What Is Real Xanax Like?

Xanax is a brand-name pill that contains alprazolam. It’s a type of benzodiazepine (benzo) that’s usually prescribed to people dealing with anxiety disorders. Though Xanax does have legitimate medical uses, some people abuse it or take it recreationally. Users who take Xanax report feeling the following effects:

• A calming sensation
• Feelings of relaxation
• Memory loss
• Drowsiness

Many people start taking Xanax because they feel like it helps with stress and anxiety. However, when you aren’t taking it under supervision from a doctor, it’s easy to become addicted. Because of the way Xanax interacts with the brain, it is very easy to develop a physical dependence on it. When you stop taking it, you can end up with intense withdrawal symptoms that make it hard to quit.

How Common Is Fake Xanax?

There are many ways that fake Xanax enters the market. Sometimes, they are purposefully made to trick people with prescriptions. In 2015, an investigation by Interpol revealed that Chinese manufacturers had made over 20.7 million fake medications.

These prescription drugs end up being sold to unsuspecting consumers looking to get a deal on their medicine. Each month, about 600 new illegal online pharmacies are opened. Depending on the manufacturer, these fake pills may just be harmless sugar pills, or they might be made out of problematic chemicals.

It’s also possible for fake Xanax to be made or sold by illegal drug dealers. These dealers may market a variety of other similar-looking pills as Xanax. You can end up mistakenly taking a variety of other benzodiazepines, opioids, or stimulants. This can make it harder to regulate your dosage.

Some illegal producers are just trying to make as large a profit as possible. They might even make fake Xanax pills out of cheaper intoxicating substances such as fentanyl. These fentanyl-laced pills are extremely dangerous.

Clues Your Xanax Might Not Be Real

If you’re at risk of encountering fake Xanax, it’s important to be wary of counterfeits. Real Xanax is carefully manufactured in a controlled environment and it always looks the same. Counterfeit drugs can look wildly different, or there might be subtle clues in the way the drug feels, smells, or tastes. Let’s discuss some of the ways you can recognize fake Xanax.

Incorrect Markings

The first way to identify Xanax is by its markings. Every real pill will be stamped with the indented name “XANAX” in all capital letters and a number to signify the strength. They will also have indentations where the pill is scored in halves or quarters. Depending on the strength of Xanax, you should see one of these markings:

• White oval pills with “XANAX” above “0.25” on one side, and a single scoring mark on the back
• Peach oval pills with “XANAX” above “0.5” on one side, and a single scoring mark on the back
• Blue oval pills with “XANAX” above “1.0” on one side, and a single scoring mark on the back
• White rectangular pills with three scoring marks on both sides, a “2” on the back, and “X ANA X” on the front (there will be a scoring mark after the first X and before the second X)

Odd-Colored Coatings

Real Xanax has an opaque coating that is white, peach, or blue. This coating should be ever so slightly glossy and evenly colored. If you cut through the pill, it should have a very thin rim of coating around a white, powdery center.

If you have uncoated pills or pills of another color, they are not Xanax. The pill is also a counterfeit if the coating has uneven patches of color, or if the color is missing from any of the indentations.

Slight Alterations to the Logo

Many counterfeits use the correct logo, color, and shape of a Xanax pill, but there will be slight variations in the pill’s logo. Try researching a picture of an authentic Xanax and compare it closely to the logo on the pill you’re trying to identify. Counterfeiters often make a few common mistakes. Here are typical signs a pill is fake:

• The logo is raised instead of indented
• The text looks blurry, or lines have uneven thicknesses
• The wrong font is used
• Some of the letters aren’t stamped as deeply as the others
• The X’s are the same height as the other letters instead of being slightly taller like a real pill
• The “2” on the back is horizontal, like the lettering, instead of vertical

Incorrect Weights

Since real Xanax is made in a lab setting, it has to meet very strict quality-control guidelines. Every real Xanax pill will be approximately the same weight as the other pills in the pack. However, if you get fake Xanax, each pill in a batch will weigh a little differently. Often, you can feel the difference just by holding one pill in each hand.

Easily Shatters Under Pressure

Because of the construction of an authentic pill, it won’t crush easily under pressure. Just putting the pill on a flat surface and pressing down hard shouldn’t cause it to shatter. If you do manage to crush a real Xanax, the texture will be a smooth, slightly oily powder. Meanwhile, fake Xanax tend to feel chalky or gritty, and when they break, they often shatter into tiny shards.

Doesn’t Dissolve in Water

Due to the binding agents in real Xanax, water will dissolve a pill very rapidly. You can usually place a Xanax in a cup of water, and it will be dissolved within seven seconds. Meanwhile, a fake Xanax may take much longer. Even after a few minutes, a counterfeit pill might still be partially intact.

Unofficial Bottles or Containers

Not all fake Xanax is sold as loose pills, but it is much more common for counterfeit Xanax to be out of its container. Typically, real Xanax is packaged in a blister pack or a bottle. If your pills did come in this container, examine it closely to see if it seems authentic.

The manufacturers of Xanax change their labels frequently, so it can be hard to identify a real box. Generally speaking, real Xanax containers will have the brand name “Xanax,” the manufacturer name “Pfizer,” and the strength of the pill.

Why Is Fake Xanax So Dangerous?

When you take a fake Xanax, the best-case scenario is that the pill does nothing to you. In this case, you’ve wasted your money on false drugs but are otherwise unharmed. However, the unfortunate reality is that many fake medications are actively harmful. Since they can be laced with a variety of random chemicals, you can put your health at risk. Here are some of the more common troubles with fake Xanax.

Exposure to Metals and Dangerous Chemicals

When drug manufacturers make fake pills, they may use a combination of random substances to copy the look of Xanax. This can range from harmless, edible substances like cornstarch to very dangerous substances.

There have been reports of phony drugs that contain lead and other heavy metals. Some drugs might also have random materials like chalk or other things not meant for human consumption. Regularly taking them can mean you end up poisoning yourself.

Difficulty Calculating Accurate Dosage

Depending on who manufactured the drugs, there’s a chance your Xanax pill might contain some sort of benzodiazepine or other substance. Unfortunately, you won’t know just how much of any drug is in the pill you take. Even within the same batch of pills, different pills can have different levels of a drug.

These sorts of wildly inaccurate doses are very risky. You can end up taking too much and overdosing, or you can end up going into withdrawal after a weak pill. Furthermore, since you won’t know what drug you are taking, it can end up interacting poorly with any other substances you take.

Increased Risk of Encountering Fentanyl

One of the biggest dangers of fake Xanax is the possibility of taking fentanyl. Fentanyl is an incredibly powerful opioid that’s cheap to make, so manufacturers will mix it into their counterfeit drugs to cheaply produce an intoxicating pill. However, due to its potency, fentanyl is very easy to overdose on.

The typical counterfeit pill has somewhere between .02 to 5.1 milligrams of fentanyl, and a lethal dose of fentanyl is just 2 milligrams. This means that taking just one counterfeit Xanax can end in a lethal overdose. Lately, the drug market has been flooded with fentanyl-laced items, resulting in a 55.6% increase in overdoses.

How to Reduce Your Risks of Being Harmed by Fake Xanax

If you’re concerned about these risks, you need to take steps to care for your health. Here are a few harm-reduction tips that can bring down your chances of using dangerous fake Xanax pills.

Test Your Drugs

Since the risk of fake drugs is so high right now, many professionals recommend frequent users keep drug reagent test kits on hand. These kits allow you to test a small amount of your drug to confirm it’s Xanax or identify the presence of fentanyl and other dangerous substances.

Make sure to check your state laws before ordering any test kits though. Despite being a valuable way of reducing harm among vulnerable drug users, some states do count test kits as a type of drug paraphernalia.

Always Have Narcan Available

Another important harm-reduction tool to have on hand is Narcan. This medication immediately reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, and in most states, it’s legal to possess even without a prescription. Though you’ll still need medical care, Narcan buys you time to get to a healthcare professional.

Since so many types of drugs right now are laced with deadly fentanyl, many healthcare organizations are offering free Narcan. If you cannot afford this medication on your own, check to see if any charitable groups in your area can help you get some.

Know When to Get Emergency Care

If you’re taking Xanax that might be fake, it’s important to monitor your health closely. In most cases, it’s a good idea to speak to a doctor if you’re worried you’ve taken a fake Xanax. Some signs you need to get emergency medical care include:

• Extreme drowsiness
• Loss of consciousness
• Swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abnormal heart rate or blood pressure
• Blue lips or fingernails
• Muscle weakness or limp limbs

Treat Your Substance Use Disorder

When you’re in the grips of an addiction, it can be hard to stay safe. The most effective way of reducing fake Xanax risks is by not taking Xanax. Of course, this might feel easier said than done when you have a dependency on the drug.

However, the good news is that there is hope. The right drug rehab program can help you detox from Xanax, manage withdrawal symptoms, and find effective tools for resisting drug cravings.

Granite Recovery Centers

Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.

At Granite Recovery Centers, we provide the support you need to beat a substance use disorder. We start with a free consultation where you can discuss your needs and learn about our programs. Next, we help you to build a custom treatment plan. This can include options like partial hospitalization programs or residential rehab.

Our team can also assist you with choosing from treatment styles like 12-step programs, medication-assisted treatment, and individual therapy. Give us a call today.

The post Why Fake Xanax Is Dangerous and How to Spot It appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.

What Are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines are depressants that cause the user to become sedated or fall asleep. They also relieve anxiety and prevent the person from experiencing seizures. These medications increase the activity that occurs at the receptors for gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. GABA is a neurotransmitter that slows down the actions of the brain’s neurons, so it slows the brain and the nervous system down.

