Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, which is a sedative drug that belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines, or benzos for short, like Xanax, are used for the treatment of things like anxiety disorders, panic disorders, seizures, and even the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Xanax works on the body by making the nerves in the brain less sensitive to outside stimulation. 
How Xanax Works For Social Anxiety
Xanax is used primarily to treat panic disorders but is also used in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. Normally when you have been diagnosed with social anxiety, the first route for medical treatment is typically an SSRI, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, like Celexa, Lexapro, or Zoloft. However, Xanax has been known to be prescribed as a short-term remedy to help manage the symptoms of anxiety. With this treatment, it is not used as a “first-line” treatment, but something to complement other treatment plans.
The Relief That Xanax Brings for Social Anxiety
If your doctor does prescribe you Xanax for social anxiety, it is meant to treat the symptoms of anxiety that you experience that comes on quickly. This is a short-term solution to social anxiety or panic that is experienced in specific situations. This is because Xanax is a fast-acting medication so it will start working fast and give you almost immediate relief from bouts of anxiety. Unlike an SSRI medication that works for long term treatment, Xanax does not permanently cure anxiety, but it does help reduce your symptoms. Xanax provides quick relief for anxiety symptoms seen in social anxiety disorders and other anxiety disorders. It works by binding to the GABA receptors that are in your brain. This slows down neural brain activity and reduces feelings of fear, anxiety, and feelings of terror, and creates feelings of sleepiness, relaxation, and a calming effect. The effectiveness of Xanax is immediate and often last for much shorter periods, 4-6 hours.
The Dangers of Xanax Addiction
A lot of people who have become dependent on Xanax have never abused other drugs before. They were simply suffering from anxiety and trying their best to find relief. They start off seeing improvement in the symptoms of anxiety when they take Xanax and may assume that more of the drug would create an even better effect, so they misuse the drug by taking larger doses. Other people may just use the drug for too long, but no one realized they are addicted to it until it is too late. When they try to decrease the dose they will experience withdrawal symptoms that mirror the anxiety they were trying to treat. This is mistaken as bot being able to cope without the drug and continue abusing it. Xanax abuse and addiction do not always happen this way, but this is a very common story for many people. Xanax takes control over a person’s thought processes, emotional responses, memory, consciousness, and even their muscular coordination. Constant long-term abuse of Xanax changes the way your brain operates. This drug is linked to decreased inhibitions, mood swings, psychotic episodes, aggression, hallucinations, depression, and even suicide. If you or someone you love are ready to take the necessary steps to get sober, the best way to start is with a medically assisted detox process. Once you have detoxed, the best and safest option to get off of and stay off Benzodiazepines is by the use of one of the many treatment programs we offer here at Evoke Wellness at Miramar. Addiction isn’t an easy thing to face. Luckily you do not have to face it on your own. Our admissions counselors and professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the disease of addiction. Now is the time to change your life. Let us help you do it.
