Xanax Abuse And Addiction
Although safe and effective when prescribed by a medical professional and taken as directed, there is a growing concern over the abuse of Xanax and drugs like it.
Headlines in recent years suggest that teen use of Xanax is rising. An article in the Journal of Addiction Medicine1;calling Xanax one of the most widely-prescribed drugs for anxiety and panic disorders noted too that many primary care physicians continue to prescribe it for longer periods than recommended. One big concern is dependence. This cannot be overstated, Dr. McGee continues. People who start on Xanax often have a really hard time getting off it. The same is true for other benzos, he adds.
Side Effects And Warnings
Xanax has many of the same side effects as alcohol, including mental and physical impairment, sleepiness, slower reaction times, balance and coordination problems, dizziness, and light-headedness. Other common reactions include memory problems, slurred speech, trouble concentrating, confusion, upset stomach, headache, and blurred vision.
You should not take Xanax if you have shown sensitivity to other benzos such as Valium and Ativan,;have narrow-angle glaucoma, or;are pregnant or breastfeeding. Alert your health care provider if you have liver problems, as there is a risk that Xanax may build up in your system and lead to overdose or heavy sedation. Xanax has not been shown to be effective for adolescents and teens under age 18 so using it in this population is considered off label.
Xanax also may be habit-forming. The risk of addiction is about two 2%, Dr. McGee says, but that risk is higher, he adds, among people who are already addicted to alcohol or opioids. He also worries that Xanax and drugs like it may prevent some from learning how to manage anxiety. People have a tough time learning to cope without meds once you put them on them, so the real problem is dependence, Dr. McGee continues. Over many years Xanax can increase risk of falls, motor vehicle accidents, dementia, and urinary incontinence, he adds.
Calm By Wellness Hemp Cbd Sleep Oil Tincture
Unlike some other CBD products that promote sleep, Calm by Wellness Hemp CBD Sleep Oil Tincture does not contain any melatonin, and the company state that this will help people wake up relieved, refreshed, and ready for the day ahead.
This CBD oil contains 17 mg of CBD per serving, which is 1 dropper full. Other ingredients include lavender, hops, chamomile, and lemongrass. The company recommend taking 1 full dropper an hour before bed.
- people with a history of alcohol or drug use disorder may find CBD addictive
- allergic reactions
- increased risk of liver damage if people use CBD alongside certain medication, such as valproate
Most reported drug interactions are through affecting drug metabolism enzymes such as cytochrome P450 . P-450 is involved in metabolizing several exogenous cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, which is supported by clinical data on THC and CBD metabolism.
Don’t Miss: Celine Dion Eating Disorder
The Link Between Adderall Use & The Development Of Ptsd
In rare cases, the effects of Adderall or other drugs can trigger such negative reactions that people are traumatized by them. This is more common with hallucinogenic drugs that alter the perception of reality. Hallucinations or delusions can cause people to fear that their lives are at risk or that they are losing control of their minds. In high doses, stimulants can also trigger these frightening states. Substance-induced psychosis is relatively rare, and PTSD that follows from it is even rarer.
However, there are other ways that using Adderall increases the risk a person will develop PTSD.
Using Adderall or other stimulants at the time of a traumatic event occurs makes it more likely a person will develop PTSD in response to it. In 2012, clinical psychiatrist Richard A. Friedman wrote a New York Times article explaining his concerns that prescribing stimulant medications to soldiers could be increasing their rates of PTSD.
Friedman explains that Adderall enhances attention and memory in ways that make it more likely a person will retain traumatic memories and learn to associate particular sights, sounds, and smells with trauma. This fear conditioning can cause people to develop symptoms of PTSD like exaggerated startle responses and flashbacks, which can then progress to the full disorder.;A 2015 Pentagon study confirmed Friedmans theory, showing that soldiers prescribed Adderall or other stimulant medications had higher rates of PTSD.