• Klonopin is a benzodiazepine that doctors prescribe to control seizures. Physicians also prescribe it to relieve panic attacks.
• Xanax is also a benzodiazepine that physicians prescribe to treat panic disorder and anxiety disorders.

Panic Attacks

When someone is having a panic attack, they suddenly begin to experience fear, but there isn’t necessarily anything tangible to fear at that moment. They feel as though they aren’t in control of the situation, and they begin to experience several symptoms. The physical symptoms include the following:

• Tingling or numbness in the hands
• Cold chills
• The sensation of heat
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Difficulties breathing
• Pain in the stomach or chest
• A rapid heartbeat

People may not know when or where these attacks are going to occur, so they develop a fear that these attacks can happen at any time. In order to prevent attacks, they may alter their lives in highly inconvenient ways. For example, if they experienced a panic attack in one portion of the city, they may avoid that area even if the alternative route takes them out of their way. Some people are so fearful that they don’t ever leave their homes.

Benzodiazepine Prescriptions

Many people are receiving benzodiazepine prescriptions in the United States. In 1996, 4.1% of adults received a prescription for this medication, and this number increased by 2013 to 5.6%.

Mixing Xanax and Klonopin

Both Xanax and Klonopin are benzodiazepine tranquilizers. When people experiencing anxiety take these medications, they decrease the abnormal electrical activity that exists in the brain. When people take Xanax, they report feelings of being sedated. They also describe a calming feeling. This is not the high that people get when they take a stimulant like cocaine; it is a relaxing feeling. They could also fall sleep after taking this drug. Klonopin and Xanax both cause users to experience similar feelings, so a user might decide to take both of them at the same time so that they can create even stronger feelings.

Of course, there are differences between these two drugs. People feel the effects of Klonopin for a longer period of time than those of Xanax. Since the half-life for Xanax is so short, users will feel its effects sooner than they feel the effects of Klonopin. These two medications are often mixed to give users the relaxed feeling they crave or to relieve tension. People may combine these drugs because they want the pleasant feelings they experience to last longer than either medication can provide.

Tolerance

Benzodiazepines cause users to become tolerant over time. This is what is occurring when the user starts to experience less of a reaction to the medication than was experienced the first time that the drug was ingested. When this occurs, the user must increase the amount of Xanax or Klonopin to feel what was felt the first time. Tolerance for one of the drugs may have started, so people may combine these medications so that they can increase the feelings again.

When People Misuse Xanax and Klonopin

Misusing Xanax causes people to experience nausea, vomiting, confusion, a lack of focus, impaired memory, loss of muscle coordination, blurry vision or double vision, sleepiness and slurred speech. When people misuse Klonopin, they experience the same negative side effects. If the user decides to take both of these drugs together, these side effects will be even more pronounced. In most cases, benzodiazepines are not dangerous, but if the user decides to take more than one at a time, the combination can become much more hazardous. The symptoms of an overdose on Xanax include the following:

• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of coordination
• Confusion
• Drowsiness

If a person who takes Xanax also takes Klonopin, the possibility of overdosing increases. That is because Klonopin is a sedative as well, and sedatives inhibit CYP3A, a pathway that allows Xanax to be broken down. Because it is harder for the body to break down the Xanax when this occurs, it increases the risk of an overdose.

Severe Symptoms of an Overdose

The most severe symptoms of an overdose when mixing benzodiazepines include the following:

• Coma
• Abnormal heart rhythm
• Chest pain
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Slower breathing
• Lower blood pressure

Suicide and Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines often cause people to experience extreme mood swings, and this leads some users to attempt to take their own lives. Some people also use these drugs when they want to kill themselves by overdosing on purpose. In 2013, 3,724 people died by use of alprazolam or Xanax, and three years later, this number increased to 6,209.

Long-Term Risks Associated with Mixing Xanax and Klonopin

When you mix Xanax and Klonopin, there is a higher risk of severity for long-term consequences if you ingest this mixture on a regular basis. For example, brain damage results when people indulge in Xanax and Klonopin repeatedly, and it may lead to serious psychological disturbances.

What Is Psychosis?

Psychosis means that someone is experiencing a break with reality. Several mental disorders have this as a symptom. When people are experiencing psychosis, it means that they are either having delusions or hallucinations.

• Delusion: A belief that the affected person holds strongly, but it isn’t true and may be a contradiction of reality. One example of a delusion is known as a “somatic delusion.” With somatic delusions, people wholeheartedly believe that they are in the middle of a terminal illness, but the reality is that they are healthy.
• Hallucination: A sensory perception that is not stimulated by an actual event. This means that people see, smell, hear or feel something that isn’t really there. For example, people experiencing auditory hallucinations may hear other people talking in the room with them when they are actually alone.

Delusions and hallucinations can be very disconcerting to the people experiencing them, and individuals may try to hurt themselves. They may even hurt other people, so delusions and hallucinations are considered medical emergencies.

Psychotic Disorders

Mixing Xanax and Klonopin may cause psychotic disorders, including the following:

• Schizophrenia: This is a mental condition that usually causes psychotic symptoms.
• Psychotic depression: Psychotic depression is major depression, but the person experiencing the condition also has psychotic symptoms.
• Delusional disorder: Delusional disorder causes people to believe things that are entirely untrue.
• Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood swings that go from very high to very low and back again. During the times when people with bipolar disorder are experiencing positive moods, they tend to also experience psychotic symptoms. These people feel great and believe that they have the power to do anything. Depression can also cause psychotic symptoms, and these people may believe that people are out to get them.
• Other mental disorders: Along with psychosis, people can experience many other mental disturbances when they mix Xanax and Klonopin. Users have been known to experience panic attacks, mood swings, irritability, depression, tension and anxiety.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms for two benzodiazepines are much worse than those for just one medication. When these withdrawal symptoms begin, they can be very dangerous. Both Xanax and Klonopin reduce the brain’s activity, but when people stop taking these drugs, the brain becomes overactive. This may cause seizures, convulsions or death. As people’s moods change at this time, it can lead them to think about suicide. Withdrawal symptoms can begin in as little as five hours after the last use of the drugs. Stopping the use of Xanax and Klonopin together can cause several other withdrawal symptoms, including the following:

• Sleep disturbances
• Anxiety
• Tension
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Panic attacks
• Aches
• Spasms
• Pain in the muscles
• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Heart palpitations
• Sweating
• Headaches

Treatment at Granite Recovery Centers

If you or a loved one has been mixing Xanax and Klonopin, stop what you have been doing and get help. As was mentioned above, refraining from mixing Xanax and Klonopin after repeated use can lead to worrying withdrawal symptoms, so it would not be a good idea for you to detoxify on your own. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.

t would be extremely uncomfortable for you to go through the detoxification process without the help of a medical professional. Withdrawal symptoms are the signals that your body sends to remind you to give it more of the drugs. If you cannot tolerate these symptoms until your body stops sending them to you, you will have no choice but to return to your drug use. We will prevent this by administering FDA-approved medications during the withdrawal process. Discomfort is not the only thing that may concern you. As was mentioned above, the possibility of experiencing psychotic symptoms may worry you enough to avoid detoxifying from substances on your own, but you may not be convinced that you should enter a drug treatment center. The safest thing for you to do is come to Granite Recovery Centers so that you will be cared for in our detox program and remain for treatment so that you avoid substance misuse in the future.

Contact Us Today

Granite Recovery Centers offers substance use disorder and addiction treatment. Depending on the severity of your drug misuse, we can place you in a 30-day, 60-day or 90-day program for treatment in our inpatient treatment program. If you or your loved one is ready to embark upon a new chapter of reclaiming your life, call us today at Granite Recovery Centers. We’re here to lend a compassionate ear and help you find the right help to overcome drug misuse.

The post Dangers of Mixing Xanax and Klonopin appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.

If you or your loved one is struggling with Xanax misuse, getting professional treatment is essential. Xanax can be misused in a number of ways, so here is what to look out for with snorting or injecting this drug and what to expect from a treatment option like a detox program. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.

A Brief History of Xanax

Benzodiazepines were discovered by Dr. Leo Sternbach in the 1960s. Their synthesis led to Upjohn Laboratories (now a part of Pfizer), which released alprazolam in 1981. The drug was initially approved to help reduce the severity of anxiety and panic attacks. After just two years, alprazolam (trade name: Xanax) became one of the most popularly prescribed drugs in the United States. Today, it is America’s most commonly prescribed benzodiazepine.

Chemical Makeup of Xanax

Xanax is a popular drug because, well, it works, and it has a rather interesting chemical structure that makes this so. It is a chemical analog of triazolam, but it lacks the chlorine atom in the ortho position of the 6-phenyl ring. Its molecular formula is C17H13ClN4 and has an average molecular mass of 308.765. Xanax’s structure is crystalline, and it is insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol.

When taken together, Xanax can amplify the effects of alcohol because of its solubility. They are both depressants that slow down activity in the body’s nervous system. The presence of ethanol in alcohol is a likely contributor that elevates the maximum concentration of Xanax in the bloodstream.

This enhances the “buzz” a person gets from drinking alcohol. It also amplifies the side effects of alcohol consumption. This combination forces the liver to work overtime as it has to break down both Xanax and alcohol. Together, they can make a person feel extra sleepy since depressants have a sedative effect on the central nervous system. They can also lead to mood changes, including aggression, rage, and hostile behavior. When alcohol adds into the mix, a person’s inhibitions might lower, causing them to do things that they normally do not do.

