Addiction to Xanax

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Xanax is the trade name of a drug called alprazolam, originally manufactured by Pfizer. It is currently marketed under the generic name by several companies and the pills come if variety of colors and shapes, depending on which generic company produced it. Xanax is a drug in the benzodiazepine family (others include Valium, Librium, and Restoril) and is used to treat anxiety.

Xanax (alprazolam) is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety and panic disorder. It is part of a group of medications called benzodiazepines. As with other benzodiazepine medications, there is a possibility of becoming addicted to Xanax. Addiction, or "dependence," happens when a person feels like he or she needs to continue to take a medicine, even when no medical need is present.
Addiction to Xanax is more likely if the medicine has been taken daily for a longer time or at higher doses. It is also more likely in people with a history of alcohol or drug addiction. People taking Xanax for panic disorder are usually at a high risk of addiction, since high dosages are often required to control panic disorder symptoms.

A physical dependence commonly occurs as a result of alprazolam treatment, typified by a withdrawal and rebound symptoms necessitating a gradual reduction in dosage to minimize withdrawal effects when discontinuing. Withdrawal symptoms similar in character to those noted with sedative-hypnotics such as alcohol have occurred following discontinuance of benzodiazepines, including alprazolam. The symptoms can range from mild dysphoria and insomnia to a major syndrome that may include anxiety, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, vomiting, depression, sweating, tremors and in rare cases seizures, suicidal ideation or suicide itself.

What Are the Signs of Addiction to Xanax?
When a person is addicted to a medicine, the body is not able to function properly if the medicine is stopped. Withdrawal symptoms can also occur. Symptoms of Xanax withdrawal can include:

    * Panic attacks
    * Seizures
    * Fever
    * Anxiety
    * Tension
    * Depression
    * Insomnia
    * Restlessness or irritability
    * Confusion
    * Sweating
    * Dizziness
    * Personality changes
    * Sensitivity to sound or light
    * Numbness or tingling
    * Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
    * A rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
    * Heart palpitations
    * Hallucinations
    * Memory loss

If you over dose on Xanax..
Overdoses of alprazolam can be mild to severe depending on how much of the drug is taken and if any other depressants have been taken. Combined overdose with tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol, or opiates, or overdoses of alprazolam in the elderly, significantly increases the likelihood for severe toxicity and possible fatality. Alprazolam (Xanax) overdose reflect the central nervous system depression of the brain and may include one or more of the following symptoms:

    * Somnolence (sleepy state)
    * Hypotension (low blood pressure)
    * Hypoventilation (shallow breathing)
    * Impaired motor functions
      Dizziness
      Impaired balance
      Muscle weakness
      Impaired or absent reflexes
    * Fainting
    * Coma
    * Death