Addictive Substances, Drug Abuse, Substance Abuse

October 11, 2023

The Risks of Buying Xanax Online

October 11, 2023

The Risks of Buying Xanax Online

For many individuals, the constant hustle and bustle of life can be overwhelming, leading them to seek relief. This is where Xanax (Alprazolam), a prescription medication, often enters the picture. But what exactly is Xanax, and how does it work? Is it safe, and is it addictive? How do people generally get their hands the drug?

What Is Xanax (Alprazolam)?

Xanax, known generically as alprazolam, is a brand-name medication that’s part of the family of drugs called benzodiazepines (“benzo”). Benzodiazepines are mainly prescribed to manage mental health conditions. Their purpose is to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia.

Xanax comes in various forms, including tablets, bars, capsules, and extended-release tablets (XR). It comes in many colors, so you may hear people refer to blue Xanax or blue Xanax bars, and yellow Xanax or yellow Xanax bars.

As of 2018, the number of Xanax prescriptions reached nearly 21 million, and it’s currently the ninth best-selling drug in the U.S. The popularity of the drug has led to widespread recreational use and a number of street names, including:

Bars
Xannies
Xanax Sticks
Xanbars
Z-Bars
Benzos
Handlebars
Footballs
School Bus
White Boys

Do I Need a Xanax Prescription?

Before you think about a Xanax prescription, you must first address whether you have a mental health issue. The medication is prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders — conditions that must be diagnosed by a doctor.

To get Xanax legally and safely, you must have a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. It’s not legal to obtain the drug without one. Taking Xanax without a prescription is illegal and can lead to serious health risks and legal consequences.

A thorough assessment including the following steps can help a doctor diagnose and guide appropriate treatment.

Recognize Symptoms: Acknowledge unusual or distressing thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. Symptoms like persistent sadness, anxiety, mood swings, or changes in daily functioning can be a signal that something isn’t quite right.

Discuss with Primary Care Physician (PCP): Many individuals begin by discussing their concerns with their PCP. Together, you can go over your detailed medical history, including any past or current mental health conditions, medications, and substance use. They can help rule out underlying medical conditions and provide initial guidance.

Get a Referral to a Specialist: If your PCP suspects a mental health issue, they may refer you to a mental health specialist.

Have an Initial Consultation: When you meet with the specialist to discuss your symptoms and concerns, they’ll conduct a full assessment, which may involve interviews, questionnaires, and standardized tests. This process helps identify the specific diagnosis, if any, and its severity.

Attain a Diagnosis and Treatment Plan: If you’re diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or another condition for which Xanax is an appropriate treatment, the provider will discuss the potential benefits and risks of Xanax with you. Your treatment plan may also include psychotherapy (talk therapy) and lifestyle changes.

Who Can Write Xanax Prescriptions?

It’s crucial to get your Xanax prescription through legitimate medical channels and to be open and honest about your symptoms and medical history. Xanax prescriptions can only be written by licensed healthcare providers, including:

Psychiatrists: Medical doctors who specialize in mental health and are often the primary prescribers of Xanax.
PCPs: General practitioners may prescribe Xanax for milder cases after evaluating the patient’s condition.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners: Advanced practice nurses with expertise in psychiatric care may also prescribe Xanax.

Is Buying Xanax Online Safe?

It’s best to protect your well-being by seeking professional guidance in-person. This is the safest and most responsible way to manage mental health disorders and get a Xanax prescription. That said, there are plenty of internet pharmacies that claim to offer the drug at potentially lower costs. But is it safe to buy Xanax online?

Online pharmacies have grown significantly in recent years, from $29.35 billion in 2014 to an expected $128 billion in 2023 worldwide. While the convenience of online shopping extends to medications, buying Xanax online is full of risks and dangers. Legitimate online pharmacies (LOPs) offer convenience and affordability, but illicit online pharmacies (IOPs) open the doors to the following:

Counterfeit Xanax: Online pharmacies often sell counterfeit or substandard medications, putting your health at risk.
Lack of Regulation: Many online pharmacies operate outside the control of regulatory bodies. This makes it difficult to ensure the quality and safety of the products they sell.
Privacy Concerns: Sharing personal and financial information with online pharmacies can expose you to identity theft and fraud.
Potential Legal Issues: Because it’s illegal to purchase Xanax without a prescription, the risks of buying Xanax online include potential legal consequences.

