Is Xanax a Barbiturate?

Xanax is a widely prescribed medication for anxiety disorders and panic disorders. When receiving a Xanax prescription, people often wonder about the composition of the medication. Is Xanax a barbiturate? It is sometimes confused as to whether it’s a benzodiazepine or a different class of sedative drugs. Let’s talk about Xanax and whether it’s a barbiturate or benzodiazepine.

What Is Xanax?

Xanax is the brand name for the medication alprazolam. However, alprazolam is a Schedule IV Controlled Substance because it has a high risk of being abused. Thus, it’s illegal in the United States to possess Xanax without a prescription from a medical professional. Yet, people commonly source Xanax through illicit methods, such as buying it online. To clarify, Xanax is not a barbiturate but a benzodiazepine.

What Does Xanax Treat?

The prescription medication is most commonly prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves its usage for. Sometimes, it’s prescribed for insomnia and depression, depending on the person and their history of medicine use.

Benzodiazepine Addiction

Addiction is a prevalent issue with benzodiazepine abuse. When used legally as prescribed, your doctor will monitor your dose and help you avoid dependence. Similarly, they can recommend a plan to help you wean off the medication when needed. However, recreational and illegal Xanax use can easily lead to an addiction to the strong effects of the drug.

Stats and Facts About Xanax Abuse

Unfortunately, Xanax is widely prescribed but also widely abused. In fact, alprazolam, the ingredient in Xanax, is the most prescribed psychotropic medicine in the U.S. Studies estimate that Xanax is misused about 20 percent of the time.

What Are Barbiturates?

Barbiturates are depressant medications that have multiple medical uses. They belong to the sedative-hypnotic class of drugs. Some of their uses include treating seizures, insomnia, muscle spasms, and anxiety. The FDA has approved many barbiturate brands. Yet, barbiturates are less common as prescription medications than benzodiazepines because barbiturates have a higher overdose risk. Yet, they are considered a potent back-up drug when other options don’t work. As mentioned, barbiturates have a high risk of abuse. They can be sourced illicitly under one of the many barbiturates street names. These include barbs, blockbusters, goofballs, and yellow jackets.

How Do Barbiturates Work?

Barbiturates increase the brain chemical gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which has a calming effect on the central nervous system (CNS). Some of the effects barbiturates can have on the body are sleepiness, relaxation, or mild euphoria. Mainly, misusing barbiturates results in feelings of drowsiness and intoxication, although sometimes it can produce a gentle high.

Are Barbiturates Addictive?

Yes, barbiturates have a strong addictive tendency because they modify the brain to desire the drug. By activating chemical messengers in the brain, barbiturates lead to dependency over time. At this stage, you experience a constant need for more. Just as with any addictive substance, the brain begins to function more normally while on the drug than without. The only option is to detox in a treatment facility.

Most Common Barbiturates

Some barbiturates are more commonly prescribed than others. They range from ultra-short-acting to long-acting formulas:

  • Phenobarbital (Luminal)
  • Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
  • Sodium Pentothal (Trapanal)
  • Amobarbital
  • Butalbital
  • Methohexital
  • Primidone
  • Secobarbital (Seconal)
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Why Do People Confuse Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines?   

It makes sense that people confuse barbiturates and benzodiazepines, as they have similarities. Barbiturates work on the GABA receptors in the brain, while benzodiazepines make the GABA receptors more efficient without directly modifying them. This different effect makes benzos generally safer when it comes to overdose risk. To elaborate, benzos are less potent than barbiturates, which is why they are prescribed as a first response. Barbiturates are an old medication with a long history of results. Yet, because of their high overdose risk, they’re considered a secondary option after trying benzodiazepines.

What Are the Risks of Barbiturate Abuse? 

Abusing barbiturates is incredibly dangerous and can lead to short- and long-term risks. Notably, you can develop barbiturate toxicity and physical dependency. Symptoms can include:

  • Difficulty thinking and processing
  • Mental fogginess
  • Decreased judgment
  • Loss of balance
  • Memory loss
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Coma

Barbiturate symptoms can be serious and life-threatening. Additionally, barbiturate addiction leads to barbiturate withdrawal symptoms when you go without the drug or try to quit. Fortunately, we can help alleviate symptoms through treatment.

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Barbiturate Addiction Treatment Options

When it comes to powerful substances like barbiturates, the best way to overcome addiction is by treating it in a rehab facility. We provide comprehensive care that helps individuals achieve healing through counseling, therapy, medication management, and future planning. Further, we believe in holistic wellness that ensures healing for the mind, body, and spirit. Getting help is a simple process, beginning with intake. Our intake team will gather information about your situation, history, needs, and goals. Then, they will create a personalized treatment plan that will carry you through the levels of care.

Barbiturate Detox

Individuals begin with detox to remove the lingering substances from their bodies. Generally, detoxification lasts 4-8 days. Our team of doctors and nurses monitor clients to ensure they’re safe. Additionally, they may prescribe medications to make barbiturate withdrawal more comfortable.

Inpatient Treatment for Barbiturates

Residential inpatient treatment is an important step towards recovery. Clients live in-center to participate in daily therapy and counseling sessions, as well as holistic activities. With 24/7 monitoring, the goal is to help the individual work towards a fulfilling life of sobriety. They unpack the roots of their drug use in sessions and learn coping mechanisms for when cravings strike.

Outpatient Treatment for Barbiturates

Outpatient treatment is the next step of rehabilitation once individuals have done the deeper work of healing and are ready to self-motivate their recovery. Thus, outpatient treatment continues to offer therapy, counseling, and holistic activities. Yet, individuals have more independence in their sobriety journey and can work towards future planning. Substance abuse like alcohol addiction or Xanax addiction doesn’t have to control your life anymore. If you’re struggling with benzodiazepines and barbiturates, our dual-diagnosis treatment center can help.

