Quitting Xanax cold turkey is generally not recommended for a variety of reasons. As with other benzodiazepines, suddenly stopping use of Xanax after dependence has formed can trigger withdrawal symptoms, some of which can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
Evidence Based
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Xanax is a type of benzodiazepine drug that is used in the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. For so many, it’s a much needed relief from symptoms that add pain and hardship to their lives. But as a Schedule IV drug, Xanax (alprazolam) can potentially cause physical and psychological dependence, even after only short-term use.
As a result, quitting Xanax can present a challenge, especially to individuals who use Xanax in high dose amounts for a prolonged period of time and those who misuse it without a prescription or use more than is prescribed. If you want to stop taking Xanax, consult a doctor, even if you have been using the drug without a prescription.
Are you or someone you know struggling with addiction?
I may have a problem I am concerned for a loved oneQuitting “cold turkey” means suddenly stopping use without any sort of dosage tapering, medical guidance or treatment. With some substances, cold-turkey quitting is a viable method, but with benzodiazepines, this is not a recommended approach.
Quitting Xanax suddenly and without weaning off the drug causes the body and brain to go through withdrawal. This can come with very serious side effects, some of which require immediate medical attention.
One of the biggest reasons to avoid quitting Xanax cold turkey is that withdrawal symptoms can become so severe that it causes a relapse. Instead, it is recommended to taper off Xanax gradually, allowing the brain and body time to adjust to a declining dosage of the medication.
In addition and even more importantly, some withdrawal symptoms from cold-turkey detox can be severe and dangerous for your health. Withdrawal can cause seizures that are life-threatening, as well as psychological symptoms that can make it hard to keep yourself safe, like psychosis, hallucinations and suicidal thoughts.
A tapered approach to withdrawal, under medical supervision, is needed.
When you stop use suddenly, you’re more likely to feel the full severity of withdrawal, although the severity does vary from person to person. Undesirable benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can include the following:
Irregular sleep patterns
Insomnia
Nausea
Vomiting
Delirium
Shakiness
Muscle aches
Constipation
Diarrhea
Increased heart rate
Elevated blood pressure
Seizures
Hallucinations
Psychosis
Coma
While some of these withdrawal symptoms are simply uncomfortable, there’s no way to know whether you’ll have medically dangerous symptoms. This is why medical detox is required for benzodiazepine withdrawal.
No, if Xanax has been used for any sort of extended period of time, it is not considered safe to quit Xanax cold turkey at home. A tapered approach to withdrawal, under medical supervision, is needed – there’s no reliably safe option for how to taper off Xanax at home. Even if you’ve only taken your Xanax as prescribed, talk to your doctor about whether they think you need a tapering schedule before you stop taking it.
By consulting with medical professionals about quitting Xanax safely and by having medical supervision during your withdrawal, any undesirable symptoms can be treated accordingly when needed, which will keep individuals safe throughout this process.
Rather than quitting Xanax cold turkey, tapering off benzodiazepines is the recommended approach for withdrawal. Since Xanax is a short-acting benzodiazepine, your doctor may first switch you to a long-acting benzo such as Valium before you are tapered off that drug.
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t taper off Xanax by yourself. A doctor needs to weigh details like your risk factors and medical history, your dosage, the severity of your condition that led to you receiving Xanax, and more. All of these will affect how they plan your tapering and how long it will take as well as any other medications or precautions they take during the taper.
A doctor who oversees your taper will also monitor your health and your symptoms throughout the process and will make adjustments to your tapering schedule and treatment as needed. While it’s understandable to want the convenience of tapering by yourself, the simple fact is that without medical expertise, you could be opening yourself up to risks or to a more difficult experience than necessary.
Tapering off Xanax generally takes around eight weeks. You take a slightly lower dosage gradually, usually lowering your dosage each week, until you stop taking it entirely.
This slow reduction controls withdrawal symptoms and cravings, letting the body adjust to decreasing dosages. It significantly lowers your risk for medical complications like seizures. Other medications and treatments may also be used to reduce discomfort during this process.
While tapering off Xanax will enable the withdrawal process to be successfully completed, this isn’t enough to ensure recovery if you’re addicted to Xanax. Therapy is needed as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment program.
After detoxification and rehabilitation, therapy and support group work are often recommended for individuals struggling with drug dependence. This allows you to handle new issues as they arise so you can maintain your recovery long term and prevent relapse.
The length of time it takes to successfully detox from Xanax and other benzodiazepine drugs will depend on various individual factors. Your Xanax withdrawal symptoms timeline depends on how long Xanax has been used, the Xanax dosage, genetic factors, biological factors, and the level of anxiety experienced prior to using Xanax. If an individual has been misusing other substances in addition to Xanax, this will also complicate the withdrawal timeline.
Acute withdrawal symptoms tend to last anywhere from 5 to 28 days. Withdrawal symptoms can start about 24 hours after your last dose and will usually peak within two weeks.
By the 28 day mark, people will usually start to begin feeling normal, although certain withdrawal symptoms, such as drug cravings and mood disorders, can last for months or even a year or more after quitting Xanax. Working with medical and addiction treatment professionals will help to ensure you safely get through the withdrawal process with minimal discomfort.
While it may seem daunting to go through a full tapering process from Xanax, it’s the best way to keep you safe and healthy and to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Consult with your prescribing doctor or addiction professionals about how to begin your recovery so you can be free from Xanax or other addictions.
The short answer is no, it’s not safe to stop using Xanax cold turkey. Some people will have more complications and withdrawal symptoms than others, and there’s simply no way to know if you’ll be one of the lucky ones.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person. But the most common symptoms are insomnia, nausea or vomiting, cramps and diarrhea or constipation, and muscle aches and shakiness. You may also have delirium and an increased heart rate, high blood pressure, or hallucinations. The most severe symptoms could be seizures, psychosis, or a coma.
If you have a chemical dependency on Xanax, there are essentially two ways you can be free from your addiction without the dangers of quitting cold turkey. If you’re taking Xanax that was prescribed by a doctor, work with your doctor to create a tapering schedule to gradually reduce your dosage until you stop taking Xanax entirely. The other option, especially if you don’t have a prescription, is medical detox for Xanax addiction at an addiction treatment center where they can manage your withdrawal and monitor your health along the way.
Dr. Alison Tarlow is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the States of Florida and Pennsylvania, and a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP). She has been a practicing psychologist for over 15 years. Sh... Read More
Evidence Based
3 sources cited
Evidence Based
3 sources cited
