Is Xanax a Controlled Substance? – Xanax (alprazolam) is among the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications in the United States. Xanax is classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule IV drug, indicating that it has a relatively low potential for abuse and risk of dependence.

Xanax has many legitimate medical uses, but many people abuse Xanax for the relaxing and euphoric feelings it induces. Repeated and prolonged abuse can result in dependence and addiction. Discontinuing the use of Xanax suddenly or “cold-turkey” can cause seizures and other dangerous health complications.

Most often, doctors prescribe Xanax to treat anxiety and panic disorders, but it is sometimes also used to treat insomnia or seizures. Xanax is a benzodiazepine and central nervous system (CNS) depressant that works by reducing activity in the brain, causing feelings of calm and sedation. These effects are why many people abuse Xanax—to seek relief from anxiety and induce feelings of intoxication, not unlike alcohol.

However, also like excessive alcohol consumption, Xanax abuse can be hazardous. It can impede a person’s ability to make rational decisions, and impair motor skills and response time required for safe driving, among other problems.

Is Xanax Addictive?

If it is not used as directed by a physician, Xanax is considered to be one of the most addictive benzos available. Those who misuse this drug can become addicted and experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when they try to discontinue use. They may encounter rebound anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and dysphoria—effects that make quitting very challenging.

Withdrawal from prolonged misuse of Xanax can be life-threatening. To recover from Xanax dependence, people should taper off the prescription drug by gradually using lower doses over the course of several weeks. Doctors or addiction professionals should supervise this weaning process to ensure safety.

How Xanax Is Used as Directed

Doctors may prescribe Xanax because it has a relatively short half-life, meaning its effects wear off faster than longer-acting benzos, such as Valium (diazepam). People who use Xanax usually start to feel the effects within 10-15 minutes. Peak effects begin after about 30 minutes, and the overall effects typically subside after about six hours.

When Xanax is taken according to directions, common side effects may include the following:

Xanax is considered safe for most adults. Benzodiazepines rarely result in life-threatening overdoses when taken alone, but can result in dangerous side effects when taken with other CNS depressants, such as alcohol or opioids.

Those who take Xanax for non-medical purposes often use it in conjunction with alcohol, marijuana, or other intoxicants. Combining alcohol or drugs, such as opioids, with Xanax is hazardous because these substances can interact with each other in unpredictable ways, and also amplify the effects of one another. When combined, these substances can cause a person to pass out and breathe at a dangerously slow rate.

How Xanax Use Can Result in Dependence and Addiction

Doctors usually start patients who have not been exposed benzos with low doses of Xanax, such as 0.25-0.5 mg. Of note, everyone who takes this drug on a regular basis will develop a tolerance, meaning that over time, they will require increasingly higher doses to achieve the same therapeutic benefit. Those with a burgeoning tolerance to Xanax may begin to require doses succeeding 4mg per day, thereby increasing their risk of dependence and addiction.

Dependence occurs after the extended use of a substance, which results in the body’s adaption to its presence. When the drug is removed, the body no longer functions normally, and the person encounters unpleasant withdrawal symptoms as the body works to reestablish chemical equilibrium.

Xanax withdrawal symptoms include:

Being dependent on Xanax is not always hazardous. Some people need the medication to control anxiety or panic disorders and become dependent on Xanax yet experience few or no adverse effects. Physical dependency is only one aspect of addiction, not the addiction itself.

Addiction has an active psychological component that is characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior and uncontrolled use despite the incurrence of adverse consequences. Moreover, in many instances, people who are genuinely addicted to Xanax begin to assume they require it to alleviate anxiety. And yet, the anxiety that they are experiencing when they stop using the drug is actually a symptom of withdrawal—this is also known as rebound anxiety.

Dependence becomes a problem when people use Xanax for non-medical purposes or when they abuse the medication and don’t talk with their doctor about it. People with a legitimate prescription may, in some cases, develop an addiction to Xanax because they take the drug more frequently or in doses exceeding those prescribed. As tolerance increases and dependence grows, they become increasingly desperate and are clueless as to how they can control this behavior.

