Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms: What to Expect and When to Get Help

Common Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

When you stop taking Xanax, you can experience several different kinds of symptoms. Here’s what you might feel and why it happens.

Physical Symptoms: How Your Body Reacts

The physical symptoms of Xanax withdrawal⁴ can feel a lot like having a bad flu or hangover. You might notice:

• Headaches, dizziness, or lightheadedness
• Fever or sweating more than usual 
• Muscle spasms, aches, or shakiness
• Blurry vision or sensitivity to bright lights
• Nausea or stomach pain
• Having a hard time falling or staying asleep
• Heart palpitations or increased heart rate
• Higher blood pressure 

Your body might feel extra sensitive during withdrawal, so everyday lights and sounds that normally wouldn’t bother you might suddenly feel too bright or too loud. This happens because Xanax is a central nervous system depressant, and without it, your nervous system has to work overtime to calm things down. 

Mental and Emotional Symptoms: How Your Mind Reacts

Withdrawal can also affect how you feel emotionally and mentally. You might:

• Feel more anxious or have panic attacks (sometimes worse than before)
• Have mood swings or get irritated easily
• Feel mentally foggy or have trouble concentrating
• Feel down or hopeless
• Have racing thoughts 
• Have strong cravings for Xanax
• Feel easily overwhelmed 

You might notice that some withdrawal symptoms feel similar to the anxiety disorder you were taking Xanax for in the first place. This “rebound anxiety” is common and doesn’t mean your anxiety is getting worse permanently—it’s just part of the withdrawal process and will improve with time.

Serious Withdrawal Symptoms: When to Get Immediate Help

In some cases—especially after heavy or long-term use—Xanax withdrawal can cause more serious symptoms. If you experience any of these, you should seek medical attention right away:

• Seizures
• Seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there
• Severe confusion about where you are or what’s happening
• Losing touch with reality

These severe symptoms are more likely to happen if you stop Xanax suddenly⁵ (“cold turkey”) instead of gradually reducing your dose under a doctor’s guidance. This is why getting help from a medical professional during withdrawal is so important, especially if you’ve been taking higher doses or using Xanax for a long time.

When Will I Feel Better? The Xanax Withdrawal Timeline

No two people experience Xanax withdrawal exactly the same way, but there is a general pattern most people follow. Knowing what to expect and when can help you prepare and get the right support for your situation.

Early Withdrawal (1-4 Days After Your Last Dose)

Xanax withdrawal symptoms⁶ often kick in within 1-4 days after your last dose. Since Xanax is a short-acting benzodiazepine, it has a shorter half-life than many other benzos. This means you’ll likely notice symptoms starting sooner rather than later. During these first few days, you might experience:

• “Rebound” anxiety that might feel stronger than your original anxiety
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Feeling restless or on edge
• Irritability or mood changes

These early symptoms happen as your body first notices the absence of Xanax in your system.

Acute Withdrawal (Days 5-14)

The full-blown withdrawal syndrome typically lasts about 10-14 days. During this period, you might deal with:

• Increased anxiety and possible panic attacks
• Sleep disturbances and nightmares
• Physical symptoms like tremors, sweating, and nausea
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
• Muscle pain and stiffness
• Headaches and sensitivity to light
• In more severe cases, possible seizures⁷ (which is why medical supervision is crucial)

This acute phase is when symptoms are typically most intense and when medical support is most important, especially if you’ve been on higher doses or taking Xanax long-term.

Improvement Period (After Week 2)

After the acute withdrawal phase, most people start to see gradual improvement. During this time, you might notice:

• Symptoms becoming less intense and more manageable
• Better sleep quality
• Decreasing anxiety levels
• More good days than hard ones

For some people, symptoms resolve completely within a few weeks. For others, some symptoms may persist longer.

The Long Haul: Months Later

Some people deal with lingering symptoms for months after stopping Xanax.⁸ Doctors call this post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). If this happens to you, you might experience:

• Occasional anxiety or panic attacks that come out of nowhere
• Nights where you just can’t sleep well
• Mood swings that seem to have no trigger
• Feeling mentally foggy or having trouble thinking clearly

The good news is these protracted withdrawal symptoms usually get milder and show up less often as time passes. For most people, they eventually go away completely, though it might take several months.

To learn more about long-term side effects, see our complete guide to post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) and how to manage these lingering symptoms.

Factors That Affect Your Withdrawal Experience

How long your withdrawal lasts and how severe it is depends on several factors:

• How much you were taking: Higher doses usually mean more severe withdrawal symptoms.
• How long you were taking it: Months or years of use means a longer recovery.
• How you stop: Gradually reducing your dose (tapering) under medical supervision causes fewer problems.
• Your personal health factors: Your age, overall health, and body chemistry matter.
• Past experiences: If you’ve gone through benzo withdrawal before, your body might be more sensitive.

This timeline is just a general roadmap. Your personal journey might look different, and that’s okay.

Xanax Detox and Recovery: Find Help for the Journey Ahead

Withdrawing from Xanax can be challenging, but with the right support and care, it’s a journey you can take on successfully. Keep in mind that the discomfort of withdrawal is temporary, and plenty of people have gone through this process and emerged stronger on the other side.

If you or your loved one is considering quitting Xanax, the first step is to speak with a healthcare professional. A qualified addiction medicine specialist can assess your situation and create a personalized treatment plan that may include inpatient or outpatient rehab and support groups. Don’t try to go through this alone—professional support is hugely important for your safety and comfort during withdrawal.

For help finding treatment options, search for specialized Xanax addiction treatment programs in your area. Recovery is possible, and support is available whenever you’re ready.

FAQs

Q: When might I experience withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines?

A: Withdrawal symptoms can begin within 6-12 hours after your last dose of Xanax, which has a shorter half-life than many other benzodiazepines. Symptoms often peak within 2-4 days.

Q: How long do Xanax withdrawal symptoms last?

A: Acute withdrawal symptoms typically last 1-2 weeks, but some people experience milder, lingering symptoms for several weeks or months. The timeline varies based on dosage, duration of use, and individual factors.

Q: Is it safe to detox from Xanax at home?

A: Home detox can be dangerous, especially after long-term or high-dose use. Always consult with a healthcare provider before attempting to stop taking Xanax. Medically supervised detoxification is strongly recommended for most people quitting Xanax.

Q: Where can I find a Xanax detox clinic?

A: You can find medical detox facilities by using our treatment finder at Recovery.com.

Q: What is the best way to manage Xanax withdrawal symptoms?

A: The safest approach is a medically supervised gradual taper, combined with supportive medications for specific symptoms, therapy, and self-care practices. Suddenly stopping Xanax use is never recommended.