Xanax Bars: What is Xanax?
Xanax Addiction is a very common condition in the United States, that’s because it is one of the most prescribed drugs in the country and it has a variety of components that makes this drug highly addictive. It treats anxiety and panic disorders but has a recognized potential for abuse. A Xanax high is described as calming, tranquil, and addictive.
Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam and is classified as a benzodiazepine, which is a class of medication that produces a calming effect on the brain and central nervous system. Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical signal that tells brain cells to “slow” or “relax.”
As stated by the scientific piece ‘A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal’, N. Ait-Daoud, A. Hamby, S. Sharma, D. Blevins, published by The US. National Library of Medicine (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), “Alprazolam is one of the most widely prescribed benzodiazepines for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Its clinical use has been a point of contention as most addiction specialists consider it to be highly addictive, given its unique psychodynamic properties which limit its clinical usefulness, whereas many primary care physicians continue to prescribe it for longer periods than recommended”. [1]
What are Xanax Bars?
Xanax Bars, planks, and also known as zanies, are all slang terms for the highest dosage of Xanax pills. It comes in a long, thin white or yellow pill that can be divided into fourths. If taken all at once by an individual who has not developed a tolerance to the drug, it can cause an intense euphoric high followed by feelings of relaxation, severe drowsiness, and memory loss.
It’s a popular drug among young people, including middle and high school students. People who are this young, and do not yet have fully developed bodies and brains, are more susceptible to overdose. Taking Xanax bars at an early age is more likely to cause memory loss. At the same time, the high caused by Xanax bars often comes and goes very fast, typically in the space of 10-15 minutes.
Because of this short high, users may take more after the effects wear off. Due to this bingeing behavior combined with memory loss, it’s easy for an individual to forget that a pill has already been taken, resulting in that person doubling upon an already very high dose. This is how many Xanax overdoses happen.
Xanax bars overdose can be very dangerous. Like all benzodiazepines, Xanax is a central nervous system depressant. Depression of this part of the brain causes the heartbeat, respiratory system, and other essential body functions to slow. During an overdose of a depressant drug, breathing can slow to the point that not enough oxygen can reach the brain. This can result in rapid cell death, leading to brain damage, and coma, and it can eventually be fatal.
Effects of Taking Xanax Bars
Because Xanax works quickly and powerfully, patients often develop a tolerance to it fairly quickly. As tolerance grows, the person may take a higher dosage more frequently to experience the same relief from their symptoms. This pattern of behavior may eventually develop into an addiction. Without prescription drug treatment, the dangerous side effects of Xanax bars can cause long-term damage.
The dangers of Xanax bars include:
- Slurred speech
- Disorientation
- Lack of coordination
- Difficulty concentrating
- Aggression
- Risky behavior
- Irritability
- Sleepwalking
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Extreme fluctuation in weight
- Seizures
- Addiction
A prescription does not mean that the drug in question is not dangerous. Even when taking prescription medications, you have to be cautious and follow the directions given to you by your doctor. Many people become addicted to Xanax because they take their family member’s or friends’ alprazolam without a prescription. Taking medication that wasn’t prescribed to you is dangerous. People may also begin abusing Xanax by taking more pills than prescribed, injecting it, snorting it, or mixing it with other drugs or alcohol. If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to Xanax bars, We Level Up California offers a partial hospitalization program that can help them get sober.
Xanax Bars: the lethal dosage
The amount that could potentially lead to an overdose varies widely from person to person. It depends on many factors, including:
- If you have any preexisting conditions, like a heart, kidney, or liver condition
- If you took it with alcohol or other drugs (including antidepressants)
- How your body metabolizes the medication
- Your weight
- Your age
In clinical studies in rats, the LD50 — the dose that caused half of the rats to die — ranged from 331 to 2,171 mg per kilogram of body weight. This suggests that a person would have to take several thousand times the maximum prescribed dose to fatally overdose. However, the results of animal studies don’t always translate directly to human specifications. Overdose is possible at any dose higher than your prescribed amount.
People older than 65 have an increased risk for serious side effects, including an overdose. Older adults are typically prescribed lower doses of Xanax because they’re more sensitive to its effects.
Xanax Bars: signs and symptoms of an overdose
Overdosing on Xanax or other benzodiazepines can cause mild to severe symptoms. In some cases, death is possible. Your individual symptoms will depend on:
- How much Xanax you took
- Your body chemistry and how sensitive you are to depressants
- Whether you took Xanax in conjunction with other drugs
Xanax Bars: Mild symptoms
In mild cases, you may experience:
- Confusion
- Uncontrolled muscle movements
- Poor coordination
- Slurred speech
- Tremors
- Slow reflexes
- Rapid heartbeat
Xanax Bars: Severe symptoms
In severe cases, you may experience:
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Coma
Xanax Bars: What to do if you suspect an overdose
If you suspect a Xanax overdose has occurred, seek emergency medical care right away. You shouldn’t wait until your symptoms get more severe. If you’re in the United States, you should contact the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 and await further instructions.
If symptoms become severe, call your local emergency services. Try to stay calm and keep your body cool while you wait for emergency personnel to arrive. You shouldn’t try to make yourself throw up. If you’re with someone who has overdosed, try to keep them awake and alert until help arrives. Take them to the emergency room or call an ambulance if they’re unconscious, having a seizure, or having trouble breathing.
Xanax Bars: overdose treatment
In the case of an overdose, emergency personnel will transport you to the hospital or emergency room. They may give you activated charcoal while en route. This can help absorb the medication and potentially alleviate some of your symptoms. When you arrive at the hospital or emergency room, your doctor may pump your stomach to remove any remaining medication. They may also administer flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist that can help reverse the effects of Xanax.
Intravenous fluids may be necessary to replenish essential nutrients and prevent dehydration. Once your symptoms have subsided, you may be required to stay in the hospital for observation.
Reclaim your life from Xanax Addiction
Taking Xanax bars for a recreational purpose is a practice that can cause major health and social problems including addiction and overdose. We Level Up CA Treatment Center can provide you, or someone you love, the tools to recover from Xanax Addiction with professional and safe treatment. Feel free to call us to speak with one of our counselors. We can inform you about this condition by giving you relevant information. Our specialists know what you are going through. Please know that each call is private and confidential.
Sources
[1] ‘A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal’, N. Ait-Daoud, A. Hamby, S. Sharma, D. Blevins – US. National Library of Medicine (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
[2] We Level Up Treatment Center California – Xanax Addiction
