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Can Xanax Also Be Used for Pain Relief?

a doctor holds a prescription and talks to a person

People struggling with chronic pain may struggle to find relief for their conditions. With the opioid epidemic in America, many physicians are scaling back on how often they prescribe these dangerous medications. Researchers are constantly looking for opioid alternatives, including exploring the link between Xanax and pain relief. Unfortunately, Xanax can also be highly addictive, and residential treatment programs may provide needed relief to those struggling with the drug. California Centers for Recovery offers residential treatment programs for people who became addicted after trying to find a balance between Xanax and pain relief. Call 877.328.5682 to get started today.

Recognizing Symptoms of Anxiety

Stress from everyday life is common to everyone. It usually does not require treatment. It becomes an issue if it persists for more than six months. However, excessive worry is dangerous to your mental health. As stress piles on, many people develop symptoms of anxiety condition. When these symptoms interfere with their daily life, a mental health professional will often diagnose them with an anxiety disorder. If you have an anxiety disorder, you may notice symptoms like:

  • Excessive worry or fear
  • Avoiding certain situations
  • Racing heart
  • Sweating
  • Trouble breathing
  • Nausea or upset stomach
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Shaking or trembling

Treating an anxiety disorder usually requires a combination of medication and therapy. The type of therapy varies depending on the severity of the disease. In some cases, people with an anxiety disorder can be treated with Xanax.

What Is Xanax?

Xanax is a drug from a family of medications known as benzodiazepines. Other examples are drugs like Klonopin and Ativan. These drugs were meant primarily for anxiety. Many people question if You can also use Xanax for pain relief. For instance, it’s one of the most prescribed psychiatric medications in the United States. It has a calming effect on the body by reducing excitement in the brain. This results in a calm and chilling effect. The drug will provide a calming effect if you are prone to anxiety attacks. The calming effects increase the popularity of the drug among users in the United States. Xanax can also cater to other conditions. These conditions include insomnia, panic attacks, nausea, and even seizures. It also slows down the movement of chemicals in the brain. Some of these chemicals might have been unbalanced. This produces a calming sensation, especially in the nervous system. Xanax boosts the natural chemicals in the brain.

Is There a Link Between Xanax and Pain Relief?

Researchers found out that Xanax can serve as a pain reliever. However, this is a relatively new discovery. Medical professionals are diligently searching for alternatives to dangerous opioids that contribute to the current opioid epidemic. The over-prescription of opioids has led to a public health crisis. Unfortunately, benzos like Xanax can also be highly addictive. People who take Xanax for pain relief may develop a dependence on the drug. This can lead to serious negative consequences, including overdose and death.

Why Does Xanax Abuse Occur?

People end up abusing Xanax for different reasons. Sometimes, people quickly develop a tolerance for the drug and require increasingly high doses to feel its effects. Often, the medication helps relieve stress, which can be difficult to cope with alone. Taking Xanax to ease these symptoms can easily become a crutch. Doctors and patients prefer Xanax because of its immediate effect. The medication is instant, and people quickly feel relief. The drug also quickly clears from the body, contributing to its rapid consumption. People will continually take it to replenish the calming effect. Another factor is that doctors often prescribe the drug. This is despite the doctors knowing the drug can be dangerous due to its addictive nature. Xanax abuse and addiction create problems that are often worse than the condition it was intended to relieve.

Side Effects of Xanax Abuse

The side effects of Xanax abuse can be extremely dangerous and even deadly. These effects are similar to those of alcohol intoxication. They include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Lethargy
  • Confusion
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Lack of coordination
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Blurred vision
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Liver damage
  • Kidney damage or failure
  • Respiratory problems
  • Heart problems
  • Seizures
  • Coma
  • Overdose

When someone tries to quit taking Xanax, the withdrawal symptoms can be extremely dangerous—sometimes fatal. If they attempt to do it alone, they put themselves at serious risk for severe symptoms and relapse. Relapse can be dangerous since they may try to take a dose of Xanax they were used to, but it could be too much for their body to handle now that they’re sober.

Withdrawal and Detoxing From Xanax

When people try to detox from Xanax on their own, they put themselves in danger. The symptoms of withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable—even life-threatening. These symptoms include:

  • Anxiety
  • Agitation
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Headaches
  • Muscle pain or stiffness
  • Cramping
  • Tremors
  • Confusion
  • Hallucinations
  • Delirium
  • Seizures
  • Hypertension
  • Heart arrhythmias
  • Psychosis

People who try to detox from Xanax on their own often relapse because they can’t handle the symptoms. The safest way to detox is in a medically-supervised setting where they can be monitored and treated by addiction specialists.

Stopping Xanax Abuse with Treatment

Xanax can be a hazardous drug, especially if it’s abused. Patients who use the medication are at a higher risk for substance abuse. This applies to those who take the drug to relieve themselves from chronic pain or anxiety. Xanax addiction treatment can help to provide relief from substance abuse. Often, treatment involves detox and residential treatment. These programs offer unique support for people who need it.

  • Detox –  The first step in treatment is to rid the body of Xanax. This can be done in a medically-supervised setting where patients will be monitored and receive care from addiction specialists.
  • Residential treatment – After detox, people often enter residential treatment. This is where they live at the center and receive around-the-clock care.

Both detox and residential treatment offer support to help people in their recovery journey. If you or someone you love is struggling with Xanax abuse, don’t hesitate to seek help.

Luxury Xanax Addiction Treatment in the South Bay Area

If you are struggling with Xanax abuse, give us a call. We offer personalized programs for addiction treatment. We understand how critical it is for those struggling with Xanax addiction to find help. Call 877.328.5682 today to get started.