it is part of the process and be able to condition themselves to commit more closely to the treatment.

After detox, you will undergo a series of steps so that you can finally recover from Xanax addiction. The steps are outlined below and keep in mind that the safest method for detox is to taper the dosage rather than suddenly stopping its use. The doctors highly recommend this especially for those abusing the drug in high doses.

The First Phase

At the first phase of withdrawal, an individual can expect to experience headache as the initial symptom. This can be followed by episodes of anxiety which can affect the quality of sleep. These symptoms can occur a few hours after the last dose. The intensity of the symptoms can peak the following day.

Going for medical assistance in treating withdrawal symptoms is good since it can endanger your life. Some of these deadly effects are hallucination, seizures, and depression. With a physician, withdrawal discomfort can be managed through medications and dosage can be adjusted as to what effectively suits the body’s response.

The Second Phase

This is typically the second day of withdrawal where a person can experience the peak of the symptoms. Relapse can most likely take place in this phase at a far higher level. The body may also suffer from loose bowel movement and vomiting as well as feeling nauseous most of the time. It is important to be watchful for seizures in this phase since this could be fatal.

The second phase is a crucial phase of the detox treatment. Patients can only expect an improvement of the symptoms on the fourth or fifth day. The discomfort could be extreme in some cases that is why it is important to work closely with a physician so that medications can be prescribed when the need arises.

The Third Phase

This ranges from the fifth day and runs up to two weeks. The psychological symptoms in this phase continue although the physical ones are expected to die down. Headaches, muscle pain, and numbness in the body are some of the physical symptoms that can slowly wear off after five days from the last dosage.

Although the risk for seizure drops low, it is still important to be watchful for certain swings of conditions. Paying close attention to the body is a keen thing to do to make the treatment progress positively. Interventions can immediately be given by the physician if any physical or mental response to the treatment is communicated right away.

The Fourth Phase

Most experts suggest a minimum of eight weeks as a taper schedule to patients despite withdrawal symptoms typically subside within two weeks. In this fourth phase of detox treatment, progress can be observed. However, total wellness is not guaranteed since gastrointestinal problems and mood symptoms can persist for more than two weeks.

The fourth phase may reach months up to a year of experiencing swings of withdrawal symptoms. The risk for relapse remains and mood continues to be greatly affected. An aftercare treatment can be useful to prevent conditions from going extreme and affecting the quality of one’s day-to-day living.

Aftercare treatment includes therapies such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). This can be suitable for individuals who suffer from Xanax addiction. Counseling with a therapist can also be of great help to someone who continues to suffer from psychological withdrawal symptoms.

There is no specific timeline as to when full recovery can be achieved. However, when one devotes to living a healthy lifestyle by keeping a healthy diet, exercising, meditating, and doing hobbies that improve emotional state, it is possible to live a life filled with happiness. Detox could be challenging but with commitment, all the struggle will be worth it.