how can I help a friend that is hooked on xanax....he says he doesnt want to quit talking them?

Question

He realizes there is a problem but he doesnt want to quit taking them.....what can I do

Answer 1

Absolutely nothing. People with mental disorders must want to get off the drugs. No outside source can motivate them. It must come from within. All you can do is listen, sympathize, and maybe suggest this book: http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-Handbook-David-Burns/dp/0452281326

Answer 2

Depending on how long he;s been on them he may never get off them. If he's starting to take too many or overdose himself he might have to start up a program with the chemist where he gets 1/2 his script at a time and has to go down after a certain day during the week and get the rest of his script. Never under any cicumstances take the pills away from him or let him stop cold turkey. This will cause anger and severe withdrawl symptoms which can be extremely dangerous for the user and the people surrounding him. Detox are available only if they want to go in. You might just have to think of it as your friend has to take his heart medicine daily exept its xanax and try to sustain a healthy friendship

Answer 3

Your friend is lucky to have a caring friend like you, willing to help him so thats a good advantage.

With xanax or any sedative, he needs to be weaned of them slowly rather than sudden withdrawl (cold turkey).

The amount or strength of xanax he's taking must be slowly reduced so he can realise he can face the world and its problems without tranquilizers.

Perhaps he needs to address the issue(s) causing the anxiety that led him to first using xanax..his doctor could refer him to a pyscologist who specializes in cognitive therapy.. this method helps sufferers to cope with and manage their anxiety, often without medication.

Its worth investigating,its what I did.

Good luck
Paul

Answer 4

THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DRUG IF HE DOES NOT HAVE THEM HE WILL HALLUCINATE HEAR VOICES AND WITHDRAW BAD THERE ARE OTHER DRUG OUT THERE THAT DO THE SAME THING BUT NOT AS SCARRY SUCH AS KOLAPAM IS VERY GOOD JUST LIKE ZANAX BEEN THERE DO THIS HE WILL END UP IN A REHAB OR WORST A STATE MENTAL HOSPITAL GET HIM TO DOCTOR TO CHANGE MEDS HE WILL BE BETTER