Can Xanax Cause Anxiety to Worsen?

Xanax, known generically as alprazolam, is a medication that helps treat anxiety and belongs to a group of medications called benzodiazepines. Along with Klonopin, Valium, Librium, and other benzos, it is commonly prescribed for moderate to severe anxiety and panic disorders. However, a common concern arises: can Xanax make anxiety worse? The answer is yes. One of the potential side effects of Xanax, particularly with prolonged use, is an increase in anxiety levels. This medication is generally recommended for short-term use due to its quick-acting nature, designed to swiftly alleviate anxiety symptoms. It is not meant for long-term management of anxiety, as it carries risks of misuse, addiction, and overdose.

As a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, Xanax helps to treat anxiety by calming down the nervous system and causing sedation. It enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps to slow down brain activity by inhibiting certain signals in the CNS. This action fosters a sense of calm and relaxation, effectively reducing the heightened brain activity linked to anxiety and panic attacks. While Xanax can be highly effective for immediate relief from anxiety symptoms, extended use may lead to tolerance and dependence, meaning the brain adapts to the drug and its anxiety-reducing effects diminish over time. Additionally, individuals may experience Xanax withdrawal anxiety symptoms if they stop taking the medication.

When individuals build a tolerance or become dependent on Xanax, they might start to misuse the medication in an attempt to recapture its original effects. This misuse can manifest as taking larger doses than what was prescribed, acquiring the drug through illegal means, or combining it with other substances like alcohol. The transition from misuse to addiction can occur rapidly, often within a matter of weeks, leading to both psychological and physical dependence. However, even those who use it as prescribed can develop dependence. Conquering an addiction to Xanax can be incredibly challenging, especially because withdrawal symptoms can be severe and include risks such as hallucinations and seizures. As with all benzodiazepines, Xanax withdrawal must be managed through a medical detox process to ensure the individual’s safety.

Does Xanax Cause Rebound Anxiety?

Healthcare professionals frequently prescribe benzodiazepines such as Xanax to manage anxiety. They typically advise using it on an occasional basis or for short-term relief. Due to its rapid effectiveness in alleviating anxiety, individuals with persistent anxiety symptoms may find themselves using it more frequently, which can lead to serious side effects and an increased risk of dependence or addiction. Discontinuing Xanax suddenly can trigger rebound anxiety, where the anxiety symptoms that were previously managed by the medication return or worsen. This rebound effect often results in anxiety symptoms that are more severe than those experienced before starting the medication and are essentially withdrawal symptoms from Xanax.

Xanax works by binding to GABA receptors, enhancing GABA’s calming effects, which helps alleviate anxiety, panic, and insomnia. Rebound anxiety occurs because the brain adapts to the presence of the medication, becoming reliant on it to regulate GABA receptors. When Xanax is suddenly stopped, the brain struggles to cope without it, leading to intensified anxiety responses that can surpass the original symptoms. According to Healthline, some research suggests that prolonged use of Xanax may reduce the number of available binding sites, causing the remaining sites to take longer to bind and produce GABA, which can heighten feelings of anxiety or panic.

Symptoms of rebound anxiety can manifest quite rapidly, often within 24 hours after missing a dose of Xanax. While there is no definitive timeline for rebound anxiety, its duration can vary from a few days to several months or longer, influenced by factors such as the dosage and duration of Xanax use. A detox program can be beneficial in addressing both rebound anxiety symptoms and the underlying anxiety disorder. Treatment may involve specific medications during detox and a gradual tapering schedule to assist patients in safely reducing their reliance on the medication.

What Are the Negative Effects of Taking Xanax?

Xanax is quickly absorbed, with users feeling its effects within about 30 minutes, which can last for approximately 6 hours. Common side effects associated with Xanax include:

• Impaired coordination
• Low blood pressure
• Decreased mental alertness
• Confusion
• Drowsiness and fatigue
• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Slurred speech
• Blurred vision
• Nausea, vomiting, and upset stomach
• Worsening depression

Using Xanax regularly, even as directed, can lead to physical dependence. One of the most concerning long-term effects is the potential for worsening anxiety from Xanax, as the body may develop a tolerance, diminishing the medication’s effectiveness or causing withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly. Some individuals might also face mood swings, irritability, or paranoia, and in severe instances, this can escalate depression to the point of suicidal thoughts or actions. Furthermore, taking larger doses of Xanax or mixing it with other central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol or opioids, can result in dangerous respiratory depression, potentially leading to a fatal overdose.