Side Effects of Xanax

Other potential side-effects include:

• An impaired memory
• Blacking out
• Low blood pressure
• Blurred vision
• Headache

Long-term combined use might result in:

• Weight and appetite changes
• Lowered sex drive
• Long-lasting cognitive and memory impairments
• Liver damage or failure
• Depression (or worsened depression)
• Cancer
• Personality changes
• Stroke or heart disease
• Other chronic health conditions

An overdose can be life-threatening. If you suspect you or someone you know has overdosed or is experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255. Of course, if this is an emergency situation, you first need to dial 9-1-1 and let the responder know what type of medical emergency this is.

Chemical Composition of Xanax

Many people who misuse Xanax do so by snorting it rather than just taking it orally. Why is this the case? That is all due to the rate of onset. Swallowing benzodiazepines can result in the body building up a tolerance, so users often make the switch to snorting them when this happens. While snorting drugs like opioids can result in a stronger and quicker high, this is not necessarily the case for Xanax.

With Xanax, most tablets rapidly release into the bloodstream in the same amount of time that it would take regardless of whether an individual orally ingests or snorts them. When an extended-release tablet is crushed and snorted, the high might be rather fast, but the peak of its intensity seems to be the same regardless of whether it is snorted or swallowed. Extended-release Xanax has a coating that contains the chemicals that create the rapid release, and crushing it removes the extended-release mechanism. This makes the effects come all at once, not over an extended period of time.

That is not to mention that Xanax contains cellulose and other suspension chemicals that can destroy the mucous membranes in the nasal passages. Mucosa does absorb nutrients and chemicals quite rapidly, and snorting a drug like Xanax allows the user to bypass the digestive system (especially the liver and the stomach, where Xanax normally breaks down). There is a layer of epithelial cells in each mucous membrane that covers a layer of connective tissue. The epithelial cells can endure a lot of trauma, but repeated use of something like Xanax can cause degradation. The cells in the membrane also have cells that are ideal for absorption.

Snorting Xanax

Preparation involves chopping Xanax tablets up into a fine powdery substance. It looks a lot like cocaine and is sometimes even sold as such, which has dangers in and of itself. The truth is that the nose is simply not functional for inhaling powders. Just one single use of a drug like Xanax can cause lung infections, swelling in the inner linings of the nose, compromised respiratory tracts, and nasal blockages. Xanax itself is not the problem here, but rather, it is the additional substances that adds to the powdery mix that cause contamination.

Chief among these contaminants include:

• Laxatives
• Caffeine
• Boric acid
• Talcum powder
• Creatine
• Powdered detergents

Short-term effects of snorting are at least typically minor, but they still have the potential to be painful. A lung infection certainly requires medical attention, and, of course, psychological help is a necessary step in moving forward from any type of drug use.

There are, however, some long-term effects that are of concern. Extended use of any snorted drug has the potential to cause damage to the nasal passages and airways. Blood vessels might become constricted, and some drugs have even been known to cause necrosis. One case that was documented by the Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology involved a woman who snorted meth for three years, presenting with a perforated septum, swelling of the sinuses, and necrosis.

Long-term damage caused by snorting drugs like Xanax can be massive. Decreased blood supply to the nose is quite common with long-term use, which is what leads to a perforated septum. This absolutely causes aesthetic physical damage (which is quite painful), but is surgically reversible. Internal damage, though, is a lot harder – if not downright impossible – to repair.

Injecting Xanax

Some people inject Xanax, and its effects range from painful to dangerous. Intravenous drug users often develop conditions like cutaneous infections, abscesses, ulcers, bacteremia, and endocarditis. Most horrific among the effects of injecting drugs are severe tissue ischemia and necrosis.

Immediately after someone injects Xanax, they may feel intense burning and pain around the injection site, and then arterial area edema and cyanosis. This typically happens within a few hours. Severe necrosis can lead to amputation of the infected limb. Xanax itself can potentially cause vasoconstriction, and the additives found in Xanax might cause thrombosis or vasospasm. Microparticles from the drug mixture are able to act as emboli.

When someone admits to the hospital for these effects, the typical treatment plan does not involve surgery (unless, of course, necrosis has progressed to the point of amputation being necessary). Doctors use a combination of limb elevation, pain management, and heparin. Anticoagulants, corticosteroids, and vasodilators may help the symptoms subside. If the person has compartment syndrome as a result of ischemia and edema, emergent fasciotomy may be necessary in order to keep the limb, thereby avoiding amputation, which is almost always a last resort for doctors.

Higher Chance of Overdose

Injecting Xanax should seem terrifying, but for some users, it comes across as the ideal way to get Xanax into the bloodstream fast. When a person shoots up Xanax, they are increasing their chances of overdosing. Xanax absorbs within the liver first and foremost, breaking it down into a manageable, safe dosage. Injecting Xanax could lead to a person getting it directly into their bloodstream, meaning that the digestive system does not get the chance to break down and metabolize the chemicals in Xanax like it needs to. This can lead to an overdose.

Injecting a central nervous system depressant like Xanax increases the likelihood of respiratory failure. Mixing it with other central nervous system depressants can exponentially increase this likelihood. Alcohol and opioids are two of the most commonly mixed-in depressants.

When anything at all gets injected into the body, a person runs the risk of developing abscesses, sores, Hepatitis C, and AIDS. Heart and organ issues can develop too. Since Xanax is not water soluble, people who shoot it up will dissolve it in alcohol first, which is inherently dangerous. When Xanax does not get fully and properly dissolved in the body, it can lead to blocked blood vessels, which can trigger a heart attack, stroke, or other types of cardiovascular problems.

As is the case with snorting Xanax, injecting it does not seem to provide a very powerful high. Bypassing the liver may give a quick high, but usually a strong one.

Treatment for Xanax Use

Xanax use treatment is available and, quite honestly, a major step in getting on the road to sobriety. Treatment does not just address the addiction itself; it can help a person work through comorbidities like depression and anxiety. If inpatient treatment is not a viable option due to work or family obligations, there are programs available like partial hospitalization and an intensive outpatient program.

Whatever path you choose, treatment for Xanax involves a lot of work. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, treatment can be a difficult process to undergo. However, it can help save you or your loved one from a variety of painful – and deadly – conditions.

Snorting or injecting Xanax has a serious list of painful consequences. Many people assume that these methods will give them faster and stronger highs, but that is not necessarily true. While some of the effects will be more immediate, they lack potency and endurance. Still, taking either of these routes can result in permanent damage, not excluding death. Taking the difficult but necessary steps toward sobriety can help you or your loved one become safe, happy, and healthy.

The post Dangers of Snorting or Injecting Xanax appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.

Soma falls under Schedule IV of the Schedules for Controlled Substances Act. This means that the drug is considered to have a low potential to be abused and also a low risk that people will become dependent upon it. Even so, people are abusing Soma, and one way they do this is by taking it with alcohol.

Alcohol

Even though alcohol is only legally available to those over 21, many people under the age of 21 are struggling with alcohol use disorder. In 2019, 14.5 million people ages 12 and above had an alcohol use disorder. During that year, 414,000 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 reported that they had an alcohol use disorder. Of this number, 163,000 were males and 251,000 were females.

The problem does not just lie with teens; in 2019, 25.8% of people 25 years and up stated that they had taken part in binge drinking in the past month. One emerging trend is for people to engage in high-intensity drinking, which means consuming 10 or more alcoholic drinks for males and 8 or more alcoholic drinks for females in a short period of time.

The Consumption of Drugs and Alcohol

Researchers have discovered that if people drink alcohol, they are more likely to also take drugs. In one example, researchers performed a study in which 64% of their study’s sample population could be diagnosed with a substance use disorder at one point or another in their lives.

The reason that people choose to add another substance when they are already taking one substance is that they want to increase the feelings they experience. One example is when people combine alcohol and heroin. When people combine these two substances, the alcohol will enhance heroin’s effects. If it is paired with cocaine, the alcohol can reduce the anxiety that cocaine causes.

When Soma and Alcohol Are Mixed

Some people like to mix Soma with hydrocodone and Xanax. Others will take Soma with alcohol because they enjoy the effects of both substances. The warnings accompanying Soma suggest that people need to limit their use of alcohol while they are taking Soma. According to the warning that appears on labeling, a person’s motor functioning will be impaired, cognitive ability will decrease, and drowsiness will be even more pronounced.

People like to mix Soma with alcohol because the combination induces a relaxing high. However, it’s also possible that these two drugs will cause someone to lose consciousness. That’s because combining alcohol with Soma causes the brain’s activity to slow down and promotes sleepiness. This combination makes some people feel euphoric.

Alcohol’s Side Effects

The side effects of alcohol vary in intensity and can be different from one person to the next. They may include:

• Memory issues
• Hypothermia or a dangerously low body temperature
• Slowed breathing
• Upset stomach, vomiting or nausea
• Loss of inhibitions
• Feeling relaxed and euphoric
• Feelings of calmness
• Coma or seizures

Soma’s Side Effects

The side effects of Soma are similar to those of alcohol. They include:

• Hiccups
• Upset stomach, vomiting or nausea
• Depression
• Blurred vision
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Tremors
• Irritability, nervousness or agitation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Relief from muscle pain and spasms

The high that combining these two substances creates is very relaxing. Because these drugs are both central nervous system depressants, however, there is a high likelihood that an overdose will occur.

The Reason People Mix Soma and Alcohol

Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, is an amino acid. It is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. This amino acid’s job is to inhibit nerve transmissions so that neuronal excitability will be reduced. Alcohol and Soma react with GABA receptors and reduce the brain’s reactions to stimuli, but they do this in an indirect manner. This means that they do not bind to the GABA receptors, so the nerves cannot take back the neurotransmitters that cause people to become relaxed. However, it does mean that they stimulate the system indirectly.