What Are International Pharmacies and “Mexican Xanax”?

Some people get tempted to explore international options for getting Xanax, including purchasing medications like “Mexican Xanax.” However, this can be an even bigger risk because of:

Quality Control: Medications from international sources may not meet the same quality and safety standards as those in the U.S.
Legal Implications: Importing prescription medications from other countries, especially without a valid prescription, can have serious legal repercussions.
Language Barriers: Communication with international pharmacies may be challenging due to language differences.
Customs Issues: Medications imported from abroad can be seized by customs, resulting in loss of funds and potential legal actions.

Ultimately, it’s extremely dangerous to purchase Xanax on the Internet or outside the U.S. The sale and distribution of medication overseas doesn’t follow the safe-use regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As a result, these medications may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy.

Get the help you need to begin your journey to recovery.

Is Xanax Addictive?

Although it was initially believed that benzodiazepines have no potential for abuse, studies show it can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms — especially Xanax.

According to Anna Lembke, M.D., benzodiazepines (like Xanax) are relatively safe for occasional use over a few weeks. But with daily, long-term use, the brain adapts to the drugs. As a result, they become less effective at relieving symptoms, and a person needs more and more to get the same effect. It’s easy to get people on these drugs, and hard to get them off again.

Many prescribers warn patients that misusing Xanax can cause a more severe withdrawal syndrome than other benzodiazepines. Simply put, Xanax is highly addictive and can be fatal in many circumstances.

Xanax causes addiction in much of the same way other drugs, like opiates, do. It changes signals throughout the brain and boosts dopamine release (the feel-good chemical). This larger-than-usual amount of dopamine may trigger a strong, pleasurable high that makes you want to use it more often. This can lead to addiction.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) categorizes Xanax addiction as a sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder.

The risk of addiction is significant when Xanax is:

Taken at higher doses than prescribed
Used for an extended period
Taken more frequently than directed
Used without a legitimate medical need
Combined with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids

Signs and Symptoms of Xanax Addiction

According to the DSM-5, you may be addicted to Xanax if you answer yes to at least two of the following 10 questions:

Have there been times when you have used more Xanax than you wanted to?
Have you tried to cut down your use but failed?
Do you spend large amounts of time acquiring, using, or recovering from Xanax?
Do you experience strong cravings or urges to use Xanax?
Have you kept using it even when it’s caused problems in your relationships?
Have you given up on activities that were once important to you?
Do you ever put yourself in risky situations while using Xanax?
Do you continue to use it even after experiencing emotional symptoms like depression, anxiety, and/or mood swings?
Do you need more of the drug to experience the desired effect? Or do you feel less of an effect with the same dose?
Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms when you stopped taking Xanax?

Aside from being able to relate to at least two of these questions, other symptoms of addiction can be physical or behavioral.

Physical Symptoms of Xanax Addiction

Needing a higher dose of Xanax to experience desired effects (tolerance)
Experiencing withdrawal
Slowed breathing
Severe drowsiness
Slurred speech
Loss of consciousness
Difficulty walking
Bad judgment
Poor coordination
Memory problems
Having cravings for Xanax

Behavioral Symptoms of Xanax Addiction

Taking more Xanax, or taking it over a longer period of time, than intended
Being unsuccessful in attempts to reduce use
Investing a lot of time and energy in obtaining Xanax
Visiting multiple different physicians to get multiple prescriptions
Continuing to abuse Xanax even after experiencing negative symptoms
Not keeping up with work, home, or social obligations
Giving up social, work, or recreational activities in favor of use

Xanax Addiction Treatment at Aliya Health Group

Have you or someone you love tried to buy Xanax online? This and other behavior may be a sign of addiction, and it’s crucial to seek professional help immediately. Xanax addiction can be challenging to overcome alone, but with the right support and treatment, recovery is possible. Buying prescription drugs online is not a healthy way to treat anxiety or an anxiety disorder. The only safe and effective way to treat anxiety is through proper treatment and supervised medication intake as prescribed by a professional.

Aliya Health Group is committed to providing comprehensive addiction treatment services, including specialized programs for individuals struggling with prescription drug addiction or in need of anxiety treatment. Our treatment options encompass the entire continuum of care, from detox to aftercare, ensuring that each client receives the tailored support they need. Contact us today to start a conversation.

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