Xanax – A Popular Recreational Drug 

Apr 29, 2023 | Rehab

Also known as alprazolam, Xanax is a short-acting drug. It belongs to the benzodiazepine class of prescription drugs. Xanax is commonly prescribed to help people relieve anxiety and panic. 

Though Xanax is a prescription drug, it is also widely consumed as a recreational drug. Its use begins as a prescription drug and soon turns into recreational use. The users get amused by the effects of Xanax and prefer to consume it for fun or just to get high. This manner of consumption may seem alright, but it affects negatively in the longer run. Therefore, experts suggest seeking professional help if anyone is struggling to quit Xanax. 

Why is Xanax a Preferred Recreational Drug? 

Xanax became a commonly prescribed drug in the country between the years 2005 and 2013. Although it helped many individuals regain their control over anxiety, it also led many towards addiction. But what caused users to develop an addiction? 

The main reason Xanax is consumed recreationally is its euphoric effects. The drug begins to act within an hour after its intake and its effects last for about 2 to 4 hours. During its euphoric phase, an individual experiences effects like:

  • Lightheadedness 
  • A sense of unreality 
  • Feeling detached from the external world 
  • Emotional numbness 
  • Increased sexual inclination 

These effects are pleasurable to experience but what the users ignore here are the negative effects of the drug. 

Facts About Xanax Use 

Here are some shocking numbers to prove the rise of Xanax use. 

  1. 55% of users who acquired the drug for free from friends or relatives are nonmedical users
  2. 3% of the users abuse their prescription given by the doctors 
  3. 8% of them attempt to sneak Xanax from their friends or relatives 
  4. 4.4% of the users buy it from dealers 
  5. 70% of the teenagers struggling with Xanax addiction often sneak the drug from their family’s medicine box 
  6. About 57,400 and 124,900 users visited the emergency room due to Xanax use in the year 2005 and 2010 respectively 
  7. 50 million prescriptions mentioning Xanax were given out in the year 2013, which is a rise from 38 million prescriptions in 2006
  8. The rate of Xanax prescriptions stands at a steady rise of 9% since the year 2008 

Withdrawal Effects from Xanax 

Similar to other substances, Xanax also has some withdrawal effects. These mainly include 

  • Increased heart rate 
  • Increased blood pressure 
  • Agitation 
  • Seizures 
  • Anxiety 

These symptoms could be difficult to handle all at once. Therefore, it is always advised to seek professional assistance while detoxing from Xanax. 

Seek Professional Help Today!

You can visit Taylor Recovery in Houston, Texas for a safe withdrawal from Xanax. Contact our team today to learn more about the program!