Xanax Users: Two Groups Under Major Risk

While alleviating anxiety in certain users, Xanax may bring harm to younger
people and those with a history of other substance abuse

Abuse in Teenagers

Xanax is sold under the brand name alprazolam, a prescription-only
tranquilizer categorized with the benzodiazepines. The latter appeared
originally as the result of a great pharmaceutical quest for replacing
barbiturates. Both barbiturates and benzodiazepines function as relaxants
for the brain by affecting the pathways of gamma-aminobutyric acid
molecules (GABA). Xanax pills were initially believed to cause no trouble
with abusers, which in time proved no to be true.

Its addiction-spurring properties became obvious just in time with the
growth of its popularity. For a number of years, Xanax had been remaining a
most commonly prescribed anxiety medication. Simultaneously, headlines
started calling attention to the unprecedented levels of tranquilizing pill
usage among teens.

Known as ‘benzos’, lots of sedatives find use among younger thrill-seekers.
Many teenagers appreciate ‘the white pills’ for its relative safety and
lower habit-forming tendency when it comes to choosing between them and
heroin.

What Are the Exact Risks?

As things often stand, the bigger picture appears to be even more serious.

1) Like with any substance of addictive nature, early Xanax users run the
risk of getting hooked even worse later in life. As the 2016 report by the
U.S. Surgeon General states, approximately 70% of adolescent drug users who
discovered illicit substances before the age of 13 will build up an
addiction in just seven years as compared to 27% of people whose have their
first experience with drugs after reaching 17.

2) Existing mental illnesses boost the basic risk of getting addicted to
opioid-like substances and some claim that the situation is even worse with
benzos.

3) Again, similarly to opioid painkillers, Xanax and equivalent ‘downers’
stop acting with time, provoking users to trying increased doses to fight
the tolerance. This higher dose seeking behavior gets completely out of
hands with teens who go as far as to purchasing the drugs from dubious
sellers or even attempting to synthesize some homemade benzos.

It all boils down to the fact that no medical aid actually exists to soothe
the withdrawal symptoms. After using them improperly, lots of people end up
with increased cravings instead of the wanted high. Eager to avoid the
harsh withdrawal symptoms (which may include seizures), patients look for
more pills, entering one of the most vicious circles.

Trouble with Heavy Drinkers

On a par with Klonopin, Valium, and Ativan, Xanax pills are a potent
anti-depression measure. However, not all populations can benefit from them
equally, with heavy drinkers being an example of one such dangerously
unpredictable group. When there exists a problem with alcohol, taking
benzodiazepines is likely to enhance the risk to arrive at overdose. At the
same time, any co-existing psychiatric condition will only add insult to
injury. Uncontrollable drinkers have been found to become dependent on
Xanax 15% more often than people who consume alcohol moderately or do not
consume it at all.

What Can Possibly Go Wrong?

Both a benzodiazepine pill and an alcoholic drink work towards suppressing
the activity of the user’s central nervous system. It is their synergy that
often proves disastrous.

The effect shows in reduced coordination of movements, clouded judgment,
and bad decision-making. This lack of mental and motor dexterity often
leads to accidents and falls, so the damage could be instant. Long-term
administration opens up some very catastrophic perspectives for the
abuser’s body, including injuries to their heart, intestines, liver, and
kidneys.

Some Studies Are Uncertain

In one research using data from over 2 million patients in the Kaiser
Permanente’s database, scientists tried to estimate the use of
benzodiazepines in the group with unhealthy alcohol consumption. That went
for a minimum of 15 drinks weekly for males younger than 65, and a minimum
of eight drinks weekly for the older mixed gender population. Four percent
of the participants admitted alcohol abuse, while 8% of them had been
renewing their prescription for Xanax during the past year. Yet the average
dose of Xanax for those problem drinkers seemed to be 40% lower than that
for ‘normal’ drinkers. It is still unknown whether those participants were
simply limiting themselves or if that was the effort of their prescribing
doctors.