Pinnacle Peak Recovery: How Long Does It Take To Detox From Xanax

Scottsdale, AZ-based Pinnacle Peak Recovery has published a new article that explores how long the body takes to detox from Xanax. The center is committed to helping the community make informed decisions about their health.

The article notes that millions of people around the US have been reported misusing prescription medications like Xanax, which can have a significant impact on their lives. Given the high numbers of Americans who also report experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, the fact that Xanax is often taken to treat panic attacks or anxiety also means that a sizable portion of Americans is likely to have taken the medication at some point. Like any drug, it comes with side effects as well, and this is one reason why an individual may wish to learn how long their body will take to detox from Xanax.

“The amount of time it takes for Xanax to pass entirely through the body depends on a few things. First, it’s important to know what a half-life is, which is how the length of time a substance is in someone’s body is measured, divided in half. Secondly, things like age, metabolism, history of substance use, and the other substances you have in your body can impact the amount of time it takes for a substance to leave the body.”

Notably, Xanax’s properties mean it tends not to linger in the body. However, the article points out that there are versions of Xanax (extended-release tablets) that are designed to extend how long it remains. Typically, the average half-life of Xanax is about 11 hours — but this does not mean it takes 11 hours to detox. Rather, it takes 11 hours for the amount of Xanax in the body to reduce by half, and the full detox period will be determined by dosage and other factors.

Pinnacle Peak Recovery says that it is important to understand all of the effects Xanax has on the body. In addition to the marketed use, which is to treat panic attacks, manage anxiety, and so on, Xanax has certain side effects. The center confirms that people using the medication as prescribed have also been known to experience withdrawal symptoms. This is why doctors tend to taper patients off Xanax rather than ask them to stop taking it completely when it is no longer needed.

An individual undergoing withdrawal from Xanax may experience both physical and psychological symptoms. “Even though Xanax is a depressant,” the article states, “meaning it primarily affects your brain and central nervous system, you can still experience physical side effects when going through Xanax withdrawal. Some more common physical withdrawal symptoms include vertigo, blurry vision, nausea, vomiting, tingling sensation on your skin, cramps, and tinnitus (ringing in your ears). In extreme cases, or if you were taking Xanax as a way to manage a seizure disorder, you might experience seizures as a side effect as well.”

Those who stop taking Xanax as part of their prescription to manage certain symptoms may also find that these symptoms become a part of withdrawal. Panic attacks, for instance, may return if Xanax is no longer taken. The article adds that people may also experience delusions, hallucinations, and memory loss.

The article says people will typically see a withdrawal period that lasts a little under three weeks, with symptoms being their strongest in the first 1 - 3 days after the last dose. This is also when an individual would be at the highest risk of certain side effects, such as seizures. It is reported that people often feel cravings, mood swings, insomnia, and nausea as well during this period.

Some symptoms may persist long after the timeline outlined in the article (18 days), but Pinnacle Peak Recovery says they can be managed with proper treatment. The article offers many more details on Xanax and its detox process, including the factors that may initially lead to misuse, what complications may arise during detox, and what professional resources are available for those who need help.

The full article is available on the official Pinnacle Peak Recovery website, but interested parties are welcome to contact the center directly to follow up on any inquiries or consult a professional. Pinnacle Peak Recovery can always be reached over the phone, and they welcome the opportunity to connect with people in need over social media.