Xanax is prescription tranquilizer which depresses the nervous system in a way similar to alcohol. It is also known as Alprazolam & is a part of the class of drugs called benzodiazepines, more commonly referred to as Benzos. It is primarily prescribed for short term relief of mild to moderate anxiety, nervous tension, acute stress, and panic attacks.

Xanax Abuse:

Being a depressant, Xanax has high abuse potential. No wonder, it has found its way from pharmacies to drug dealers, and is being abused by young, healthy people who want to get high. Xanax when abused is taken orally, chewed, crushed (then snorted like cocaine), or crushed (then dissolved in water and injected like heroine). It can become psychologically and physically addictive if taken in high doses for longer than eight weeks.

Teenagers and mid school kids are especially vulnerable to Xanax abuse for several reasons:

In the adolescent brain, the centers for judgment and self-control are still developing, making many teens less than careful about the decisions they make and more open to risk-taking. Mid school kids are notoriously conformist, so many are going to want to do what other kids are doing or what they think will make them look cool.

Contemporary adolescence is filled with stress and problems, some exaggerated and some, unfortunately, experienced fully. Even if a teen over-dramatizes or magnifies a problem, the temptation to self-medicate is real.

Effects of Xanax:

Children who abuse Xanax are generally unaware of the dangers involved. Xanax has depressant effects on brain areas that regulate wakefulness and alertness, very similar in effect to alcohol and sedative barbiturates. They enhance the action of receptors that inhibit central nervous system stimulation, and conversely, inhibit the action of receptors that stimulate the nervous system. The various symptoms of xanax abuse include difficulty in concentrating, disconnected sensation, depressed heartbeat, depressed breathing, excessive sleep, mental confusion and memory loss. Other health hazards are anemia, impairment of liver function, chronic intoxication (headache, impaired vision, slurred speech) and depression.

As with other anti-anxiety drugs, when one decides to stop the use of xanax, various withdrawal symptoms can arise. The short-acting benzodiazepines, like xanax, can produce especially severe withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms include rapid heart beat, shaky hands, disturbed sleep or insomnia, sweating, irritability, anxiety and agitation, to name a few.

Treatment:

Xanax drug testing is an important part of helping an addict stop substance abuse. Cognitive-behavioral therapy also has been used successfully to help individuals adapt to the abstinence from benzodiazepines.

Often the abuse of various benzodiazepines like Xanax occurs in conjunction with the abuse of another substance or drug, such as alcohol or cocaine. In these cases of poly-drug abuse, the treatment approach must address the multiple addictions.