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Xanax Addiction

Xanax, generic name: Alprazolam, is a Central Nervous System (CNA) depressant within the category of drugs known as benzodiazepines, which includes many other tranquilizers such as Ativan, Valium and Librium. These are some of the most highly marketed drugs with a profit potential that keeps the pharmaceutical pushing these tranquilizers to physicians even though they are extremely dehabilitating and addictive.

Xanax is a Schedule IV controlled substance. The manufacture recommends Xanax for the treatment of tension, nervousness and panic attacks. Benzodiazepines have come under public scrutiny mostly because of their severe addictive qualities. When these medication were first developed (Xanax was patented in 1969), the pharmaceutical manufacturer stated that they were non-habit forming or addictive, but experience has proven them to be one of the most addictive medications on the market. It is estimated that one percent, or three million people in America have used benzodiazepine medications on a daily basis for a period of at least one year. We couldn't find the figures on the numbers that have taken them on a "as needed basis", but it must be at least ten times higher.

The street names for Xanax are:
• Bars,
• Ladders,
• Yellow Buses and probably others that have developed since the writing of this article.

It is estimated three million people are taking benzodiazepines daily for over a year indicates that patients must be very aware and careful to not blindly follow the suggestions of physicians when psychoactive drugs are being recommended and prescribed. This statistic also demonstrates how physicians ignore recommended prescribing data of medications such as Xanax, since the FDA recommends that Xanax be prescribed for periods of less than eight weeks for the treatment of panic attacks and/or anxiety. As with many psychiatric medications, the original presentation and defense establishing efficacy by Upjohn (now a part of Pfizer) pharmaceuticals was based on anecdotal reports by psychiatrist David Sheehan who stated that Xanax helped his patients who suffered from panic attacks even though research had previously documented that benzodiazepines had little to no effect on panic disorders. Upjohn compensated Dr. Sheehan for his "research" that helped with the government's approval of Xanax, which makes his statements basically lies that have caused countless numbers of lives to be disrupted by becoming addicted to a drug that changes their prescriptions and calculations, or it could be said that it lowers one's intelligence, something that most of us need to survive in a world that will drug us for profits.

Xanax and Valium, not only cause a feeling of relaxation, but initially they cause a feeling of euphoria and enthusiasm, or a rush, that is followed by an artificial feeling of relaxation. Many have reported that after taking Xanax for one to two weeks, they began to have physical withdrawal symptoms, most commonly headaches that were only relieved by taking more of the drug. This addictive potential is more pronounced in Xanax than any of the other benzodiazepines. We have had cases of elderly clients that were disgusted that they were taking a psychotropic medication, but they didn't have the physical or emotional strength to go through the withdrawals, so they were in a personal hell of being damned if they do and damned if they don't....good medicine?

However, the DEA (the Drug Enforcement Agency of the United States Department of Justice) under the Controlled Substance Act classifies medications according to their potential medical benefit in relation to their potential for abuse and addiction with a Schedule of classification from I, being dangerously addictive, such as heroin, to a Schedule V. Xanax, along with the other benzodiazepines, are rated as a Schedule IV, which translates to drugs that have a low potential for abuse, have medical therapeutic acceptance and have limited risk of physical dependence or psychological dependence. Addiction professionals report that benzodiazepines are as highly addictive, both physically and psychologically, as opiates and other Schedule II narcotics. In some ways Xanax is more problematic than opiates in that abrupt stoppage of the drug can cause seizures, requiring medically assisted withdrawal, whereas opiate withdrawal is painful, but not medically threatening. Anyone that has detoxed patients on heroin and others on xanax will vote to the benzos to be reclassified as a schedule II controlled substance.

Everyone should read and understand the side effects of any psychoactive medications before accepting a prescription to help ensure that the outcome of a regime of treatment isn't worse than the original complaint. Xanax has the following documented side effects:

• Hives,
• Difficulty Breathing,
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat
• Drowsiness,
• Decreased inhibitions (a lack of fear when facing dangerous tasks)
• Hallucinations, agitations and hostility
• Hyperactivity
• Dizziness, light-headedness or fainting
• Urinating less than usual or not at all
• Headaches, fatigue, joint pain and unusual weakness (flu-like symptoms)
• Speech problems,
• Complete memory loss (amnesia) and concentration problems
• Changes in appetite (including weight gain)
• Blurred vision, unsteadiness and clumsiness (impaired coordination and balance)
• Decreased sex drive (not a problem, however, there are other drugs to compensate)
• Dry mouth or increased salivation
• Nervousness, restlessness, sleeplessness and sweating
• Pounding in the chest or rapid heartbeat (panic attacks)
• Skin inflammation
• Muscle twitching, tremor and seizures (convulsions)

This list of side effects should stop anyone from taking the chance that Xanax might be of benefit. However, those persons that are addict to benzodiazepines or those in withdrawal from other drugs will compromise their better interest to find quick relief, only to find that they now have added addiction problems.

