If you have been diagnosed with a panic disorder, major depression or anxiety, you may be prescribed an anti-depressant called Xanax. (Yes - you can spell it the same way backwards as forwards.) You might wonder if you can get addicted to Xanax. Oprah Winfrey had a show on Xanax addiction, after all. If you take Xanax as prescribed, then there is really no chance you can develop a Xanax addiction. Xanax is a benzodiazepine which causes relaxation. It is categorized as a CNS depressant. CNS depressants slow normal brain function. In higher doses, some CNS depressants can become general anesthetics.



Despite their many beneficial effects, benzodiazepines have the potential for abuse and should be used only as prescribed. During the first few days of taking a Xanax, a person usually feels sleepy and uncoordinated, but as the body becomes accustomed to the effects of the drug, these feelings begin to disappear. If one uses these drugs long term, the body will develop tolerance for the drugs, and larger doses will be needed to achieve the same initial effects. In addition, continued use can lead to addiction and-when use is reduced or stopped-withdrawal. Because all CNS depressants work by slowing the brain's activity, when an individual stops taking them, the brain's activity can rebound and race out of control, possibly leading to seizures and other harmful consequences. Although withdrawal from Xanax can be problematic, it is rarely life threatening, whereas withdrawal from prolonged use of other CNS depressants can have life-threatening complications. Therefore, someone who is thinking about discontinuing Xanax therapy or who is suffering withdrawal from a CNS depressant should speak with a physician or seek medical treatment.

When someone gets a Xanax addiction, they are taking handfuls of Xanax a day. This is far far far more than what is prescribed. For some reason, Xanax addicts tend to think that more equals better. This is not so - with any drug, let alone Xanax. Xanax helps you to relax and some people aren't satisfied with just being relaxed - they want to be "stoned". Stoned is when you feel really groggy. For some people, they really like feeling groggy. All their problems seem to go away. If you hate feeling groggy, then you don't have to worry about developing a Xanax addiction.

Also, your pharmacist will keep track of how much Xanax you have access to at any one time. You will only be allowed to have only so many pills a month, and that's it. People with a Xanax addiction rarely if ever get their Xnax legally. They get it from the street, or trick doctors into given them a prescription for Xanax without that doctor knowing that the patient already has a Xanax prescription from another doctor. Xanax addicts have a problem just as serious as a heroin addicts. The Xanax becomes all they want out of life. They ignore all responsibilities, treats everyone who cares about them horribly and can kill themselves eventually through an overdose, especially if they mix Xanax with other drugs like alcohol.

When you get a prescription for Xanax, you really don't need to worry about developing a debilitating Xanax addiction. Remember to only take the prescribed dose. If your depression worsens, call your doctor. Don't leave the house. Don't make any major decisions - call the doctor. It could be you need less Xanax, or perhaps Xanax just doesn't agree with your body. Don't worry if Xanax isn't for you - that's why there are so many antidepressants to choose from. There's bound to be one that's just right for you. Be a patient patient and always tell your doctor the truth.