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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Wean Off Xanax?

Been taking Xanax 3mg per day for about a year however i have been forgetting to take it correctly. Somedays i take 2mg, some 1mg and somedays none, averaging about 1mg a day, side effects have been higher amounts of depression, constantly thinking about things/playing out thoughts and everyday situations in my head. I want to discontinue Xanax completely as the inconsistent taking of the medication is making me worse and the memory issues and other minor side effects are a concern to me. Do i discontinue xanax as i already have the side effects of discontinuation or do i have to increase my dose to the daily dosage and consistency before tapering off? I have tried getting into a psychiatrist however my psychiatrist had a stroke and i havent been able to get into see anyone as they are booked out for months. Will the depression and anxiety levels that i have now im not taking the medication correctly lessen when i have tapered off? How do I handle the side effects of discontinuation?
Tue, 14 Feb 2017
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Treatment in a Xanax rehab center is often necessary due to the physical addiction that occurs when people abuse this drug. Xanax is a trademark for alprazolam, a fast-acting benzodiazepine sedative used for treating anxiety disorder and panic attacks. Xanax works by changing the way GABA, a chemical in the brain, acts. That change also produces a pleasant feeling of escape, known as euphoria or a "high" when the drug is abused.

Programs at inpatient treatment centers begin with medically supervised treatment that minimizes the effects of abrupt withdrawal from Xanax. These effects occur when the brain becomes so used to the presence of Xanax that it sends out garbled messages when the drug is no longer available. The treatment centers provide intensive counseling and behavioral therapy, which help patients return to a normal, drug-free life.
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How To Wean Off Xanax?

Treatment in a Xanax rehab center is often necessary due to the physical addiction that occurs when people abuse this drug. Xanax is a trademark for alprazolam, a fast-acting benzodiazepine sedative used for treating anxiety disorder and panic attacks. Xanax works by changing the way GABA, a chemical in the brain, acts. That change also produces a pleasant feeling of escape, known as euphoria or a high when the drug is abused. Programs at inpatient treatment centers begin with medically supervised treatment that minimizes the effects of abrupt withdrawal from Xanax. These effects occur when the brain becomes so used to the presence of Xanax that it sends out garbled messages when the drug is no longer available. The treatment centers provide intensive counseling and behavioral therapy, which help patients return to a normal, drug-free life.