{"id":3900,"date":"2021-09-30T03:28:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-30T07:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/?page_id=3900"},"modified":"2022-06-03T13:45:27","modified_gmt":"2022-06-03T17:45:27","slug":"xanax-addiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/xanax-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Xanax Addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Xanax and other benzodiazepines are increasingly involved in overdoses across the country. What makes it so addictive and dangerous?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Xanax is one of the most prescribed drugs in the United States. It treats anxiety and panic disorders<\/a> but has a recognized potential for abuse. A Xanax high is described as calming, tranquil and addictive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you or someone you know is addicted to Xanax, seek help before the addiction worsens. The Recovery Village<\/a> has trained teams of medical experts who understand the difficulties of living with Xanax addiction. Enrolling in a rehabilitation program has helped many people recover from Xanax addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Xanax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam. Xanax is classified as a benzodiazepine, which is a class of medication that produces a calming effect<\/a> on the brain and central nervous system. Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical signal that tells brain cells to \u201cslow\u201d or \u201crelax.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xanax comes as an oral tablet. The dosage is based on a patient\u2019s medical condition, age and response to treatment. A course of Xanax should not last longer than one or two weeks, but sometimes it is prescribed on an \u201cas-needed\u201d basis for panic attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If someone takes Xanax regularly, it can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms<\/a>; especially if taken for a long time or in high doses. Xanax can cause physical and psychological dependence<\/a> or addiction even in people who take it as prescribed. Therefore, a course of Xanax should be as short as possible with treatment response closely monitored by the doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who have used Xanax for longer than a few weeks, their doctor may create a taper schedule<\/a>. During a taper, a person gradually reduces their daily dose. Tapers are an effective way to prevent withdrawal symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of Xanax\u2019s abuse potential, it is often sold and used illegally. According to the 2015\u20132016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 12.5% of adults in the U.S have used benzodiazepines<\/a>, whether legally or not. About 2.1% of adults abused benzodiazepines during that same period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people take Xanax with a doctor\u2019s prescription, but the most common way to take the drug recreationally is by obtaining the drug from someone who has a prescription. Possessing or using a controlled medication<\/a> without a prescription is a federal crime; it is also illegal to resell the medication, but many people, especially teens and young adults, do not realize the dangers of abusing prescription drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternative Names for Xanax<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because Xanax is commonly used recreationally, the drug has quite a few popular street names.
Common street names for Xanax include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n