Which Drug Has More Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
Xanax withdrawal is known to be very challenging to experience. It is also known that; the drug comes with more severe rebound and withdrawal symptoms than clonazepam. Xanax has a short half-life of nine to 20 hours. Half-life means the time it takes for half of the drug to leave your body. The shorter the half-life; the less time is in your body.
Clonazepman has a longer half-life . Therefore, it stays in the body longer. The longer it stays in the body; the less severe withdrawal symptoms will be, according to Drugs.com.
Xanax physical withdrawal symptoms:
Both prescription drugs are safe when taken as prescribed. Clonazepam is meant to be taken in treating panic disorders and some types of seizures. Xanax is usually prescribed on a short-term basis for anxiety and anxiety disorders. Neither drug is meant to be taken for the long-term. Long-term use of either drug can cause tolerance, dependence, and possibly addiction.
People who have become addicted to the drugs may try to find them on the illicit drug market and unknowingly buy pills that have been cut with cheaper and/or harmful ingredients, such as fentanyl. Taking illicitly bought clonazepam or Xanax can lead to overdose or a fatality.
Written by: Staff Writer
Read Also: What Is The Phobia Of Throwing Up
Problems Associated With Long
There is a large literature documenting the harms of long-term benzodiazepine use . This is especially true for older patients, who are at increased risk for motor vehicle crashes . Older patients taking benzodiazepines are also 2 to 3 times more likely to fall and have 50% higher risk of hip fractures, even at modest doses with short-acting agents and short-term exposures . Cognitive dysfunction is a common effect of long-term benzodiazepine use . Chronic benzodiazepine use can also cause anterograde amnesia and is associated with elevated risk of dementia and Alzheimers disease . Importantly, there is a 50% increase in overall mortality rates associated with long-term benzodiazepine use .
There are also PTSD-specific problems. The cognitive effects of long-term benzodiazepine use among Veterans with PTSD are particularly concerning. PTSD itself is a risk factor for dementia, with older Veterans with PTSD nearly twice as likely as Veterans without PTSD to develop dementia . Increased disinhibition among those Veterans who are already high in aggression is another important concern. Increases in aggressive behavior were found among Veterans receiving benzodiazepines who were aggressive prior to treatment . Benzodiazepines are contraindicated in obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , disorders commonly observed in Veterans with PTSD .
How Does Cbd Help With Anxiety
CBD carries a host of anxiety-reducing benefits without interfering with your daily functioning. It helps manage issues like seizures, pain, acne, and anxiety. Additionally, it is neuroprotective, meaning CBD may help prevent age-related decline and improve brain functioning .
CBD works by influencing our endocannabinoid system, which helps us maintain a state of internal balance.
Ingesting CBD slows the rate at which your body absorbs an endocannabinoid known as anandamide. This compound, nicknamed the bliss molecule, has a calming effect on the nervous system .
Ongoing research has found that CBD may reduce anxiety by altering the blood flow in areas of the brain associated with fear and stress. CBD is also linked to serotonin levels by affecting how your brain responds to serotonin. Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter that regulates various functions, including mood.
CBD has been shown to have stress-reducing effects in various populations and across a wide range of health conditions .
Recommended Reading: What Is The Phobia For Bees
Effects Of Xanax On The Elderly
Alprazolam is in a class of controlled substances called benzodiazepines, which are central nervous system depressants. Benzos slow nerve activity in the CNS by increasing the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid . This lowers anxiety and increases sedation.;
Other benzodiazepines include:
- dizziness
- impaired coordination
Older adults who are prescribed alprazolam should be started on the lowest possible dose and increased slowly as needed. This can help prevent some of the more serious adverse effects.
Should You Take Xanax Or Something Else
In a month-long, double-blind study3 comparing Xanax and Valium in patients with mild-to-moderate anxiety, researchers found that patients in both groups improved, but Valium was slightly better than Xanax at relieving anxiety in combination with depression. However, the differences were insignificant, and the side effects were about the same. Other studies indicate Xanax may make you less drowsy.
