While Xanax has many important medical uses, abusing it can lead to dangerous consequences, including a Xanax overdose. What happens when you overdose on Xanax? Learn the answer and more about how the drug works.
How Xanax Works
As a depressant, Xanax works to depress the central nervous system. Since the drug slows the body down, it’s useful for individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, seizures or insomnia. When people use this drug as prescribed, it can make daily life much more tolerable.
However, one issue with Xanax—and other benzodiazepines like it—is that it’s easy to build up a tolerance. This means that individuals will rapidly begin to need more to feel the same effect. Frequently, this quick build in tolerance leads to abuse, as users increase the dose without a physician’s permission. They may do this for the “high” that comes with it, or simply to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
So, What Happens When You Overdose on Xanax?
An overdose is generally caused by either taking too much Xanax as a result of increased tolerance or mixing it with other depressants that slow the central nervous system. When this happens, breathing and heart rate both slow significantly, causing a number of distressing side effects. Effects of Xanax overdose can include:
- Hypotension
- Unconsciousness
- Extreme confusion
- Blurred vision
- Cognitive problems
- Brain damage from Xanax overdose
In addition to the issues above, some individuals also develop psychosis, which can be exceedingly dangerous if the individual is alone. Moreover, if the brain becomes oxygen-starved as a result of depressed breathing and slowed heart rate, it can lead to coma, and even death.
Long term, a Xanax overdose may give rise to brain damage and dementia. It’s imperative to seek help immediately if you or a loved one experiences a Xanax overdose. Calling for help quickly can be the difference between a long life and a fatal Xanax overdose.
Recovery From a Xanax Overdose
What happens when you overdose on Xanax can change your life for better or worse. A Xanax overdose is a chance to start over, get clean and begin living the life that you deserve. While you’re in physical recovery from the overdose effects, it’s a good time to start seeking out Xanax detox and rehab programs.
A medically managed detox program can help you in the following ways:
- Around the clock care in case of withdrawal-related emergency
- Medication on hand to ease withdrawal symptoms
- Psychiatric help available to make the process easier
Additionally, attending rehab after detox can speed up the recovery process. You’ll have the opportunity to work through the reasons for your Xanax overdose and addiction while learning better coping techniques to make living in the real world a little easier.
Don’t let Xanax control your life for another second. Get the help you deserve.