Excessive doses or the abuse of Xanax can lead to dangerous side effects, including the following:

What Is the Timeline for Xanax Addiction?

Some people become addicted to Xanax more rapidly than others. Those who regularly use high doses of Xanax are more likely to develop an addiction than those who take low doses less often.

Using a benzodiazepine such as Xanax for longer than 3-4 weeks can lead to physiological dependence, a condition that, as noted, can turn into addiction when a person begins obsessing over the use of the drug and keeps using it despite the potential for negative consequences. For this reason, many physicians have opted to limit Xanax prescriptions to a 1-2 week supply to prevent patients from becoming dependent.

People who are addicted to Xanax will compulsively seek the drug and may visit multiple physicians or pharmacies to obtain prescriptions or purchase it illicitly on the street or online. Likewise, these individuals may abuse alcohol or other CNS depressants when they do not have access to Xanax.

Detoxing From Xanax

The half-life of Xanax is around 12 hours, which means it takes this length of time for half of the dose to be purged from the bloodstream. Withdrawal symptoms can onset within six hours of the last dose, and generally peak after about 12 hours. Severe withdrawal symptoms persist for about four days, and withdrawal from an extended Xanax dependency can last for up to two weeks.

As mentioned, discontinuing Xanax use without medical supervision can be dangerous. Treatment centers can administer medication and other resources that can help relieve symptoms of withdrawal and ensure the process is safe and comfortable.

While supervising clients, treatment centers can gradually wean them off Xanax by slowly reducing daily dosages. Xanax may be replaced by long-acting benzodiazepines such as Librium. Also, buspirone and flumazenil can be used to relieve symptoms of withdrawal.

Treatment for Xanax Addiction

Harmony Treatment and Wellness is a specialized addiction treatment center that offers therapeutic services facilitated by caring, highly-skilled addiction professionals. Our staff is dedicated to providing every client with the tools and support they need to achieve abstinence, prevent relapse, and maintain long-lasting wellness and sobriety.

If you or someone you know is dependent on Xanax, other benzos, opioids, or illicit drugs or alcohol, please contact us today. Discover how we help people break free from the chains of addiction and begin to experience the healthy and fulfilling lives they deserve!

Klonopin is a commonly prescribed benzodiazepine (benzo) that has relatively long-lasting effects. The effects of most benzos, such as Xanax or Valium, last between 3-4 hours, whereas the effects of Klonopin can last anywhere from 6-12 hours.

Klonopin (clonazepam) is prescribed to treat anxiety, panic, and seizure disorders. Benzodiazepines are a class of central nervous system (CNS) depressants that also includes medications such as Ativan, Xanax, Ativan, and Restoril.

Clonazepam is classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration as a Schedule IV controlled substance. This classification means that while it does have a legitimate medical purpose, there is still some potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.

Determining Factors

Klonopin has a relatively long half-life, which refers to the length of time it takes for half of one dose of a drug to be eliminated from the body. For Klonopin, this time period ranges from 30-40 hours, meaning that it takes between 2-3 days for 50% of Klonopin to be expelled from a person’s system. Based on its half-life, some amount of the drug is likely to stay in the system for about 6-9 days after the last dose.

Some factors that may also influence how long the effects of Klonopin last and the length of time it takes for it to leave a person’s system include the following:

What Is Klonopin?

Klonopin reduces activity in the CNS and mitigates hyperactive electrical signals in the brain, which are associated with anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, insomnia, and other disorders. It is also often used to treat seizures in those with neurological disorders like epilepsy.

As an intermediate-acting benzo, it can reduce the risk of seizure activity for many hours after the drug has been administered. Klonopin may also be prescribed to those who suffer from persistent fidgeting, restlessness, or other uncontrollable movements, some of which may be side effects of using antipsychotic medications.

