Xanax belongs to the drug group benzodiazepines. These medications carry a risk of addiction, but your body can also build a tolerance to certain actions of the drug, such as its sedative effects.
Xanax, or alprazolam, is a type of benzodiazepine that doctors prescribe to help with symptoms of anxiety and certain panic disorders. Benzodiazepines are medications that can help manage these conditions through its mild sedative effects.
Xanax works by calming your nervous system. If you take Xanax as a doctor prescribes, it is safe. However, if you take it at higher doses or for longer than a doctor instructs, you may be at risk of developing tolerance or addiction to the drug. Tolerance is when your body adapts to the effects of a drug, meaning you need a higher dose to feel its effects. Addiction to Xanax can mean feeling unable to stop taking it, even though it may be causing harm.
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Xanax reduces the activity of your nervous system and slows down your brain. Your body can build a tolerance to this action over time. This is where your brain becomes used to the medication and adapts to stop it from taking effect.
How long it takes for your body to develop a tolerance to Xanax will vary between people. If you are taking Xanax, it is important to be aware of the signs that show you are developing a tolerance, which typically involves your symptoms of anxiety or panic disorder coming back. This occurs because the medication is no longer as effective, which means you may feel the need to take a higher dose to maintain its effects.
How can Xanax dependence develop?
While Xanax can cause your body to develop a tolerance, you can also become dependent on the drug. This may feel as though you cannot keep your mind off it. If you are dependent on Xanax, stopping the drug may cause symptoms like irritability, depression, and paranoia.
Addiction to substances like Xanax typically occurs if you begin taking a higher dose than what a doctor prescribes.
What withdrawal symptoms can occur?
If you’re experiencing Xanax dependency, stopping the medication can be challenging. Doctors will typically prescribe a tapering dose to slowly reduce your medication intake over time. Most often, it can take up to 12 weeks to wean off Xanax.
However, if you stop taking Xanax suddenly, you will likely experience unpleasant symptoms such as:
A 2012 study found that 40% of those taking benzodiazepines for more than 6 months experienced moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms.
Xanax withdrawal can produce rebound anxiety, which may be worse than your experience before treatment.
How long do withdrawal symptoms last?
The duration of withdrawal symptoms will depend on how long you have taken the drug and your dosage. The timeline will be different for everyone, but symptoms often start within a few hours from the last time you took a dose and may last as long as years afterward.
How long your period of withdrawal lasts will depend on different factors, such as:
dosage
duration of time taking Xanax
underlying medical conditions
method of taking Xanax
whether you are taking other drugs at the same time
What are the risks of misuse?
If you notice symptoms of tolerance to your Xanax medication, speak with a doctor. They will help you create a tapered plan to get you back on track.
Signs of Xanax tolerance include:
the medication no longer works to reduce your anxiety symptoms
you experience withdrawal symptoms like irritation between doses
you are changing how you intake the medication to get it into your system faster
the medication takes longer to work than previously
Xanax carries a high risk of addiction and misuse. If you leave signs of tolerance untreated, it can significantly increase your risk of dependency and misuse of Xanax.
The misuse of Xanax typically involves:
taking too much of the medication
taking the medication for longer than a doctor prescribes
taking the drug without a prescription
If someone is misusing Xanax, they may show signs such as:
blurry vision
drowsiness
weakness
difficulty breathing
“doctor shopping” — going to different doctors to get prescriptions
engaging in impulsive or potentially harmful behavior
reduced motor skills
When to speak with a doctor
When you receive a prescription for Xanax, a doctor will closely monitor you and your symptoms while you are taking it. This will allow them to look for signs of drug tolerance and alter your doses as necessary.
This is why it is important to attend your healthcare check-ups. If you do show signs of tolerance, a doctor may ask you to take a break from the medication.
Summary
Xanax is a type of benzodiazepine that can help manage symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder. However, it can also carry a risk of misuse and tolerance development. Tolerance is when your body adapts to the effects of a drug, meaning you need a higher dose to feel its effects.
It can cause withdrawal symptoms between doses and may cause your symptoms of anxiety or panic to return. This can increase your risk of medication misuse.
If you are taking Xanax, it is important to be aware of the signs of tolerance. If you notice symptoms, a doctor can help you create a tapered plan to get you back on track.
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