Soma was created to relax the muscles and treat people with injuries. It does this by preventing nerve cells from communicating with each other. By interrupting communications between nerve cells and acting as a partial GABA agonist, there is a strong possibility that the person taking the drug will feel high and fully relaxed. This occurs even when people take Soma exactly as their physicians prescribe it. If people mix Soma and alcohol, these effects will be even more pronounced.

Soma acts on the brain in a similar manner as alcohol, so each one will increase the effects produced by the other. This causes the mixture to induce a pleasurable relaxation, euphoria and sleepiness. Unfortunately, this combination also increases the possibility that people will overdose on the medication. It can also damage a person’s organs and lead to memory loss.

How Do People Abuse Soma and Alcohol?

People who abuse Soma might take advantage of prescriptions written by physicians. They may also procure it by traveling to Mexico; you don’t need a prescription to purchase Soma over the counter in Mexico. If people want to abuse Soma, they can do it. The danger increases when they also take other substances along with it.

What Happens If You Mix Soma and Alcohol?

Since both Soma and alcohol suppress the central nervous system, mixing the two can cause the following dangerous symptoms:

• An increased risk of overdose
• An increased risk of seizures
• An increase in drowsiness
• An increase in loss of muscle strength
• Memory loss
• Loss of coordination or motor control
• Slower breathing
• Dizziness
• Confusion, incoherence and agitation
• The inability to wake up after falling asleep

If people are mixing Soma with alcohol over long periods of time, they have a greater chance of developing an addiction to both substances.

There is a danger in taking Soma before getting behind the wheel and driving because this is just as perilous as drinking before driving. According to the NHTSA, when people take Soma, their driving will be just as impaired as if they drank alcohol. Although this is the case, a Breathalyzer test cannot detect Soma.

Drinking alcohol and taking Soma can also cause the following:

• Respiratory distress
• Facial flushing
• A head rush as blood pressure drops
• Tachycardia or a heart rate over 100 beats per minute

Long-Term Abuse of Soma

Abusing Soma for the long term results in several side effects as well. These include the following:

• Diplopia or a loss of vision
• Damage to the spine caused by neck hypertension
• Difficulties with speech
• Damage to the gastrointestinal system
• Damage to the cardiovascular system

Cirrhosis of the Liver

If you mix any drugs, it increases the amount of damage that is done to your liver. This commonly occurs when people abuse alcohol for several years; it can lead to jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain, weight loss, poor appetite, fatigue, difficulties processing toxins and a loss of energy. While the liver is failing, the kidneys try to take over the liver’s job of filtering out the toxins. This is not normally the kidneys’ job, so they could fail and become damaged. Both of these conditions may be lead to a person’s death.

Throughout the course of this disease, the liver’s healthy tissue is being replaced by scar tissue that prevents the liver from performing its duties as well as it used to do. The scar tissue keeps blood from flowing through the liver and slows down its ability to process the drugs. When cirrhosis is in the late stages, it can lead to death.

Cirrhosis and Cancer

Cirrhosis does not cause cancer, but the majority of people diagnosed with cancer of the liver also have cirrhosis. In fact, people with cirrhosis have an increased risk of contracting liver cancer. Also, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are two diseases that often lead to cirrhosis. Anything that causes liver disease can lead to cirrhosis.

When people are diagnosed with late-stage cirrhosis, the damage that has been done is permanent. As time goes on, the liver may continue to become scarred, and the liver’s functioning may continue to decline. If you are in an early stage of cirrhosis, your doctor may be able to manage it so that the disease does not continue to progress.

In addition to the medical complications described above, mixing Soma and alcohol can result in memory loss.

Treatment for Soma and Alcohol Use

If you or a loved one is trapped in a cycle of abusing Soma and alcohol, this situation must not continue. As we have explored, addiction to just one of these drugs results in several unpleasant side effects, and mixing these two substances exacerbates the symptoms. You increase your risk of dying because of this habit.

On top of the fact that these drugs have side effects, you or your loved one is at risk of being diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and kidney damage. This doesn’t necessarily lead to death on its own, but if you do not stop drinking alcohol and mixing it with Soma, it could cause a life-threatening condition.

At Granite Recovery Centers, we can offer you an inpatient treatment program that will begin with the detoxification process. During the detox program, our medical staff will administer medications that will make it possible for you to get through the entire withdrawal process as comfortably as possible. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Sometimes, people begin to drink and take drugs because of the symptoms they are experiencing from a mental health disorder. At Granite Recovery Centers, our staff has the expertise and knowledge to treat you for a possible mental health disorder and your substance use disorder at the same time. Many people are confronting mental health disorders and substance use disorders simultaneously, so you are not the only one.

In an inpatient treatment center, we can offer you several types of therapy that will treat you for your substance use disorder. These include the 12-step program, individual counseling and group counseling. If you don’t feel comfortable going home after your inpatient treatment is over, we can offer you extended care that continues your treatment.

If you or your loved one wants to pursue treatment at Granite Recovery Centers, give us a call today. We’ll explain your options and help you choose the addiction treatment program that meets your needs.

The post Dangers of Mixing Soma and Alcohol appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.

What Is Klonopin?

Klonopin is the brand name for clonazepam. According to WebMD, this is a type of medication most often prescribed for controlling seizures, but it is also sometimes prescribed for panic attacks and other similar conditions. It is often referred to as an antiepileptic or anticonvulsant.

This medication is considered a benzodiazepine, which is known for its calming effect. Klonopin is able to reduce abnormal electrical signals in the brain. This is what makes it help with seizures and some panic attacks. At the same time, it creates a calming sensation that some people become addicted to.

Common Side Effects

Side effects can occur from nearly any medication. Klonopin is no exception. Even if you use the medication properly and at the correct dosage, side effects can occur. It’s important to pay attention to any symptoms that occur after you begin taking Klonopin or any other form of clonazepam.

According to WebMD, the most common side effects include:

• Drowsiness and tiredness
• Dizziness and lack of coordination
• Increased saliva
• Difficulty thinking
• Muscle or joint pain

Remember that these are only the most common side effects. There are rare side effects along with more serious ones. If you find that any symptoms, behavioral changes, or anything else out of the ordinary happens after taking Klonopin, then contact your doctor. Your physician can determine whether this is truly a side effect of Klonopin and how to react to the situation.

Klonopin Overdose Symptoms

Klonopin overdose can occur while taking a prescribed dose if you are on a very high dose, if you accidentally take it more than prescribed, or if you are facing an addiction and are taking increasing amounts due to building a tolerance. Regardless of the reason, there are several Klonopin overdose symptoms that you should be wary of.

Some of these symptoms may seem similar to the common side effects. These symptoms are considered more severe whereas the common side effects are typically mild to moderate.

Klonopin overdose symptoms include:

• Extreme drowsiness
• Severe confusion
• Coma

If you are facing these symptoms or if someone near you is suffering from a Klonopin overdose, then it’s important to get emergency medical attention. Call 911, a poison control hotline, or a doctor in order to get immediate assistance.

Is Klonopin Addictive?

Some medications can become addictive because people like the feeling caused by them, and others can be physically habit-forming, which increases the odds of people forming an addiction. According to NAMI, there are risks for dependence when using Klonopin or any other benzodiazepine.

The unfortunate truth is that benzodiazepines, sometimes shortened to benzos, can create both an emotional and a physical dependence due to how they interact with the brain. Many people become dependent on the calming effect. You may find yourself developing an addiction even if you use the medication properly and without increasing the dosage against the doctor’s orders. NAMI reports that an addiction can occur as quickly as after two weeks of daily use.

It is important that you tell your doctor if you find yourself developing a dependence. If you already have a history of addictive behavior or if you have suffered from substance use disorder from other drugs or alcohol, then be sure to tell your doctor that before the medication is prescribed.

Klonopin and Opioids

Benzodiazepines like Klonopin mix very poorly with opioids. It doesn’t matter if it’s a legal opioid like hydrocodone or fentanyl or an illegal one such as heroin. There is a serious risk of the two being combined. Immediately tell your doctor that you’re taking both, even if your physician is the one who prescribed both medications. This healthcare professional can either try to balance the dosages in order to mitigate the effects or prescribe similar medications that won’t interact.

The serious side effects from mixing benzodiazepines and opioids include:

• Extreme sedation
• Life-threatening breathing issues
• Severe dizziness or lightheadedness
• Extreme sleepiness
• Difficult or slow breathing
• Unresponsiveness

If you think that you mixed these substances without knowing, then consider getting medical attention immediately.

Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms

If you are worried about your Klonopin use or if you just want to stop the medication for some other reason, then it is considered best to speak with your doctor first before discontinuing use. Klonopin has some withdrawal symptoms that can occur if you stop using the medication without it being tapered.

According to NAMI, common Klonopin withdrawal symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Irritability
• Tremors
• Dizziness
• Seizures
• Rapid heartbeat or blood pressure changes

These can occur whether you are using Klonopin as prescribed or if you find yourself facing a dependence and are using more than prescribed. That’s why it’s best to seek medical guidance along with medical detox to help you discontinue Klonopin in the safest and most comfortable way possible.

Medical Detox

As described above, it is best to consider a medical detox when you’re ready to discontinue Klonopin. This is especially true if you are facing a Klonopin addiction, but it’s still recommended even if you used the medication properly due to the chance of withdrawal side effects and dependency. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.

You might be wondering what a medical detox is. This is a process where one of our doctors guides you as you discontinue Klonopin. The procedure often includes tapering the medication, which means giving you smaller and smaller doses as your body gets used to functioning normally without the medication. You may also be prescribed supplemental medications to help ease the withdrawal symptoms.