Read Also: How To Lose Weight After Binge Eating Disorder
Safe And Effective Treatment Options
The VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline recommends evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions , including the two treatments disseminated in VAs national evidence-based practice initiative, Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy . A meta-analysis of treatments for PTSD suggests psychotherapy is more effective than medications . Recommended medications for PTSD include antidepressants such as sertraline and paroxetine . Safer and more effective treatment options for the specific symptoms often targeted by clinicians with benzodiazepines exist . For anxiety, psychotherapy options include CBT, CBT for Anxiety, or Stress Inoculation Training. Medication options include selective-serotonin reuptake-inhibitor antidepressants such as sertraline and paroxetine or the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake-inhibitor venlafaxine . For insomnia, CBT for insomnia is highly effective . Other forms of CBT may be helpful. Medication options include older antidepressants such as trazodone, doxepin, or amitriptyline; prazosin for trauma-related nightmares; or diphenhydramine .
Steps taken by VA to improve prescribing practices
Printable Booklet
Benzodiazepines and PTSD: Do you know about this risky combination?
Which Drug Can Cause Dependence More
You might find that you develop a tolerance to clonazepam quicker, as its effects wear off faster than Xanax. You may want to feel that euphoric feeling the drug gives again; therefore increasing the dosage. That great feeling from clonazepam is short-lived.
Xanax might make some people feel slightly buzzed. As the immediate-release tablets are taken one to three times per day, tolerance to Xanax can occur soon; thus compelling the person to take more of the drug to feel that same buzzed feeling.
Tolerance and dependence do not necessarily lead to addiction. TheNational Institute on Drug Abuse notes that tolerance occurs when a person no longer responds to a drug in the way they did at first. So they take more of it to get the same effect as when they first took it.
Dependence is feeling withdrawal symptoms from a substance when a person stops taking it, as noted by NIDA. This can occur even if you take a prescription drug every day for a long time. This does not mean you are addicted to the drug, though.
Addiction is a disease, chronic in nature, that can result in taking drugs repeatedly. If you keep using the drug despite negative consequences, you may be addicted to it.
Also Check: What Phobia Is Weather Related
Can Cbd Treat Ptsd
Is CBD legal?Hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are legal federally but still illegal under some state laws. Marijuana-derived CBD products, on the other hand, are illegal federally but legal under some state laws. Check local legislation, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration has not approved nonprescription CBD products, which may be inaccurately labeled.
A 2019 literature review on medical cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids, and PTSD found that CBD may be helpful. However, it concludes that scientists still need to carry out more research into its therapeutic uses, effectiveness, and safety.
suggests that taking CBD immediately after a traumatic event might make it more difficult for the brain to form the memories that may later develop and cause PTSD symptoms.
A 2016 study found evidence that drugs acting on the endocannabinoid system may reduce the symptoms that a person with PTSD experiences after a memory extinction procedure. This is because the endocannabinoid system, which includes CBD receptors, can affect anxiety and memory, two factors that play a significant role in PTSD.
Aversive memory extinction is a therapy process in which a person, under the guidance of a therapist, experiences similar situations to those that led to their PTSD symptoms, without any of the traumatic stimuli.
A found that people with PTSD who took CBD capsules alongside traditional counseling saw a reduction in their symptoms.
Tapered Doses May Help
Cold-turkey withdrawal from Xanax is dangerous, and its not the only way to heal. With the help of your doctor, you can taper your dose and allow your body to adjust to smaller doses of Xanax.
Just as your brain adjusted to Xanax over time, a taper allows cells to learn what sobriety feels like. A typical schedule involves reducing your dose by 25 percent over several weeks, researchers say.;
If youre enrolled in a medical detox program, your team will bring your medications to you and watch you take them. Each day, youll get a little less until youre not using any at all.
If youre healing at home, youll need a helper. That person will:
- Protect. Youll be tempted to cheat. Your helper can lock up your drugs, so you cant take more than youre prescribed.
