by Rena Sherwood

Created on: November 10, 2009

Why risk going to jail getting hooked on illegal drugs when, for the same sensations, you can get stoned on legal prescription drugs? Xanax (generic name alprazolam) is usually prescribed for anxiety problems, but problems of all sorts tend to sink away in the distance after a hit of Xanax. This is why many adults who wouldn't ever think of using illegal drugs still wind up becoming addicted to Xanax.

Today's adults are savvy enough to avoid risking their career or social standing but still stressed out enough to want a quick escape from their problems. Unfortunately, many turn to benzodiazepines like Xanax as a quick fix to extremely complex problems like dealing with stress, worrying about the economy or bad interpersonal relationships.

Problems with Withdrawal

Ethical doctors and psychiatrists know that Xanax can be addictive, so they tend to try other medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or other types of antidepressants before turning to the potentially addictive benzodiazepines. Some pharmacies like the chain Rite Aid monitor how often a customer refills their prescriptions and will refuse to fill a Xanax prescription if it is before a certain date.

But even with these precautions, some people that had been prescribed Xanax for legitimate reasons find that they can't get through the day without it. Over time, their body becomes adjusted to a certain Xanax dose and so in order to get stoned and feel peaceful, one needs to take larger and larger Xanax doses.

People who even try to stop Xanax are in for a nasty surprise - withdrawal symptoms. These can become so painful that a patient may feel absolutely certain that they are going to die. In order to avoid the withdrawal symptoms, they keep on taking Xanax.

Easy Access

If it takes progressively larger doses in order to become addicted, how do adults get a hold of so much Xanax? It's surprisingly easy.

Many people even discover perfectly good Xanax for sale in the streets, from friends or even co-workers. This is because some people are so desperate for money that they sell all of their prescription drugs. They find many takers because of the incredibly high cost of prescription medications.

After a while, a determined Xanax addict can persuade friends and family members to lie to their doctors in order to get Xanax. They persuade their friend of family member that they really need the medication in order to cope and that they are victims of an unjust healthcare system.

Another practice is called "doctor shopping". This can vary from falsifying who you are or if you already have another doctor for the sole purpose of getting that magic prescription. There are also plenty of unethical doctors who will write out prescriptions under several names for the same patient - for the right price.

Should Xanax Be Banned?

There have been many people with panic attack disorders or anxiety that have greatly benefited from Xanax. Many people initially prescribed Xanax do have a general need for help. They may have refused to leave the house or were convinced that a secret society is conspiring against them.

Xanax doses are usually shrunk after the patient learns coping skills and how to better deal with the first symptoms of a panic attack. Banning Xanax may not be an ideal solution for the people with mental illnesses that view medications as tools and not crutches.

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