Frightening Xanax Abuse Statistics

Xanax, otherwise known by its generic name alprazolam, treats moderate to severe anxiety, acute stress, and panic disorders. Belonging to medications known as benzodiazepines, Xanax is both the most prescribed and most abused benzo. Because of Xanax’s calming, pleasant high, many people abuse their prescriptions or buy the drug illegally on the street. These much sought-after feelings lead to increased Xanax abuse and frightening Xanax abuse statistics.

At Beaches Recovery, our team has vast experience dealing with prescription drug addiction, among other forms of substance use disorder. We can help educate you or a loved one on the effects of Xanax abuse and how to find the appropriate treatment program to heal.

Facts of Xanax Abuse

Doctors first prescribed Xanax after its FDA approval in 1981. Within two years, doctors prescribed more of the drug than Valium. Since that time, Xanax has maintained its position as the most used benzo.

Xanax is one of the three most potent benzos. Its effects peak within 90 minutes of using the drug. Surprisingly, people abusing Xanax take between ten and twenty pills per day. Michael Jackson used between thirty and forty Xanax pills each day before he died.

Xanax is highly addictive, in large part because it acts so quickly. This quick action means it also wears off quickly. This prompts people abusing Xanax to take more pills to keep their high going. Tolerance and physical dependence happen as quickly as two weeks after the first dose, leading to continued abuse to prevent a benzodiazepine withdrawal.

At Beaches Recovery, we understand the effects of prescription drug abuse like that of Xanax. However, we also have the medical professionals, counselors, and therapists necessary to treat other substance use disorders, such as:

• Alcohol addiction
• Heroin addiction
• Cocaine addiction
• Opiate addiction
• Opioid addiction
• Benzo addiction
• Meth addiction

Because we can address all of these forms of addiction, individuals can feel at ease knowing Beaches Recovery has the necessary resources and skills to help them heal and make a lasting recovery.

Xanax Abuse Statistics

One of the most frightening Xanax abuse statistics relates to addiction treatment. Since 2002, admissions to treatment centers have increased by 79 percent due to benzo abuse. Xanax, the most frequently abused benzodiazepine, leads to most of these admissions.

Doctors wrote under 30 million Xanax prescriptions in 2002. Within only five years, this number increased to 37.5 million. This means that Xanax prescriptions increased by more than 1.25 million each year.

Sadly, as Xanax prescriptions increased, so did overdoses. Between 2004 to 2008, Xanax addiction led to an 89 percent increase in ER visits. There were over 65,000 emergency room visits for Xanax in 2006. But in 2010, that number was almost 125,000.

These Xanax abuse statistics show how the medication leads to addiction when misused.

Discover the Xanax Addiction Treatment Necessary at Beaches Recovery

In Jacksonville, Florida, Beaches Recovery provides treatment for Xanax addiction. This treatment starts with Xanax detox and continues through rehab and aftercare. Your individualized treatment plan includes various therapies, such as group therapy, individual counseling, evidence-based practices, holistic treatment, and anger management. All of these therapies are available across all our addiction treatment programs. The treatment programs at Beaches Recovery and our detox partner facility, Tides Edge Detox, include:

• Alcohol and drug detox
• Residential drug rehab
• Xanax rehab for women
• Xanax rehab for men
• Partial hospitalization program
• Intensive outpatient program
• Outpatient treatment

We also offer programs specifically designed to meet the needs of certain professional fields like executive rehab, first responder rehab, and college student rehab programs. If you or someone you love suffer from benzodiazepine addiction, call Beaches Recovery now at 866.605.0532, or contact us online. The help you need is only one call away.