About Xanax
When a person is suffering from panic attacks, anxiety attacks, nervousness or stress they are prescribed a central nervous system depressant. These central nervous system (CNS) depressants are called benzodiazepine. Alprazolam or Xanax as it is commonly known is a CNS depressant. Xanax acts as an anti-anxiety agent. Xanax has been used as a tranquilizer since the early 60s. What Xanax actually does is that it acts is a manner that depresses the nervous system, similar to what alcohol does to the body. It gives temporary relief to the person suffering from nervousness, anxiety or panic attacks.
Xanax is under the category of Schedule IV drugs as per the Controlled substance act. They are also categorized as CNS depressants and are now being used as anesthesia.
How addictive is Xanax
Xanax has been used as a tranquilizer only on prescription for years, since the 60s. The reason it is used a tranquilizer is because it is effective in depression of the nervous system. Xanax, which was earlier available only with pharmacists, is now in the hands of drug dealers. Youngsters who want get high are now using it. They are the Xannie poppers who use Xanax along with stimulants like alcohol and cocaine.
Xanax being a benzodiazepine has many benefits, but it can also be abused, and hence should only be used as per a doctor’s prescription. When a person takes Xanax initially he feels drowsy and inept. The body slowly becomes used to the effects to the Xanax and the feelings of drowsiness disappear. The body then develops a tolerance to the drug; this is when the person starts taking higher doses of the drug. This is when drug abuse and addiction sets in.
Xanax is a schedule IV drug. All drugs are rated on a scale, with ‘I’ being the highest and ‘V’ being the lowest. Xanax being a schedule IV drug means that it has a low rate of addiction or abuse. But this does not mean that people do not become dependent on them. Most people get a physical or psychological dependence to Schedule IV drugs.
Abuse and overdose
Some interesting facts: More than 4 million people in 1999 were using prescription drugs for non-medical reasons. Almost 5 million people have used Xanax at some time or other. More than 22,000 people have been admitted into the hospital for Xanax related emergencies.
Xanax is prescribed for medical reasons to people who suffer from nervousness, panic attacks and anxiety. What happens when Xanax is taken is that the person feels relaxed and calm. Many people use Xanax to get sleep, to remain calm or to avoid certain emotions. This is when Xanax becomes addictive. Xanax is abused when a person takes it orally, snorts it like cocaine or injects it into their body like heroin. Xanax has effects similar to that of alcohol and that is why people abuse the effects of Xanax. What people don’t realize are the side effects of taking Xanax. The side effects could be difficulty in concentrating, sensation of floating, depressed heartbeat and breathing, excessive sleepiness, confusion and addiction.
When a person takes too much Xanax for the body to handle, this is when Xanax has been taken in overdose. Overdose of any drug can lead to any injury or even death, especially if it is combined with alcohol. There are certain symptoms of Xanax overdose. These include confusion, coma, impaired coordination, sleepiness, delayed reaction time, dizziness, slow heartbeat, difficulty with motor skills and unconsciousness.
Treatment and Withdrawal
People who are addicted to Xanax should not be abruptly jostled back to reality. This will only cause more harm than actually taking Xanax. In the case of withdrawal of Xanax abruptly, there are chances of injury and even fatalities.
There are symptoms to recognize Xanax withdrawal: rapid heartbeat, shaking hands, insomnia, sweating, irritability and anxiety.
There is no fixed treatment as such for people suffering from Xanax addiction. All that can be done is detoxification under medical supervision. This is because Xanax cannot be withdrawn from the body abruptly; it has to be a gradual process. There are inpatient and outpatient treatment centers for Xanax addiction. There has to be counseling and therapy for Xanax addiction patients.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is used for the removal of addiction on benzodiazepines, as this helps in bringing about a change in the patients and helps their psychological health.
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Information on this page last updated on 06/10/2007