If you’re ready to enter treatment for barbiturate addiction, reach out today!

Why It’s Not Safe to Buy Xanax Online

Xanax is a prescription medication with a high risk of misuse and addiction. Although it can seem convenient and safe to source Xanax outside of a pharmacy, it’s dangerous to buy online or internationally. For those looking for anxiety treatment, Xanax (Alprazolam) is only a short-term solution.

Here is everything you need to know about the risks of Xanax misuse, including illicit purchasing of Xanax from online pharmacies.

What Is Xanax?

Xanax is the brand name for the prescription of alprazolam. It’s a benzodiazepine that can be medically prescribed for anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety symptoms from depressive disorders. The National Library of Medicine notes that alprazolam is the most prescribed psychotropic drug. Yet, it’s also the most common benzodiazepine to lead to emergency visits from misuse.

Because of its calming and sedative effects, it can be colloquially referred to as a “downer.” Other names are zannies, X’s, bennies, bars, and reds and blues. The last terms are because Xanax can come in pill or bar form. Xanax bars contain multiple doses that can be broken off. You can find blue Xanax, yellow Xanax, white Xanax, green Xanax, and other colors. It’s important to understand that Xanax is an addictive substance that is controlled under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Do I Need a Xanax Prescription?

In short, yes, you need a prescription to safely take Xanax. To elaborate, Xanax has an extremely high risk of misuse, addiction, and overdose attached to it. The best way to avoid a lifetime of addiction to prescription benzos like Xanax is to properly take your prescription according to your doctor’s recommendation. Thus, it would be best if you were a candidate for a prescription by having a relevant mental condition that can be treated with Xanax.

The standard process for getting diagnosed with a mental or behavioral health issue involves meeting with a doctor or therapist to assess your condition. They’ll ask you questions about your past and present symptoms and make a diagnosis. At this point, they may recommend medication to alleviate your symptoms. Xanax is mostly prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders. Yet, some individuals won’t be prescribed Xanax and will be recommended to go a different route with medications. This is because Xanax can lead to dependence and isn’t advised for everyone.

To summarize, you need a prescription to take Xanax, but your doctor may recommend you try a different benzodiazepine first.

Who Is Able to Write Xanax Prescriptions?

Practicing doctors, licensed therapists, and counselors can write Xanax prescriptions. Yet, as part of the effort to reduce Xanax misuse, they will only prescribe the medication on a case-by-case basis.

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Is It Legal to Get Xanax Without a Prescription?

Based on the intricacies of medication for mental illness, especially an addictive substance like Xanax, it’s only legal with a prescription. Even then, you can engage in illicit activity, such as buying Xanax outside of a pharmacy or misusing your meds. Alprazolam is a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, which is monitored when it comes to Xanax abuse.

Is It Safe to Buy Xanax Online?

It is not safe to buy Xanax online. Although it may seem convenient and cheap, buying Xanax outside of a pharmacy places you at risk. For instance, many people buy Xanax online to bypass needing a prescription. Yet, they are putting themselves at risk of severe addiction, as well as illegitimate Xanax formulations. It’s impossible to know what is in the drugs if you buy them illicitly, like purchasing alprazolam outside the United States. Even sourcing alprazolam from an international pharmacy is not wise. You never know if the ingredients are pure and regulated or mixed with other drugs.

Is Xanax Addictive?

Sadly, Xanax is extremely addictive. It has a high misuse liability and has the most severe withdrawal symptoms out of all benzodiazepine drugs. Individuals can become addicted to Xanax by receiving an incorrect prescription or using the medication for too long. However, they are at even higher risk of addiction if they misuse Xanax, such as illicit Xanax use. For example, individuals may buy Xanax online with the intent to misuse the drug. Or they may abuse Xanax by ingesting it outside of how it’s intended.

Can you smoke Xanax? Yes, sometimes people will crush Xanax pills and smoke them or snort Xanax in order to achieve a faster high. Markedly, Xanax is addictive because it adapts your neurochemistry to quickly become dependent on the pleasant effects it creates. Because it’s used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, it has a relaxing effect on the brain and body.

Some signs that you or someone you know might be dependent on Xanax include:

  • Feeling poorly without Xanax
  • Craving more of the drug
  • Always thinking about Xanax
  • Avoiding plans and hobbies
  • Sneaking around or lying about Xanax use
  • Sourcing Xanax illicitly, such as without a prescription

Xanax addiction is not easy to overcome, as it’s nearly impossible on your own. Instead, getting help at a treatment center is the way to make Xanax sobriety a reality.

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Xanax Addiction Treatment at Aliya Health Group

Xanax can be a valuable comfort medication for symptoms of mental illness when used as prescribed by a doctor. However, it can also be dangerous due to abuse. Worse, it can lead you to feel trapped in the cycle of addiction. People may even resort to buying Xanax online and filling their bodies with synthetic chemicals that imitate a Xanax high. It’s never too late to overcome Xanax addiction in our treatment centers.

We offer progressing levels of care for clients to work through. Starting with detox, clients move into each consecutive level. They can also enter wherever they’re ready if they don’t need to progress in order. The levels are:

  • Detoxification
  • Residential inpatient treatment,
  • Partial hospitalization (PHP)
  • Intensive outpatient rehab (IOP)
  • Outpatient treatment (OP)
  • Aftercare

Each level is designed to provide more independence as you grow in therapy tactics and self-motivation to make sobriety a priority. Our treatment programming is tailored to the individual, so you will be put first throughout rehab. You don’t need to battle with Xanax dependence any longer. Let us get you set up in a rehab facility so you can begin healing.