Compared to prescription medication like opioids, benzodiazepines like the prescription drug Xanax are overlooked in substance abuse. Benzodiazepine use can lead to misuse, physical dependence, and substance use disorder (SUD) when left unchecked.
As the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry notes, 5.2 million people in the U.S. have misused benzodiazepines at least once, and 0.5 million met criteria for benzodiazepine use disorder (BUD). Understanding Xanax addiction can be invaluable to supporting well-being, reducing prescription drug addiction, and understanding the complexities of polysubstance use. At Profound Treatment, we are dedicated to delivering comprehensive, personalized treatment plans tailored to address your unique challenges with Xanax addiction treatment in Los Angeles.
We understand that the roots of your challenges with drug addiction are not a one-dimensional process. Rather, drug addiction, like Xanax dependence, is intertwined in bidirectional relationships with several risk factors, from mental health disorders to traumatic experiences. Through our addiction treatment center, you can access Xanax addiction treatment in Los Angeles, California, for long-term recovery.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is the prescription drug name for alprazolam, which is a prescription medication belonging to the benzodiazepine class of substances, like Klonopin or Ativan. A benzodiazepine like Xanax is typically prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic attacks, panic disorders, other anxiety disorders, and insomnia. The use of Xanax supports calming your central nervous system (CNS) by slowing down brain activity that would typically be abnormally excited.
According to “Alprazolam” by Tobin T. George and Jayson Tripp, benzodiazepines like alprazolam bind to specific GABA-A receptors, which are a chemical substance that slows down brain activity. By increasing the calming effect of the naturally occurring neurotransmitter GABA-A, your CNS signals and brain activity slow down to reduce tension, increase the calming effects, and support relaxation. As a result, alprazolam is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs to address anxiety disorders, which is one of the most common mental health conditions.
Despite the benefits of benzodiazepines for mental health conditions, prescription medications like Xanax can be extremely addictive when used long-term. Xanax abuse or addiction is a serious concern for the physical and psychological well-being of you or your loved one. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, between 2019 and 2020, prescription and illicit benzodiazepine-involved overdose deaths increased by 21.8% and 519.6% respectively. The prevalence of benzodiazepine-involved overdose deaths showcases how Xanax can be prescribed or obtained illegally. Ease of access to Xanax can be seen in the commonality of Xanax prescriptions:
- Xanax is the number one prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States
- 70% of teens with an Xanax addiction get the drug from their family’s medicine cabinet
The ease of access to Xanax further highlights an increased risk for substance abuse and the need for preventative care and evidence-based treatment options.
Why Is the Use of Xanax So Addictive?
Alprazolam, like its name brand, Xanax, can lead to physical dependence for several reasons, including duration and potency. Xanax is a fast-acting drug, which means it takes less time for the medication to be absorbed into your system, and you start feeling the calming effects of the medication faster than others. Alprazolam, in particular, has an onset of 30 minutes to an hour to feel its peak effects. A short onset action combined with high potency increases the risk for tolerance. An increase in tolerance means you feel the need to increase your Xanax use to feel the same calming effects.
Some of the other factors that contribute to Xanax abuse include:
- Alprazolam releases more dopamine
- Activates the pleasure and reward centers of the brain
- Xanax is a depressant that causes calming effects
- The sedative effect and increased dopamine can cause pleasurable relaxation or euphoria
- The reinforcing effect and tolerance of alprazolam contribute to misuse and Xanax abuse
- Long-term use of alprazolam leads to physical dependence in an effort to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms
The risk of developing Xanax addiction can occur in a relatively short timeframe. For many, psychological and physical dependence on benzodiazepines can develop in only a few weeks. In addition to the risk of drug addiction from the use of Xanax, several other factors, such as mental health disorders, can also contribute to your risk for Xanax addiction.
Who Is at Risk for Xanax Addiction?
Alprazolam is considered a highly addictive prescription medication for several reasons, such as Xanax use at higher doses and the use of Xanax for a long period of time. In addition to the addictiveness of the substance itself, several other factors can put you at risk for Xanax dependence. Some of the risk factors for substance abuse include:
- Biology
- Everyone responds differently after taking an illicit or prescription medication
- Some people quickly experience the reinforcing effects of drug addiction
- Others hate how the substance makes them feel and never want to try it again
- Everyone responds differently after taking an illicit or prescription medication
- Mental health challenges
- Untreated mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Self-medicating to manage or suppress mental health symptoms
- Substance abuse often impacts the same parts of the brain as mental health disorders
- Untreated mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Family history
- Substance use disorder
- You have an increased risk of drug addiction if a close blood relative, like a parent or sibling, has an alcohol or drug addiction
- Like involves an increased risk from certain genes
- You have an increased risk of drug addiction if a close blood relative, like a parent or sibling, has an alcohol or drug addiction
- Mental health conditions
- You have an increased risk of mental health conditions if a close relative, like a parent or sibling, has a mental health condition
- Genetic predisposition: You inherit certain genes that influence early brain development
- Shared environment
- You have an increased risk of mental health conditions if a close relative, like a parent or sibling, has a mental health condition
- Substance use disorder
- Living in an unsafe or non-supportive environment
- Exposure to violence, such as witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV)
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or neglect
- Abuse in adulthood
- Dysfunctional family relationships
- Lack of bonding with family
- Other stressful environments
- Workplace stress
- School stressors
- Peer pressure
- Exposure to substance use
- Hanging out with people who have substance abuse issues
- Early substance use
- Drug use as an underage person
- Can cause changes to the developing brain
- Drug use as an underage person
- Taking drugs with a high occurrence of drug addiction
- Certain drugs, like stimulants, cocaine, and opioids, can result in the faster development of drug addiction
- Smoking or injecting drugs can increase the risk of drug addiction
Understanding the risk factors for drug addiction and, more specifically, Xanax addiction is an important step toward seeking the professional help you need for addiction recovery.
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