Sometimes health professionals prescribe Klonopin for the treatment of severe anxiety and panic attacks. However, it isn’t prescribed as often for the short-term treatment of insomnia or anxiety as other medications, such as Ativan and Xanax. These other benzodiazepines tend to be more effective at addressing these disorders because their effects onset within minutes and are not as long-lasting as Klonopin.

Klonopin Abuse and Addiction

Like other benzos, Klonopin produces feelings of relaxation and well-being, which give it a potential for abuse and addiction. Even those who take the drug as directed by a physician may find themselves quickly progressing to problematic use. It is these desirable feelings that often compel a person to use Klonopin more often or in higher amounts than directed. Moreover, these coveted effects typically begin within an hour of use and can last anywhere from 6-24 hours.

Klonopin can result in tolerance and dependence if use continues for an extended period. Tolerance is a condition that develops as the body adapts to the presence of a drug and gradually mitigates the effects of that substance. When this occurs, the person may be driven to use more of the drug in order to experience the desired effects.

Dependence develops after long-term exposure to a substance, as the body adapts to its presence and can no longer function properly without it. Once dependence has been established, a person will begin to encounter withdrawal symptoms when they try to discontinue drug use. Tolerance and dependence are telltale signs of addiction, a condition that is also hallmarked by compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite the incurrence of negative consequences.

Klonopin Overdose

Anyone who uses a dose of Klonopin in excessively amounts or too frequently is at risk for overdose. Although it is difficult to lethally overdose on clonazepam when used by itself, if it is used in conjunction with other CNS depressants, such as alcohol or opioids, the depressant effects of all substances are amplified and can be life-threatening.

Symptoms of a Klonopin overdose include:

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms after using Klonopin, please call 911 immediately.

Getting Treatment for Klonopin Addiction

Once a person has acquired a dependence on Klonopin, it can be very difficult to stop. Those who take Klonopin regularly for a long period will likely encounter unpleasant withdrawal effects when they discontinue use. The discomfort of these symptoms is often the prime reason why a person will continue to use Klonopin even if he or she wants to stop.

Recovery from Klonopin addiction is certainly attainable, however, and the first step is admitting that you have a problem and seeking help. Harmony Treatment and Wellness uses a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to addiction recovery that includes psychotherapy, counseling, treatment for co-existing mental health conditions, group support, aftercare planning, and more.

If you or someone you know is dependent on Klonopin or other substances, help is available. You don’t have to suffer alone—contact us today!

Is Lorazepam Addictive? – Lorazepam is the generic for the brand name benzodiazepine (benzo) Ativan. This drug is used to treat several conditions, including anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, epilepsy, and nausea or vomiting related to cancer treatment.

Benzodiazepine medications are frequently used to treat these types of disorders because they are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Drugs in the CNS depressant class function by binding to GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors in the brain and reducing transmission between neurons.

Lorazepam Addiction

Ativan and other benzos can also stimulate the reward system in the brain, which can lead to dependence and addiction. These drugs have a high potential for abuse and addiction. Still, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies lorazepam and other benzos as Schedule IV substances because they also have legitimate medical purposes and use of them is very widespread.

People who are prescribed lorazepam are more likely to become dependent upon or addicted to these medications. This effect is primarily due to therapeutic exposure to the drug in conjunction with existing substance abuse and mental health issues, such as anxiety.

Persons who have experienced substance use disorders in the past are more likely to struggle with abuse of benzos such as lorazepam. This is especially true for those who have suffered from alcohol use disorders because benzodiazepines have effects comparable to alcohol and are sometimes prescribed to mitigate alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Lorazepam is a short-acting benzo, and because the euphoric and sedating effects subside after about two hours, people who use this medication may soon feel anxious again. The unpleasantness of this effect may compel the user to take another dose. This circumstance can lead to a cycle of misuse and addiction faster than with long-acting benzodiazepines such as Valium (diazepam).

