Xanax Detox

Why Xanax Detox is Important

Xanax (alprazolam) is a prescription benzodiazepine (benzo) used to treat anxiety and panic disorders.

Even when used under a doctor’s guidance, Xanax can lead to addictions and dependencies, making it one of the most widely abused prescription drugs in America.

Anyone who has taken Xanax for at least three to four weeks can experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

Xanax can cause more dangerous and severe withdrawal symptoms than other types of benzos, especially when you stop taking it abruptly. So, it’s important to seek medical help to detox from Xanax safely and establish lasting change.

What is Xanax Detox?

Medical detoxification (detox) is a process that aims to clear drug toxins from the body while managing withdrawal symptoms.

During a Xanax detox, you’ll slowly taper off the drug under supervision from medical professionals until you can safely go without it.

While some in-patient facilities offer detox programs, it’s also possible to go through medical detox on an outpatient basis—no long-term stays are required.

Detox is distinct from rehabilitation (rehab). Detox centers only focus on the physical aspects of getting the drug out of your system. It doesn’t address your mental health conditions or the underlying causes of addiction.

However, some rehab facilities offer medical detox as a service and other treatments.

Is It Safe to Detox from Xanax at Home?

Many people with substance abuse issues believe they can quit on their own, but these attempts often aren’t successful—and it can even be dangerous in the case of Xanax.

Stopping Xanax use abruptly can cause potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, like grand mal seizures. Because Xanax acts as a sedative to your central nervous system (CNS), suddenly not taking it causes your brain to become over-active.

As a result, dangerous and even life-threatening side effects can occur if you quit taking Xanax all at once.

However, a slow, medically supervised detox can help minimize the potential for these negative side effects since you’ll be closely monitored and follow a tapering schedule.

If you follow an outpatient detox program, you can stay at home during the process. Outpatient Xanax detox is generally best suited for people who mainly use smaller doses, don’t have other drug abuse concerns, and have someone who can supervise them at home.

What to Expect During Xanax Detox

Some medical detox methods may reduce your overall dosage of Xanax a little at a time.

Others involve replacing your usual dose of Xanax with an equivalent dose of a slower-acting benzodiazepine, like diazepam. Diazepam stays in your body longer than Xanax, meaning it may help reduce withdrawal symptoms.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

The Xanax detox process is designed to make the physical symptoms of withdrawal safer and easier to manage.

While you may still experience withdrawal symptoms, they will be significantly milder than if you tried to quit cold turkey.

The range of potential Xanax withdrawal symptoms is as follows:

• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Headaches
• Dizziness or faintness
• Ringing ears
• Agitation and restlessness
• Irritability
• Blurred vision
• Poor concentration and memory
• Insomnia
• Pain and stiffness
• Muscle spasms
• High blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate or heart palpitations
• Psychosis, including hallucinations
• Seizures

However, when going through a Xanax detox program, it is unlikely a person will experience more intense symptoms (like seizures or psychosis).

Withdrawal symptoms can begin within one to two days of your last dose and may last from two to four weeks or longer, depending on your tapering schedule.

The intensity of your symptoms may fluctuate throughout your detox period. However, your healthcare provider may be able to prescribe medications or recommend over-the-counter options as complementary treatments for your symptoms, such as antidepressants to help stabilize your mood.

Additionally, around 10 to 15% of people withdrawing from long-term benzodiazepine use develop post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which causes longer-term symptoms.

These long-term symptoms can include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Weakness or shaking
• Muscle pain or cramps
• Numbness or tingling
• Poor memory
• Gastrointestinal symptoms

Some of these withdrawal symptoms may last only a few months, while others may last for a year or longer. However, the risk of developing PAWS lowers when you follow a slow tapering schedule instead of stopping “cold turkey.”

Xanax Detox Timeline

The detox and withdrawal timeline you’ll follow depends on how long you’ve taken Xanax and your usual dosage.

Experts recommend first reducing your starting dose by 5% to 25%. Then, you’ll continue to reduce your dose by 5% to 25% every one to four weeks until you’re completely abstinent.

You can see examples of suggested Xanax detox timelines below:

• 2-8 weeks of Xanax use: 2-week taper
• 8 weeks to 6 months of Xanax use: 4-week taper
• 6 months to 1 year of Xanax use: 8-week taper
• Over 1 year of Xanax use: 6-18 month taper

It’s important to note that the above examples are only minimal guidelines. While you may want to get through the detox process as fast as possible, remember that longer tapers are generally more comfortable and safe.

What Happens After Xanax Detox?

Completing a Xanax detox program is a fantastic accomplishment and a powerful step toward overcoming addiction. But for many people, it’s not the final destination.

Some studies estimate that as many as 49% to 57% of people who are addicted to benzodiazepines may relapse. It’s why some individuals may choose to further their treatment with one or more of the following resources.

Xanax Rehab

People with Xanax addictions may benefit from an inpatient or outpatient rehab option.

Rehab aims to go a step further than medical detox by addressing the root causes of addiction through counseling or medical interventions. Both inpatient and outpatient options are available for people with Xanax addictions.

Inpatient rehab occurs in a specialized clinic or hospital, where you’ll receive round-the-clock medical supervision while living there. Inpatient treatment programs can last between 6 weeks to 1 year.

Outpatient rehab works similarly to a regular doctor’s appointment, where you’ll live at home and attend your appointments at the treatment center. Some people may also be able to take advantage of telehealth rehab, where your appointments will take place virtually.

The length of overall outpatient rehab programs can vary, but more intensive outpatient options may require 6 to 9 hours per week, while general outpatient rehab requires a smaller time commitment.

Counseling

Some people may find counseling or therapy sessions helpful to address the root causes of their Xanax addiction.

Forms of therapy that may be helpful for addictions include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT addresses your unhelpful thought patterns and teaches you ways to reframe them to make lasting changes. According to a 2022 research review, CBT shows the most benefit for benzodiazepine addictions and is commonly used in addressing all types of substance use disorders.
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT.) ACT works by increasing your awareness of triggers and cravings. It also focuses on changing your relationship with Xanax.

Xanax Support Groups

Some people may also benefit from 12-step support groups, like Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

One older study of 12-step program participants found that 81% of long-term attendees remained abstinent over 6 months, compared to only 26% of the non-participants.

You can find NA meetings in person at Narcotics.com’s meeting finder or online at VirtualNA.org.

Find Xanax Detox and Addiction Treatment

Xanax detox can help you safely get the drug out of your system while lowering the risk of dangerous benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. So, it’s crucial to seek professional help instead of trying to do it alone.

You can find treatment options in your area with SAMHSA’s online treatment locator. Regardless of which Xanax detox option you choose, remember that just by reaching out, you’re already making an important first step in reclaiming your life.