Xanax Addiction
Xanax is a prescription drug that treats patients who have anxiety, panic and stress disorders. The generic name for Xanax is alprazolam. Alprazolam is in a class of medication called benzodiazepines, or benzos. It treats anxiety, panic and stress by calming down brain excitement. This calming effect drives many to abusing Xanax. It is a very dependant drug. Often, those who become addicted to the drug and do it accidentally through doctor prescriptions. This is when they start to need Xanax addiction help. When used properly, the patient will take either the pill or liquid form three to four times a day. However, an addict has to take up to 20 to 30 pills a day in order to achieve the initial feeling because they have built up a tolerance.
Xanax Tolerance
Like many other drugs, it is relatively easy to build up a tolerance to Xanax. After prolonged use of Xanax, the user’s body becomes used to the drug and requires more in order to achieve the same feeling as before. Xanax patients have to be careful of this and make sure they only take what the doctor has prescribed them to take. It is easy to become dependent on Xanax, and patients with anxiety disorders often have to take it on a daily basis for a long period of time.
Xanax Availability
This is a popular drug for teenagers to become addicted to. The street price for Xanax is very low (.5 mg are usually around $1.00 to $2.00). Xanax is a very popular drug for treatment purposes; so many parents have the drug in the house. Parents should always keep prescription drugs out of sight from their children.
How To Take Xanax
When using Xanax properly, the patient takes the pills exactly how the doctor prescribes. It is dangerous to try to decide your own dosage. When taking Xanax in the liquid form, it needs to be mixed in with a semi-solid food like pudding or applesauce. When abusing Xanax, users may take it orally, just like a normal patient. If a user takes the pills normally, they will typically take a higher dosage than what a patient would take. A true addict may end up taking 20 to 30 pills a day. Xanax can also be crushed and snorted (like cocaine), or crushed and dissolved in water (like heroin), then injected. Many see injecting as the best way to get the drug straight into the bloodstream.
Effects of Xanax Addiction
Xanax is a depressant, so it acts much like alcohol in that it calms the body by slowing the brain down. Some effects that a user will experience the first few times are:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depressed heartbeat
- Depressed breathing
- “Floating” sensation
- Addiction
- Excessive sleepiness
- Mental confusion
Once an addiction has started, less desirable symptoms begin to occur:
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of concentration
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Dry mouth
- Weight change
- Difficulty urinating
Some side effects are uncommon, but there’s in a possibility of:
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Sever skin rash
- Yellowing eyes and skin
- Memory problems
- Confusion
- Problems with coordination
Xanax addiction is also dangerous because if the user stops taking the drug, withdrawal symptoms will occur. Consult a doctor or rehab center before getting of Xanax.
Xanax Help
If you or a loved one is addicted to Xanax, it is important to seek help. Xanax is a highly dependent drug. Once addicted, the effects are devastating. Many lose their jobs, dreams and ambitions. But, there is hope. If you are interested in receiving information on Xanax detox or rehab, please call our toll free number at (877) 571-5720.
