Xanax is a benzodiazepine that doctors prescribe to treat insomnia, panic disorders, and anxiety. Used properly, it can be effective and safe to use. Illicit use of the drug or using it more so than what a prescription says puts a person at risk for Xanax abuse and addiction. As a powerful benzo, these drugs have numerous side effects, especially when used over time. If you feel you have an addiction, reach out to Serenity Light Recovery for help.
Why Young Adults Develop Xanax Abuse
Young adults are specifically vulnerable to Xanax addiction. There is evidence that these drugs have been over-prescribed. That’s because their safety was misunderstood by many doctors, thanks in part to the drug manufacturers. Doctors prescribed these drugs, often for anxiety, as a way to help improve the quality of life of individuals unable to engage in life due to this mental health disorder. Yet, there are other reasons young adults are also at risk.
Xanax Abuse and Chasing a High
Xanax creates a euphoric feeling. Getting high with this drug is often thought to be safe because it is a prescription medication. Yet, it is only safe for someone to use according to the doctor’s recommendations. At this level, it doesn’t cause a high. Used overused, the drug becomes hard to stop using due to the development of dependence and addiction.
A person can develop substance abuse by using this drug consistently. It can also happen if they use large doses of the drug infrequently. This increases the risk of complications.
Xanax Abuse and Pop Culture
Another reason young adults are at risk is due to the use of this drug in pop culture. From movies to music, there are countless references to the use of Xanax as a good way to chill out. Because it works to reduce the function of the central nervous system, Xanax helps a person to feel more mellow and relaxed. Pop culture references to these medications make it seem safe to use – something everyone else is doing.
Xanax Abuse and College Campuses
As Xanax becomes more readily available on college campuses, young adults are again at risk. The over-prescription of these drugs to treat anxiety means many teens and young adults are using these drugs to control emotions. They may be likely to share those drugs with others to get high. Sharing prescriptions at college is not uncommon but is dangerous. These drugs can also be bought illicitly. They are not as expensive to purchase illicitly as some other drugs.
Why Xanax Abuse Requires Professional Drug Treatment
Overuse and abuse of Xanax cause dependence to develop. That means your body doesn’t let you stop using. Instead, you’ll feel cravings and intense withdrawal symptoms when the drug isn’t available. That’s what makes it very hard to stop using these medications. Xanax addiction is treatable in a professional setting. At Serenity Light Recovery, we offer a range of treatment options, including:
- Drug detox programs
- Residential treatment programs
- Outpatient rehab programs
- Intensive outpatient program
- Extended care treatment programs
Within these programs, doctors can prescribe medications to ease withdrawal and craving. They can also help with therapy that allows a person to deal with why they are using these drugs. That may include improving stress relief, overcoming past trauma, or learning how to manage life’s challenges in a more effective and safe manner.
Seek Treatment to Get Control Over Drug Abuse – Call Serenity Light Recovery
Engaging in Xanax abuse puts a person at risk for numerous health complications, including overdose. To improve your health and break Xanax addiction, reach out to Serenity Light Recovery. Get more information when you connect with us online or call our compassionate counselors at (281) 431-6700. There is help to stop using these drugs safely.
As our CEO, Heather’s main calling is to stay true to the vision of the organization, which is saving lives and striving to redefine statistics by raising the standard of care with evolving treatment methods. Heather studied psychology at LSU and both the main and Clear Lake campuses of the University of Houston, and she is a certified IASIS provider and CPI instructor. She’s been helping people in recovery since 2011. Heather’s motto to live by is “I am not what I’ve done; I am what I’ve overcome.”
