Unveiling the Complexities of Xanax Addiction

Xanax has become the go-to medication for treating anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia, with an astounding 50 million prescriptions written in 2013. It’s important to note that this drug carries a high risk of addiction if used over long periods of time – even teens have been known to abuse it by raiding their family’s medicine cabinets without permission. The generic name for Xanax is alprazolam, which belongs to the family of drugs known as benzodiazepines. This group of medications work by depressants or sedatives on the central nervous system, thus providing a sense of calm and relaxation.

 

Xanax can be misused to access its sedative properties, leading to drug dependence when taken beyond the prescribed daily dosage. Shockingly, some users consume up to thirty pills a day! To gain insight into how people become enslaved by this substance and why it is so dangerous, let’s delve deeper into what Xanax addiction looks like.

Have you ever wondered what Xanax looks like?

When looking for a Xanax prescription, you’ll find four distinct doses: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1 mg and 2 mg alprazolam tablets – oval in shape for the first three dosages and oblong for the last one. Every pill is branded with “XANAX” plus its strength as well as unique coloration depending on dosage; white representing both 0.25 mg and 2 mg tablets respectively, peach colored .5 mg tablet and finally blue 1 mg pill. You may stumble upon these brand names at your local pharmacy shelves:

 

  •   Frontal
  •   Niravam
  •   Esparon
  •   Alplax
  •   Tafil
  •   Trankimazin
  •   Cassadan
  •   Constan

What mechanisms does Xanax employ to assist in alleviating anxiety?

Targeting GABA receptors in the brain, benzodiazepines like diazepam work to slow down cerebral activity. When these drug binders take effect, muscle relaxation occurs as does a reduction of anxiety symptoms or panic attacks for those battling epileptic seizures. Its sedating properties make benzodiazepines an ideal option when seeking relief from vehement mental health issues.

As a potent benzodiazepine, Xanax should only be prescribed by doctors for serious cases of anxiety. Using it in less extreme situations can have intense effects and therefore is ill-advised.

Exploring the Relaxing Benefits of Xanax

When Xanax is illegally traded, drug traffickers use alternative handles to refer to it, like:

 

  •   Xannies
  •   Planks
  •   White girls
  •   White boys
  •   Bicycle parts
  •   Zanbars
  •   Blue footballs
  •   School bus
  •   Footballs
  •   Xanbars
  •   Handlebars
  •   Bars
  •   Z-bars
  •   Totem poles

Abusers of Xanax don’t just take the drug orally, they often inject, snort or use blotter paper to consume it. Additionally, those who misuse this medication rarely take only one pill; instead they mix with other substances such as alcohol and sedatives in order to intensify their high. Furthermore, many individuals will also grossly overdose on the drug in an effort to increase its effect even more than what is prescribed.

 

Mixing Xanax with other substances can have catastrophic effects. The negative impacts of the various compounds build upon each other, making them more hazardous to your body than if taken alone. But combining it with alcohol is especially dangerous – both being depressants, you could suffer respiratory failure or even an overdose as a result.

How does the dependence on Xanax begin?

Although taking Xanax as directed carries a low risk of addiction, misusing this drug can be hazardous. Tolerance for it mounts fast; thus, even more is required to experience its effects which can lead to dependency and eventually an addiction.

Xanax dependency can swiftly and unexpectedly take hold of your life, leaving you feeling powerless. You may devote more resources to obtaining the substance; overlook essential tasks or family commitments; and abandon activities that used to bring you pleasure. Addiction is a sly master – slowly but surely it will start ruling over every aspect of your life without warning.

What evidence reveals a dependence on Xanax?

Overcoming your addiction will require drastic behavior modifications that include, but are not limited to:

  • Continuing to take Xanax even after the prescription is over
  • Not being able to stop yourself from taking Xanax, even if you really want to quit
  • Losing track of how much Xanax you’ve taken
  • Driving under the influence of Xanax
  • Obsessing over how to get more Xanax
  • Not enjoying things you used to be passionate about, like sports, hobbies, and personal projects

Are you considering quitting Xanax use? If so, here are some essential tips to help you break free from the drug and reclaim control of your life.

Quitting the drug suddenly can have dangerous, possibly life-threatening results. Seizures are a common symptom of withdrawal and should not be disregarded. Further, other warning signs may include:

 

  •   Trouble sleeping
  •   Muscle twitching
  •   Nausea
  •   Paranoid behavior
  •   Hallucinations
  •   Excessive sweating

 

It is vital to seek medical assistance when you are looking to stop taking Xanax, rather than attempting an abrupt cessation. The physician will decrease your dosage gradually and may even substitute a slow-acting variant for some time, helping avoid intense withdrawal symptoms experienced from sudden medication termination.

Consuming more than 4mg of Xanax daily is not recommended due to potential safety risks.

Exceeding the safe dose can result in severe overdose symptoms, such as:

 

  •   Extreme drowsiness
  •   Confusion
  •   Unable to speak clearly
  •   Impaired motor skills
  •   Reflexes become less sensitive
  •   Muscle twitching
  •   Very slow breathing
  •   Paralysis
  •   Depression

Ingesting an excessive amount of Xanax can be fatal, so if you experience any signs or symptoms associated with a potential overdose, be sure to seek medical attention immediately.

What methods of treatment are available for a Xanax overdose?

To reduce the effects of Xanax, your doctor can start by flushing out any unabsorbed substance from your stomach. They may supplement this with medications such as Flumazenil and providing hydration through intravenous fluids. Your treatment plan will be created based on how much you took and what other substances were taken in combination so it’s important to provide medical personnel all relevant information for them to give you the most effective care available!

Are you struggling with a dependency on Xanax?

Overcoming Xanax addiction can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to battle it on your own. With a combination of medical detox and behavioral therapies, full recovery is achievable. Take the initial step today by reaching out to a knowledgeable professional – with their help you will be able to reclaim your life from substance abuse! Put an end to waiting; begin living normally again with someone who has seen it all before!

 

By Rehan

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