While a medical detox might be enough for some people, it is often helpful to get extra support to ensure you completely discontinue Klonopin. This is especially true if you formed a Klonopin addiction, have faced substance use issues in the past, or are feeling cravings for Klonopin despite the decreased use.

Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient Care

The first two levels of care, and the most common for this concern, is outpatient and intensive outpatient, or IOP, treatment. These treatments are aimed at giving you enough time to discuss your concerns and to learn new coping skills while still being able to work, live at home, and spend time with friends and family.

Outpatient care involves seeing a counselor typically once or twice a week for about an hour each session. These sessions allow you to speak individually with your counselor, which some people are more comfortable with. You will be able to explore your cravings and other concerns that make substance use harder to deal with. The therapist will help you find coping skills to utilize that will decrease stress.

While outpatient treatment might be enough for some people, many need more intensive treatment. This is especially true if you just discontinued Klonopin and have moderate or worse cravings. IOP is commonly recommended in this case. This treatment modality gives you more treatment time and with peers that are also focused on recovery.

IOP treatment involves group sessions where you meet with other people who are seeking their own recoveries. You, your peers, and a trained therapist will talk about concerns and issues while also learning about your cravings, developing coping skills, and hearing about what other peers have used to help their own recoveries. This treatment modality is three hours long, and you will meet three times a week. Not only that, but IOP can be combined with outpatient care to give you more treatment time.

Residential and Partial Hospitalization

While many people benefit from outpatient and IOP levels of care, some people find that they need even more intensive care. This is especially true with severe dependencies, if other substances were involved, or if your environment is unsupportive of recovery. In these cases, you may benefit from either partial hospitalization or residential levels of care.

While residential might sound like the less-intensive treatment, it would actually be partial hospitalization. Both of these options involve staying at our recovery center but for varying amounts of time. Partial hospitalization involves staying during the day. You will be scheduled to participate in activities that bolster your recovery along with individual and group sessions. You can return home at night to meet with friends and family, relax, work, or do anything else that you like.

For those who have unsupportive environments or severe stressors that make recovery difficult, we will likely recommend residential treatment for your Klonopin addiction. This treatment level involves you living and sleeping at our recovery center. Much like with partial hospitalization, you will be scheduled to participate in group therapy, individual therapy, and other activities to help with your recovery.

You will then “step down” after these treatments. This typically involves IOP treatment to ensure you get the support that you need.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

You may have never heard of the term dual diagnosis, or you may be wondering what it means. This is a common term at substance abuse centers such as ours because it refers to any client who presents with both a mental illness and substance use disorder. This is also sometimes called a co-occurring diagnosis. It doesn’t matter which mental illness or substance is involved. If a client presents with both, then it’s a dual diagnosis.

Benzodiazepines like Klonopin cause feelings of relaxation, so some benzos are prescribed for anxiety disorders. Due to this, those with anxiety conditions or underlying feelings of anxiety might be more tempted by the relaxing effects of Klonopin to take more of the drug or to take it more frequently than prescribed. Whether this is the case or there is another underlying mental illness, we want to assure you that we offer dual diagnosis treatment. This means that we are prepared to assist with both conditions at once so that you recover at a good pace. We will treat both simultaneously so that you can move on with your life.

If you find yourself having difficulties with Klonopin or any other substance, then Granite Recovery Center will be here to assist you. Let us know what concerns you are facing, and we will develop a treatment plan with your needs in mind. Whether you are using multiple substances, there is a mental illness present, or you need either outpatient or inpatient care, we can help coordinate your treatment. On top of that, we treat all our clients with respect.

When you’re prepared to recover, be sure to contact us at Granite Recovery Center. We will listen to your needs and will create a treatment plan just for you.

The post Side Effects of Klonopin Abuse appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.

This drug comes in tablet form and can become seriously addictive if taken in high doses or over a long period of time. If misused, Xanax can create a euphoric high. This is especially true if the drug is crushed and snorted or liquefied and injected. Due to the increased illicit abuse of the drug, tests have been created specifically to detect it in someone’s system.

How Long Does Xanax Stay in the System?

Xanax has an elimination half-life of as little as six hours up to 27 hours and sometimes longer in patients who are obese. The average half-life of the drug in the human body is about 11 hours. Elimination of half-life means that a person of good health will only get rid of half the dose that he or she consumed in the amount of time post use.

For example, if an individual injects 20 milligrams, within six hours the body still has 10 milligrams of the drug present in their system. As with any drug, the amount of time that a drug stays within the system is contingent on the following:

• How much Xanax the person ingests
• What other drugs were taken with it
• The type of drug taken
• A person’s weight, height, and age
• A person’s metabolic speed
• A person’s body fat

How to Test for Xanax

Testing for Xanax occurs for a variety of reasons ranging from employment to legal situations to an order by your healthcare provider to maintain proper levels. Due to the sedating effects of the drug, it can be tested for on the job if sleepiness, comprehension issues, lethargy, and lack of coordination are noticed. Xanax can be tested for via urine, blood, hair, or saliva. Here is each testing method with details of the detection window.

1. Urinalysis test – It takes approximately four to seven days for Xanax to give a negative test result or even longer for those who are heavy users. Urine testing is the most common test for detecting Xanax in the system. It’s quick, non-invasive, and easy to administer. It is also inexpensive, so employers can test for it on the spot if needed.
2. Blood test – Xanax in the blood will only be detectable for up to 24 hours post use. One day post use will give a negative test result.
3. Hair test – Follicle analysis for Xanax can detect the drug up to one month post use although it is important to note that it takes much longer for a drug to show up in the hair. Follicle analysis is usually for someone who has been using Xanax for quite a while. If a test is done too soon, however, it may come back negative.
4. Saliva swab – Saliva, like blood, has a small detection window. A saliva test will only work two and a half days after last use.

Xanax Addiction: Signs and Symptoms

Benzodiazepines, also called Benzos, are often referred to as sedatives or mild tranquilizers that can affect the neurotransmitter GABA. These types of drugs are generally safe for short-term use and are not long-term solutions. Side effects of using Xanax are:

• Sleepiness or insomnia
• Headaches
• Dry mouth
• Memory problems
• Lethargy

Excessive use of the drug will cause excessive drowsiness, blurry vision, deceptive behavior, slurred speech, and the inability to stop taking the medicine, which leads to trying to find ways to obtain it.

When someone uses Xanax long term, it can lead to cognitive issues that are similar to dementia. Once they stop taking the drug, the issues will stop. Prolonged use is sometimes the only way to manage anxiety disorders, although alternative methods are ideal. It is important to note that long-term use can cause a return of anxiety issues once the individual no longer takes the medication.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Medical professionals advise tapering down doses of Xanax in order to slowly come off the drug. Withdrawal symptoms that occur with Xanax can include both emotional and physical effects, such as:

• Hallucination and delirium
• Headaches
• Tremors and muscle spasms
• Anxiety and restlessness
• Panic attacks
• Depression
• Concentration issues
• Rapid heart rate
• Hyperventilation
• Seizures or convulsions
• Feeling detached from reality

Complications of Taking Xanax

The improper use of Xanax involves the risk of overdose and death just like any other drug. Xanax has been associated with suicide due to the fact of its increased effects of depression when trying to stop taking the drug quickly.

The risk of an overdose of Xanax is generally not because of the drug alone. The majority of overdoses from Xanax involve other drugs such as opioids or alcohol. Signs of overdose from Xanax can include:

• Confusion
• Agitated state or aggression
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Poor coordination
• Lethargic
• Low blood pressure
• Slurred speech
• Hypothermia
• Seizures
• Eyes jerking back and forth

The signs of overdose will be notable within three to four hours after the dose is taken. The symptoms of overdose may persist for 12 to 36 hours. Xanax overdose can cause depression to the central nervous system, which then leads to impaired respiration and a slowed heart rate. From this point, a coma can set in or even cardiac arrest. If you suspect someone has overdosed from Xanax, call 911 immediately.

Risk Factors for Xanax

Addiction to Xanax, or any benzodiazepines, can happen to all people. There are certain groups that are at a higher risk for developing an addiction more so than others. Risk factors include:

• Having a personal history of alcohol abuse
• Individuals ages 18 to 25
• Having a family history of substance abuse
• Having an antisocial personality or psychiatric disorders (BPD, depression, bipolar disorder)

Dependence Upon Xanax

A substance use disorder is characterized by being a condition in which behavioral, cognitive, and physiological symptoms occur and cause a person to use a substance excessively or illicitly in order to seek relief of the symptoms.

Dependence upon a drug will lead someone to use it despite the adverse health or emotional effects it can have on the body and the brain. A doctor can diagnose an individual with a mild substance use disorder if they present at least two or three of the 11 below symptoms. If the individual meets four or five of the criteria, then they classify the disorderas moderate. Six or more of the below list are a case of severe substance use disorder.

• Neglecting duties in order to use the drug
• Using the drug in a harmful way
• Having tolerance to the drug so that needs higher and higher dose to achieve the same effect
• Using increased amounts of the drug
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when one stops taking the drug
• Being unable to reduce the drug
• Spending time trying to obtain the drug before or when it runs out
• Having relationship or social problems due to drug use
• Experiencing adverse effects of the drug
• Dealing with cravings
• Giving up normal activities to use drugs

Antidepressants: Benzodiazepine Alternatives

Antidepressants are more helpful in the long-term treatment of anxiety and panic disorders than benzodiazepines. They are less addictive, more effective, and safer. Antidepressants have the distinct advantage of relieving depression as well.

