Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

What Is Xanax Withdrawal?

While Xanax can be a part of a successful anxiety treatment plan with medical supervision, it’s also the most widely abused benzodiazepine in the United States.

Suddenly stopping Xanax can even lead to potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, like seizures, making it important to seek medical supervision when you want to stop taking Xanax or lower your dose.

When you take Xanax (or any other benzodiazepine) long-term, you can develop a benzodiazepine dependence, which puts you at risk of withdrawal.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome can cause life-threatening side effects. Whether you have used Xanax according to your prescription or have abused the drug, you should seek medical advice before just quitting the drug altogether.

Anyone who has taken Xanax for longer than three to four weeks is at risk of experiencing withdrawal. You can experience a Xanax withdrawal if you take the medication under a doctor’s supervision or as a street drug.

Xanax (alprazolam) is a medication commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and similar mental health conditions. It belongs to a class of medications called “benzodiazepines” or “benzos,” which are depressants that relax your central nervous system.

What Causes Xanax Withdrawal?

Xanax works by binding with the GABA-A receptor in the brain, which increases the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical that makes you feel calm.

If you take Xanax long enough, your brain gets used to the extra stimulation from the drug and will stop making as much natural GABA.

So, when you stop taking Xanax, your brain has trouble balancing its natural chemical chemical levels, leading to withdrawal symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Xanax Withdrawal

Xanax is also a short-acting benzodiazepine, meaning that your body will feel the effects of withdrawal symptoms sooner than with other benzodiazepines.

Xanax withdrawal symptoms also tend to be more intense than slower-acting benzodiazepines.

You may experience mental and physical symptoms, including:  

• Heightened anxiety, rebound anxiety
• Headaches
• Ear ringing
• Dizziness or faintness
• Agitation and restlessness
• Panic attacks
• Irritability
• Blurred vision
• Poor concentration and memory
• Insomnia
• Heart palpitations
• Muscle pain and stiffness
• Muscle spasms
• Unintentional weight loss

In some cases, Xanax withdrawal can cause more severe symptoms, like psychosis or seizures.

Xanax-related seizures can be life-threatening, but the risk of having them is higher when you stop taking the drug abruptly. They’re also more common in people who have been taking Xanax at high doses for longer periods.

Xanax Withdrawal Timeline

Most Xanax withdrawal symptoms start one to two days after your last dose and generally last two to four weeks. The intensity of symptoms typically peaks around day two.

That said, about 10 to 15% of people who take benzodiazepines long-term experience Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS), where symptoms can last for months or years after your last dose.

Just like seizures, the risk of PAWs is higher in people who stop taking their medication abruptly.

How Do People Safely Withdraw from Xanax?

Since withdrawal symptoms are the most intense and potentially dangerous when you stop “cold turkey,” it’s important to taper off Xanax gradually.

Medical Detox for Xanax

Medical detox is a substance abuse treatment option where a healthcare professional supervises your transition off Xanax. They can also prescribe medications to help lower the chances of dangerous side effects, such as anticonvulsants for seizures.

Many people may participate in an outpatient Xanax detox program, where they stay at home and visit a treatment center for medical support and guidance.

People with a more severe physical dependence or a history of addiction may benefit from inpatient options, usually at a hospital or designated clinic.

Xanax Tapering Schedule

There isn’t a universal tapering schedule for Xanax withdrawal. It depends on your dosage and the length of time you’ve been taking it.

Some tapering schedules may replace Xanax with an equivalent dose of a slower-acting benzodiazepine, like diazepam. Diazepam has a longer half-life, which means it stays in your body longer than Xanax. This allows your body to adjust to the new, lower dosage gradually.

You’ll typically start by switching to an equivalent diazepam dose, then tapering to a lower amount in intervals of one week or longer.

You can see a few examples of typical Xanax tapering schedules Xanax below:

• 2–8 weeks of Xanax use: 2-week taper
• 8 weeks to 6 months of Xanax use: 4-week taper
• 6 months to a year of Xanax use: 8-week taper
• Over 1 year of Xanax use: 6-18 month taper

Complementary Medication

While tapering and diazepam could make the transition off Xanax easier, you may still experience mild withdrawal symptoms, like:

• Headaches
• Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Muscle spasms

Your healthcare professional may prescribe complementary medications or suggest over-the-counter options to help you stay more comfortable.

Some of the most common medications used to manage benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms include the following:

• Headaches or muscle pain: Ibuprofen, acetametaphine
• Nausea or vomiting: Metoclopramide, prochlorperazine, ondansetron
• Diarrhea: Loperamide
• Pain: duloxetine (Cymbalta), amitriptyline
• Muscle spasms: Methocarbamol, carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine

Additional Support During Xanax Withdrawals

Medical detox helps you physically transition off Xanax, but many people still need additional mental health support while navigating the withdrawal process—especially since cravings are common.

Seeing a therapist or counselor may help you identify any underlying behaviors contributing to Xanax addiction. Other people may benefit from group support meetings, like Narcotics Anonymous (NA.)

Find Support and Treatment for Xanax Withdrawals

While Xanax can be a helpful medication to treat anxiety symptoms and panic disorders, it can also be addictive and lead to intense and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

If you or a loved one needs help dealing with Xanax or other benzodiazepine use, resources are available to help you safely navigate the withdrawal process.

You can find detoxification and addiction treatment centers in your area by visiting SAMHSA’s online treatment locator or our treatment support page.