Xanax Overdose
Xanax consumption has increased over the years, especially among teenagers. Teens start taking the drugs as a way to feel integrated into a certain group, or as a way to handle potential symptoms related to health issues.
Xanax is often prescribed for people who are dealing with anxiety problems, including panic disorder and similar issues, but also for insomnia. The drug is a benzodiazepine – so, it’s part of the same family as Ativan, Klonopin, and Valium. It can be useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders because it produces a very calming effect.
Unfortunately, not everyone knows that Xanax is meant as a short-term drug. When used for extended periods, the medication can make people addicted to it. This will make it very hard to quit the addiction, as it will lead to withdrawal. What’s even worse is that the risk of overdosing is also there.
Explaining Xanax
Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug, and it is also known as alprazolam. Generally, the medication is prescribed by a doctor for people dealing with anxiety disorders or insomnia. It affects people’s brain and central nervous system (CNS) – therefore, it can calm you down if you are dealing with high stress levels or anxiety.
Everyone who uses Xanax should know that it is only recommended for short periods, as in the long-term, it can lead to addiction. This is because Xanax is absorbed very quickly by the body. As a result, the effects will appear very soon, but will also go away fast.
Because of that, some people may be tempted to take another dose to reach the desired effects, even if this dose was not prescribed by the physician. If this keeps going for a long time, it can be extremely risky for the user.
Addiction to Xanax
Alprazolam is prescribed for short amounts of time not only because it can be quite toxic, but also because it can be addictive. When an individual becomes addicted to the substance, they will do everything in their power to obtain it, even if that means getting it without a prescription.
Since Xanax is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for anxiety disorders, it is very accessible. So, more people have access to it, which means that the number of addicted individuals will skyrocket.
Xanax may offer some amazing relief for anxiety and stress, but it has a dark side too: it’s very hard to give up on it once the body built a tolerance. While many people think that it is not likely to become addicted to benzodiazepines, this can happen.
Xanax abuse can also lead to withdrawal. This happens when someone stops taking the drug suddenly. At this point, the individual will need special treatment and perhaps detoxification.
Overdosing on Xanax
People can overdose on Xanax when they consume very high amounts. This could happen when an individual uses more than the dose prescribed by the doctor, or when they obtain the substance without a prescription and don’t know what dose to use.
The amount of Xanax that will lead to an overdose is different for every individual. It’s influenced by aspects like the person’s age, weight, the amount consumed, how long they’ve been using Xanax, and whether they consumed it with other substances or not.
Overdoses are most likely to occur in individuals who use Xanax with other drugs or with alcohol. However, it may also happen in people who take increased amounts of Xanax.
Preventing Xanax Overdoses
Ideally, a Xanax overdose should be prevented. It is not a pleasant experience, and it may also be deadly if not taken care of early enough.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make sure you do not overdose. On one hand, you should make sure that you do not use Xanax together with alcohol or other drugs, as it increases the likelihood of an overdose. On the other hand, you should never consume more than the doctor prescribed.
To make sure you always follow the doctor’s instructions, you should consider writing down the doses you took every day. Also, if you think you started to use more or you have cravings, you should speak to your healthcare professional about it.
The Right Doses
Usually, when a doctor prescribes Xanax for a patient, they will prescribe about 0.25 to 0.5 milligrams (mg) every day, particularly in the beginning. Over time, the doctor may end up increasing the amount until it reaches 10 milligrams (mg) daily. The patient is supposed to split the daily amount between three doses.
Anything that is consumed over the amount recommended by the doctor can be dangerous, and it may result in Xanax addiction and overdose. Although there is no exact Xanax dosage that is known to cause an overdose, any amount over the prescribed dosage can be lethal for some people.
Signs And Symptoms of An Overdose
Some of the symptoms of Xanax overdose may include:
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Chest pains
- Bad reflexes
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Uncontrolled muscle movements
- Seizures
- Bad coordination
- Rapid heartbeat
- Coma
Xanax Overdose Treatment
In order to treat a Xanax overdose, you should seek immediate medical attention, whether you are the one who overdosed or it’s another person. The emergency services in your area should offer you the help you need if you call them for severe overdose symptoms.
Treatment will include administering activated charcoal to the overdosed person to absorb the medication but also pumping the stomach to get rid of the remaining substance. Flumazenil may also be offered to reverse the effects of the overdose.
Afterward, the patient will stay in the hospital for some time. If they are addicted to Xanax, they may have to go to a rehabilitation center and even therapy.
How We Can Help
Real Deal values your life and well-being, and we want you to thrive without requiring Xanax to feel at peace. Our services are meant to help you ditch your addiction and work towards developing better coping mechanisms, but also towards treating underlying issues.
Not only do we have a detox program, but we also offer individual therapy, making sure you will become the best version of yourself.
If someone you know overdosed on Xanax, make sure to seek help immediately. The sooner you do it, the higher the chances to save their life.