Another alternative to benzodiazepines is treatment without drugs. Psychotherapy of various kinds, yoga, exercise, muscle relaxation training, and hypnosis are a few to name.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which you will learn more about below, is noted in helping with insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. With this therapy, patients learn to examine, record, and analyze their thought and feeling patterns. In many cases, a good CBT regimen can help some mental health issues without the need for drugs to stabilize.

With the help of a therapist, a patient can become aware of his or her triggers and can manage unrealistic or irrational thinking. The individual also learns how to respond to anxiety-provoking situations while also practicing exposure and systematic desensitization techniques.

Treatment Options for Xanax

Detoxification and behavioral therapies are often considered the best way to reach a level of abstinence from Xanax. Some situations may involve harm-reduction strategies as well. Generally, treatment can be done on an outpatient basis after an inpatient detox program. In detox, a person can face severe or even dangerous withdrawal issues. From physical to mental symptoms, stopping Xanax has to be gradual. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.

In addition to detox, behavioral therapy, is an important component to recovery from drug addiction. EBT, an evidence-based treatment program, is a type of treatment that is integrated with a comprehensive 12-step curriculum. The purpose of EBT is to teach evidence-based therapies such as:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – a common type of talk therapy focused on changing negative thought patterns by recognizing them and implementing new patterns
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – a therapy that combines strategies such as mindfulness, emotional regulation, and acceptance
• Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy – has a focus on changing behavior that stems from irrational thoughts
• Motivational Interviewing – involves questions from a therapist that helps to increase a person’s motivation for change

The above therapies help with changing thought patterns and teaching coping strategies for handling emotional triggers that may occur in the future. EBT may also include therapies for trauma, as well as grief and loss therapy. One or more of the EBT therapies, coupled with a 12-step program, will help maintain abstinence, stabilization, and maintenance for a successful recovery.

Granite Recovery Center

Granite Recovery Center offers a variety of treatment programs for substance use disorders, including Xanax. For over 10 years, we have helped many overcome drug and alcohol addiction. Granite Recovery Center is located in the New Hampshire area and offers the following treatments for addiction to Xanax:

• Medical detox program
• Intensive outpatient program
• Men and women’s specific treatments
• Evidence-based treatment program
• Mental health program

We also offer counseling and aftercare programs either solo or with family to work through issues to create and sustain a healthy recovery. In counseling, you will gain an understanding of how best to handle future issues and resolve them without turning to drugs or alcohol.

Granite Recovery Center has a total of drug rehab facilities across the state of New Hampshire, including two inpatient residential drug rehab programs: Green Mountain Treatment Center (Effingham) and New Freedom Academy (Canterbury). Our very experienced professionals will help you find the best option of treatment based on your needs and goals.

The post How Long Does Xanax Stay In Your System? appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.

The increase of GABA in the brain means that there is an increased number of GABA neurotransmitters that are also known as “natural tranquilizers.” The body is the one that is making the tranquilizers; Xanax only causes the body to increase its production.

As a depressant of the central nervous system, Xanax helps control the emotions when they are behaving erratically, and in the process, the drug can cause euphoric feelings. If it works too well, it will produce depressive symptoms.

If Xanax was prescribed for those experiencing depression first, the users might begin to have depressive symptoms again after they stop taking it.

In 1996, 8.1 million people filled a prescription for benzodiazepines. In 2013, 13.5 million people filled prescriptions for benzodiazepines. This is a 67% increase.

What Is Depression?

Depression is a mental health disorder, and it is one of the most common disorders. Depression requires treatment when people cannot carry out their daily activities because of their depressive symptoms. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, depression consists of at least 14 days of a loss of interest in daily activities accompanied by a depressed mood. Depressed people may have difficulties eating, sleeping, and concentrating. They may also feel worthless and have low levels of energy.

Approximately 17.3 million adults experienced at least one depressive episode in 2017. This is 7.1% of the adult population of the United States. More women than men experienced depression, with 8.7% of the ladies and 5.3% of the men reporting feelings of depression that year. As much as 13.1% of this population was between the ages of 18 and 25.

Depression may result from a chemical imbalance in the brain, a hormonal imbalance, or because of substances.

When substance use is the cause of depression, the condition typically disappears when the person gets treatment for the substance use disorder. Even so, some people may experience depression even after they stop taking Xanax. As a matter of fact, depression is a side effect of Xanax. When people experiencing depression begin to take Xanax, their depression tends to get worse.

America’s Other Prescription Drug Crisis

The rules for prescribing benzodiazepines include the instruction that physicians must only give patients prescriptions for Xanax, for example, for a period of two to four weeks. If the case warrants it, physicians may prescribe benzodiazepines for a longer period. Benzodiazepine prescriptions are part of America’s “other prescription drug crisis.”

Benzodiazepines have a high potential to cause a physical addiction, and it isn’t easy for people to conquer their addictions. That’s the reason that the DEA recommends that physicians only prescribe these drugs as short-term remedies for anxiety or depression. In addition to the danger of causing addiction, benzodiazepines also react badly when they are mixed with alcohol and opioids.

The Link Between Xanax and Depression

Xanax is a benzodiazepine, and benzodiazepines suppress the central nervous system. A side effect of this suppression is depression, so Xanax does have the tendency to cause depression. Therefore, if someone is already experiencing depression, this person should not take Xanax.

Even though benzodiazepines may cause depression, many physicians are still prescribing them for vulnerable patients. Benzodiazepines are efficient remedies for depression if the patient takes them for less than six weeks. What has been happening over the years is that physicians continue to refill these prescriptions for much longer periods of time.

Anxiety disorders and panic disorders are conditions for which physicians prescribe Xanax. It is very common for patients to present themselves in a doctor’s office and to complain of both anxiety and depression. In fact, anxiety is a symptom of depression. Conversely, people begin to experience depression because of their anxiety symptoms.

Xanax may help those experiencing anxiety and depression, but they may continue to take the medication long past the 12-week mark. These people may try to stop taking Xanax, but as they do stop, they may notice that they are beginning to feel depressed again. Because of this return of symptoms, they go back to Xanax; however, the truth may be that the withdrawal symptoms are the reason that they feel the way that they do.

Suicide and Xanax

Xanax can cause serious side effects, including:

• Lack of coordination or balance
• The ability to hurt others
• Attempted suicide
• Differences in mood or behavior
• Difficulties speaking
• Confusion
• Problems with memory
• Depression
• Yellow eyes or skin
• A very bad rash
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Shortness of breath

Anyone experiencing the side effects listed above must notify their physicians immediately.

Xanax and Alcohol Together

People can experience suicidal thoughts from Xanax, but if they are taking Xanax and other substances, the likelihood of experiencing the side effects listed above increases. As a matter of fact, when people drink alcohol and ingest Xanax at the same time, they increase the likelihood of experiencing side effects for both substances.

Researchers believe that the addition of alcohol into the mix increases the amount of Xanax in the bloodstream. When the mix with the bloodstream occurs, this increases the high that people experience, and it also increases the side effects.

Although alcohol is a depressant, it improves some people’s moods. It can also increase the feelings of sadness in other people. Alcohol is also a substance that makes people feel less inhibited, and when it is consumed with Xanax, people may be willing to do many things that they wouldn’t ordinarily do. One large study demonstrated the fact that when depressed adults ingested alcohol, they reported having suicidal thoughts.

Xanax and Opioids

Several people are also combining Xanax with opioid medications. In 2016, 16% of the overdose deaths were due to opioids and benzodiazepines. The reason that it is especially dangerous to take opioids with Xanax is that both opioids and Xanax are depressants. This means that they both cause users to become sedated, and they both suppress breathing. When these effects occur, it often leads to an overdose.

The combination of Xanax and opioids is dangerous, but physicians are still prescribing both medications for the same patient, and the number of users taking both is growing. In 2001, 9% of patients received prescriptions for both benzodiazepines and opioids. In 2013, this number increased to 17%. This study found that those taking both benzodiazepines and opioids were more likely to need to go to the emergency room or be admitted to the hospital because of a drug-related incident.

In addition to the danger presented when people combine these medications, there is also the increased risk that misusing Xanax adds to the equation. For example, some people crush their Xanax pills so that they can snort them. This increases their risk of overdosing on the drug.

Insomnia and Depression

One of the most common signs of depression is the patient’s inability to fall asleep, and Xanax can also cause insomnia. This is especially true if the person is misusing Xanax. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the best treatments for insomnia, and it has the effect of reducing the number of suicidal thoughts that patients have.

Dependence or Addiction?

People have been known to develop a dependence on Xanax. When they begin to misuse the drug, this is the likely outcome. For example, people begin to take Xanax in a manner in which their doctors did not prescribe, and they become addicted. They may take larger doses than their doctors prescribed, or they may take it more often than prescribed.

Because Xanax can result in a physical addiction or dependence, withdrawal symptoms may occur when people stop taking the medication without consulting their physicians first. These withdrawal symptoms include:

• Weight loss
• Decrease in appetite
• Tingling, numbness, burning, or pain in the feet or hands
• Vomiting
• Cramps or twitching in the muscles
• Aggressive behavior
• Irritability
• Depression
• Nervousness
• Problems concentrating
• Difficulties falling asleep or waking up throughout the night
• Sweating
• A difference in the sense of smell
• An increase in sensitivity to light or noise
• Blurry vision
• Headache
• Uncontrollable shaking
• Seizures

Getting Help

Admitting that you need help with your addiction to Xanax and other substances is the first step to getting back to the happy life that you used to have. Because of the physical dependence upon Xanax and other substances, it will be extremely difficult for you to conquer this obstacle on your own. Many people need help with ending their drug use, so you are certainly not alone.

