Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam so you can see why the name xanax is easier than the pharmaceutical name. Xanax is a prescription only medication used to treat anxiety disorders, stress attacks and panic episodes. Those suffering with panic attacks, for example fear of open spaces or agoraphobia, might find that Xanax is prescribed for treatment. Xanax is also used to treat generalized fear and anxiety associated with depression. Many people take Xanax for legitimate reasons and do so for long periods without a problem. This site is geared to those who are trying to understand if, how or why their own use of Xanax or a loved one's use has become an addiction.

People who have anxiety and fearful panic disorders are thought to have overactive neurotransmitters called gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA system. Xanax effectively slows down these transmitters to relieve the overwhelming feelings of impending doom. Like any drug that causes changes in the brain, Xanax is known to become psychologically and physically addictive. In some people, the brain associates the effects of Xanax with pleasure and the pill becomes a reward. The effects of Xanax can be most clearly seen in the beginning of usage before the body has time to adjust. These effects include:

feelings of calming
sleepiness, drowsy
loss of coordination, clumsy
slurred speech

These symptoms usually go away after several days usage but some users seek these effects and increase the number of pills they take to achieve the same results. The body is able to handle the increased amounts of Xanax and still only produce the effect that one or two pills used to cause. This is tolerance and is one of the defining features of addiction. Some abusers literally take 20, 40, 60 or even 80 of these pills in a short amount of time. This would cause a normal person to overdose and could be fatal but the addicted individual only experiences the drowsiness and relaxed carefree euphoria that seems to take away the pain for the time being. The wishing to escape is the psychological dependence that is another important factor in addiction. The obsession with the idea that a day or stressful event cannot be coped with without a large dosage of Xanax is exactly the problem that Spencer Recovery Centers can help with.

It is extremely dangerous to attempt to quit Xanax on your own. First off it is very difficult to suppress the obsession the mind seems to have with the drug. Constant cravings seem to overpower the strongest will or pledge to stop. The physical withdrawal symptoms can be extremely painful and often physical detoxification is necessary in a medical facility such as the one that Spencer Recovery Centers provide. Through this medically supervised tapering off period, individual and group counseling can be helpful in addressing new behaviors and thought patterns and dealing with abuse issues with other substances which often accompany Xanax abuse.

If you or a loved one has ever felt like he or she should cut down on Xanax use, is bothered by others commenting on their Xanax use, or feels guilty about using and knows that the pill popping has gone way beyond the prescribed amount, then you can find help at Spencer Recovery Centers. Give us a call today for a confidential consultation.