Long-Term Use of Xanax Can Cause Hallucinations

What is Xanax?

Xanax (Alprazolam) Alprazolam is a prescription medicine that’s used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorders.

It’s in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines and works by lessening abnormal excitement in the brain.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved alprazolam in 1981. It’s sold under the brand name Xanax.

Long-Term Use

Long-Term use of Xanax can cause multiple amounts of effects including derealisation (feeling out of touch with reality), memory loss, inappropriate behavior, with loss of normal inhibitions.

While Xanax is beneficial for anxiety treatment, its prolonged use can cause dependence, withdrawal, and numerous other severe effects.

Other changes may be more unusual and extreme, such as confusion, worsening of depression, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.

What is considered to be "long-term use" of benzos?

As mentioned before, benzodiazepines are not meant to be used for long periods of time. By using benzodiazepines for an extended time, there is an increased risk of the development of certain health conditions. The amount of time considered “long-term” in regard to benzodiazepine abuse is around three to six months.

How long is too long for benzodiazepines?

You should only be prescribed benzodiazepines for the shortest amount of time possible. Taking benzodiazepines regularly for a few weeks or more can lead to addiction. Doctors recommend that you only take them for 2-4 weeks. Intermittent use may help to avoid addiction.

Can Xanax cause anger and aggression issues?

Xanax can cause aggression, rage, and agitation in the user, making it very important that you do not confront them out of anger or while alone. A successful intervention relies on a calm, professional approach and results in the Xanax user agreeing to get help for their addiction.

Behavioral Signs of Xanax Abuse and Xanax Addiction

When Xanax is abused, it can cause strange behaviors. Some of the most common behavioral signs of Xanax abuse are stealing, slurred speech, disorientation, and memory problems.

1. Stealing – Many people impulsively steal when they are high on Xanax. If you notice your loved one going through random spurts of acquiring things they usually wouldn’t have, they may be abusing Xanax.

2. Slurred Speech – When someone is abusing Xanax, it has a strong effect on them. Since Xanax is a depressant, it can cause slurring of speech like alcohol. When someone is addicted, the side effects of Xanax won’t be as noticeable because their body is now used to them.

3. Disorientation and Memory Problems – Disorientation and memory loss are common signs of Xanax abuse. Xanax is used to treat anxiety by slowing down nerve cell activity in the brain; this can cause disorientation in the user. It can cause short-term amnesia or Xanax blackouts in those who are abusing Xanax. If someone is addicted to Xanax, they can end up missing large chunks of time and have no memory of what they’ve done for up to weeks at a time.

If you think that your loved one is exhibiting any of these behavioral signs, they may be addicted to Xanax. If someone is abusing or addicted to Xanax, they cannot abruptly stop taking the medication. Xanax withdrawal is one of the only drug withdrawals that can be deadly, so it’s important that an addict is seen at an appropriate treatment facility before attempting to stop taking it.

One Year Off Benzodiazepines: A Doctor’s Journey

Christy Huff, M.D. wrote a blog on April 20, 2020, titled "One Year Off Benzodiazepines: A Doctor’s Journey".

She discusses how she was prescribed Xanax for insomnia in August 2015. With no holds barred, she describes her journey in coming off benzodiazepines.

It is a very educational article. If you have a family member or loved one on Xanax it is definitely a good read.

Resources:

Web MD

Benzoinfo.com

Mayo Clinic