One depressant drug that classifies under the benzodiazepine class is called Xanax. It is a triazolobenzodiazepine compound that is effective and helpful in relieving anxiety and panic disorders. It is in the form of a crystalline powder that is white in color and is known to be in its purest form. It is capable of being dissolved in chloroform, alcohol, acetone, and ethyl acetate, but not in water. When heated, it creates toxic fumes of nitric oxides and hydrogen chloride.
The said drug can also be recognized as Alprazolam, Tafil, Constan, Esparon, and Frontal. It also has its own street names such as Xannies, Zanbars, School Bus, Yellow Boys, White Boys/Girls, and Planks.
Uses
As said above, this drug is helpful in treating anxiety disorders (DSM III-R) and panic attacks only when prescribed by the right medical assistance. However, Xanax cannot address the anxiety that is caused by everyday stress.
Usually, this drug targets the brain and confines itself specifically on the benzodiazepine GABA receptor site, which is found in the limbic system and hypothalamus. Because of this, chloride channels are opened thereby penetrating the neurons with chloride ions. As a result, brain activities then decrease and there is resistance to excitation, which ultimately provides anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and soothing effects of the drug.
Having a time span of 6.3 to 26.9 hours, it can stay for about 12 hours in the user’s system. It already has a shorter half-life compared to chlordiazepoxide, prazepam, and clorazepate. If blood tests are to be done, the drug usually stays in the body for one to six days. If a urine test is to be made, it stays for about five to seven days. In a saliva test, it stays for up to 2.5 days. Lastly, for a hair test, the drug stays for one to seven days but could also last for up to 90 days.
Addiction
Xanax may be misused for recreational and inappropriate purposes as it falls on a class of medications that are mostly abused by some of the many users. Its active component is called alprazolam and on the other hand, its inactive components are cellulose, starch, sodium, lactose, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and sodium benzoate.
Since this drug is to treat excruciating anxiety disorders and panic attacks, it is stronger in comparison to Valium. With this being said, Xanax has a much stronger active component so it has more side effects to the user’s body. It also bears an intermediate onset of 15 to 30 minutes. Also, with regards to Halcion, Xanax has a higher potential to be abused because it will be more addicting and will show severe withdrawal symptoms. Using it at the same time as other sedatives, stimulants, alcohol, and illicit substances will lead to abuse and addiction since doing so makes the user experience a euphoric and sensational feeling.
It is said that the general maximum daily dose shall only be about 4mg. Overdose can result from either using such drug beyond the average prescription or using it alongside other substances. Extreme sleepiness, drowsiness, confusion, impaired motor skills, slurred speech, decreased reflexes and muscle spasm are some of the symptoms of overdose.
Although its effects can be calming to some conditions, like decreasing brain activities and yielding muscle relaxation, and also reducing neural transmissions that is helpful in treating anxiety disorders, it also has its own negative side effects when taken without a proper prescription or medical assistance. When taken, its side effects in the short run are drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, nausea, loss of appetite, irritability, low sex drive, and muscle spasm. However, its long-term effects include seizures, respiratory dysfunction, skin problems, jaundice, hallucinations, depression, decreased motor skills, and slurred speech. Excessive doses of this drug can also result in extreme sedation, paralysis, hallucinations, and even sudden death.
Withdrawal and Treatment
Since Xanax has a stronger active metabolite, its withdrawal symptoms may be severe and much worse than Valium. Intense sweating, seizures, paranoia, hallucinations, and muscle spasm are some of its withdrawal signs and symptoms.
Addiction and abuse of Xanax can be treated of one follows the treatment process step-by-step. First is to consult for medical assistance that can attend to the patient’s needs. After this, the guidelines for complete recovery may be given. Patients may be given proper medications such as Flumazenil, which acts against the side effects of benzodiazepine substances or chemicals, Activated Charcoal, that is used to take in and absorb some of the drugs in the body, Tegretol (Carbamazepine), helps give the brain a calming feeling and also helps in the reduction of anxiety disorders, and Tofranil (Imipramine), which is effective in treating anxiety and depression. Second is the Reward System. It is basically used to give out rewards to patients who avoid taking in substances and in this case, is Xanax. Next is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is where recognition of causes for drug abuse is done and to ascertain risk reduction methods. This is also where coping mechanisms are developed. Lastly is the Recovery Group. It is where the patient can meet other victims that have gone through the same path as him. They can share their experiences and reflect on their ventures towards complete recovery.
A treatment process for the overdose of Xanax is also available to such victims. The very first thing to do is to check the vital signs of the victim. Gastric lavage can also be performed in order to shrug off some drug substances that remain in the stomach. Intravenous fluids may be administered as well. It is also essential in this process to keep adequate space for the airways of the patient. Vasopressors are also advisable when the patient is having low blood pressure. He can also consume activated charcoal for the reason that it is one of the most effective medications in taking in some of the drug remainders in the system. Lastly, patients can also take flumazenil or romazicon so as to cancel out and act against the side effects that the drug may cause.
