Xanax is a brand of Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine that works by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders and anxiety caused by depression. Xanax is also used to treat panic disorders with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia).
Xanax may be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor if you have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, if you use or have ever used street drugs, or have overused prescription medications. Do not drink alcohol or use street drugs during your treatment. Drinking alcohol or using street drugs during your treatment with Xanax also increases the risk that you will experience these serious, life-threatening side effects. Also, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had depression or another mental illness.
Xanax may cause physical dependence (a condition in which unpleasant physical symptoms occur if a medication is suddenly stopped or taken in smaller doses), especially if you take it for several days to several weeks. Do not stop taking this medication or take fewer doses without talking to your doctor. Stopping Xanax suddenly can worsen your condition and cause withdrawal symptoms that may last for several weeks to more than 12 months. ALSO READ: How Much Does A Xanax Bar Weigh?
What is Xanax Hangover?
Xanax hangover is used to describe mild symptoms of Xanax withdrawal. Although people who misuse or abuse the medication are more likely to experience a hangover, it can affect anyone who takes the medication. Xanax has a half-life of about 11 hours, meaning that it takes about 50 hours for the body to remove it altogether.
This may seem like a long time, but Xanax has one of the shortest half-lives compared to other benzodiazepines. Therefore, withdrawal symptoms can set in more quickly compared to similar drugs. To stop taking the drug, Xanax use should usually be tapered for safety. Stopping it “Cold-turkey” can lead to severe side effects like seizures.
If your doctor prescribed Xanax to help you manage an anxiety or panic disorder, you may experience hangover symptoms while your body adjusts to the medication. It may also happen if your doctor adjusts your dose.
How to Get Rid Of Xanax Hangovers
The is no perfect cure for a Xanax hangover. The best you can get is a relief from your symptoms which itself will eventually clear out when the drug is completely metabolized and excreted from your system. The following tips can help you get some relief from unpleasant Xanax hangover symptoms:
Drink plenty Water
One of the best ways to clean out your system is by drinking plenty of water. Drinking water can help your body metabolize Xanax faster and decrease hangover symptoms. Stay away from alcoholic, caffeinated, or sugary beverages until your symptoms subside. These drinks can worsen headaches and other hangover effects.
Mild Exercise
Exercise can kickstart the natural Xanax elimination process as it flushes out the lungs, and cleanses the skin as we work up a sweat. It also increases blood flow, promoting better circulation to pump white blood cells through the body and helping organs cleanse themselves effectively. Don’t push yourself too hard; just get some natural movement in. As a bonus, exercise is a natural stress reducer and can help ease anxiety.
Nutritious diet
The best foods that can help you get rid of Xanax hangover are vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. Vegetables and fruits contain enzymes that help improve digestion and also many nutrients that are strong detoxifying agents. Xanax is absorbed and metabolized through your gastrointestinal (GI) system, so pushing fiber, protein, and fat through your GI system can help your body process the drug faster.
Get Good Sleep. Although Benzodiazepines like Xanax are associated with modest improvements to sleep latency and longer sleep duration they can suppress deep sleep which compromises sleep’s restorative effects. If you can afford to spend extra time in bed, sleep is one of the best ways to cope with the symptoms of a Xanax hangover. You can sleep through the worst of the symptoms and wake up later, after less of the drug is circulating in your body. Also Read: Can You Donate Blood If You Take Xanax?
