Xanax was developed as a sleep aid that contained the ability to relax muscles. It is classified as a benzodiazepine, which means that it also has the ability to suppress an over stimulated nervous system. Later on after its creation, it was discovered these effects on the nervous system were useful in treating anxiety or panic disorders. It has been used to treat those with anxiety for almost 30 years now. The reason you are just hearing about it now is because of its increased use as anxiety disorders and panic disorders become more recognizable due to proper education.
This doesn’t mean anxiety disorders are necessarily on the rise, just that those who have it are now being diagnosed and helped. However, like opioids used by patients to treat pain, Xanax also has the potential to become addictive. Xanax for teens especially can lead to an addiction, as their brains are still in development and studies have shown that those who take such substances at a younger age are almost 70% more likely to develop an addiction later in life than those who take illicit substances after the age of 17.
Xanax is to help the body calm down and deal with anxiety, panic attacks, and borderline personality disorder teenager symptoms, but that is not all that it does. To help you understand more about the realities of Xanax and to help you when dealing with difficult teens who try to use Xanax’s status as a prescription drug against you, here is a list of common Xanax myths, busted:
What are the Misconceptions About Xanax?
- Xanax is safe to use without a prescription. – In reality, this increases the risk of overdose and can lead to addiction faster than when under a doctor’s supervision.
- When used with a prescription, they are safe. – In reality, Xanax is highly addictive regardless of the dose, due to the fact that your body builds up a tolerance to it.
- It does not produce a high. – In reality, it can and does produce a high that teens. This occurs when the pill is crushed and then snorted by your teen, or smoked, and worse, injected directly into their system.
- Xanax is the only or best treatment for anxiety. – This is not true. There are many better alternatives that don’t have the severe side effects and risks that Xanax has.
- Prescription drugs like Xanax, when taken correctly, don’t cause addiction. – False. Like opioid-users, those most at risk of developing an addiction are those who were once prescribed the medication legally. They continue to seek out the drug after their dose ends.
- You cannot overdose on Xanax – False. Benzos (the type of drug class Xanax is in) is responsible for 30% of all drug overdose fatalities in the United States. This happens because Xanax reduces heart rate and breathing, and can reduce it so significantly the body cannot sustain itself.
- Xanax addiction is easy to stop. – Wrong. You will want your teen to undergo a medical detox to get through the worst of the withdrawal symptoms safely.
- Rehabilitation for Xanax is not necessary. – Wrong. You will want to put your teen through a rehabilitation course to manage their addiction and help them find healthier alternatives (if Xanax was initially taken for anxiety or other disorders).
Xanax is used to treat teenager personality disorders symptoms, anxiety, and more. With the recent popularity of the drug among celebrities, however, misuse is common. Never underestimate celebrities’ influence on our youth generation, and inform your teen and look out for the symptoms of addiction.
Mendi Baron LCSWFOUNDER/CEOMendi is a passionate advocate for teens and young adults in the fields of mental health and addiction. Baron creates programs to bring a unique approach to the treatment of adolescents and young adults who are struggling with a variety of emotional and behavioral disorders and substance abuse issues. Clinically trained, Baron earned a BA with honors in psychology and social work at the University of Maryland and an MSW at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. His extensive experience as a therapist includes individual and group counseling for children, adolescents, and families in various settings. Gaining insight and experience, he has worked at several treatment centers including the Chesapeake Center for Youth Development, the Carroll County Youth Services Bureau, Chabad Crisis Centers, and the Center for Discovery and Adolescent Change.
Before launching Ignite Teen Treatment, Mendi conceived and built, from the ground up, multiple successful, high end adolescent residential and outpatient programs in Los Angeles. Mendi has appeared on the Dr. Phil show, is regularly featured in mental health and addiction publications, and speaks around the country in person and on Tv/Radio on these topics. With his newest ventures, Mendi instills a rare blend of energy, creativity, and experience to the treatment of teens, young adults, and their families struggling with addiction and mental health issues. The son of a Rabbi, eldest of 11 children, is a part-time rock musician, boxer, cantor, and father of three.
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