Xanax Rehab & Addiction Treatment

Alprazolam (brand name Xanax) is an anti-anxiety tranquilizer that belongs to a family of drugs called benzodiazepines, or “benzos.” Xanax can be addictive and is the most widely abused benzodiazepine in the United States.

What’s more, if your body gets used to the medication, suddenly stopping it can cause potentially life-threatening Xanax withdrawals, making it crucial to seek professional help if you want to break the cycle safely.

What Is Xanax Rehab?

A rehabilitation (rehab) center is a place where people with drug addictions can seek treatment to regain their sobriety. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 54 million people needed substance abuse treatment in 2023.

While some people use the terms interchangeably, Xanax rehab differs slightly from a medical detox program.

During medical detoxification, you’ll slowly taper off the drug under professional supervision to manage or prevent Xanax withdrawal symptoms, which can range from heightened anxiety to seizures.

While some addiction treatment centers may also help you detox, the goal of rehab is to go beyond getting the drug out of your system.

Instead, Xanax rehab aims to address the root causes of addiction and help you develop long-term coping strategies to stay sober. Many strategies include a combination of medical treatment and therapy.

Who Should Consider Rehab for Xanax Addiction?

Xanax has legitimate use as a prescription drug, commonly tasked to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorders.

Not everyone who takes Xanax is addicted, but around 4.7 million Americans abused prescription tranquilizers, including Xanax, in 2023 alone.

Warning signs of abusing a Xanax prescription include:

• Taking a higher dosage than prescribed or for a longer time period
• Craving Xanax between doses
• Neglecting work, school, or personal responsibilities in favor of Xanax use
• Spending more time getting, taking, or recovering from the drug
• Continuing to take Xanax, even if you realize that it causes or worsens physical or psychological issues
• Developing a tolerance, where you need more or a higher dose of Xanax to get the effects you want
• Putting yourself in danger to use Xanax over and over

Many people who have addictions believe that they can stop on their own. In fact, around half of people seeking addiction treatment don’t attend their first appointment, while another 20% don’t make their second appointment.

In reality, attempts to quit on your own usually aren’t successful since addiction alters the way your brain works. So, most people need additional help to establish lasting change.

Types of Xanax Rehab Programs

While you may associate the term “rehab” with live-in facilities, that’s not the only way to seek treatment for an addiction.

While many people may benefit from the more intensive treatment at an inpatient rehab facility, others may be able to seek treatment on an outpatient basis.

Inpatient Xanax Rehab

Inpatient Xanax rehab usually takes place in a hospital or specialized clinic.

It is best suited to people with severe Xanax addictions and/or other co-occurring disorders (such as dual-diagnosed mental health conditions or other substance abuse besides benzodiazepine addiction).

People at an inpatient treatment facility will receive round-the-clock medical supervision from nursing staff or other healthcare professionals while also visiting specialists, like mental health counselors, or attending group therapy sessions.

In-patient treatment can be short or long-term, with planned stays often ranging from as little as three to six weeks or as long as six to twelve months.

Outpatient Xanax Rehab

When seeking treatment at an outpatient rehab center, you’ll live at home and attend sessions at a clinic, like you would with a regular doctor or mental healthcare appointment.

Outpatient treatment is usually best suited to people with milder Xanax addictions who don’t need round-the-clock supervision.

Outpatient programs can differ in their time commitments, with more intensive options providing six to nine hours of counseling per week with multiple specialists. This can include individual therapy and group counseling. Couples counseling or family therapy may also be offered.

Other programs may only require a commitment of a few hours each week, and their overall length can vary.

Benefits of Xanax Rehab

For many people, the toughest part of Xanax treatment is showing up. But those who stay the course can achieve long-term recovery.

Around 68% of people who stick to their drug or alcohol treatment program are successful, and between 80 and 90% are still drug-free nine months later.

Moreover, some evidence indicates that early intervention can be cost-effective, especially considering that many insurance programs cover partial or full rehab treatment.

Additional Treatment for Xanax Abuse and Addiction

Beyond seeking help from a rehab center, the following resources can help you on your recovery journey from drug use and addiction.

Some evidence indicates that combining substance abuse treatment with additional services, like counseling and community support, yields better long-term results than using either service alone.

Therapy and Counseling

Addiction impacts your brain’s reward system, along with your memory and learning abilities.  As a result, many addiction treatment plans involve therapy or counseling to address your mental health.

According to research, the most effective type of therapy for Xanax addiction is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT.)

CBT helps you identify negative or unhelpful thought patterns and gives you tools to respond to them more constructively.

When undergoing CBT, you’ll work closely with your therapist to develop an understanding of your challenges.

Your therapist may also assign “homework”, such as worksheets or exercises, to complete outside of your sessions so you can develop the skills you need to cope with your thoughts.

Support Groups

Some people may also enjoy the social aspect of a support group, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA). NA is a 12-step program in the same vein as alcoholics anonymous (AA) and allows you to connect with other individuals facing similar struggles.

You can find local organizations in your area with NA’s meeting finder or find an online meeting with VirtualNA.org.

Find Xanax Rehab for Yourself or a Loved One

Xanax addictions can impact your personal and professional life and leave you feeling lost. But with expert guidance and a dedicated treatment plan, you can safely recover from Xanax addiction and learn coping strategies that lead to long-term recovery.

To find Xanax rehab or other treatment options in your area, check out SAMHSA’s online treatment locator. Remember that just by reaching out, you’re already taking an important step to regain control of your life.