Can I Get Addicted to Xanax Even If It Was Prescribed

Can I Get Addicted to Xanax Even If It Was Prescribed Addiction Drug Use Prescription Medications Print Can I Get Addicted to Xanax? By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on April 03, 2017 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on April 28, 2019 Russell Johnson / EyeEm / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Prescription Medications Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery Xanax is a prescription medication  that  is sometimes prescribed to people with a variety of anxiety disorders, as well as for those who have been through upsetting experiences, such as the death of a loved one, to help calm them down and help them sleep. Even though it is addictive, people still often ask the question, Will I get addicted to Xanax when it has been prescribed by my physician? Why Would My Doctor Prescribe a Potentially Addictive Drug? For people who have been through a shocking and  distressing experience, the feelings of anxiety they are experiencing are normal under the circumstances. Insomnia is also common. Although incidents such as the unexpected death of a loved one are very upsetting, grief is a natural human process that takes time to overcome.  The distressing feelings do get better, but it is often difficult to predict how long it will take someone to deal with a stressor, such as an unexpected loss, emotionally. In these circumstances, it is understandable that your physician would prescribe you Xanax.  Xanax is a benzodiazepine medication  that works very quickly and effectively to reduce anxiety and help with sleep. Physicians often prescribe these medications to help patients feel better when they are very distressed, and generally, patients find them helpful in the short term. Xanax can calm people quickly and effectively and can help promote relaxation and sleep when taken as prescribed. For those who only take the dose given by their doctor, and who only take the drug for a brief period until things settle down, these medications can be part of a coping strategy which includes emotional and practical support, as needed. The Risk of Benzodiazepine Addiction However, benzodiazepines do carry some risk of addiction.  Although most who take them never develop issues with addiction or abuse, many people who take them at high enough doses over a long enough period of time do, at the very least, experience a  rebound effect  when they stop taking them. A rebound effect is a more pronounced version of the symptoms you were taking the medication for, so in your case, you are likely to feel an increase in anxiety and sleeplessness. Some people develop a more severe addiction to benzodiazepines, especially if they take a higher dose than  was originally prescribed. If you ask your physician for a higher dose, he or she may feel it is supportive to prescribe it, even though  the risk that you will become addicted increases. Under the circumstances, your physician may believe the most important thing right now is to help you get through the difficult time. Not everyone who takes benzodiazepines gets addicted or to the same extent.  Although many clinicians believe that addiction is unpredictable, research has shown that there are psychological and situational factors that can affect it. In general, there is a personality profile associated with the tendency to become addicted to benzodiazepines.  Those who become addicted tend to cope in more emotional ways than those who take benzodiazepines but dont become addicted. These people cope in task-based ways instead. Those who become addicted tend to withdraw more from social situations, and they tend to have had more adverse life events. How to Avoid Addiction to Benzodiazepines If you decide to take  prescribed benzodiazepines for your anxiety or sleep problems, it is very important not to take more of the medication than prescribed. It might also be worth talking to your doctor about alternative medications or non-medication approaches to treatment, or contacting a mental health professional to find out what they recommend. For example, there are effective psychotherapies for treating anxiety, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and  lifestyle changes that will promote improved sleep in the long term. Although it is important to recognize the risk of addiction, it is also important to take care of yourself emotionally. Whatever you and your doctor decide is the right treatment for you, it would help to spend time with a trusted, caring person who will understand and support you during difficult times. If you feel unable to cope with your feelings and feel that there is no-one to turn to, go to your nearest emergency room or call 911. How Long Does Xanax Stay in Your System?