As Xanax becomes an increasingly popular drug of abuse, many people have started looking for new ways to market and acquire this product. One of these methods is the distribution of Xanax bars, colorful tablets of Xanax that can easily be disguised as unassuming candies or supplements.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is a brand-name medication for the generic drug alprazolam. It is a part of the benzodiazepine drug class, which are medications that work by increasing the activity of a certain neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA.
GABA has a calming effect, which gives Xanax its ability to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorders, as well as short-term insomnia, seizure disorders, and various other ailments. As a fast-acting medication, Xanax typically starts working within 30 minutes of taking it.
It is most commonly available in the form of both immediate and extended-release tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and liquid forms. However, despite its various medical uses, Xanax is still classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance due to its high risk for abuse and dependence.
This is why it is important to only take Xanax with a doctor’s prescription and to never experiment with this medication recreationally. Unfortunately, because of how easy it is to obtain Xanax without a prescription, many people abuse this drug today.
What Is a Xanax Bar?
One of the more popularly abused forms of this medication is Xanax bars. These come in the form of rectangular tablets, which are often brightly colored to resemble candy and appear more appealing to unsuspecting consumers.
Xanax bars are typically 2 milligrams (mg) in strength, but they can also be 1 mg or 0.5 mg. Some of the most popular colors for these bars include white Xanax bars (2 mg), green Xanax bars (3 mg), blue Xanax bars (1 mg), and yellow Xanax bars (2 mg).
These bars are often broken into smaller pieces so that people can take the dose that they need, although some individuals may simply take the whole bar at once. While this drug is most commonly purchased through the illicit drug market, some people have even started looking into purchasing their bars online or traveling directly to Mexico to acquire their product.
Using Xanax recreationally in any way is already dangerous, but it is especially more so when purchasing from unregulated vendors. When buying any type of substance online or through foreign vendors, there is no way to be sure if you are getting the right product, and even more so, one that has not been tampered with.
Facts About Anxiety and Benzodiazepine Medication
While anxiety is a normal and often healthy emotion, excessive and persistent feelings of stress can interfere with daily living and become a disorder. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias.
Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting an estimated 40 million adults, or 19.1% of the country’s population. These disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, and life experiences.
There are a number of effective treatments for anxiety disorders, including therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. The most popular medications used to treat these disorders are benzodiazepines like Xanax.
Benzodiazepines work by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA, which has a calming effect. While these medications are generally effective at relieving anxiety symptoms quickly, they can also cause a number of unpleasant side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, and memory problems.
Benzodiazepines can also be addictive, and people who take them for long periods of time may experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking them suddenly. This is why it is important to only take Xanax with a prescription and to follow your doctor’s exact instructions for this medication.
Anxiety Treatment Options
If you are concerned about the potential side effects anxiety medications may have, there are many different treatment options available for this disorder that do not involve drugs.
While the best approach for you will depend on the severity of your anxiety, your individual needs, and your preferences, some of the most common treatment options available for these disorders include:
- Behavioral Therapies: There are several behavioral therapies available to help those who are struggling with anxiety better understand and manage their disorders, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and others.
- Individual Therapy: Also known as talk therapy, this involves one-on-one sessions with a therapist who will help you discuss and explore your emotions and find ways of better managing your anxiety in your day-to-day life.
- Holistic Treatments: Activities such as yoga, meditation, journaling, and exercising have all proven effective for managing symptoms of anxiety, especially when used in combination with other treatments.
- Lifestyle Changes: Making certain changes in your life to alleviate stress, such as improving your diet, practicing mindfulness and better self-care, and limiting interactions with stressful situations or people, can all help lower your anxiety levels.
If you have already started taking Xanax for your symptoms and are worried your use may be problematic, it is important to get help as soon as possible. Xanax addiction can have serious long-term consequences, but with the right treatment, recovery is possible.
Xanax Addiction Treatment at Royal Life Centers
As Xanax continues to become more easily accessible, the need for effective addiction treatment options has become more important than ever. At Royal Life Centers, our benzodiazepine rehab program provides the comprehensive and effective care you need to safely and successfully overcome your substance abuse.
When choosing our facility as your recovery destination, you will have access to a wide variety of treatment options to help manage and overcome your benzo abuse, including:
- Medical detox
- Inpatient and outpatient treatment
- Behavioral therapies
- Holistic treatments
- Sober living programs
- Aftercare services
Overcoming Xanax addiction and finding new ways to manage your anxiety can be difficult, but we will be there every step of the way to make sure every aspect of your substance abuse is being properly addressed.
If you are ready to start your recovery journey, do not hesitate to reach out. We will discuss all of your needs to build a treatment plan that is right for you. Call now to learn more about how you can get started on your path to sobriety today!