DISCLAIMER: None of the information contained here should be considered medical advice. Alcohol nd d;rug detoxification should be done under medical and/or professional supervision. At the first sign of alcohol or drug withdrawal symptoms or discomfort, immediately seek medical advice. Do not attempt to detox from alcohol or other drugs without proper medical supervision. If you feel that you have a medical emergency, call 911 and seek local advice.

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Drug Rehab Programs using Bio- Physical method.

There is something regarded as a new approach to long-term rehabilitation, which is generically called: Biophysical drug rehab. This method gets toxins out of the body in a purification sauna. REsearch has found that the human body will store a residue or metabolite alcohol and other drugs in the fat tissue for 5 to 10 years after a period of alcohol or drug abuse. This residue causes cravings, anxiety and depression. Heroin, cocaine and crystal meth are more powerful than the natural chemicals the brain produces to be happy. It takes up to a year for this natural chemical balance to be restored. The Biophysical method uses a purification sauna, vitamins and minerals to release residues stored in fat tissue so that there are no more cravings, anxiety or depression caused by the effects of drug abuse. These natural chemical in the brain will come back much faster with the exercise, vitamins, and minerals are added to the body and the residues of the drugs of abuse are removed. This enables the person to have a fighting chance. This type of drug rehabilitation center will use social educational classes to restore or build skills to help the individual become drug free and a productive member of society. Drug Rehab Programs with this method are having a success rate of over 70%. This is why Bio-Physical drug treatment centers are usually recommended for the drug addiction’s of our society today.

Drug Rehab Programs using Long-Term Religious method.

There is also a long-term religious based model of treatment. In this methodology the individual is required to go away for 1 – 2 years, and work on a farm or in a work-type environment. This method is also combined with religious teachings. The success rate is hard to determine as only about 10% of those that enroll in these programs will complete the program, however of the completions, around 20% will stay sober or free of drugs. These programs are certainly better than the traditional 30-day drug rehab, but those that consider this form of treatment and are successful usually have a religious history or come from previous religious training and example. If you are interested in this form of treatment, please call our Helpline and we will talk to you about the appropriateness of this treatment for your individual case.

Drug Rehab Programs Using 12 Step Recovery Model

The most prevalent modality of alcohol and drug treatment is the 12 step Recovery Model. These methods are based on the teachings of Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, which are all taken from the original Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. 12 Step Recovery was developed in 1934 by two alcoholics who found a way to stay sober by being in continual communication with others and doing the prescribed steps that teach humility, service and surrender to God or a Higher Power. Almost all 21- 28 day alcohol and drug treatment programs use this form of rehab. Some private facilities offer longer stays in treatment, but the clinical nature of the programs are almost identical to the short-term treatment regime. This form of "drug treatment" has been in existence in a residential setting since the 1970s and was instituted because it was thought that if Alcoholics Anonymous works as a volunteer program of daily meetings, then if a person had a more intense period of these teachings, the programs would have success. When hard drugs showed up into our culture it was a natural progression to use 12 step methods on these addictions, as there was nothing else available. The method grew across the nation, as there was nothing else that was available to be used. For this simple reason 12-step programs are available almost everywhere. Today the success rate is approximately 10%-25% depending on the facility you choose. Private Facilities will yield a higher success than most state-funded programs. Some of these facilities can be long-term, however the majority are 28 to 30-day programs.

Drug Rehab Programs using Behavioral Modification.

The Behavioral Modification programs were developed in the 1970s as well and are either using overt or covert sensitization as the negative feedback for the "habit" of drinking or drugging. These methods are based on the ideas learned from studying the reactive mechanisms of animals and believing that humans will respond in the same manner. Unfortunately, or fortunately, humans are not motivated to use alcohol and other drugs in the simple reactive habit formations that you see in animals. Therefore, a person can be taught to have an aversion to drinking and drugging, but need the outcomes of the drugs to the extent that he will force his use in spite of his aversion to the process. If addicts could quit for these reasons, no one would continue to use alcohol or other drugs after they have been arrested and had to face the consequences of their actions.

Some of these methods relies on boot camp style tactics where the individual is berated by groups of peers and then hopefully rebuilt into a more social person. There has been some use for this method with young teenagers who are on a war path to destroy society. However the success is only very marginally about 10%, in most cases other methods are recommended. Due to that reason very few drug rehab centers use this method.

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