Prescription drug addiction is a major concern among people who are prescribed various medications. From opioids that help relieve pain to mental health-related drugs, the biggest concern is that they will form a dependency. While these medications can be extremely beneficial, they also come with challenges. Not only is opioid addiction a growing concern, but so is addiction to benzodiazepines like Xanax. This mental health-related drug, while helpful for people who need it, is extremely prone to abuse and addiction. Here’s a quick breakdown of what Xanax is, how it’s abused, and who is most likely to abuse this popular mental health drug.
Xanax and Xanax Bars
Xanax is a prescription anti-psychotic drug that’s often prescribed for anxiety, panic disorders, and depression. It’s been around since the 1970’s, so the side effects and challenges are well-known. Xanax is found in many different colors and strengths. The highest strength pills are often called Xanax bars. This long, thin pill is scored so that it can more easily be broken into smaller doses. This method of dosing ensures that people are less likely to overdose and can manage their prescriptions more easily.
This medication helps to calm the nervous system and can bring relief to people suffering from an acute anxiety attack, or even from irritable bowel syndrome as a result of anxiety. Xanax bars are a more cost-effective way to get the dosing people need, but because more than one section can be taken at once, it’s prone to abuse.
How is Xanax Abused?
Xanax abuse often occurs when people start taking higher doses than they were prescribed or when someone gets ahold of Xanax without a prescription. When someone is suffering a panic attack, a higher dose often brings results more quickly than a lower one, so it makes the drug prone to abuse. Another way that people abuse Xanax is by taking it when they don’t have a mental health need for it. This can cause people to get a sedative effect due to the ways the medication affects the brain.
Who is At Risk for Xanax Addiction?
People who are most at risk of Xanax addiction are those who are taking Xanax bars in higher dosing than they were prescribed. They may get them from family, friends, or a dealer off the street. If they have a history of substance abuse already, or if a family member does, this can put people more at risk of addiction to prescription medications like Xanax. Other risk factors include age and accessibility. Young adults seem to be more prone to being addicted to Xanax, but they are also the demographic that’s most often prescribed this medication for mental health concerns.
Conclusion
Addiction to substances like Xanax is a huge concern. Not only can these drugs cause long-term challenges, but overdose can also lead to injury or even death. It’s important to understand the risk factors for it and to only take this medication as prescribed. For those who have Xanax bars, it’s critical to only take the right number of sections when needed. If you find yourself taking more and more Xanax to get the same effects, talk to your doctor to come up with a better solution instead of getting addicted to high doses.
