You have more than likely heard of Xanax, or maybe even tried it yourself, but have you ever wondered why Xanax is so popular? If so, you’re not alone. The question of why Xanax is so popular is one that a lot of people have.
Xanax is a powerful benzodiazepine that was introduced in the mid-1970s, and it is the most frequently prescribed drug in the benzo class in the U.S. There were around 49 million prescriptions written for it in the U.S. in 2011 alone. It’s prescribed at significantly higher rates than other benzos such as Ativan and Klonopin.
It’s prescribed for issues related to mental health disorders and more specifically, anxiety. It can be used for the treatment of general anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias.
Xanax tends to start acting pretty quickly after a person takes it, and the most desired effects of the drug will usually manifest themselves within about an hour after taking it.
To answer the question of why Xanax is so popular, you would need to look at this rapidly-occurring desired effects. When taken as prescribed it can calm people down and make them feel relaxed. In some cases, particularly with higher doses, Xanax is popular because it can create a euphoric feeling, although not one that’s as strong as other drugs such as opioids.
For people who do suffer from anxiety, it can create a sense of relief to be able to focus on their lives without issues of anxiety or phobias plaguing them.
Unfortunately, when someone misuses Xanax or combines it with other substances like alcohol, the effects are amplified, but the results can also be deadly.
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Speak to an Intake Coordinator now.352.771.2700These drugs are so often prescribed because they work well on anxiety and they’re cheap.
Unfortunately, they are also addictive. There has been a jump in the number of people who visit rehab facilities because of an addiction to benzos including Xanax. There has become the tendency to view benzos like Xanax as a type of alcohol in pill form, and it’s become socially acceptable for groups of friends to get together and share Xanax with one another.
Along with recreational use, many people rely on Xanax as a way to deal with issues including situational anxiety without having to commit to something like therapy, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Xanax is so popular in America, for example, because there is a tendency for people to love things that are looked at as a quick-fix. Xanax isn’t a long-term medication so you can take it when you need it and you get a lot of relief.
That can feel great, particularly in a fast-paced world or one that tends to be permeated by concepts of constant exposure to the bad news of the world, stressful jobs and lives that just move quickly.
It’s unfortunate to look at why Xanax is so popular because it’s become so mainstream that people don’t see the potential harm it can bring. Yes, it can be helpful in certain situations, but the popularity of Xanax has also led to an increase in overdoses as a result.
People who use Xanax for extended periods of time can experience long-term side effects like memory impairment, and when it’s mixed with alcohol, the sedative effects are amplified. As people use Xanax for longer periods, they tend to develop a dependency on it, and then they can’t function properly without its presence. As people do develop that tolerance, they need more and more Xanax to get the same effects, which increases their likelihood of an overdose or even death.
When you’re exploring why Xanax is so popular, you’ll likely come across articles from people who say it’s helped their life tremendously, but it shouldn’t be viewed as a casual drug or a quick fix. It is a serious drug that can have potentially deadly consequences when it’s misused, intentionally or unintentionally. It doesn’t matter how popular Xanax is, it shouldn’t be taken without a prescription, or taken with friends as a social drug because of the potential severity of the side effects and its interactions with alcohol and other substances.