People who use lorazepam for non-medical purposes rarely use this substance alone to get high. One study found that about 80% of benzodiazepine abuse was related to polydrug abuse, most commonly in combination with opioids.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that up to 15% of heroin users have also used benzodiazepines. Other research has revealed that people who struggle with an alcohol use disorder concurrently tend to abuse Ativan and other benzos. In many instances, this abuse begins as an attempt to relieve the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Because lorazepam is a CNS depressant, people who use other CNS depressants, especially alcohol and opioids such as heroin or oxycodone, might use this benzodiazepine to amplify the effects of the other psychoactive substances. This behavior is very dangerous, however, and can rapidly result in overdose and other severe health complications.

Is Lorazepam Addictive?: Side Effects

Lorazepam is among the top 100 most prescribed medications in the world. Even when a person uses it as directed, they may experience side effects. However, side effects are more likely to manifest or become more severe if the person has become addicted to Ativan and abuses the drug, or takes it too frequently or in increasingly larger doses. Lorazepam and other benzos can cause several side effects, on both a short- and long-term basis.

Side effects may include the following:

People who use lorazepam for insomnia may experience parasomnias, which may include sleepwalking, eating, driving, or having conversations while sleeping.

Signs of Lorazepam Abuse and Addiction

As a person battles an addiction to drugs or alcohol, they will exhibit a number of symptoms, including altered behavior and various physical effects.

The effects of long-term lorazepam abuse may include the following:

Once tolerance and dependence have developed, the person will no longer experience the desired effects of lorazepam. In response, the user may increase their dose, either with or without a doctor’s permission.

If a user is dependent on lorazepam and they try to discontinue use, they will develop withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can also manifest after just a few weeks of abuse and become more severe when a person tries to stop taking their medication abruptly or “cold turkey.”

Lorazepam withdrawal symptoms can include:

If the person discontinues lorazepam use abruptly, the most severe physical withdrawal symptoms can take up to 10 days to wane. Sudden cessation of use of any benzo is dangerous and never advised, and those who are dependent upon them should only attempt to quit using them under medical supervision.

Is Lorazepam Addictive?: Addictive Behaviors

Also, the unpleasantness of withdrawal combined with drug cravings can result in a relapse to subdue the undesirable symptoms. This dangerous and potentially life-threatening cycle of use can continue indefinitely. For these reasons, medical detox is usually recommended for benzodiazepine withdrawal.

Changes in behavior that may indicate a lorazepam addiction include the following:

• Intense cravings for lorazepam or other benzos
• Obsession with acquiring or using the next dose of lorazepam
• Requiring more of the substance to experience the intended effects
• Prioritizing the use of lorazepam over other important or enjoyable activities, such as school, work, family, or social obligations
• Being deceptive about how much lorazepam one is using
• Stealing to pay for more lorazepam or doctor-shopping in an attempt to acquire multiple prescriptions
• Refilling prescriptions too early or too often
• Spending a significant amount of money obtaining lorazepam
• Irritability, agitation, aggression, moodiness, and depression
• Denying that drug use is a problem despite the incurrence of adverse consequences

Signs and Symptoms of Overdose

A lorazepam overdose is consistent with symptoms characteristic of an overdose on any benzodiazepine, which may include the following:

People who have overdosed on lorazepam may experience profoundly reduced respiration and shallow breathing, as well as cardiovascular depression that could lead to a loss of consciousness, coma, or death.

Treatment for Lorazepam Addiction

For those who suffer from an addiction to lorazepam, it is crucial to get help to surmount this disorder. Long-term use can result in adverse physical effects and poor health, and changes in behavior can result in loss of social support and a number of adverse consequences.

The best treatment to address a lorazepam addiction is to taper the dose under medical supervision until the brain and body are no longer dependent upon the drug. This process should also include enrollment in a comprehensive addiction treatment program.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness employs a well-rounded approach to addiction treatment that considers how factors such as lifestyle, environment, and physical and emotional health play vital roles in a person’s addiction to drugs or alcohol. By collaborating with you and your loved ones throughout the treatment process, we can equip you for recovery by customizing a program that includes a complete continuum of care.

