Can I Get Addicted to Xanax?
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Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
What is the most important information I should know about Xanax?
Xanax (alprazolam) can potentially cause dependence and addiction.
Do not stop taking Xanax without talking to your doctor; it is not safe to stop taking benzodiazepines suddenly.
Xanax (alprazolam) is a short-acting prescription medication that is sometimes prescribed to people with various anxiety disorders. It is also sometimes prescribed for those who have been through upsetting experiences, such as the death of a loved one, to help calm them down and help them sleep.
As it is potentially addictive, some people ask the question, "Will I get addicted to Xanax when it has been prescribed by my physician?"
Like all other benzodiazepines, Xanax has the potential to cause tolerance, dependence, addiction, and withdrawal, even when taken as prescribed. This risk is highest for people with a history of substance use disorders, those who take Xanax at high doses, and those who use the medication for extended periods.
This article discusses the potential for Xanax addiction and how to prevent it.
Uses for Xanax
For people who have been through a shocking and distressing experience, the feelings of anxiety they are experiencing are normal under the circumstances. Insomnia is also common. Although incidents such as the unexpected death of a loved one are very upsetting, grief is a natural human process that takes time to overcome.
Distressing feelings do get better, but it is often difficult to predict how long it will take someone to emotionally deal with a stressor, such as an unexpected loss.
Xanax is only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder. Other uses, including in the short-term treatment of acute anxiety symptoms, is considered off-label use.
Therapeutic Benefits of Xanax
In these circumstances, it is understandable that your physician would prescribe Xanax. Xanax is a benzodiazepine medication that works very quickly and effectively to reduce anxiety and help with sleep. Physicians often prescribe these medications to help patients feel better when they are very distressed, and generally patients find them helpful in the short term.
Xanax can calm people quickly and effectively and help promote relaxation and sleep when taken as prescribed. For those who only take the dose given by their doctor and take the drug for a brief period until things settle down, these medications can be part of a coping strategy that includes emotional and practical support as needed.
Risk of Addiction
However, benzodiazepines do carry some risk of addiction. Although most who take them never develop issues with addiction or misuse, many people who take them at high enough doses over a long enough period do, at the very least, experience a rebound effect when they stop taking them.
A rebound effect is a more pronounced version of the symptoms you were taking the medication for, so in your case, you are likely to feel an increase in anxiety and sleeplessness.
Some people develop more severe problems with benzodiazepines, especially if they take a higher dose than was originally prescribed. If you ask your physician for a higher dose, they may feel it is supportive to prescribe it, even though the risk that you will become addicted increases. Under the circumstances, your physician may believe the most important thing right now is to help you get through a difficult time.
Xanax is one of the most commonly prescribed medications. It is also the most common medication involved in emergency room visits attributed to drug misuse.
Who Gets Addicted?
Not everyone who takes benzodiazepines develops addiction problems. Although many clinicians believe addiction is unpredictable, research has shown that psychological, genetic, and situational factors can affect it.
Some research has shown that there is a personality profile associated with the tendency to become addicted to benzodiazepines. Those who become addicted tend to cope in more emotional ways than those who take benzodiazepines but don't become addicted.
Those who don't become addicted often cope in task-based ways instead. Those who become addicted tend to withdraw more from social situations and have had more adverse life events.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Preventing Xanax Addiction
If you decide to take prescribed benzodiazepines for your anxiety or sleep problems, it is very important not to take more of the medication than prescribed. It might also be worth talking to your doctor about alternative medications or non-medication approaches to treatment.
If the benzodiazepine is being prescribed for an ongoing anxiety disorder, a medication such as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor might be effective and safer long term. There are also effective psychotherapies for treating anxiety, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes that can help with symptoms over time.
Although it is important to recognize the risk of addiction, it is also important to take care of yourself emotionally. Whatever you and your doctor decide is the right treatment for you, it would help to spend time with a trusted, caring person who will understand and support you during difficult times.
If you feel unable to cope with your feelings and feel that there is no one to turn to, it is important to seek psychotherapy. If there are any concerns about your safety, go to your nearest emergency room or call 911.
Treatment for Xanax Addiction
If you think you might have a dependence or addiction to Xanax, there are treatments available that can help. The first step is to discuss your options with your doctor and establish a tapering schedule.
Because Xanax is a short-acting benzodiazepine, your doctor may recommend switching to a longer-acting medication to make tapering easier.
Long-term treatment often involves psychotherapy and self-help strategies. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one approach that can help you modify the thinking and behavior patterns that contribute to substance use. Joining support groups can also be helpful
Other tactics such as staying busy, following a healthy lifestyle, managing stress levels, and getting support from friends and family can also aid in your recovery.
Xanax Withdrawal
People may also experience symptoms of Xanax withdrawal when they stop taking their medication. Research has found that around 40% of people who take benzodiazepines for longer than six months experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms.
Such symptoms may include:
Increased anxiety
Headaches
Problems concentrating
Muscle spasms
Difficulty sleeping
Rapid heart rate
Sweating
Tremors
Restlessness
Seizures
It is not safe to stop taking benzodiazepines suddenly, so talk to your doctor first. They can help you taper your dose slowly to reduce the risk of dangerous withdrawal side effects.
Related: How Long Does Xanax Withdrawal Last?
