The prescription drug, Xanax, is given by doctors to treat a number of conditions. It has a calming effect and can be quite addictive. It’s the most widely prescribed psychiatric medicine in the country, so it’s no wonder dependence on the drug has become common. At Silver Pines Treatment Center, we want to help you understand, what does Xanax do, so you can begin the recovery process for you or a loved one.
About Xanax
Xanax is in a category of drugs known as benzodiazepines, or benzos for short. It’s prescribed for things like panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder and insomnia. Because tolerance can develop rapidly, an individual may need to start taking more pills to achieve the same affect they once did. This is one of the reasons Xanax can become so addictive.
Symptoms of withdrawal are also intense. These can include fatigue, trouble concentrating and tremors. When tolerance and withdrawal are present in combination, an addiction has likely developed.
Specifically What Does Xanax Do?
Xanax has a strong effect on the central nervous system and the brain, which is why it’s so highly addictive. It produces a calming a relaxing feeling by increasing levels of a chemical in the brain called gabba-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This chemical slows the brain’s nerve cell activity.
Xanax is a depressant. It causes slurred speech, disorientation and loss of coordination. You can usually start to feel the effects about an hour or so after taking a pill, and they can typically last between 12 and 15 hours. Taking more than the recommended dosage or using Xanax in a way that is not prescribed is prescription abuse.
How Silver Pines Treatment Center Can Help
When considering Xanax addiction rehab, a professional and quality facility can provide a great deal of necessary support. At Silver Pines, we offer knowledgeable staff with tools and resources in a home-like, wooded setting.
For example, other treatments available include:
- Residential program
- Detox services
- Vivitrol on discharge
- Family therapy
- Yoga and nutritionist
- Trauma therapy
- Alumni group program
Now that you understand, what does Xanax do, you can see how important it is to get help on the road to recovery. Silver Pines Treatment Center has the support you need to make the process as smooth as possible and to help you return to a life of wellness. Give us a call at 267.719.8689 to learn more or to schedule a visit.
