Xanax Withdrawal Timeline: How Long Does Withdrawal Last?

The Xanax withdrawal timeline can last anywhere from a few days to several months, but the most common symptoms, such as anxiety and panic attacks, will usually pass in less than four days.

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Dr. Manish Mishra, MBBS

Medically Reviewed By: Manish Mishra, MBBS

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Xanax, commonly known by its brand name alprazolam, is a prescription drug used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and sleep disorders.

It’s also used as an anticonvulsant in the treatment of seizures, or when dealing with withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines.

There are many different withdrawal symptoms that can occur when stopping Xanax use, but how long do they last?

To understand how long withdrawal will last, it helps to understand the different stages of Xanax detox and which symptoms occur during each phase.

The Xanax Withdrawal Timeline

The side effects of Xanax and other benzodiazepines can continue for up to two weeks after their last dose.

Xanax withdrawal timeline from Xanax can take any length of time, as shown below:

Six To 12 Hours Since Last Dose

The first signs of Xanax withdrawal symptoms are anxiety, headache, muscle spasms, palpitations, and trouble sleeping, which are often accompanied by nausea.

At higher doses, people may experience tremors or seizures. As they go through withdrawal, some people will also experience intense cravings for Xanax and other benzodiazepines.

One To Four Days: “The Rebound Stage”

One to four days after the last dose, anxiety and sleeplessness may worsen. Rebound effects are possible for people on Xanax for anxiety disorders.

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, and Xanax seizures are among the other side effects.

Medical detox is necessary, since the rebound symptoms may become more severe than they were previously.

The good news is that most of the psychological and physical symptoms subside by the fourth day.

Five To 14 Days After Last Dose

During this time, the symptoms will begin to subside. More likely, you’ll suffer from symptoms like anxiety, Xanax-induced insomnia, and other negative side effects.

Muscle aches and headaches may begin to diminish as a result. As such, you may suffer from stomach pains that last for months.

Factors That Influence The Duration Of Xanax Withdrawal

The type of benzodiazepine you take and how long you take it determine what to expect from withdrawal.

For example, short-acting benzos such as Xanax tend to cause more intense withdrawal symptoms and are usually prescribed for short-term use.

Longer-acting benzos such as Klonopin (clonazepam) are recommended for longer treatment because they produce fewer and milder withdrawal symptoms.

Here are other factors that influence the Xanax withdrawal timeline:

Length Of Time Using Xanax

The longer you’ve been taking Xanax, the more severe your withdrawal symptoms will be. If you take it for less than a month, withdrawal symptoms are likely to be mild and short-lived.

This is why people with a Xanax drug addiction are likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms, since addiction prompts chronic use.

If you take it for a year or more, you could experience flu-like symptoms that last for weeks.

High Doses Of Xanax

The higher your dosage, the more severe your withdrawal symptoms will be. This is because you’re essentially dependent on a higher dose to feel normal.

And the more dependent you are, the more severe withdrawal symptoms you’ll experience when you stop taking it.

Treatment Options For Xanax Withdrawal And Addiction

The safest choice for people with substance use disorders is medical detox in a rehab facility or an addiction treatment center.

Detox programs make withdrawal as safe as possible. It also gives the individual the option to continue with Xanax addiction treatment while tapering off slowly.

With medical supervision, a person can safely detox from Xanax at home or in a rehab facility. Attempting to quit Xanax use “cold turkey” is dangerous.

Your healthcare professional may have to replace Xanax with other benzos, such as diazepam (Valium) if you still have panic attacks or other anxiety disorders after treating benzo withdrawal.

Find Substance Use Recovery Services At Bedrock Recovery Center

Bedrock Recovery Center offers unique, holistic and evidence-based substance abuse treatment programs to help with benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome and drug addiction.

Contact our helpline today to get help for drug abuse for you or your loved one.

  1. American Family Physician Journal https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2121.html
  2. U.S. National Library of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5846112/
  3. U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7841856/

Written by Bedrock Recovery Center Editorial Team

© 2024 Bedrock Recovery Center | All Rights Reserved

* This page does not provide medical advice.

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