866-326-3365Treatment for Xanax Addiction in South Carolina
Medically Verified: 2/1/24
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All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
Xanax, or alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine that is used to treat anxiety and seizure disorders. This medication works by increasing the amount of a neurotransmitter called GABA that is released in an individual’s body and regulates the central nervous system. When GABA levels are increased, individuals receive a calming and sedative effect. This is highly effective in lowering anxiety, preventing seizures, and treating sleep disorders.[1]
Unfortunately, like many benzodiazepines, Xanax is extremely habit-forming and addictive. Individuals often become dependent upon Xanax because of its euphoric and calming effect.
Once addicted, it can be extremely difficult to stop using the drug. Xanax addiction treatment centers in South Carolina combine medically-supervised detox and evidence-based treatments to help individuals get sober and stay sober.
Medically-Assisted Xanax Detox
When someone decides to enter treatment for Xanax addiction, their first step will be medically-assisted detox. This is because Xanax withdrawal can be severe and potentially life-threatening without medical intervention.
The symptoms of Xanax withdrawal include:[2]
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Tremors and muscle pain
- Numbness and tingling
- Decrease in or loss of appetite
- Sweating
- Irregular heartbeat
- Anxiety, panic, and paranoia
- Seizures
Medically-assisted detox includes the use of long-acting benzodiazepines to safely taper the patient off of Xanax. This allows the individual’s body to adjust to lower levels of benzodiazepines in the body, preventing severe withdrawal symptoms from occurring.
The two medications used during medically-assisted Xanax detox include:
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
While these medications are also benzodiazepines, they are longer lasting and can help patients avoid severe withdrawal with a slow, steady taper.
Individualized Treatment Plans
Once an individual has completed medically-assisted detox, they will begin the next phases of their recovery. Xanax addiction treatment in South Carolina involves the use of individualized treatment plans, which allow each patient to receive services specific to their unique needs. To craft an individualized treatment plan, the patient will undergo a thorough assessment.
During this assessment, information such as the patient’s family history, drug abuse history, physical health, and mental health will be collected. This gives the doctors and psychiatrists an accurate image of what the patient needs for success.
Once the assessment is completed, the patient will begin to attend individual therapy sessions. The main focus of individual therapy for Xanax addiction is to address the root causes of a patient’s substance abuse. Things like trauma, co-occurring mental health conditions, and negative patterns of thought will be discussed. Once the causes of the individual’s addiction are identified, they will begin working on healing from those issues.
Individualized treatment plans are extremely vital, as every patient’s story is different. For example, some recovering Xanax users may suffer from severe co-occurring anxiety disorders. And, when they stop taking Xanax, their anxiety may get worse. If the anxiety disorder is not properly addressed during treatment, the patient is more vulnerable to relapse in the future.
On the other hand, another patient may suffer from post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Untreated PAWS often causes individuals to relapse, as they experience uncomfortable symptoms that often lead them to begin self-medicating. With an individualized treatment plan, every underlying issue is addressed for each patient. This provides them with the strongest foundation of recovery possible.
Group Therapy and Support Groups
Another important aspect of treatment for Xanax addiction in South Carolina is group therapy and support groups. Group therapy is an extremely effective therapeutic tool used during substance abuse treatment.
The National Center for Biotechnology and Information explains the benefits of group therapy: “One reason for this efficacy is that groups intrinsically have many rewarding benefits—such as reducing isolation and enabling members to witness the recovery of others—and these qualities draw clients into a culture of recovery.”[3]
Additionally, support groups have been utilized for the treatment of addiction since the mid-1930s. 12-step groups like Narcotics Anonymous provide recovering addicts with a sense of purpose, community, and service. As a result, many Xanax rehab facilities incorporate 12-step support groups into their treatment plans.
Holistic Healing Services
Holistic practices are often used during the treatment of addiction. This is especially true for Xanax addiction treatment. Many patients recovering from an addiction to Xanax struggle with severe anxiety. Utilizing holistic treatments can help patients to manage their anxiety without the use of benzodiazepines.
Examples of holistic healing services utilized during Xanax addiction treatment in South Carolina include:
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Mindfulness practices
- Biofeedback and neurofeedback
- Nutritional therapy
- Exercise
Aftercare Planning
Recovery from Xanax addiction does not end once an individual completes treatment. Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease, meaning recovery requires constant work and dedication. However, it can be difficult for many people to keep up with their recovery maintenance techniques on their own. Thankfully, Xanax rehab programs use aftercare planning to help their graduating patients stay on track.
Aftercare planning includes assessing the individual’s triggers, goals for recovery, and the healthy coping mechanisms that work for them. Additionally, most individuals include sober living programs, alumni support groups, 12-step groups, and continued therapy as a part of their aftercare planning.
Find Xanax Addiction Treatment in South Carolina Today
Recovering from an addiction to Xanax can be extremely difficult. Attempting to get sober from any type of benzodiazepine without professional help is never recommended, as withdrawal symptoms may become life-threatening. The good news is addiction recovery centers like South Carolina Addiction Treatment are here to help. Contact us today for more information on how to get started!
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