What is Xanax and why is it so popular?

The trademarked brand name for the benzodiazepine Alprazolam is Xanax, a short-acting, highly potent medication. It is extremely popular among physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists and is typically prescribed for the treatment of disorders such as:

• Moderate to severe anxiety
• depression related anxiety
• panic attacks
• social anxiety

It is prescribed in both extended and instant release forms, which can be prescribed and purchased under a variety of generic names. Unfortunately, Xanax has become extremely popular among recreational drug users. It is now a concern of the DEA along with a large number of other prescription medications that are being illegally distributed, sold, and trafficked on the streets today.

Distinctive characteristics

As with other medications that are categorized in the benzodiazepine class, Xanax possesses a number of very distinct characteristics including:

• anti-convulsant
• anxiolytic (anti-anxiety or anti-panic agents)
• hypnotic
• muscle relaxant
• sedative

Xanax acts quickly and provides the user with immediate relief from the symptoms (see above) that it is prescribed for. The individual typically notices positive results of taking the medication within the first seven days. As a result of its popularity among the recreational drug-using crowd, there are now numerous Xanax addiction programs available at addiction treatment and recovery centers throughout the US.

Xanax addiction controversies

According to numerous health organizations and other medical professionals, the individual who takes Xanax as prescribed by a doctor does not normally abuse the drug or become addicted to it or dependent upon it for getting through the day. Tolerance levels do vary from one individual to the next which tends to create and feed current controversies regarding the medication.

There is one school of thought that contends a tolerance build-up never really happens. Conversely, another school of thought has concluded that physical and psychological dependencies develop when taking the drug. Still others claim that prolonged use of the medication will eventually render it ineffective. So as you can see, there is a lot of speculation behind whether or not a Xanax addiction will occur.

A rehab program that is conducive to recovery

If you or a loved one is having Xanax addiction or dependency issues, we encourage you to contact the Freedom Center today so that we can discuss or highly successful addiction rehab programs with you. Our facility provides you with a homelike environment and safe haven for recovering from your issues so that you can return home and live substance-free for the rest of your life.

Please contact the Freedom Center at the toll-free phone number listed above at the top of this page. One of our addiction specialists will be happy to answer your questions and assist you in any way we can.