Xanax Drug Rehab in Colorado
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.