Today, Xanax is becoming a major drug that more and more people are using, abusing, and developing an addiction to. Xanax is part of a class of drugs called benzodiazepines; commonly referred to as “benzo’s”. The brand name for Xanax is Alprazolam.
It is a Depressant
Xanax is a depressant that is prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders, panic attacks, stress, and tension. Xanax produces a calming effect on a person’s brain by slowing down their neurotransmitters. In studies done, people who are prescribed Xanax seem to have overactive neurotransmitter; the neuron is firing too rapidly.
It Slows Down the Neurotransmitters
The use of the drug ends up slowing down the neurotransmitters in a person’s brain. When this happens the person seems to be relieved of stress and other problems, while feeling a sense of euphoria. This relieved feeling and euphoria is normally what leads many people to abuse and develop an addiction to this drug.
Xanax Abuse
In the United States the FDA has approved the use of Xanax for no more than 8 weeks. In Great Britain, Xanax is approved for up to 4 weeks of use. Sometimes, a person may feel like they are not getting the same original effect and will take more of the drug, when they continue to do this; they actually abuse the drug and normally develop an addiction.
They Believe They Need It
People who have a legitimate prescription for Xanax, but run out and think they need more, but are not able to get anymore, will normally turn to illegal methods of obtaining the drug. Normally this is done by them either ordering it illegally online or going to another doctor.
It is Easily Obtained
There are also many people who have never been prescribed Xanax, but still buy it illegally online or on the street, this is because they enjoy the feelings that it gives them and they are easily obtained. In any of these circumstances, the user begins to abuse Xanax. A tolerance to Xanax can build very quickly, and the same effects cannot be felt unless the dosage is increased. The greater the dosage, the faster a person becomes dependent. If a person continues to use and abuse the drug, they will normally develop an addiction. If they decide to stop their abuse of the drug, they will go through a withdrawal period.
What does Xanax Abuse Mean?
Xanax abuse means to overuse the drug for pleasure. Abusing Xanax may cause injury or damage to the user’s body; such as, passing out and falling down. People who frequently use it will normally have problems within their family or social circles due to their actions or behaviors when they are on the drug. Abuse does not necessarily mean that the user will develop on addiction to the drug, but if they do not quit, they will.
Addiction
Xanax abuse and addiction is very serious and can be detrimental to the user’s health. Addiction to Xanax can develop very quickly and can go unrecognized by many people.
When a person uses Xanax, they may experience a loss of concentration, drowsiness, loss of motor skills, and slurred speech. Once a person has experienced the calming effect that this drug produces, they may try to experience an even greater feeling of calmness by increasing the amount of the drug. As they develop an increasing tolerance, they will also be developing an addiction. When they run out of it, they will do anything necessary to get it and avoid the withdrawal symptoms that are associated with the abuse and addiction of this medication.
Physical Symptoms of an Addiction
There are several warning signs of abuse and addiction, below are some of the most common. Noticing one or more of the signs on a constant basis, normally means the person is abusing or has an addiction to some type of drug; such as, Xanax.
