Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam — a benzodiazepine medication used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. When abused, misused, or used for an extended period of time, benzodiazepines like Xanax can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Xanax dependence can be safely treated at a drug rehab center using Xanax detox.

What Is Xanax Detox, and Why Do I Need it?

Xanax detox helps you safely withdraw from Xanax so you can reduce and even eliminate many unwanted symptoms of drug withdrawal. Stopping or reducing Xanax use abruptly can lead to complications, such as insomnia, panic attacks, and seizures. Withdrawing from Xanax under medical supervision at a drug detox center reduces your risk for these complications and helps you experience a safer, more comfortable recovery.

Xanax detox can also help you avoid serious health conditions that stem from long-term Xanax use, including addiction, amnesia, and cognitive impairment. The goal of Xanax detox is to help you overcome Xanax dependence and improve brain and hormonal imbalances caused by long-term Xanax use or prescription drug abuse.

What Happens During Xanax Detox?

Xanax detox can take place at an inpatient or outpatient treatment center, though inpatient rehab provides 24-hour medical supervision to reduce the risk for complications. Drug and alcohol detox centers use a tapering schedule for Xanax detox, which is where the doctor reduces your doses of benzodiazepines gradually over time until you’re no longer dependent on the medication. This helps relieve Xanax withdrawal symptoms and prevent seizures.

During Xanax detox, you may be switched from Xanax to an equivalent dose of diazepam. Your doctor will then monitor your withdrawal symptoms and gradually reduce your dosage of diazepam once per week. If withdrawal symptoms remain severe, the doctor may keep you on your current dosage of diazepam and reduce the dosage less frequently so you can experience less pain and discomfort while coming off the drug.

How Long Does Xanax Detox Last?

Xanax detox can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months based on how your body responds to weekly reduced doses of benzodiazepines. The longer the interval between reductions in diazepam doses, the more comfortable and safer your withdrawal will be from Xanax.

Stopping Xanax abruptly is not recommended and can lead to seizures and psychotic reactions. Xanax is a short-acting benzodiazepine that causes withdrawal symptoms one to two days after the last dose; such symptoms can last between two and four weeks, or longer.

Xanax withdrawal symptoms include the following:

  • Headache, tremors, and sweating
  • Restlessness and irritability
  • Nausea and dry retching
  • Agitation and insomnia
  • Poor memory and concentration
  • Muscle tension, stiffness, and aches
  • Heart palpitations
  • Anxiety and panic attacks

What Happens After Xanax Detox?

Xanax detox only helps you withdraw from benzodiazepines to overcome dependence and doesn’t necessarily help you improve the negative thoughts and behaviors driving your addiction. After Xanax detox, you can transition to drug and alcohol rehab to receive cognitive-behavioral therapy, individual and group counseling, and substance abuse education— all of which address the root causes of your addiction. Psychological care is also available to address symptoms such as anxiety that can persist for several weeks or months following Xanax drug detox.

America’s Rehab Campuses uses medical detox and therapy to help you safely withdraw from Xanax and recover from dependence, addiction, and co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression. Contact us today to learn more about our safe, effective, evidence-based addiction treatments.