Our programs include both partial-hospitalization and outpatient options and features evidence-based behavioral therapies, individualized treatment, and aftercare planning services designed to predict the challenges you may encounter on your journey to long-term sobriety and wellness. Our team of compassionate addiction specialists is dedicated to providing people with the resources, tools, and support they desperately need to take back their lives, free from addiction.

If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction, contact us today!

Valium (diazepam) is a prescription benzodiazepine commonly prescribed to prevent seizures or alleviate anxiety. However, even users with a valid need for the medication can become dependent. It can take as little as a few weeks to several months for the outward signs of Valium addiction to develop. Watching for these physical and behavioral warning signs will help you determine whether a family member or friend is engaging in Valium or has developed an addiction.

Physical Symptoms and Signs of Valium Addiction

As a sedating medication, Valium reduces activity in the central nervous system (CNS), meaning that vital functions of the body, such as heartbeat, respiration, and digestion, can be impacted by Valium abuse. The user may appear to be drowsy much of the time or be difficult to arouse from sleep. He or she might exhibit shallow and slow breathing, pale skin, and impaired motor coordination.

These symptoms may be present even when the person is using Valium at prescribed doses. At high doses, the effects may resemble profound alcohol intoxication.

Excessive users may present with the signs and symptoms as follows:

Valium addiction can have dangerous health consequences, including low blood pressure, respiratory depression, seizures, dizziness, and overdose. When Valium is used in conjunction with alcohol, sleeping pills, or other substances that have a sedating effect, the risk of an overdose is even higher.

Behavioral and Psychological Signs of Valium Addiction

For decades, Valium has been among the most commonly used anti-anxiety medications in the U.S. However, abusers may experience an amplification of the same psychological symptoms that prompted them to seek help initially.

Behavioral and psychological signs of Valium addiction may include the following:

Someone who is dependent on Valium will exhibit an increased concern about obtaining and using the medication, even at the cost of his or her health and well-being. Social withdrawal may occur as the user begins spending more time using the drug and recovering from its effects.

The person may neglect work and family responsibilities and lose interest in his or her favorite activities. Personal grooming habits and hygiene may decline, and the addicted person may borrow or steal money or attempt to obtain the drug from dealers to maintain their habit.

When used for a prolonged period, Valium use can result in physical and psychological dependence. Dependence occurs when the brain adapts to the continual presence of the drug and begins to require it in order to function normally. When chemical dependence develops into addiction, the user’s need for Valium becomes a persistent, compulsive preoccupation.

The chronic effects of Valium abuse can have a severe impact on the user’s physical and psychological health. And yet, thousands of people become addicted to Valium and other benzos each year, despite the well-established health risks.

Co-Occurring Mental Illness

A co-occurring mental health disorder often accompanies the long-lasting effects of Valium misuse. There is a heightened risk of benzodiazepine abuse among those with mental illnesses, such as severe depression and bipolar disorder. For people with mental health problems that require treatment, medications with less potential for abuse and addiction are usually recommended.

Getting Help for Valium Addiction

Recovering safely from Valium addiction requires more than a commitment to stop using the drug. Those who try to discontinue Valium use without medical supervision are at risk of developing severe rebound effects on the CNS, such as seizures, extreme anxiety, and muscle spasms.

To minimize the effects of withdrawal, a physician can prescribe a drug taper or gradual dose reduction. Around-the-clock supervision from clinical staff helps to prevent potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.

In addition to the risks of withdrawal and the discomfort of its effects, research has shown that people have a much better chance at maintaining long-term recovery if they have the support of a multidisciplinary treatment team. Harmony Treatment and Wellness employs caring addiction specialists dedicated to providing each client with the tools and support they need to recover from drug addiction and foster long-lasting sobriety and wellness.

