Hello R2,
< How long does it take to become addicated to Xanax? How much does
it take and for how long to become addicted? >
Xanax is addictive at dosage levels of 4 mg or more per day for
periods from 8 to 12 weeks - although it can be dependence forming at
lower doses.
Below I am providing online references so that you may verify that
this is the correct answer.
“Post-marketing surveillance data suggest that the risk of dependence
and its severity appear to be greater in patients treated with
relatively high doses (above 4 mg/day) and for long periods (more than
8 to 12 weeks).”
RxMed Pharmaceutical Information: Xanax
http://www.rxmed.com/b.main/b2.pharmaceutical/b2.1.monographs/CPS-%20Monographs/CPS-%20(General%20Monographs-%20X)/XANAX.html
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SIDE EFFECTS:
Xanax – Alprazolam “Psychological dependence is a risk with all
benzodiazepines, including alprazolam. The risk of psychological
dependence may also be increased at doses greater than 4 mg/day and
with longer term use, and this risk is further increased in patients
with a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Some patients have
experienced considerable difficulty in tapering and discontinuing from
alprazolam, especially those receiving higher doses for extended
periods. Addiction-prone individuals should be under careful
surveillance when receiving alprazolam.”
“To discontinue treatment in patients taking alprazolam, the dosage
should be reduced slowly in keeping with good medical practice. It is
suggested that the daily dosage of alprazolam be decreased by no more
than 0.5 mg every 3 days”
RxList: Side Effects
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/alpraz_ad.htm
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WARNINGS:
“Even after relatively short-term use at the doses recommended for the
treatment of transient anxiety and anxiety disorder (i.e., 0.75-4.0 mg
per day), there is some risk of dependence. Spontaneous reporting
system data suggest that the risk of dependence and its severity
appear to be greater in patients treated with doses greater than 4
mg/day and for long periods (more than 12 weeks).”
RxList: Warnings
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/alpraz_wcp.htm
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ADDICTION FEARS RISE ABOUT XANAX
Experts concerned over extended use of anti-panic drug by Ronald
Kotulak
Chicago Tribune: October 21, 2002
“Addiction experts say that taking Xanax for more than eight weeks
carries a high risk of dependency.”
http://www.benzo.org.uk/chitrib.htm
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“Xanax is addictive at dosage levels of 4 mg or more per day -
although it can be dependance forming at lower doses. Even if one
takes 1 mg per day for a week or more, it should be tapered off of
very, very gradually - under your Doctor's supervision - when
stopping.”
http://www.heartburn-help.com/MessageBoard45/_disc26/000003b4.htm
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From Red Oak Psychiatry - Contraindications, Warnings, and
Precautions:
“Even after relatively short-term use at recommended doses, there is
some risk for dependence. The risk is higher when taking doses over
4mg per day for longer than 8 to 12 weeks. The potential for
psychological dependence is more of a risk in individuals with a
history of alcohol or drug abuse. Addiction prone individuals should
be under careful surveillance when receiving Xanax.”
Red Oak Psychiatry Associates, P.A.
http://www.redoakpsychiatry.com/medications/xanax.html
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From Pharmacy Network Group:
“Psychological dependence is a risk with all benzodiazepines,
including alprazolam. The risk of psychological dependence may also be
increased at doses greater than 4 mg/day and with longer term use, and
this risk is further increased in patients with a history of alcohol
or drug abuse. Some patients have experienced considerable difficulty
in tapering and discontinuing from alprazolam, especially those
receiving higher doses for extended periods. Addiction-prone
individuals should be under careful surveillance when receiving
alprazolam.”
Pharmacy Network Group: Xanax Side Effects
http://www.pharmacynetworkgroup.com/xanax-side-effects.htm
“Even after relatively short-term use at the doses recommended for the
treatment of transient anxiety and anxiety disorder (i.e., 0.75-4.0 mg
per day), there is some risk of dependence. Spontaneous reporting
system data suggest that the risk of dependence and its severity
appear to be greater in patients treated with doses greater than 4
mg/day and for long periods (more than 12 weeks). However, in a
controlled postmarketing discontinuation study of panic disorder
patients, the duration of treatment (3 months compared to 6 months)
had no effect on the ability of patients to taper to zero dose. In
contrast, patients treated with doses of alprazolam greater than 4
mg/day had more difficulty tapering to zero dose than those treated
with less than 4 mg/day.”
Pharmacy Network Group: Xanax Warnings
http://www.pharmacynetworkgroup.com/w/xanax-warnings-precautions.htm
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Excerpts from Toxic Psychiatry (Chapter 11) by Peter R. Breggin, M.D.
“.. In a personal communication in late December 1990, internist John
Steinberg confirmed that patients taking one Xanax tablet each day for
several weeks can become addicted. Steinberg is medical director of
the Chemical Dependency Program at the Greater Baltimore Medical
Center and president of the Maryland Society of Addiction Medicine. He
points to research that Xanax and other short-acting benzodiazepines
can cause a reactive hyperactivity of the receptors that they block.
The hyperactive receptors then require one or more doses of Xanax each
day or they produce anxiety and emotional discomfort. Steinberg calls
the impact of Xanax "a fundamental change in the homeostasis of the
brain." After the patient stops taking the Xanax, according to
Steinberg, it takes the brain six to eighteen months to recover. Xanax
patients should be warned, he says, that it can take a long time to
get over painful withdrawal symptoms.”
BenzoOrg
http://www.benzo.org.uk/breggin2.htm
The book Toxic Psychiatry by Peter R. Breggin is available at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0312113668/ref=ase_dicksguides/104-3187301-8380706?v=glance&s=books
Is Xanax, (Alprazolam) addictive?
"Xanax, (Alprazolam) ... definitely causes addiction without being
mixed with other sedatives. Steinberg, president of the Maryland
Society of Addiction Medicine estimates that one in ten patients
receiving Xanax, Alprazolam will become addicted. * (Based on an
estimated fifteen million people receiving Xanax, Alprazolam each year
in the United States, Steinberg concludes that 1.5 million Xanax,
Alprazolam addicts are produced each year.)"
From Toxic Psychiatry by Peter R. Breggin
http://dicksguides.com/Xanax99.htm
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“Studies of Xanax show that most patients develop withdrawal symptoms
during routine treatment lasting only eight weeks. Tolerance, or the
need for increasing doses to achieve the same psychoactive effect, is
the underlying physical mechanism of addiction.”
http://www.sntp.net/drugs/minor_tranquilizers.htm
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medical advice.
Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga |
