Xanax is the number one prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States. Tolerance to Xanax develops quickly, requiring the user to take more of the drug to achieve the desired effects. Someone with a Xanax addiction may take up to 20 or 30 pills per day.
If the user decides to stop taking Xanax, they may experience withdrawal effects such as anxiety , restlessness, insomnia , and tremors. The onset of withdrawal symptoms is a sign that a physical dependence has developed. The development of tolerance and withdrawal are indications of addiction. Once a Xanax addiction has taken hold, daily responsibilities such as school, work, or family are ignored as energy is redirected toward drug-seeking behavior.
The symptoms of Xanax withdrawal are similar to those of alcohol or Barbiturate withdrawal, and the severity of the symptoms can vary. If convulsions occur, withdrawal from Xanax can be deadly. Normally, the withdrawal process involves slowly reducing the dosage of Xanax and eventually switching the user to a long-acting form of the drug for a period of time.
The gradual taper of this drug helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Learn More. Xanax is the brand name for Alprazolam, a prescription Sedative in the Benzodiazepines family.
Benzodiazepines were originally developed as a replacement for Barbiturates. The result is a calm and relaxed feeling. Because Xanax is a CNS Depressant, common effects of the drug include slurred speech, loss of coordination, and anxiety.
Xanax is dispensed in 0. The pills come in different shapes and colors depending on their strength. The 2 mg tablets are white, green, or yellow in color and rectangular in shape. The rest are oval shaped and colored white 0. Xanax is a regulated schedule IV controlled substance. After taking Xanax, the peak effects of the drug are typically felt within one to two hours.
Taking more than the prescribed dosage or using Xanax without a prescription is considered abuse of the drug. However, even those who follow a prescription can fall victim to Xanax addiction and abuse. Xanax is typically abused because of the sense of calm and relaxation it causes in the user. Some people abuse Xanax by taking it in higher doses or combining it with other drugs or alcohol in order to achieve the desired high.
The first time I popped a Xanax was the first time I felt relief from my anxiety disorder… There was something oddly comforting about Xanax — the way it came in many shapes and colors, like peach and blue. I enjoyed looking at the pills. They were a pretty little assortment of happiness I could feel just by holding in my hands.
Although Xanax put a temporary stop to my agony, it soon introduced a new kind. Make a Call An overdose on Xanax can be fatal, especially if the substance is taken with alcohol or other drugs.
Overdose can also occur if the pills are crushed or chewed, as the drug is designed to be time-released into the system. Xanax overdose symptoms include:. Treatment for a Xanax overdose will depend on how much of the drug was taken and whether other drugs or alcohol were also taken. It is, in fact, the single most frequently prescribed psychiatric drug in the U. Xanax is extremely effective in relieving many anxiety and panic disorders, by enhancing the effects of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA.
Xanax is also used to treat depression, though not quite as often, and is used to aid in weaning people away from alcohol dependence to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The side effects of Xanax are often similar to those of alcohol, and they affect the same receptors; this is another reason why it has become such a social drug.
As I touched on before, Xanax often mimics the effects of alcohol, and therefore, it is becoming more and more common for people to replace alcohol with it. It soothes the nerves for social interactions, and taken at higher doses, can even have a euphoric effect. The problem with it being such a social drug is that social interactions, especially for adults, usually involve alcohol. People do often choose to mix Xanax and alcohol, which increases the effects of alcohol but can result in serious, and even deadly symptoms.
Some overdose symptoms of Xanax might include difficulty breathing, extreme drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, and seizures.
This drug is extremely addicting. Any drug that causes a surge in dopamine levels will increase pleasure and therefore make you want to do it again. Many people who take Xanax recreationally, or without a prescription, describe the feeling as sedating or calming. These feelings may lead to falling asleep or passing out for a few hours.
Some people have also reported memory loss or blacking out and not remembering what happened for several hours. Higher doses will have stronger effects. Alcohol increases the effects of Xanax and slows down how quickly your body can clear the drug from your system.
If you take the medicine and then drink alcohol, you may experience extreme lethargy and prolonged memory loss. These include:.
You should avoid combining Xanax with several other drugs due to their interactions. Xanax can interact with many medications, including some:. Over time, this may lead to a toxic buildup of the drug and eventually an overdose. They can assess the risks and discuss them with you. You should also avoid combining Xanax with drugs — even over-the-counter ones — that can make you sleepy, slow your breathing, or cause extreme lethargy.
The compounded effects of combining these drugs may be dangerous and put you at risk for health issues or death. The effects of Xanax should be mild, but detectable. If the drug appears to be having a significant impact on you, you should seek emergency medical attention. You should also seek emergency medical attention if you experience signs of an allergic reaction. Signs may include swelling of the face, lips, throat, and tongue and difficulty breathing.
Likewise, if you experience signs of withdrawal, you should contact your doctor immediately. Xanax is a potentially habit-forming drug, so some people may develop a dependency or addiction without realizing it. Doctors generally recommend that first-time Xanax users start with the lowest possible dose.
High doses can be fatal. This might include aggression, promiscuity, or theft. Xanax is taken by mouth and absorbed quickly by the bloodstream. Some people may first begin experiencing the effects of Xanax within 5 to 10 minutes of taking the pill. Almost everyone will feel the effects of the drug within an hour.
0コメント