Detoxification is when the body metabolizes the toxins that the drugs left in your system. When all of the drugs are out of your system, withdrawal symptoms will no longer be able to entice you to continue to take the drugs. Then, you will have the greatest chances of conquering your psychological addiction to Xanax and other substances. At Granite Recovery Center, we offer an inpatient treatment program and an outpatient treatment program for this purpose. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.

You may have been prescribed Xanax to treat anxiety or depression, and this is what led to your dependence or addiction to the substance. These are known as “co-occurring” disorders, and we can treat you at the Granite Recovery Center if you need to enter into a dual diagnosis program. Our medical professionals will diagnose and treat any mental health conditions that you have, and our counselors and therapists will treat you for your substance use disorder.

If you or a loved one need help with an addiction to substances, contact us today.

The post Depression and Xanax appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.

Why Are These Medications Prescribed?

Physicians prescribe Klonopin for their patients to control their seizures, but they also prescribe it to relieve panic attacks. Doctors prescribe Xanax to treat people experiencing panic attacks and anxiety disorders. Xanax also treats seizures, social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder.

People often wonder how these two medications are different. Why is one person prescribed one and not the other?

A panic disorder is also known as an “anxiety disorder,” and it is characterized as a condition that makes people feel terror when they are not experiencing any danger. They feel as if they are not in control of themselves or the situation, and they may experience several symptoms, including tingly or numb hands, heat or cold chills, weakness, dizziness, pain in the chest or stomach, and a rapid heartbeat. Sweating and difficulties breathing are also common.

These attacks can occur at any time of the day and anywhere. After experiencing one, people may begin to be afraid that another attack will occur. These people may become so fearful that they can no longer leave their houses. Many people also experience agoraphobia when they have a panic disorder. This is also a fear, but it is a fear of places or situations that the person believes are dangerous.

An anxiety disorder goes far beyond the normal anxiety that a person may feel in a given situation. The type of anxiety that people experience with an anxiety disorder is much more severe. In this instance, they are expecting something negative to happen. Their bodies react by becoming tense, and they go out of their way to avoid the situation. The anxiety may come from several different causes. Some examples are generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and phobias.

What Are the Side Effects of Xanax?

The side effects of Xanax include the following:

• Muscle twitch
• Confusion or agitation
• The onset of depression or the worsening of depression
• Concentration problems
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Tiredness

What Is Klonopin?

Physicians prescribe Klonopin for the treatment of anxiety disorders and panic disorders, and they choose this medication over Xanax because it has anticonvulsant properties. These medications are known as “mood stabilizers” because they succeed in controlling the hyperactivity of the brain. This is also a drug that has antiepileptic properties that treat epilepsy.

Because of the antiepileptic properties, physicians prescribe Klonopin for their patients diagnosed with epileptic disorders. Klonopin is a benzodiazepine that physicians also prescribe for patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It can be prescribed as a secondary medication to treat patients diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome, too. Lastly, Klonopin treats spasticity and convulsions experienced by those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

What Are the Side Effects of Klonopin?

The side effects associated with Klonopin are the same as the ones listed above for Xanax. In addition to that, Klonopin may also cause the following side effects:

• Headaches
• A loss of coordination
• A lower libido
• Irritability
• Aggression
• Confusion

How Are Xanax and Klonopin Similar and Different?

Patients taking Klonopin will notice that the medication takes longer to begin working than Xanax does. Since the half-life of Klonopin is longer, you would feel its effects for a longer period of time than for Xanax. The half-life of Xanax is six to 25 hours, and the half-life of Klonopin is 22 to 54 hours. Xanax is the medication that is most likely to result in a “high,” but this can occur with Klonopin as well.

Another difference is the fact that Xanax does not treat seizures.

Dosages are different as well for these medications. Patients must take Xanax in an initial dose of 0.25 milligrams three times a day. In contrast, they may only need to take Klonopin in an initial dose of 0.25 milligrams two times per day. People diagnosed with panic disorders may require a significantly higher dose of Xanax.

Benzodiazepine Addiction

Benzodiazepines also go by the commonly known name of “tranquilizers.” People begin to take these drugs in a manner in which they were not prescribed because they enjoy the feelings of being sedated. Unfortunately, many people choose benzodiazepines as a way of committing suicide. Researchers have learned that 12.5% of adults in the United States have taken benzodiazepines. This means that 30.5 million people have used Klonopin, Xanax or other benzos in the U.S.

People can develop an addiction to benzodiazepines. This may occur when physicians prescribe these medications for their patients over long periods of time. Because their patients are taking Klonopin or Xanax on a regular basis, they can become tolerant. This means that the body becomes accustomed to the current dose that the patient is taking, and it needs to be increased so that the patient can continue to feel the effects of the medication.

When people become tolerant, they may also be dependent upon the drugs. They may engage in addictive behaviors like going out and seeking the drug from illicit sources if they cannot get it from their doctors.

The medical community prescribes Klonopin and Xanax for short periods of time because of the potential for abuse. If patients need further treatment, doctors must switch to another type that doesn’t include addictive medications. Therefore, chronic cases of anxiety disorders need treatments other than Klonopin or Xanax to avoid the possibility of becoming dependent or addicted to these benzodiazepines.

What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms?

People can become addicted to both Xanax and Klonopin, and when this occurs, they must not stop using the medications abruptly. If they do, they may experience the following withdrawal symptoms:

• Tremors
• Paranoia
• Weight loss and a loss of appetite
• Memory loss
• Difficulties with concentration
• The inability to sleep
• High blood pressure
• Headaches
• Symptoms of the flu
• Dry mouth
• Mood swings
• Vertigo
• Blurry vision
• Depression or anxiety
• Restlessness or agitation
• Pain

Benzodiazepines and Opioids

Many people prescribed benzodiazepines are also taking opioids, and it is leading to a growing number of visits to American emergency rooms. People listed several reasons that they combined benzodiazepines with opioids. For example, 11.8% of these people said that they simply wanted to experience the high or because they were addicted to the drugs. Another 46.3% of people stated that they took these medications as a way to relax, and about 5.7% of the group stated that they were only experimenting.

Approximately 20% of the participants in the study obtained their drugs from physician prescriptions. Most of these people got these medications from their friends and family members.

Overdosing on Benzodiazepines and Opioids

In 2019, 16% of the opioid-related overdose deaths were also related to benzodiazepines. Each day, 136 Americans die as a result of an opioid-related overdose.

Adding to this problem is the number of prescriptions that physicians are writing for benzodiazepines today. Between 1996 and 2013, these prescriptions increased by 67%. The quantity of the pills also increased during that time. Taking opioids and benzodiazepines together often leads to an overdose because both medications suppress the person’s breathing and leave them sedated.

The medical profession is contributing to this problem because physicians are prescribing both benzodiazepines and opioids for their patients at the same time. Between 2001 and 2013, the number of people prescribed benzodiazepines and opioids increased by 17%. In 2001, this rate was only 9%.

In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set out to decrease the propensity of doctors prescribing both medications for the same patient. The new guideline states that physicians must refrain from prescribing benzodiazepines if they are also prescribing an opioid drug for a patient.

The Food and Drug Administration also added black box warnings to the bottles of benzodiazepines and opioids to warn people that the medications may present life-threatening risks.

Xanax or Klonopin are legitimate treatments for anxiety disorders, but these substances do have a real potential for abuse. If you are concerned about taking either benzodiazepines or opioids, feel free to contact us at the Granite Recovery Centers.

Treatment for Xanax or Klonopin Addiction

If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction or a dependence on Xanax or Klonopin, we can diagnose you with a substance use disorder and treat the condition. If you are still using the substance, this is an excellent time to get started on your recovery. Since you are using Xanax or Klonopin right now, you have not begun to experience any of the withdrawal symptoms that were listed above, so you are ready to enter our drug detox program.

You must go through the detoxification process first. If you fail to end your physical addiction to Xanax or Klonopin, your chances of completing your treatment and remaining sober will be very slim. Relapsing and returning to drug use is always a concern after people leave drug treatment, so we want to make sure that you begin this process in the correct manner. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.

If you have begun the detoxification process on your own, our medical professionals will diagnose your substance use disorder and begin your treatment. If you need to go through the detoxification process, our medical doctors and nurses will assist you every step of the way. Our medical professionals will administer medications that will relieve your withdrawal symptoms so that you can tolerate the process without too much discomfort.

Co-Occurring Disorders

You may have been taking Xanax or Klonopin because you were treating your anxiety. This is something that a large number of people with substance use disorders do, so you are certainly not alone. In fact, substance use disorders and mental health disorders are known to co-occur or exist at the same time. That is why we treat co-occurring disorders at Granite Recovery Centers in a dual diagnosis treatment program.

Our doctors and therapists will diagnose your mental health disorder and treat it at the same time that we will treat your substance use disorder. You may wish to reside at the treatment center. If this is the case, we have an inpatient treatment program where you will receive individual therapy, group therapy, meditation and the 12-step program if you like.

If you or your loved one would rather remain at home, we can accommodate you with our outpatient treatment program. You will receive the same services in the outpatient treatment program, but you will have more autonomy as you remain at home.

If you are ready to begin treatment for your substance use disorder and/or mental health disorder, contact us today.

The post Klonopin vs Xanax: What are the Differences? appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.

While addiction to benzodiazepines can be hazardous, not everyone dependent on this drug type is an addict. The problems kick in when benzodiazepines or other prescription drugs are used non-medically. The intensified euphoria that comes with using benzodiazepines or combining them with other substances like opioids and alcohol can easily get you hooked.

Klonopin falls under the family of benzodiazepine drugs. It is mainly used medically as a prescription for seizures and anxiety disorders. Klonopin is also commonly used non-medically by people hoping to get high on it. Unfortunately, there is a long list of potentially deadly lifestyle, physical, and mental consequences, as well as side effects.

