Alprazolam is most widely known by the brand name Xanax. Prescription drugs such as Xanax are medications called benzodiazepines, which are considered to be controlled substances and are only available legally through prescription by a psychiatrist or physician.
Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety disorders, or anxiety that is combined with depression. Xanax is also used to treat panic disorders and seizures.
Benzodiazepines are considered to be highly addictive. Taking Xanax every day over time will result in drug abuse and a psychological dependency, which often becomes a physical dependency, as well. Xanax addiction occurs when it is used every day, on a long-term basis. It is considered abuse when the drug is not taken as prescribed, or when it is used by someone to whom it has not been prescribed.
What is Xanax?
Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. It is primarily used to treat anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Xanax works by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps to calm the brain and nervous system. By increasing GABA activity, Xanax can effectively reduce symptoms of anxiety and panic, providing relief for those struggling with these conditions.
Various medications can impact the metabolism of alprazolam through the CYP3A4 enzyme. It is important to be aware of the drug interactions alprazolam/xanax can cause. Certain drug combinations can lead to increased concentrations of alprazolam, potentially causing adverse effects. Understanding dosing adjustments when using alprazolam with interacting drugs is important to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Uses of Xanax
Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is a medication primarily used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorders. It belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines, which work by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA helps to calm the brain and nervous system, reducing feelings of anxiety and panic.
Xanax is commonly prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which is characterized by excessive and persistent worry about everyday things. It is also used to treat panic disorder, which is a condition that causes recurring panic attacks. Panic attacks are intense episodes of fear or discomfort that reach a peak within minutes and can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, and trembling.
In addition to treating anxiety disorders and panic disorder, Xanax may also be prescribed for other conditions, such as insomnia (difficulty sleeping) and seizures. However, these uses are not FDA-approved and are considered off-label.
How Xanax Works
![alprazolam or xanax tablets can be extended release tablets, orally disintegrating tablets or an oral concentrate]()
Xanax (alprazolam) comes in several forms to suit different needs. The regular-release and orally disintegrating tablets are available in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg doses. The extended-release tablets come in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, and 3 mg strengths. There’s also a liquid form of Xanax available as a 1 mg/mL oral concentrate.
Xanax works by binding to GABA receptors in the brain, which increases the activity of GABA and produces a calming effect. This can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and panic, and can also help to improve sleep quality. Xanax is available in several forms, including immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets. Each form has its own specific use and benefits, allowing healthcare providers to tailor treatment to the individual needs of their patients.
Xanax Abuse
Prescriptions for benzodiazepines spiked between the mid-1990s and 2015. Since then, drug abuse in the form of benzodiazepine abuse and Xanax addiction has been a growing problem. According to recent data, benzodiazepines such as Xanax, have caused overdoses and unfortunately been involved in a significant amount of reported overdose deaths. It is crucial to understand drug interactions when using Xanax, as combining it with other medications can increase the risk of adverse events.
After the mid 1990’s, benzodiazepines replaced the older barbiturate type sedatives. Benzodiazepines are generally prescribed for insomnia, anxiety, and seizure disorders, but both benzodiazepines and barbiturates are highly addictive. The explosion in prescriptions for Alprazolam and other benzodiazepines has largely been driven by a strong demand from patients seeking relief from anxiety and depression.
Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder
Benzodiazepines are currently preferred over older barbiturate drugs because they have what is known as “a wider therapeutic index”. This means the drug is considered to be safer than barbiturates if taken as prescribed. “Therapeutic index” is the dose of medication that is effective, without causing an “undesirable outcome”, if used short term.
It is important to adjust the alprazolam dose to avoid adverse effects, especially when combined with potent inhibitors like ritonavir. Dosage modifications are necessary to mitigate adverse events and maintain patient safety.
There are other non-benzodiazepine hypnotics like Ambien which are also preferred over barbiturates for most of these clinical uses and for the same reasons. These newer non-benzodiazepine drugs also have a wider therapeutic index, and physical tolerance develops more slowly.
Side Effects of Xanax
Xanax can cause a number of side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. These side effects are generally mild but can be more pronounced in some individuals. More serious side effects, such as respiratory depression, can be life-threatening, especially if Xanax is taken in large doses or combined with other depressants. Additionally, stopping Xanax suddenly can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, which can include anxiety, insomnia, and even life-threatening complications.
Risks of Xanax Abuse
Xanax is a controlled substance, which means it has the potential for abuse and dependence. Taking Xanax in large doses or for a long period can lead to physical dependence and addiction. When taken in combination with other substances, such as opioids or alcohol, Xanax can increase the risk of serious side effects, including respiratory depression, low blood pressure, and death.
