In 2022, Xanax (also known as Alprazolam), was the top prescribed drug across the state of Tennessee. And it was in the top 10 of multiple other states as well. Concerning, when the top prescribed drug is usually just vitamin D.
Xanax has gained huge traction and international recognition in the past couple of decades. Most are vaguely aware that it is a prescription drug for treating anxiety. But is Xanax a narcotic?
You’ve probably heard about a friend of a friend with a Xanax addiction, and wonder if that’s true. Today, we take a closer look.
Is Xanax a Narcotic?
First, it pays to define exactly what a narcotic is. A narcotic, officially, refers to opioids, like legal pain medications, and includes scheduled drugs like cocaine and heroin. Most people take opioids to relieve pain, but they can be easily abused and lead to drug addiction.
So, fortunately, Xanax is not a narcotic. It belongs to an entirely different family of drugs known as benzodiazepines, more colloquially “benzos.”
Rather than leading to a sense of euphoria like opioids, Xanax calms your central nervous system. It reduces overexcited brain activity. When prescribed correctly, it can be a potentially effective treatment for anxiety.
Is Xanax Addictive?
Despite not being an opioid, Xanax is a scheduled substance, albeit a legal one. This means you can only obtain it through a doctor. This is because of the possibility of abuse.
You can get addicted to Xanax, similar to how you get addicted to alcohol. This is because Xanax targets your GABA receptors, the same ones that react to sedatives, barbiturates, and ethanol in your drink. In addition to the desirable calming effects, there is a dopamine release.
Sadly, Xanax can cause drug addiction even if you take it exactly as prescribed. It is simply highly addictive, which is why so many people are wary of it. It can lead to strong withdrawal symptoms that are incredibly painful to resist.
Xanax Addiction Treatment
As painful as it may be to recognize, addiction deprives you of self-control. Many leading neurologists describe it as a form of uncontrollable compulsion and say that addicts cannot overcome it alone. That’s why it’s so important to admit you have a problem and seek help immediately.
If you believe you are addicted to Xanax, your next question is probably how to treat Xanax addiction. Fortunately, there’s a way, and it’s never too late. Rehab centers across the country have their doors open to individuals like you.
Register yourself at a rehabilitation center and describe your situation. They will recommend a program, either one where you come in every day or where you stay on-site at the facility. Completion of the program will go a long way in helping you quit your addiction.
Set Yourself Free
Is Xanax a narcotic? It isn’t an opioid, nor does it have characteristics similar to an opioid, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is highly addictive. Many people who take it exactly as prescribed and end up addicted despite their best wishes, requiring rehab. click https://www.rayhaderclinic.
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