Xanax, a trade name for Alprazolam,
is a strong short-acting tranquilizer from the benzodiazepine family. Doctors
prescribe Xanax to treat anxiety disorders, panic attacks, moderate depression
and nausea from chemotherapy. A person starting to take Xanax should start
feeling its effects within the first week.
Due to its popularity as an illegal
recreational drug, Xanax has become the most abused benzodiazepine in America.
It is a Schedule IV drug.
Alternative & street names:
In
non-clinical or recreational settings, Xanax may be referred to as “Xannie” or
“handlebars.”
How
is it taken?
Xanax is taken:
·
orally.
This is the only prescribed method in ingestion
·
orally,
chewed. Not recommended.
·
crushed
and snorted. A clear sign of misuse and addiction
·
crushed,
liquefied then injected. Another sign of addiction
Effects of consumption
Xanax has been described as “revolutionary” for its ability
to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term, about 8 weeks. Any longer
than 8 weeks and the body develops a tolerance and eventually dependence and
addiction to Xanax.
Users of Xanax for approved conditions feel a relaxing
effect as the drug slows down the brain. Recreational abusers of Xanax report a
sensation similar to being “drunk” on alcohol.
Impact on
the mind/body and health risks
Like
any potent drug, Xanax has the potential for negative side effects, especially
if taken for a long period of time. General side effects include:
- drowsiness
- dizziness,
blurred vision
- inability
to concentrate, confusion
- lack
of coordination
- erection
problems
- depression
- disinhibition
- low
blood pressure
- nausea,
changes in appetite
- nightmares
Paradoxical
effects are symptoms that the drug is supposed to suppress, but instead it
causes them to manifest in some users. Paradoxical effects of Xanax include:
- epilepsy
- aggression
- violence
- impulsivity
- irritability
- suicidal
behavior
Long
term use of Xanax can lead to:
- behavioral
problems
- lack
of sex drive
- agoraphobia
- social
phobia
- anxiety
and depression
- addiction
Additionally,
long-term users of Xanax could develop cognitive dysfunction, causing problems
in:
- visuospatial
memory
- visiomotor
coordination
- information
processing
- verbal
learning
- concentration
Signs of
abuse of this substance
Abuse
of drugs like Xanax is growing among high school students, with access to
parents’ and relatives’ medicine cabinets, and college students.
High
school students may abuse Xanax as a replacement for alcohol intoxication,
while users in their 20s might combine Xanax with alcohol and/or cocaine.
An
overdose on Xanax could result in drowsiness, breathing problems and slowed reflexes.
While typically not fatal by itself, a Xanax overdose can be deadly if mixed
with other medications, alcohol, cocaine, or other illegal drug.
On February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston died unexpectedly. Some initial reports speculated that Xanax may have been a contributing factor in Ms. Houston's untimely death just one day before the Grammy's.
Common
treatment options
When
Valium abusers come to terms with their addiction, their next step is finding a
treatment facility that meets their needs.
Those with
a physical dependence on Valium will need a 24/7 facility that offers detox
services with medical supervision. Those with psychological dependence will
need a facility with counseling and therapy options.
Overcoming Valium addiction almost always requires
supervised detox and inpatient monitoring and counseling.
Withdrawal/detox
symptoms
Withdrawal
from tranquilizers like Xanax make the addict experience feelings opposite to
the medication’s therapeutic effects. In addition to feeling jittery and shaky,
a Xanax addict suffering from withdrawal might also feel:
- rapid heartbeat
- insomnia
- sweating
- irritability
- anxiety