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What Is Xanax

February 13, 2012 by · Comments Off on What Is Xanax 

What Is Xanax, It’s a deadly addiction that can come straight off a doctor’s prescription pad. Investigators are learning more about the death of pop star Whitney Houston and how extremely addictive anti-anxiety drugs mixed with alcohol may have played a part in her death.

Drugs like Valium, Xanax and lorazepam (brand name Ativan) are in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. They’re often prescribed for anxiety related conditions, from post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks to generalized anxiety .

Some of these drugs – Xanax and Ativan – are short-acting and take only 10 minutes or so to kick in. A drug like Klonopin takes longer to work.

These drugs have sedative effect, which can calm the patient or help them to fall asleep.

As opposed to many other prescription drugs, doctors often advise the patient to take these drugs “as needed” and monitor the patient’s use carefully.

If these drugs are abused, combined with alcohol or mixed with other drugs, they can be deadly.

Benzodiazepines, or “benzos” are highly addictive and should never be prescribed to someone with a history of addiction, said said Matt Eaken, director of admissions at the drug and alcohol rehab center Mountainside.

“There’s almost a 100% chance of that person becoming addicted,” he said. “It’s like throwing gasoline on a fire.”

People who have never had a problem with drugs in their life suddenly find themselves taking larger and larger doses in order to regain the feeling.

Cops reportedly found Valium, Xanax, lorazepam and another medications in Houston’s room when she was found dead.

Unless under a doctor’s strict supervision, combining Valium with Xanax can be extremely dangerous.

“Each drug magnifies the effect of the other,” said Dr. Greg Bunt of Daytop New York.

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