Xanax (Alprozolam) is a prescription drug that is used to treat anxiety, insomnia or depression and is classified as a schedule 4, controlled substance by the FDA. Xanax works by slowing down neurotransmitters in the brain to produce a calming effect, and like many other drugs, tolerance levels build up slowly until more of the drug is needed to produce the desired effects.
With over 30 million prescriptions being written for this drug, Xanax is one of the top selling drugs on the market and it is not difficult to see why the numbers of addictions have steadily increased over the years.
After prolonged use of Xanax, the user might experience uncomfortable side-effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, forgetfulness, blurred vision, dry mouth, irritability, nausea, vomiting or insomnia. Following deliberate abuse of Xanax, more intense side-effects will be experienced such as tremors, hallucinations, depression, seizures, difficulty breathing, serious health problems or death.
According to the CDC, nearly one-half of Americans are on a prescription drug, with many of these individuals taking more than one prescription drug daily. Also, statistics show that almost a million people a year are treated in emergency rooms for adverse reactions to prescription drugs, and over 1,000 prescription drug recalls occurred in 2009 due to safety concerns.
The important fact to remember is that a drug is not safe just because a doctor prescribed it. Each drug comes with specific instructions for dosage, and these instructions must be followed precisely in order to avoid adverse effects or addiction.
If you are addicted to Xanax or any other prescription drug, you should seek professional treatment (detoxification) to rid your body of these powerful chemicals and then participate in a rehabilitation program where you will learn how to function in daily stressful situations without needing a drug to get through it.