Xanax bars are used to treat panic and anxiety disorders. However, due to people abusing the drug, it has earned a bad reputation as an addictive prescription medication. People who succumbed to severe abuse have either wasted away or worse, experienced fatal consequences from a Xanax overdose.
Transcend Recovery Community is here to shed light on this potent medication to help others in identifying addiction problems and later getting the appropriate treatment to help them rise above this mental health problem.
What are Xanax Bars?
Xanax is the brand name of Alprazolam and is under benzodiazepines, or depressants that induce sleep, and sedation, and have a calming effect. There are multiple Xanax bars available in the market.
These brand-name Xanax bars vary in color signifying their dosage and strength. Xanax is considered stronger than other generic Alprazolam bars or even other benzodiazepines combined.
These types include:
Yellow Xanax Bars - 2 mg
White Rectangular - 2 mg
Orange elliptical/football-shaped - 0.5 mg
Blue elliptical/football-shaped - 1 mg
Treatment providers often include Xanax as part of their prescription including other medications to help treat anxiety and panic disorders. When taken under medical supervision, it is generally safe. However, people who take these drugs in high doses may experience Xanax bar overdose which may lead to complications, including death.
Side Effects of Xanax Bars
Doctors prescribe Alprazolam (Xanax, in particular) as Xanax works to treat panic disorders or anxiety disorders. However, as with any prescription drug, a patient under a treatment regimen may experience various side effects, some harmless or even potentially life-threatening.
It would largely depend on an individual's genetics and response to the drug. Therefore, a patient taking this particular drug as part of their treatment plans should take note of this and inform their healthcare provider right away, especially if it involves severe side effects.
Some of the common side effects may include:
- Decreased sexual appetite
- Twitching and cramping of muscles
- Sleeping abnormalities, like insomnia and nightmares
- Respiratory issues
- Nausea
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Lethargy
- Nervous system issues
If someone taking Xanax, especially in older adults, experience the following symptoms, call the emergency medical hotline or your attending physician right away:
- Depression
- Angina
- Blurred vision
- Swelling of the throat or face
- Confusion
- Signs That Someone is Using Xanax Bars
When suspicions arise and people close to you start to exhibit unusual behavior, an imminent drug addiction problem might be looming around the corner. Before jumping to conclusions, however, you should be able to identify the telltale signs properly.
You have to be very observant and critical when looking into things that may add up to a person's behavior in connection to their substance abuse. Here are some warning signs that you should watch out for in seeing if someone is under the influence of Xanax drugs.
- Having unreasonable and sudden requests for money that may worsen and lead to missing or stolen items at home
- Drastic changes in behavior
- Neglect on general grooming or overall appearance
- Poor performance at school or work
- drowsiness
- Dysarthria (slurred speech)
- Poor motor skills
- Bradypnea (labored or difficult breathing)
- Prone to accidents or falls
- Involuntary eye movements
If your loved one is exhibiting these symptoms, it's best to consult treatment providers and seek medical help to better ascertain the appropriate treatment program for the party involved.
Xanax Bar Addiction
People who abuse alprazolam or Xanax bars start due to various reasons. It doesn't necessarily start as a drug addiction. Sometimes, a patient may receive professional treatment advice that involves taking Xanax bars.
Once a person develops a dependence on their prescription medication to alleviate their panic disorder, then abuse kicks into place. What they think is harmless smaller doses of Alprazolam to treat anxiety and panic attacks slowly becomes an addiction that would take even years to untangle and treat.
Another instance where someone can develop a Xanax addiction is when people use it for recreational purposes. As prescribed benzodiazepines produce a "euphoric" effect on people, it doesn't come as a surprise that people use more pills to achieve that "good" or "high" feeling, which they may extend by taking other drugs or substances, such as alcohol.
Individuals abusing Xanax bars may have a hard time curbing their addiction as going cold turkey from this drug may elicit a severe and uncomfortable withdrawal syndrome.
Withdrawal Symptoms from Xanax Bars
Withdrawal from benzodiazepine drugs, like Alprazolam (Xanax), may be different among people. This is especially true depending on the severity of the addiction at hand. What remains true is that continued Xanax bar addiction or Xanax abuse will yield various levels of withdrawal syndrome depending on the duration the individual has stopped taking the drug.
For better understanding, longer-acting Alprazolam tablets may cause withdrawal symptoms to peak in the second week and would eventually quiet down by the third or fourth week. However, an individual may experience lower-intensity symptoms for several months and may take up at least two months for it to clear out.
Here are some of the common symptoms of withdrawal for users of Xanax pills:
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Memory difficulty/problems
- Excessive sweating
- Hypersensitivity to light and sound
- Rapid pulse or palpitations
- Seizure
People experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of their Xanax withdrawal (whether it's Yellow Xanax, Green Xanax, or Blue Xanax bars) recovery, must have a concrete relapse prevention program to help them better adjust to their drug-free life.
Treatment for Xanax Bars
Anyone who wishes to be free from substance abuse may benefit from the medical advice of an accredited treatment facility or detox treatment center. You can usually find a specific treatment center or a specific treatment provider focused on behavioral health programs geared towards the rehabilitation of struggling drug abuse patients.
There are many Xanax addiction treatment programs that not only focus on helping a person become drug-free. Some behavioral health therapies may also be incorporated as well, such as cognitive-behavior therapy, art therapy, and music therapy.
Addiction treatment may also involve an individualized intensive program, for more particular cases. Should you or a loved one struggle with Xanax, always remember that it's not too late to get the life you've always hoped for. Addiction treatment is still within reach. Contact any of Transcend Recovery Community's recovery specialists via the treatment provider chat option to find out how you can start your sober living program.
