Over the recent years, Alprazolam, commonly known by its brand name Xanax, has increasingly captured media attention, particularly concerning its use among young individuals. While media reports often highlight individual cases and treatment service observations, a comprehensive discussion of research evidence and actual data remains limited.
As with any media coverage spotlighting potential shifts in drug trends, there’s a risk of evidence being unclear or absent. Moreover, raising the profile of a specific drug might inadvertently spark curiosity among some drug users.
This article aims to delve into the available evidence surrounding Xanax. We will explore what is currently understood, ongoing actions, and future necessities.
Understanding Alprazolam: What is Xanax?
Alprazolam belongs to the benzodiazepine family of medications. Benzodiazepines are primarily prescribed to manage anxiety and insomnia. They are also used to control seizures associated with epilepsy.
Diazepam, known as Valium, is the most frequently prescribed benzodiazepine in the UK. In comparison, alprazolam acts more rapidly and is approximately ten times stronger. This potency means it can quickly induce sedation.
Like other benzodiazepines, Xanax carries risks when used without medical supervision. Short-term misuse can lead to excessive sedation, collapse, and overdose. Long-term use can result in physical dependence and severe withdrawal symptoms upon reducing or stopping intake.
Combining Xanax with alcohol and/or other drugs escalates the risk of harm, especially when mixed with other sedative substances.
While Xanax is not typically available through the NHS, it can be obtained via private prescriptions in the UK. Illicit Xanax, often in the form of counterfeit tablets, is accessible through street-level drug markets, illegal websites, and social media platforms.
A hand holding a blister pack of pills, symbolizing medication and potential misuse of Xanax.
Media Narratives and Xanax: Separating Fact from Fiction
Numerous personal accounts have surfaced in the media, often focusing on young people developing issues with Xanax. These stories, along with anecdotal reports, suggest self-medication for anxiety.
Alprazolam has also been a topic of political discussion, with debates in the House of Commons addressing its misuse.
Media portrayals sometimes depict Xanax use as a widespread epidemic among young people. Currently, evidence supporting this claim is lacking. However, as we will explore, there are indications of increasing prevalence. It’s crucial to recognize that drug use patterns evolve. Some drugs experience rapid surges followed by declines, while others persist and cause lasting harm. It’s still uncertain where Xanax will fall on this spectrum.
Examining the Data: What We Know About Xanax Use
Amidst ongoing media coverage, there’s growing interest in understanding trends in Xanax use. Evidence suggests a potential increase in use, particularly among younger demographics. However, existing data provides an incomplete picture of Xanax prevalence. Some data sets encompass all benzodiazepines, not specifically alprazolam, making it challenging to pinpoint changes in Xanax use specifically.
Preliminary hospital admission data from England in 2017 showed a rise in benzodiazepine poisoning cases among individuals under 20. Concurrently, inquiries to the National Poisons Information Service regarding alprazolam poisoning treatment have significantly increased. UK police seizure data reveals a substantial surge in alprazolam seizures in 2017, jumping from under 10 in 2016 to over 800.
A significant concern is the prevalence of counterfeit Xanax tablets in illicit markets. These products often contain inconsistent amounts of alprazolam, making dosage unpredictable for users. Counterfeit Xanax has also been found to contain other drugs and potentially dangerous adulterants.
Information from drug analysis laboratories like TICTAC confirms that tablets resembling genuine Xanax often contain substances like etizolam, another benzodiazepine linked to fatalities in Scotland. Furthermore, ‘fake’ tablets containing alprazolam showed significant strength variations, with some exceeding ten times the dose of a legitimate Xanax tablet.
This dosage unpredictability poses serious risks to users who cannot accurately gauge the content of these tablets until experiencing adverse effects.
Current Responses and Future Directions
Current Actions:
Health agencies are actively analyzing national data and intelligence to gain a clearer understanding of Xanax use. Collaboration with experts is ongoing to build a comprehensive picture.
Local health teams are working with local authorities, providing data, guidance, and support to assess treatment needs and commission appropriate services. This includes tailored support for alprazolam misuse based on local problem scales.
The Report Illicit Drug Reactions (RIDR) system, an online platform for reporting harms from illicit drugs and misused medications like alprazolam, is being piloted. RIDR aims to expedite the identification of emerging harms, enabling quicker and more effective interventions.
Expert clinical network meetings are held quarterly to discuss new drugs and trends, reviewing RIDR data, research, and other sources. Alprazolam has been a consistent topic since September 2017.
Public health resources, like FRANK, are regularly updated with relevant information, including specific sections on alprazolam.
Recommendations for Local Authorities and Treatment Services:
Some treatment services are proactively addressing this emerging trend by enhancing their knowledge, training staff, providing informational resources for young people, raising local awareness, and offering support and treatment.
Information networks like Drug Watch are developing briefings on alprazolam for professionals and the public.
Local areas are encouraged to monitor their drug use patterns, stay informed about emerging trends, ensure frontline staff in vulnerable group services are well-informed, and develop appropriate responses.
Crucially, local communication efforts aimed at professionals and young people should be carefully balanced to raise awareness effectively without inadvertently fueling interest or drug-seeking behaviors.
