Alprazolam

Alex Medina
Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco Project
Professor Estrada
HES - 1 - 42736
Intro

Alprazolam is a potent Benzodiazepine and depressant that is prescribed to treat psychiatric conditions, mainly
insomnia, panic disorders, and anxiety disorders. It is the most prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States.
It is highly addictive and dependency can build fast.

Oddly enough the brand Xanax is almost a street name in itself, however it is called by other street names such as :
Xannies, zannies, bars, benzos, and planks to name same.

It works by reducing brain and nervous system activity by boosting the brain chemical GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric
Acid) which can bring a calm feeling to a person usually within half an hour. Due to it being a central nervous system
depressant, common side effects can include anxiety, slurred speech, and a loss of coordination. In large amounts
dizziness, drowsiness, impaired reflexes and balance, low blood pressure, and fainting. It can even cause coma and
death when combined with other substances which it often is.
Legal and social issues

Assigned schedule IV by the DEA. Although widely available and prescribed it is generally not recommend as a first
response to anxiety or similar disorders due to its highly addictive nature. Its effects come and go quickly which is
likely to increase an individual's reliance. Tolerance builds up quickly requiring an individual to take more and more at
a time to receive the desired effects.

They are often taken recreationally and misused due to this availability. It is often referenced in pop culture, whether
it be tv shows or music. College students, in particular seniors are often recreational users and abusers of the drug
due to the stress of exams and school/work balance. Often they are used along with other drugs, or to help ease
“bad trips” or withdrawl symptoms of those drugs.
 The drug comes in pills or liquid so it is most commonly
taken orally. Those who are misusing it will sometimes
Administration crush it up and snort it or even inject it.
 REFERENCES

HORYNIAK D, REDDEL S, QUINN B, DIETZE P. The use of alprazolam by people who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia. Drug &
Alcohol Review. 2012;31(4):585-590. doi:10.1111/j.1465-3362.2011.00381.x

Medline Plus. Aprazolam: Medline PLus Drug Information. 2021; https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684001.html

Reissig C, Harrison J, Carter L, Griffiths R. Inhaled vs. oral alprazolam: subjective, behavioral and cognitive effects, and modestly
increased abuse potential. Psychopharmacology. 2015;232(5):871-883. doi:10.1007/s00213-014-3721-0