Xanax abuse can also lead to withdrawal symptoms when the medication is suddenly stopped or reduced in dosage. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and may include anxiety, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, muscle pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures.
Other risks associated with Xanax abuse include:
- Increased risk of overdose: Taking Xanax in large doses or combining it with other substances can increase the risk of overdose.
- Cognitive impairment: Xanax can impair cognitive function, including memory and concentration.
- Motor impairment: Xanax can impair motor function, including coordination and balance.
- Dependence: Xanax can lead to physical dependence and addiction.
- Withdrawal symptoms: Stopping Xanax suddenly or reducing the dosage can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
It is essential to use Xanax only as directed by a healthcare provider and to follow the prescription label carefully. If you are taking Xanax and experience any side effects or have concerns about your medication, talk to your healthcare provider.
Xanax Addiction
There are two problems with the usage of any drug to deal with anxiety, depression, or insomnia. The first is that physical dependence can develop. Our bodies naturally produce chemicals that we need to function. If we abuse Xanax or use any substance, even medication for chapped lips for example, our bodies stop producing the natural substance to relieve chapped lips that we are replacing with the medication.
The second is that Xanax addiction involves the development of a psychological dependence, resulting from long-term use. Because the body begins to develop a tolerance to the drug, more must be consumed to achieve the same effect. Additionally, Xanax addiction is doubly serious because it is very hazardous to stop taking the drug abruptly, also known as cold turkey. People who use Xanax or other benzodiazepines can experience withdrawal. Sudden cessation can lead to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, making it critical to consult a doctor before stopping the medication.
Effects of Xanax Addiction
Benzodiazepines slow activity in the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. For this reason, benzodiazepines are in a class of drugs known as depressants. Xanax use causes a reduction in heart rate and lowers blood pressure and respiration. Because they act on the CNS in this way, Xanax use can cause life-threatening consequences, if abused, such as Xanax withdrawal.
The central nervous system has three functions. To take in sensory information, to process that information, and to send out motor signals to all areas of the body, which includes breathing and heart rate. This third function can be severely disrupted when people abuse Xanax.
Signs of Xanax Addiction
Xanax addiction, especially if combined with other drugs like alcohol or opiates, can be extremely dangerous. Xanax affects the CNS by slowing activity, which can affect judgment. Therefore the information taken in by our senses is processed at a much slower rate.
Alprazolam tablets come in various colors and shapes, which may differ from Xanax in appearance. There is also Xanax XR, the extended-release form of the medication. It is important to consult a doctor for more information on dosages.
Additionally, benzodiazepine abuse can cause paranoid or suicidal ideation, and impair memory, and coordination. Combining alcohol, Xanax, and other drugs, can slow breathing and in extreme cases, possibly even lead to death by overdose.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual — The DSM-5
Authored by the American Psychiatric Association, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the handbook used by healthcare professionals in the United States and much of the world as the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental health problems. The DSM-5 contains descriptions, symptoms, and other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders, like substance use disorder.
The DSM-5 formally categorizes abuse and or addiction to Xanax as a sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic (anxiety) use disorder. Anxiolytic drugs are substances that provide a calming or sleep-inducing effect. Benzodiazepines are most usually prescribed to treat anxiety disorder or panic disorder.
Life-Threatening Withdrawal Symptoms from Xanax Abuse
Withdrawal symptoms from abusing Xanax can range from mild — irritability, insomnia, anxiety — to more serious complications such as tachycardia, which is a higher-than-normal heart rate.
Other symptoms can include abdominal cramps anxiety and muscle tension which can cause feeling tightness in the chest, sweating, trembling, or shaking. Many of these physical, mental, and emotional withdrawal symptoms are common for alcohol, and other sedative drugs as well as Xanax.
Xanax Abuse and Xanax Addiction: What’s the Difference?
There is, of course, a difference between occasionally using a drug and suffering from an actual addiction. Having a physical, mental, and emotional dependence on a substance can be defined as addiction. Taking a substance as directed by a physician is very different from abuse, drug use, and addiction to that substance.
Prescribed use of Xanax is intended to provide temporary relief from insomnia, anxiety, and/or phobia. Xanax is also used to treat panic disorder, as it is approved by the FDA for managing panic disorder in adults, whether or not accompanied by agoraphobia. The intention of the patient and physician should involve a plan to deal with the underlying issues that may be causing the anxiety, through some form of treatment such as involvement in 12-step recovery or 1:1 therapy, for example.
Signs of Xanax Abuse and Xanax Addiction
Xanax abuse occurs when an individual uses it without a prescription. Addiction occurs when a physical tolerance builds and more and more must be consumed. Withdrawal symptoms for those who abuse Xanax can be mild. However, even if you have been taking Xanax as prescribed for a prolonged period, you can experience severe withdrawal symptoms when the drug is stopped. To ease withdrawal symptoms can require medical detox.