Non-medical use of Klonopin is never safe and only places you at serious risk of becoming addicted and overdosing. Addiction to benzodiazepines can easily wreak havoc on your life. If you are already addicted to the drug, it is never recommended to try and quit Klonopin cold turkey. Attempting to quit the drug without seeking professional help can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. At Granite Recovery Centers, we offer treatment programs to help you or your loved ones safely recover from a Klonopin addiction.

The Chemistry of Klonopin (Clonazepam)

Klonopin is a brand name for the medically approved clonazepam, which is a benzodiazepine prescribed for managing panic and anxiety disorders. Clonazepam is commonly prescribed for the treatment and management of various types of movement and seizure disorders. Clonazepam and benzodiazepines, in general, work through altering the effects of neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the CNS. Taking Klonopin improves GABA signaling, which causes inhibition of brain activity. This leads to a calming effect when brain function is minimized or slowed. The drug is pressed into tablets and intended to be administered orally.

As a prescription for panic disorders, Klonopin is available in an orally disintegrating tablet. Depending on the use, the tablet dosage of clonazepam ranges from 0.125 mg to 2 mg. When administered in the body, clonazepam has a half-life of about 18 to 50 hours. This means that half the amount of the dosage gets eliminated from the body within the half-life period. Due to the medically proven high risks of addiction or dependence, clonazepam is only used for short-term treatment. This is why doctors will always instruct you to only take the drug exactly as outlined in the prescription.

How Is Klonopin Misused?

Clonazepam, when taken exactly as prescribed, can be safely used in the management of seizures, anxiety, and panic disorders. However, clonazepam can also cause sedation and feelings of euphoria. These feelings of “high” appeal to many users and are among the major causes of abuse. You may not immediately realize it, but when you take the drug more often or take a little more just for the high, you are abusing the drug. Misuse of clonazepam may manifest in several ways, such as:

• Taking Klonopin without a medical prescription
• Taking Klonopin just for the “high”
• Administering the drug in other forms other than those approved (e.g., injecting or snorting a crushed tablet)
• Taking a larger dosage or more frequently than prescribed

Most people who abuse Klonopin are not patients of the conditions for which the drug is used to treat. Most of them purchase the drug from the streets or use another person’s prescription to seek a high. “Doctor shopping” is also a common practice among Klonopin addicts. This practice involves one person obtaining multiple prescriptions from different pharmacies or doctors. As earlier stated, clonazepam is only approved in tablet form for oral administration. However, some people will still crush the orally disintegrating tablets to inject or snort them in an attempt to get a more robust “high.”

Administering drugs in other ways than those medically approved intensifies the side effects, making the practice especially dangerous. Besides intensifying the side effects, snorting drugs causes the inflammation of local tissue, which may ultimately lead to a perforated nasal septum. Drug injection has its fair share of adverse effects, such as contracting hepatitis C or HIV, abscesses, gangrene, and cellulitis.

Klonopin Addiction

Addiction is the dependence on a drug formed after consistent drug use, especially in high dosage. Klonopin addiction is especially dangerous due to the difficulty of quitting and the side effects tied to it. There are two ways to look at addiction: the psychological form and the physical form. The physical body may develop reliance or dependence on a drug like Klonopin, such that its balance and function depend on the presence of the drug. This is why people who try to quit Klonopin the cold turkey way suffer from nausea and headaches.

This is a natural response or revolt by the body to a significant deficiency of the substance. The psychological aspect of addiction is the feelings you attach to the use of the drug. Benzodiazepines create a feeling of euphoria. This is why abuse of the drug is often associated with an excellent calming feeling. As life is, when stressful situations occur, users of the drug believe that they can only achieve happiness by taking the drug. This is the leading reason why sedatives and other prescription drugs like Klonopin get misused.

Causes of Klonopin Addiction

Addiction to Clonazepam can form with or without a prescription. Most Klonopin addicts start using the drug as a doctor’s prescription to manage anxiety. Even with a prescription, misuse of the drug can easily cause addiction. Unfortunately, many people believe that drugs prescribed by medical practitioners are potentially harmless and can be taken in any dosage. This is incorrect. Misuse of drugs, even those prescribed by a doctor, can have dangerous consequences, including addiction. You develop an addiction as the dosage and frequency of administration increases beyond a prescription.

Due to the drug’s nature, it is also possible to strictly follow the doctor’s prescription and still develop drug dependence. Although not common, other medications or allergies may poorly combine with clonazepam and induce a “high,” which gets you hooked. Another cause of addiction to clonazepam is the introduction of drug use by people who are already misusing it. Klonopin can be acquired through patients with a prescription or professionals who work at drug stores or pharmaceutical industries. This illegal acquirement of Klonopin heavily fuels its addiction and abuse in the country.

Side Effects of Klonopin

There are several side effects associated with misuse of Klonopin, in addition to the pleasurable short-term “high.” Some of the side effects reported by Klonopin users include:

• Unsteady gait
• Blurry vision
• Joint and muscle pain
• Dizziness
• Increased urge to urinate
• Decreased libido
• Shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing
• Difficulty in focusing attention on a task
• Suicidal ideation caused by depression
• Deterioration of memory
• Cases of dementia in aging Klonopin users

There are also numerous long-term consequences of misusing Klonopin, including:

• Increased possibility of falling or accidents
• Neglect of duties and professional responsibilities. This is why a large number of Klonopin addicts are unemployed.
• Increased risk of violent acts, such as stealing and fights
• Significant risk of financial struggle due to arrests and other legal issues

Klonopin Risk Factors

Overdose is the most significant risk of abusing Klonopin. Many factors increase the risk of a Klonopin overdose. Naturally, the body will develop tolerance to the drug after continued regular use for an extended period. Users who have developed tolerance to Klonopin are at more risk of overdosing in hopes of attaining the same “high.” Taking more of the drug only amplifies the adverse effects of taking it.

Another surefire way of getting adverse effects from Klonopin is polysubstance abuse. This is the practice of mixing benzodiazepines like Klonopin with substances like alcohol or opioids. When taken together, the two substances interact in such a way that they yield more deadly effects on the user. In the case of opioids and benzodiazepines, the side effects of respiratory depression and difficulty breathing are intensified.

Treating Klonopin Addiction

Fortunately, there are numerous treatment options for clonazepam addiction. No matter where you live, there is likely a rehab facility accessible to you. At Granite Recovery Centers, we offer a drug rehab program to help you safely recover from substance use disorders. Our team of professionals is well equipped and qualified to assist you in identifying the best treatment option for your needs.

Despite the wide range of treatment options, all addiction treatments, particularly for Klonopin, begin with overcoming withdrawal symptoms. You will also be ushered into a detoxification program. Overcoming withdrawal is by far the most challenging part for most patients. This is due to the natural side effects of reducing the dosage of Klonopin or completely cutting off usage of the drug. The detoxification step is also a vital part of the rehabilitation process. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.

Withdrawal Symptoms

According to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International, cutting down on Klonopin dosage will lead to painful and debilitating withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms occur as the body naturally rebels against the sudden shortage or absence of a substance that it has become highly dependent on. Such symptoms may include:

• Nightmares
• Spasms and muscle cramping
• Insomnia
• Terrible hallucinations
• Seizures
• Sudden weight loss
• Elevated blood pressure and pulse rate

These symptoms kick in immediately when you stop the intake of Klonopin and may be more adverse if the intake had gone too far.

Best Treatment Options

Once you have detoxed Klonopin from your body, you can progress to the next stages of the rehabilitation process. Several settings can be used to address the psychological and behavioral issues before you can fully recover from Klonopin misuse disorders.

You can opt to go for hospital-based inpatient programs for drug addiction. Such programs are focused on providing intensive medical treatment for health issues like addiction. They are run by medical and addiction professionals in a hospital. These are ideal if you are looking for short programs that last only a couple of weeks.

On the other hand, residential treatment programs are long-term and last for about one to three months. They are offered in a dorm-like setting. Since they are offered in a residential setting, the programs may include equine therapy and yoga. Also included in the residential treatment programs are recreational activities for the recoverees.

Another viable treatment option for Klonopin addiction are therapeutic communities. These organized groups help drug addicts overcome their addictions and also go further to help them develop life skills. These skills often come in handy after the end of the treatment process. In the therapeutic communities, treatment programs may last much longer than in the residential treatment setting. Treatment may go for as long as a year or even longer.

Since most Klonopin addictions grow from an effective treatment for mental health disorders, such as panic and anxiety, it is common for addiction treatment programs to include treatment for anxiety and other mental disorders. These dual diagnosis programs put effort into treating addiction and co-occurring mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. We also offer an aftercare program after completing rehab. This is to help prevent recovered individuals from relapsing. Psychotherapy is a popular type of aftercare typically held for one hour once or twice a week. Another great way of preventing relapse is to sign up for a sober living home.

What makes sober living homes more effective are their house rules that include abstaining from substance use, attending recovery meetings, and, most importantly, abiding by a curfew. These rules help overcome the urge and temptation of getting back to Klonopin misuse.

Why Quitting Klonopin Cold Turkey Is Dangerous

As much as you are keen on quitting a Klonopin addiction, do not attempt doing it on your own. Cutting back on drug use may lead to potentially life-threatening side effects, such as seizures. The withdrawal syndrome associated with quitting Klonopin requires professional help. Consult medical and addiction professionals before attempting to stop the intake of a drug your body has become dependent on. The tapering approach taken by professionals is the most effective method of avoiding or minimizing withdrawal effects.

The post Klonopin Addiction Treatment & Rehab Options appeared first on Granite Recovery Centers.