We offer integrated programs in both partial-hospitalization and outpatient formats that include evidence-based services, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, counseling, group support, aftercare planning, and more.

If you or someone you love is exhibiting signs of Valium addiction, contact us today. Discover how we help people free themselves from the chains of addiction for good!

Clonazepam (brand name Klonopin) is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine (benzo) family, and is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Alcohol, also a depressant, is an intoxicant found in distilled spirits, beer, and wine. Under no circumstances is it regarded as safe to combine the substances.

Effects of Clonazepam and Alcohol

Alcohol, when consumed alone, can produce effects, including the following:

Drinking alcohol chronically and in excess can result in adverse health complications, including liver disease, pancreatitis, arrhythmia, hypertension, and an increased risk of several types of cancer.

Clonazepam is a prescription medication and should only be used as directed by a physician. Misuse, including consuming too much or using it too frequently, can result in side effects, which may include the following:

While it is possible to use either one of these substances responsibly, the two should never be used in conjunction, even when a person has a legitimate prescription for clonazepam. This is because their combined use can quickly amplify the effects of one other, which can lead to a much higher risk of overdose, hospitalization, and death.

Can You Mix Klonopin and Alcohol?

Both alcohol and clonazepam and are CNS depressants. In prescription doses of clonazepam, this property helps to reduce activity in the CNS and calm nerves, helping those who suffer from anxiety to function more normally.

However, CNS depressants used in combination can result in sedation as well as profoundly depressed respiration and heart rate. Moreover, when clonazepam and alcohol are used together, even in relatively small doses, the overall compounded effect can result in extreme drowsiness, severely impaired coordination, and an increased risk of a serious fall or injury. This effect can also mean that the person becomes unresponsive, ultimately leading to coma and death.

Depressed or labored breathing is a potentially lethal side effect of mixing alcohol and clonazepam and is an indication that the person is not receiving enough oxygen. One characteristic of a lack of oxygen is pale, clammy skin and blue tinting around the lips or under the fingernails (cyanosis). If left untreated without emergency medical assistance, the person could stop breathing altogether and die.

Recent research conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2014) revealed that 38% of emergency room visits involving benzos combined with alcohol or opioids resulted in a more severe outcome, such as hospitalization and, in some cases, death.

Treating Alcohol Withdrawal with Clonazepam or Other Benzos

If a person has an alcohol use disorder and they seek treatment, a doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine such as clonazepam to relieve the symptoms of withdrawal. Anxiety and seizures are two major symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and benzos are very effective at minimizing the risk of severe symptoms such as these. In this way, benzos can make a person’s transition away from alcoholism easier.

However, it is critical that the overseeing physician carefully supervise the patient and watch for signs of a burgeoning dependence on benzos. Each of these medications has its potential for abuse, and the development of a new dependence can be particularly dangerous if the person experiences a relapse and combines clonazepam with alcohol use.

Help for Alcohol or Clonazepam Addiction

For those who struggle with an addiction to clonazepam, alcohol, or both, it is vital to seek help as soon as possible to receive treatment before the problem gets worse. If these conditions are left untreated, the person may become more likely to use alcohol and benzos together or to use these drugs in combination with others, such as heroin and prescription opioids.

Comprehensive addiction treatment is the most effective way to treat polysubstance abuse disorders. Emotional support from therapists and peers helps clients to uncover factors that led to their substance abuse issues and develop better coping mechanisms for dealing with life’s stressors and cravings for substances.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness is dedicated to helping clients achieve abstinence. Through psychotherapy, counseling, and group support, we provide them with the knowledge and tools they need to prevent relapse and make educated decisions about their lives, health, and well-being.

We employ highly-skilled, compassionate addiction specialists who facilitate therapeutic services to clients with care and expertise. We understand that addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease and should be treated as such. We help clients without judging their past actions and, instead, foster encouragement and hope for the future.

Call us today to discuss treatment options and begin your journey to recovery! We can help you reclaim the happy and fulfilling life you deserve!