Is It Bad to Take Xanax for Anxiety?

For individuals experiencing anxiety or panic attacks, Xanax can be a helpful and safe option for short-term or occasional use. It offers quick relief from anxiety symptoms, but it doesn’t tackle the underlying issues. Dependence on Xanax for anxiety may hinder the development of healthier coping strategies, which could exacerbate anxiety in the long run. Moreover, using Xanax regularly or for extended periods can lead to a range of negative side effects, including the potential for dependence, addiction, and Xanax anxiety side effects. Additionally, taking it without a prescription or in ways not directed by a healthcare provider can lead to serious health risks, including overdose, particularly when mixed with other depressants like alcohol.

Why Do Some People Suffer with Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal emotional reaction to stress or perceived dangers, and it can even be beneficial at times. However, for some individuals, it can escalate into a persistent and overwhelming condition that disrupts everyday life. The American Psychiatric Association notes that the exact origins of anxiety remain unclear, but they likely stem from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social influences. There is evidence that anxiety can be hereditary, and some studies indicate it may be associated with malfunctioning brain circuits that regulate fear and emotions. Traumatic experiences and various stressful situations can also act as triggers for anxiety disorders. Furthermore, the misuse or withdrawal from drugs and alcohol can contribute to the onset of anxiety as well.

Long Term Effects of Taking Xanax

The long-term effects of taking Xanax include the brain “forgetting” how to operate effectively when you do not have Xanax in your system. Long-term effects of alprazolam use may cause potential side effects like:

• Forgetfulness and memory impairment
• Cognitive impairments and slowed thought processes
• Loss of control over emotional responses
• Issues with muscle coordination and balance, slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness
• Dry mouth
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Violent, aggressive, and hostile behavior, and feeling irritable
• An increase in risky behavior like driving under the influence, unsafe sex practices, and picking fights
• Difficulty concentrating on tasks at home, work, and school
• Hallucinations and paranoid delusions
• Brain cell damage
• Depression and suicidal ideation

There is also a potential link between Xanax use and dementia. Medication-induced seizure disorders are also a considerable risk, especially if you:

• Have been taking high doses of Xanax
• Have been ingesting the drug more often than prescribed
• Using Xanax for nonmedical reasons
• Are of older age, as older adults are more sensitive to prescription medications

Addiction to Xanax requires a medically assisted detox to keep you safe as you wean off this drug because the body may produce dangerous and extremely uncomfortable withdrawal reactions alongside strong drug cravings. Common withdrawal symptoms that occur when stopping Xanax include:

• Increased heart rate/palpitations
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Muscle pain and stiffness
• Weight loss
• Difficulty breathing
• Headaches/body aches
• Anxiety/paranoia
• Panic attacks
• Depression/suicidal ideation
• Insomnia/nightmares/sleep trouble
• Aggression/irritability
• Nausea/vomiting
• Numbness/tingling

Seizures, severe depression, and hallucinations can occur in serious addictions that can be extremely dangerous or life-threatening. This process is why it is essential to never try and quit any benzodiazepine drug on your own, especially not all at once. A slow taper monitored by medical professionals in a medical detox setting is the safest way to stop using Xanax.

Get Help for Worsening Anxiety from Xanax at Muse Treatment

If you’ve been asking yourself, “Can Xanax make anxiety worse?” due to an increase in your anxiety levels or concerns about the potential for dependency and side effects, it’s crucial to know that you don’t have to navigate this challenge alone. While Xanax may offer temporary relief, relying on it for an extended period can actually intensify anxiety and lead to additional mental health struggles. Seeking professional help for drug addiction from Muse Treatment can provide the support you need to regain control over your anxiety and your life. Our comprehensive treatment programs are designed to help you safely manage Xanax withdrawal through our medical detox services, while also tackling the underlying causes of your anxiety with evidence-based therapeutic approaches. We can offer you the tools and guidance necessary to heal both your mind and body, allowing you to break free from the grip of Xanax dependency.

If you’re interested in exploring your recovery options at Muse Treatment, feel free to contact us today at 800-426-1818.

External Sources

• Cleveland Clinic: Alprazolam Tablets
• Healthline: Understanding and Coping with Rebound Anxiety
• American Psychiatric Association: What are Anxiety Disorders?