For treating panic disorder, the appropriate dosages of Xanax are crucial. Doctors often start with a low dose and adjust based on individual responses, ensuring safety and effectiveness.
When people abuse Xanax over time, their body and brain develop a dependency on the drug, meaning that when they reduce their use or stop using it altogether, they can experience painful, sometimes serious withdrawal symptoms. The desire to avoid uncomfortable benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms may lead some people to keep abusing Xanax.
Physical Symptoms
Benzodiazepines affect the production of the brain chemical GABA, which is a neurotransmitter that regulates breathing and reasoning, among other things. Because of this fact, the risk of overdose is only increased with the addition of someone who tends to abuse alcohol or other substances while abusing Xanax.
Alcohol and opiates are also depressant drugs and should be avoided when individuals are taking Xanax. Mix Xanax creates a combination of two depressants that inhibit reasoning and judgment and can be very hazardous. You can easily see why.
Individuals who abuse benzodiazepines will generally need some medication in order to detox. Also, if other drugs are mixed with Xanax, this can also negatively impact the production of this vital neurotransmitter. Insufficient levels of GABA in the brain contribute to anxiety, chronic pain, mood swings, interpersonal or social problems, and occasionally epilepsy.
Withdrawal Process
Stopping Xanax after prolonged use requires the assistance and supervision of a physician or other medical professional. The treatment process involves a gradual reduction in the dose, under medical supervision.
However, in order for a person to stay stopped and develop the skills needed to deal with the underlying issues that made it necessary to take Xanax in the first place, it may be necessary to undergo some type of behavioral therapy in a treatment center, or other supportive type environment.
There are a variety of reasons Xanax abuse can turn into an addiction — first, tolerance builds, which means more of the drug must be taken to achieve the same result. Also, if the individual is taking the drug to treat anxiety, the condition will return once the drug is stopped.
Treatment For Xanax Addiction
Because Xanax is very much like alcohol in pill form, individuals suffering from a substance abuse disorder of this type generally require a safe and nurturing environment, in order to begin recovery.
For Xanax addiction treatment to be successful, intervention by trained medical professionals and mental health clinicians in a safe environment is required. It also takes work on the part of the addict to recover. There is an underlying reason the addiction occurred in the first place, which needs to be discovered before any real recovery can begin.
Alternatives to Xanax
There are several alternatives to Xanax that can be used to treat anxiety disorders. These include other benzodiazepines, such as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan), which work in a similar way to Xanax. Non-benzodiazepine medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), are also effective in treating anxiety disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of psychotherapy can provide long-term relief from anxiety without the risks associated with medication.
Preventing Xanax Abuse
Xanax is a controlled substance, which means that it has the potential for abuse and addiction. To prevent Xanax abuse, it is essential to use the medication only as directed by a healthcare provider and to follow the instructions on the prescription label carefully. Being aware of the signs of Xanax abuse, such as taking more of the medication than prescribed, using it for a longer period than prescribed, or using it for non-medical purposes, is crucial. If you or someone you know is struggling with Xanax abuse, seeking help from a healthcare provider or a substance abuse treatment center is essential for recovery.
Turning Point of Tampa Treatment Programs Addresses Xanax Addiction
Turning Point of Tampa understands Xanax’s effects and the risk-taking behaviors that accompany long-term abuse. The Food and Drug Administration plays a crucial role in approving medications like Xanax and issuing warnings about their potential for abuse. Our Treatment Center is located on one campus and offers a full continuum of care with Residential Treatment, Day Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, and Inpatient Medical Detox for alcohol and drug addiction; as well as treatment for eating disorders and dual diagnosis.
The Medical Team Turning Point
Hardeep Singh, MD, FASAM, Medical Director — Dr. Hardeep Singh received his medical degree from King George’s Medical College and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Singh was named Top Doctor by Tampa Magazine in 2023, which was the fifth time he received that honor.
Dr Singh is a member of The American Society of Addiction Medicine. Founded in 1954, ASAM is a professional medical society representing over 6,000 physicians, clinicians, and associated professionals in the field of addiction medicine.
Every admission at Turning Point of Tampa goes through a nursing assessment which is reviewed by the medical director to learn about the client’s substance abuse history as well as any medical needs in order to establish the appropriate level of treatment services for the client’s success in recovery.
Turning Point of Tampa’s goal is to always provide a safe environment and a solid foundation in 12-step recovery, in tandem with quality individual therapy and group therapy. We have been offering Residential Treatment for Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, and Dual Diagnosis in Tampa since 1987.
