You'll Die In Your Sleep: Xanax Overdoses

 

Imagine falling asleep in your bed at night and never waking up again. For some at the end of their lives, this would be a blessing and a peaceful way to die. For many others -- especially young people today -- it is a tragic end to a young life that could have been avoided.

Xanax Abuse

Xanax is a prescription medication that is often prescribed to treat anxiety and panic attacks, as well as sleeplessness and various other ailments. It is also one of the most widely abused prescription drugs on the market today, with teens and younger adults abusing it at frightening rates! What's worse is that many young adults today mix this drug with other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and others. While the drug is mostly safe when used as directed, it has a nasty side effect of suppressed breathing. This side effect is what most often kills abusers of the drug. While it is possible to overdose on just the Xanax alone, most of the deaths from supressed breathing function is related to mixing it with alcohol and other drugs.

Suppressed Breathing

The suppressed breathing side effect is the real killer with this medication. In low doses, the suppressed breathing can help you to relax -- the main purpose of the drug's use. This suppression is usually very mild, and won't complicate one's health, but when breathing is suppressed too much, the weight of the ribcage is too heavy for the suppressed lungs and the breathing gets shallower and shallower until the individual simply stops breathing completely and slips away.

Because there are no violent convulsions or signs that the breathing is stopping, most overdoses are not discovered until long after the victim has expired. In many cases, those that overdosed and died were sleeping right next to their significant other who had no idea the person was dying right next to them.

How to Avoid Xanax Overdoses

The easiest way to make sure that you do not die in this fashion from a Xanax overdose, is to simply not take Xanax. If you need to take this medication for a legitimate medical reason, consider asking your doctor if there are safer alternatives, and make sure to keep the doses low.

Again, the main reason that people die when taking Xanax is from mixing it with other drugs or alcohol. If you feel that you have taken to much of Xanax or have mixed it with alcohol, treat the situation like a concussion. The worst thing you can do is to lay down and go to sleep. Try and keep yourself awake, or have someone you trust check your breathing regularly. If you do stop breathing, you have a limited amount of time to start breathing again before the heart completely stops, then you have a limited amount of time until the lack of oxygen causes brain damage and death.

Always be careful when using prescription medications.

Learn More About Benzodiazapine and Xanax Abuse and Withdrawals:

Benzodiazepines - Uses And Threats

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder wherein a patient suffers from elevated periods of depression and periods of mood. A person suffering from this disorder would be abnormally happy and energetic at sometimes while depressed and avoiding eye contact at the others. Benzodiazepines are used to provide relief to the patients suffering from bipolar disorders. This class of drug helps curb anxiety and insomnia.

Use of Benzodiazepines

This drug is used as a sleep aid for the patient. However, the use of this drug is always made under a fixed schedule and limited quantity so as to avoid any addiction of it.

How it works?

It acts by slowing the nervous system down. It helps ease the feelings of nervousness and anxiousness. When consumed, this drug slows down the nervous system and it acts quickly, providing immediate relief. The neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutryic acid in the brain is affected by this drug and is released more due to the activity of this drug.

Who can use it?

It is used in limited doses as any overdose may prove fatal. Moreover, pregnant women should avoid its use because it may cause birth defects in the offspring.

Side effects of Benzodiazepines

It is given in a limited dose to avoid addiction as regular and prolonged use can cause amnesia and sleepiness. Over dosage can cause adverse effect on the nervous system. Alcohol and other substance that inhibit the nervous system should not be consumed by the patient while undergoing this therapy.

This drug is administered to give relief to the patient in extreme conditions of mood swings. With the aid of this drug, the patient is able to calm down and behave properly. Moreover, the patient should also be treated by a psychiatrist so as to improve his condition.

Its available types
•  Ativan (lorazepam)
•  Valium (diazepam)
•  Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
•  Xanax (alprazolam)

Conclusion

Drugs like these are to be used cautiously and sparingly under medical supervision. The patient should also be warned of the effects of its over dosage. However, it is a bitter truth that so many people lose their lives because of excessive dose of this drug.