- Measure. Each day, your helper can determine how much you should take and when you should take it.
- Watch. If you develop withdrawal symptoms, the taper is moving too fast. Your helper can tell your doctor if it happens.
- Motivate. Even with a taper, youre likely to feel a little uncomfortable. Its helpful to have someone you trust rooting for your recovery.
You can taper with Xanax, but its important to remember that it isnt the only benzodiazepine available. It may be the most common drug, as prescriptions for Xanax increased 23 percent since 2006, but its not the only one. It may not even be the best drug to use this way.
Also Check: Foot Phobia Name
What Are Some Of The Concerns Of Taking Xanax
If you are taking Xanax, you should be aware of its side effects. Possible side effects include:
- Sleepiness
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Diarrhea
- People who have misused alcohol or drugs
- People with certain medical conditions such as respiratory illnesses
People who take Xanax should also be aware of the possibility of misusing or becoming dependent on it. Some people misuse Xanax because they like the way it makes them feel, which can lead to inappropriate use or overuse. When someone needs higher or more frequent doses of the medication to achieve the same effect, this is known as tolerance.
Building a tolerance to Xanax or other benzodiazepines can lead to dependence. A dependence means your body begins to rely on Xanax to function normally, and you can experience serious withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly.
Certain people are at greater risk for misusing Xanax, including:
- Non-Hispanic whites;
- Young adults 18 to 35 years old
- Someone who has a current psychiatric disorder
- Someone with a personal or family history of substance abuse
By signing up, I agree to GoodRx’sterms of service andprivacy policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
Sagely Naturals Drift & Dream Body Oil
Sagely Naturals Drift & Dream Body Oil is a dry body oil that quickly absorbs into the skin. It contains 100 mg of broad-spectrum CBD per bottle, with lavender, geranium, and clary sage oil, which the company claim promotes calm, mental clarity, and relaxation.
Sagely source their CBD from organic USA-grown hemp. They recommend using the oil after a shower or bath and massaging it into the skin while it is still damp. After massaging, people should let their skin dry naturally or gently pat dry with a towel.
Read Also: What Is A Phobia Of Spoons Called
Do They Have The Same Side Effects
Clonazepam comes with several adverse side effects, which may last for the first few doses of the medicine.
- Fatigue
- Sexual dysfunction
Both drugs may interact negatively with other substances.
Interactions with other drugs can cause different effects. Some can interfere with how clonazepam or Xanax work; others can cause increased side effects.
Risk Of Dementia & Alzheimers Disease
Alzheimers is a progressive disease that affects behavioral and cognitive functions, especially memory. Alzheimers may be a cause of dementia, which is the loss of cognitive abilities that is severe enough to interfere with your life.;
Several studies have shown benzos to be a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimers in geriatric patients. However, early symptoms of dementia mimic symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, which is a possible reason for this association.
You May Like: Depression And Appetite
Skymint Closes $78 Million Financing Acquires 3fifteen Cannabis
Those exposed to THC had lowered threat-related amygdala reactivity.;
This means that those who took low doses of THC showed measurable signs of reduced fear and anxiety in situations designed to trigger fear. Since these results were found in all three groups, it suggests that even those with PTSD were able to experience less fear with THC in their system.;
DENVER, CO – JULY 15: The Colorado Board of Health had a rule making hearing about people with … PTSD qualifying for medical marijuana at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offices in Denver. Christopher Latona, center, and his dad Mike Latona, left, both testified in support of approving medical marijuana for PTSD which Christopher has suffered from since returning from his US. Army service in Afghanistan. They were photographed on Wednesday July 15, 2015. The board voted 6-2 not to approve the change.
The authors conclude that the research suggests that THC modulates threat-related processing in trauma-exposed individuals with PTSD; and add that the drug may prove advantageous as a pharmacological approach to treating stress- and trauma-related psychopathology.
But for those with PTSD, extinction learning doesnt happen. The trauma attached to the old memories continues to cause problems.;;