Xanax, or alprazolam, is prescribed to treat anxiety disorders as well as to manage panic attacks. In the benzodiazepine family, alprazolam is used to calm the patients’ nerves. In most cases, Xanax is prescribed by a doctor in order to treat anxiety disorders. Because alprazolam is prescribed so frequently, as both Xanax and generic forms, it is easy to find in many medicine cabinets which is why it is one of the most abused prescription drugs out there.
Whether you or a loved one are dealing with a dependence or addiction to blue Xanax, there is help out there. You do not have to face this battle alone. With a strong support system and a stable plan, recovery is possible.
What is Blue Xanax?
Blue Xanax does not have a different formula than other colored Xanax pills, the difference is in the dosage. A blue pill with “XANAX 1.0” imprinted on it will be either elliptical or oval-shaped and is identified as Xanax 1mg.
When a patient is diagnosed with one of the conditions that Xanax is frequently prescribed for, their doctor will typically start them out at a dosage of .25 mg, to begin with. After giving their brain a chance to get used to the medication, their doctor may decide to bump their daily dose up, moving by .25 mg at a time, with a maximum of 4 mg per day, spread out throughout 3 doses.
Taken by mouth, the effects of the drug should take effect within an hour and peak concentrations in the bloodstream happen 1-2 hours after taking it. Not all that abuse Xanax take it orally, some people choose to crush and snort it in order to feel the effects much more quickly.
Xanax can interact with medications that make you sleepy, as well as alcohol, so it’s important that your doctor knows everything you take to avoid issues. Some of the drugs Xanax can interact with include:
- Allergy and cold medicine
- Sleeping pills
- Opiate pain reliever
- Muscle relaxers
- Birth control
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants
- Barbiturates
- HIV/AIDS medicines
- Heart and blood pressure medication
Side-Effects of Blue Xanax
Xanax is a downer, meaning it relaxes the body and mind, making it a great choice for those that need medication to help manage their anxiety. One of the reasons that many people end up becoming dependent on this medication is that they are often left dealing with “rebound” symptoms. This means that the symptoms Xanax is helping you manage come back more severely if you decide to stop taking it.
While there are plenty of medications that are perfectly safe for use while pregnant and breastfeeding, Xanax is not one of them. Not only can Xanax lead to fetal abnormalities and birth defects, but it is also excreted in breastmilk and could affect the baby.
Xanax often affects the users’ mental health in several different ways, but it can also have physical side effects as well.
Behavioral
Because Xanax relaxes the users’ mind and body, this often impacts their sex drive as well. It is not uncommon for those with a Xanax dependency or addiction to have little to no interest in sex.
Mood
This is where many people become hooked. Alprazolam is known to relax the user and give them feelings of euphoria. As easy as it can improve one’s mood, it can have the opposite effect, giving mood swings and making them irritable.
Psychological
Relaxation is great, but it can also have negative impacts on the users’ cognitive function. Users often report being unable to focus as well as a lack of inhibition, memory problems, and confusion.
Physical
For a medication that is intended to impact the user’s brain, there are several physical side effects that users may experience:
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
- Shortness of breath
- Poor coordination
- Tremors
Withdrawal Symptoms From Blue Xanax
When it comes time to detox from blue Xanax, chances are the withdrawal symptoms will be very uncomfortable. In fact, Xanax withdrawals are often more severe than with other benzodiazepines. To avoid these uncomfortable side effects, it is recommended to only take Xanax if absolutely necessary, as withdrawals can happen even if you have only been taking the drug for a week.
There are many unpleasant withdrawal symptoms one could experience including:
- Aches and pains
- Aggression
- Anxiety
- Blurred vision
- Depression
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Hypersensitivity to sound and light
- Insomnia
- Irritability and mood swings
- Nausea
- Nightmares
- Numbness and tingling in the face, feet, or hands
- Paranoia
- Suicidal thoughts
- Tense muscles
- Tremors
- Suicidal thoughts
The severity of the addiction will determine the exact plan of action, but for many people, removing Xanax from their lives is done by discontinuing use over time. This is done with a process called tapering, which involves the user taking less and less Xanax until they no longer have any in their system. For most people, this will take six weeks but it may take longer.
How to Get Help For an Addiction to Blue Xanax
The detoxification process is long and difficult and will feel like it will never end, but if you or your loved one stick it out with a strong support system and a well-thought-out plan, anything is possible. Detox is intended to help safely stop your drug of choice while handling the symptoms of withdrawal. Many people do this in a rehabilitation center or hospital so they can have medical supervision.
Treatment is intended to get the user completely away from using Xanax at all and may help them deal with underlying depression or anxiety, as these are often what leads someone to take the medication, to begin with. Xanax addiction has several treatment methods that tend to be successful:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the go-to for most benzodiazepine addicts. Users work with a therapist to learn healthy ways to cope
- Self-control training
- Cue exposure
- Family or marital counseling
- Support groups
- Education
- Medication
If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to Xanax, the time to get help is now. Don’t let another sacred moment pass you by without getting the help you need and deserve. Reach out today to a premier inpatient drug rehab facility to get on the path to a happier, more fulfilling tomorrow right now.