You want to calm down, ease your fears or you just want to literally slow down your brain to escape from worldly pressures – you think you need Xanax. The problem is, getting a legal prescription for Xannies is not that easy. With many reports indicating that Xanax is now being abused as a recreational drug, doctors are more cautious about readily writing a prescription. Drug seeking behavior and substance abuse history are being checked more carefully.
But what if you really need to pop a Xan? Is there any way you can get a prescription? What is the alternative?
Xanax is a brand name of the drug alprazolam, which is under the benzodiazepine class of drugs. It is a fast-acting tranquilizer that can be effective in the treatment of various mental disorders including anxiety. It is a prescription drug which means you cannot get it from a pharmacy without a written advice from a medical professional. While this drug is deemed effective, it also has a high addictive potential especially if it is misused or taken for long periods of time.
Even with Xanax having a bad rep as a recreational drug, it still ranks as one of the top drugs prescribed in the United States with more than 27 million prescriptions of alprazolam given out in 2016 (#19 in 300 drugs ranked). So how do you get a prescription?
For New Patients
If you have not taken this drug before, you have to make sure that you are truly eligible for the drug. Many people, especially young adults, tend to self-medicate. Instead of seeing a doctor, they look up symptoms in the internet and find a quick fix by getting pills from illegal sources.
Consulting a doctor is your best course of action to confirm if this drug is the right medication for you. It is possible to be prescribed Xanax if you have the following conditions.
Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorder is often diagnosed when you experience excessive and persisting worry for a situation that is yet to happen. You anticipate a bad outcome especially for an important event. There are often feelings of severe discomfort, uneasiness, distress and in many cases, physical symptoms like chest pains, shortness of breath, trembling, etc.
Anxiety disorders can be caused by past emotional experiences or current life situations. For example, people who have been abused or bullied can experience anxiety when in social settings. However, it is normal to feel anxious once in a while so taking a pill may not always be the best first line of action. A medical professional will be able to help you correctly diagnose if your anxiety episodes need to be treated with medication.
Panic Disorder
Unlike anxiety where you worry about an imminent event that has not happened yet, panic attacks are sudden bursts of intense fear marked by physical symptoms. These are often triggered by external stressors and can come without warning. Sometimes, panic disorders can be mistaken for a heart attack which can send patients to emergency rooms.
Panic attacks are often associated with abrupt onset of fear because of what is currently taking place. The trigger is like an alarm that was set off to make you panic. People who constantly experience panic attacks with violent or damaging symptoms are often diagnosed with a panic disorder.
Phobia
People who suffer from phobias may also be prescribed Xanax. A phobia can be a trigger for anxiety and panic attacks. Some common phobias are:
- Agoraphobia – fear of crowded or open spaces
- Claustrophobia – fear of enclosed spaces
- Acrophobia – fear of heights
- Aviophobia – fear of flying on a plane
For Existing Users
If you are already taking Xanax or have taken it before, you are already aware of the effects of this drug. If you have run out of prescription and you feel that you need more, the only recommended way is to speak to your doctor regarding your condition.
Who should not be prescribed Xanax?
Xanax should not be prescribed to people who do not experience any medical disorder. Because of its popularity especially in hip-hop culture, Xanax has been used as a party drug and is often mixed with other substances like opioid painkillers and alcohol. These can have deadly effects.
Even if you are suffering anxiety or panic disorders, Xanax should NOT be prescribed to you if you have a history of substance abuse. This heightens the risk for addiction. In fact, even people who have no prior addiction issues develop an addiction to Xannies.
If you heavily drink alcohol, you should NEVER consider taking Xanax because this could lead to severe depression, suicidal behavior and even death. Instead of treating your mental condition, taking Xanax may only worsen your symptoms.
What if I can’t get a Xanax prescription?
If your doctor does not see it suitable for you to be prescribed Xanax, it is best to follow your doctor’s advice. Faking a condition or doctor shopping can have serious repercussions. Doctor shopping is the practice of seeing multiple doctors just to get a prescription. This is an illegal practice and depending on where you live, you can go to prison or fined thousands of dollars.
Avoid taking medicines that are not prescribed specifically to yourself as it can have negative and even fatal effects. Even if someone you know is taking Xans, do not assume that it is a suitable drug for you.
If you see these pills advertised on social media or sold in the streets, do not at any cost or reason take these medicines. These pills are often counterfeit versions often laced with a very potent and deadly tranquilizer called fentanyl. There have been many deaths reported caused by these fake Xanax drugs.
If you feel that you are suffering from Xanax abuse or any withdrawal symptoms, getting a prescription is not always the answer.
You can reach out to us at Lighthouse Treatment Center where we can help you heal. Recovery is possible and help is available today.
