Are you concerned that your loved one is addicted to his Xanax prescription? Or is recreational use of the drug becoming a problem in your home? It’s not always easy to tell when your loved one is experiencing issues with Xanax abuse or addiction, but paying attention to details can help you to determine whether or not it’s time to address the topic of treatment.
How can you get the information you need to find out whether or not Xanax use is the root cause of the issues your loved one is experiencing? You can:
- Educate yourself on what drug use and abuse looks like
- Pay attention to the little things that your loved one says, does and how he acts
- Don’t underestimate the significance of recreational use of the drug
- Ask your loved one directly about his drug use
If you are concerned that Xanax abuse or addiction is a problem for your family member, don’t wait to take action. Early treatment can improve the outcome of rehab and help your loved one to build a firm foundation in sobriety. Contact us at Axis today to learn more about the types of treatment programs we offer.
Under the Influence
When your loved one takes Xanax, it will affect his appearance as well as his behavior and how he interacts with others.
The Massachusetts Health and Human Services reports that some of the signs of abuse of sedatives like Xanax include:
- Dilated pupils
- Slurred speech
- Lack of hand-eye coordination
- Seeming “out of it”
- Unable to focus
- Lightheadedness
- Feeling tired
- Memory problems
- Depression
If you see that your loved one is under the influence of Xanax, wait to talk to them about issues related to Xanax abuse and addiction until they are sober. It will be difficult for them to process any serious conversation when they are high.
Signs of Addiction
No matter what the drug of abuse, when addiction is an issue it has a significant impact on the life of your addicted loved one and the lives of everyone else in the house as well. You may notice that your loved one is dealing with:
- Legal problems. Sometimes those who are addicted to Xanax, even if they have a legitimate prescription for the drug, will often purchase more pills on the black market, buy other drugs illegally, drive while intoxicated, or get caught doing criminal acts, all of which can land them in court – and potentially, in jail.
- Financial problems. Drug abuse is an expensive habit to maintain. Many people lose their jobs, go bankrupt, and end up penniless as a result. Though these signs may not be overt, you may see that your loved one never seems to have any money and often complains of financial struggles.
- Problems at work. It’s not easy to be on time and work hard throughout the day when you are living with a Xanax addiction. Many attempt to do it for a time but when the addiction begins to spiral out of control, the job is one of the first things to go.
- Arguments with those close to him. It’s not uncommon for someone living with an active addiction to be obsessed with nothing but maintaining his pill supply and staying high. This means he is unavailable to be active and involved in his relationship with his significant other, support friends, and interact appropriately with his employer and coworkers. Lost relationships often result.
- Mental health issues. Depression and mood swings can be a consequence of long-term Xanax abuse. In some cases, it can grow into a disorder that requires treatment of its own.
Find Xanax Addiction Treatment
If you believe that your loved one is living with a Xanax addiction and you recognize the signs above in their behavior and life, it’s time to broach the conversation of treatment. It’s not an easy discussion, but it can help change his life. You can:
- Enroll him in a treatment program prior to the discussion.
- Include other concerned family members as you help your addicted loved one to realize that his situation requires treatment.
- Wait for him to be sober before you begin the conversation.
- Make it clear that you do not blame your loved one for his addiction.
- Make it clear that you will no longer support his addiction.
Contact us at Axis prior to staging an intervention and secure a spot for your loved one here with us. Call now to get started.
