Xanax is a prescription medication with a high risk of misuse and addiction. Although it can seem convenient and safe to source Xanax outside of a pharmacy, it’s dangerous to buy online or internationally. For those looking for anxiety treatment, Xanax (Alprazolam) is only a short-term solution.
Here is everything you need to know about the risks of Xanax misuse, including illicit purchasing of Xanax from online pharmacies.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is the brand name for the prescription of alprazolam. It’s a benzodiazepine that can be medically prescribed for anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety symptoms from depressive disorders. The National Library of Medicine notes that alprazolam is the most prescribed psychotropic drug. Yet, it’s also the most common benzodiazepine to lead to emergency visits from misuse.
Because of its calming and sedative effects, it can be colloquially referred to as a “downer.” Other names are zannies, X’s, bennies, bars, and reds and blues. The last terms are because Xanax can come in pill or bar form. Xanax bars contain multiple doses that can be broken off. You can find blue Xanax, yellow Xanax, white Xanax, green Xanax, and other colors. It’s important to understand that Xanax is an addictive substance that is controlled under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Do I Need a Xanax Prescription?
In short, yes, you need a prescription to safely take Xanax. To elaborate, Xanax has an extremely high risk of misuse, addiction, and overdose attached to it. The best way to avoid a lifetime of addiction to prescription benzos like Xanax is to properly take your prescription according to your doctor’s recommendation. Thus, it would be best if you were a candidate for a prescription by having a relevant mental condition that can be treated with Xanax.
The standard process for getting diagnosed with a mental or behavioral health issue involves meeting with a doctor or therapist to assess your condition. They’ll ask you questions about your past and present symptoms and make a diagnosis. At this point, they may recommend medication to alleviate your symptoms. Xanax is mostly prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders. Yet, some individuals won’t be prescribed Xanax and will be recommended to go a different route with medications. This is because Xanax can lead to dependence and isn’t advised for everyone.
To summarize, you need a prescription to take Xanax, but your doctor may recommend you try a different benzodiazepine first.
Who Is Able to Write Xanax Prescriptions?
Practicing doctors, licensed therapists, and counselors can write Xanax prescriptions. Yet, as part of the effort to reduce Xanax misuse, they will only prescribe the medication on a case-by-case basis.
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Speak With Our Admissions TeamIs It Legal to Get Xanax Without a Prescription?
Based on the intricacies of medication for mental illness, especially an addictive substance like Xanax, it’s only legal with a prescription. Even then, you can engage in illicit activity, such as buying Xanax outside of a pharmacy or misusing your meds. Alprazolam is a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, which is monitored when it comes to Xanax abuse.
Is It Safe to Buy Xanax Online?
It is not safe to buy Xanax online. Although it may seem convenient and cheap, buying Xanax outside of a pharmacy places you at risk. For instance, many people buy Xanax online to bypass needing a prescription. Yet, they are putting themselves at risk of severe addiction, as well as illegitimate Xanax formulations. It’s impossible to know what is in the drugs if you buy them illicitly, like purchasing alprazolam outside the United States. Even sourcing alprazolam from an international pharmacy is not wise. You never know if the ingredients are pure and regulated or mixed with other drugs.
Is Xanax Addictive?
Sadly, Xanax is extremely addictive. It has a high misuse liability and has the most severe withdrawal symptoms out of all benzodiazepine drugs. Individuals can become addicted to Xanax by receiving an incorrect prescription or using the medication for too long. However, they are at even higher risk of addiction if they misuse Xanax, such as illicit Xanax use. For example, individuals may buy Xanax online with the intent to misuse the drug. Or they may abuse Xanax by ingesting it outside of how it’s intended.
Can you smoke Xanax? Yes, sometimes people will crush Xanax pills and smoke them or snort Xanax in order to achieve a faster high. Markedly, Xanax is addictive because it adapts your neurochemistry to quickly become dependent on the pleasant effects it creates. Because it’s used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, it has a relaxing effect on the brain and body.
Some signs that you or someone you know might be dependent on Xanax include:
- Feeling poorly without Xanax
- Craving more of the drug
- Always thinking about Xanax
- Avoiding plans and hobbies
- Sneaking around or lying about Xanax use
- Sourcing Xanax illicitly, such as without a prescription
Xanax addiction is not easy to overcome, as it’s nearly impossible on your own. Instead, getting help at a treatment center is the way to make Xanax sobriety a reality.
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Check Your CoverageXanax Addiction Treatment at Aliya Health Group
Xanax can be a valuable comfort medication for symptoms of mental illness when used as prescribed by a doctor. However, it can also be dangerous due to abuse. Worse, it can lead you to feel trapped in the cycle of addiction. People may even resort to buying Xanax online and filling their bodies with synthetic chemicals that imitate a Xanax high. It’s never too late to overcome Xanax addiction in our treatment centers.
We offer progressing levels of care for clients to work through. Starting with detox, clients move into each consecutive level. They can also enter wherever they’re ready if they don’t need to progress in order. The levels are:
- Detoxification
- Residential inpatient treatment,
- Partial hospitalization (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient rehab (IOP)
- Outpatient treatment (OP)
- Aftercare
Each level is designed to provide more independence as you grow in therapy tactics and self-motivation to make sobriety a priority. Our treatment programming is tailored to the individual, so you will be put first throughout rehab. You don’t need to battle with Xanax dependence any longer. Let us get you set up in a rehab facility so you can begin healing.
