Xanax

In a world of growing prescription drug abuse, almost everyone has heard of Xanax. Commonly prescribed as an anti-anxiety medication or sleep aid, it is also one of the top abused prescription medications. Sought after for it's "calming effects", it can rapidly turn dangerous when used recreationally. Below is some basic information about Xanax and how to identify an overdose.

Xanax, generic name alprazolam, is part of a drug class called benzodiazepines (you may have heard the term "benzos"). It is used as an anti-anxiety drug and works by acting in the brain, slowing down the nervous system and calming patients. While there is not a "high" from using Xanax, this calming effect can be a goal of abuse and leads to the addictive nature of Xanax.

The dangers come into play when Xanax is not used as intended by a doctor. Because it is a "calming" medication, too much can depress a person's mental function to the point of confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness, and slowed reflexes. Rarely, a person can take so much that it causes respiratory depression, which is your body slowing down so much you cannot breath on your own, coma, or death. This usually happens when Xanax is taken with other agents that depress the brain and body.

Like alcohol. The dangerous thing about prescription drugs used for recreation is they are often mixed with alcohol. Xanax and alcohol have additive effects that can lead to respiratory depression and a person slipping into a coma much faster than normal. Under no circumstances should you mix Xanax and alcohol, or you may end up like a girl I knew in college: being carried out of the bathroom at the bar on a stretcher because you passed out after a few drinks and didn't wake back up.

Other "benzos" that this information also applies to: (not an inclusive list, just the common ones)

Ativan (lorazepam)

Vallium (diazepam)

Klonopin (clonazepam)

Restoril (temazepam)