When you hear about teens using drugs, Xanax may not be at the top of the list since it is a prescription drug. But teens are taking drugs like this frequently. Statistics show that prescription drug abuse, including Xanax, is prevalent.[1] Although prescription drugs like Xanax are legal, taking them when they are not prescribed for you is not. As we examine teen Xanax abuse, we’re going to share some signs that your teen may have a problem and how an adolescent treatment program at Ember Recovery can help.
What is Xanax?
Xanax is a benzodiazepine. It is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders as well as anxiety caused by depression.[2] Xanax is often very easy for teens to access, seeing that it is one of the most widely prescribed psychiatric medications in the U.S. It is thought to work by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. When used long-term, it can become extremely addictive.
Why Teens Abuse Xanax
While every teen may have their own reason for abusing Xanax, many use it to relieve stress. Xanax is known to slow down excess brain activity and give a calming feeling. Since it works fast (within 1-2 hours), it provides teens with a quick fix to feel relaxed and less stressed.
Many teens don’t have to go far to get their hands on Xanax. They can find it right in their medicine cabinets if their parents have a prescription, or they can get it from their friends. Since it is a prescribed drug, they may not recognize the harm in taking it – especially when compared to drugs found on the street. What they don’t realize is that prescription drug abuse can become as big of a problem as taking other types of drugs, especially when the drugs are not intended for you and not taken as prescribed.
When teens start taking Xanax regularly and then stop, they may begin feeling jittery and anxious. This leads them to want more of the drug and possibly form an addiction. Even if your child tries to stop taking Xanax, the fear of withdrawal and its effects can become so strong. Xanax addiction is part of a subcategory of substance abuse disorders known as sedative or hypnotic, [3] which is partly what makes taking it and trying to stop so dangerous.
Signs Your Teen May Be Abusing Xanax
If you’re unsure if your teen is developing an addiction to Xanax, there are several signs to be on the lookout for that may indicate an addiction[3]:
- Loss of interest in activities
- Excessive drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty walking
- Blurred vision
If you notice any of these symptoms, you’ll want to talk to your teen and seek help for prescription drug abuse at treatment centers for teens, such as Ember Recovery.
How an Adolescent Treatment Program Can Help
At Ember Recovery, we know how serious and dangerous prescription drug abuse can be for teens. If your teen is showing signs of Xanax abuse or addiction to any other substances, our team of educated and experienced professionals can help.
Our programs are specifically designed to help teens and the challenges they face when it comes to drug addiction. We offer individualized treatment because we understand that every teen is unique and may require a different approach to teen addiction treatment than another teen. For more information on how you can help your teen get the help they need, call us today. When it comes to teen treatment centers, Ember Recovery is one you can trust and rely on.
Sources:
[1] https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/over-counter-medicines [2] https://www.drugs.com/xanax.html [3] https://www.verywellhealth.com/xanax-addiction-5087537
Andrea Dickerson is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Substance Use Counselor who has worked in behavioral health since 1997. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing the Ember residential treatment programs and YSS outpatient counseling clinics throughout Central and North Central Iowa. She became a Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainer in 2006 and provides MI trainings throughout Iowa.
Andrea specializes in working with adolescents and their families and enjoys seeing the family relationships grow through therapy. Andrea is also a CARF International Surveyor, going around North America ensuring behavioral health organizations are meeting required standards.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, as well as being an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She has been a member of the SI of Des Moines club since 2012 and has been actively involved at the regional level, currently serving as Co-Governor of the Peaks to Plains Region.
Through her involvement in SIA, Andrea has been actively involved in the Dream Programs, coordinating annual Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls projects, which give girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.