As Xanax is the most commonly prescribed psychiatric drug in the country, it’s important to have a clear picture of what it is and what it isn’t. “Is Xanax a barbiturate?” is one common question people have, and the answer is no, it isn’t – it’s a benzodiazepine. In this article, we’ll clarify the differences between barbiturates and benzos.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is a benzodiazepine. This family of potent tranquilizer drugs is frequently administered to treat panic and anxiety disorders. They are also occasionally used to treat seizures and insomnia. The generic form of Xanax is alprazolam. Among the benzodiazepines, alprazolam is thought to be the most addictive.
While being a controlled substance, Xanax is also the most prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States. According to a study from the National Institutes of Health, around 48 million Xanax prescriptions are written each year.
Despite its controlled status, Xanax is easily available. Doctors are often pressed for time, with lots of other guests to see. This can lead them to over-prescribe the drug. People can also buy Xanax online from a variety of illicit websites.
The issue has led some to call barbiturates like Xanax the “new opioids.” The issue has even begun to influence popular culture. For example, there is an entire genre called “emo rap,” which normalizes the use of Xanax and other barbiturates with lyrics like “I hear voices in my head, they tellin’ me to call it quits / I found some Xanax in my bed, I took that, went back to sleep.” There’s even a rapper called Lil Xan, who has an Instagram following of over 5.4 million people.
What Does Xanax Treat?
Xanax is commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). It can also be effective in treating panic attacks, as well as insomnia, and may be used off-label to treat conditions like PTSD and OCD.
Benzodiazepine Addiction
The misuse of benzodiazepines is referred to as benzodiazepine addiction. Benzodiazepines, frequently referred to as “benzos,” are a family of medications that depress the central nervous system. They are frequently used to treat seizures as well as ailments, including anxiety and sleeplessness.
Additionally, they have the potential to be extremely addictive, with withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, tremors, seizures, sleeplessness, and sweating.
Stats and Facts About Xanax Abuse
Because of how available it is, Xanax is widely misused. Concerns of a Xanax “epidemic” have risen in recent years.
Some facts about Xanax:
- Xanax is the most prescribed benzodiazepine medication
- Nearly 5% of Americans between ages 18 and 80 filled a prescription for Xanax or other benzodiazepines in 2008
- One report found that Xanax misuse-related emergency room visits were higher than all other benzodiazepine medications
- Another report found Xanax-related ER visits doubled between 2005 and 2010
- Xanax is often misused with other drugs like opiates and alcohol
Regular usage of Xanax bars can result in physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and addiction over time. Long-term abuse of Xanax bars can result in serious health consequences like mental health issues.
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Call 866-881-1184What Are Barbiturates?
Barbiturates are a family of medications that depress the central nervous system (CNS) depressants. In essence, they make you feel relaxed or sleepy. Because they lull people into a deep sleep, they were once employed for anesthesia during surgery. Since the 1970s, however, they’ve been largely replaced by more effective ones for this purpose. However, they can still be used in certain situations.
How Do Barbiturates Work?
Barbiturates are derived from barbituric acid and can vary in potency and duration of action. Common examples include phenobarbital, pentobarbital, and secobarbital. They work by enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), leading to sedation and relaxation.
First synthesized in the 1860s, barbiturates became widespread in the early to mid-20th century. However, they started to decline after the 1970s when they were replaced by benzodiazepines, which were seen as generally safer alternatives.
Are Barbiturates Addictive?
Yes, these drugs can be quite addictive. Their effects on GABA lead to powerful feelings of euphoria that can be quite addictive. With prolonged use, individuals can develop tolerance, meaning they need to take larger doses to achieve the same effects. This can lead to physical dependence, where the body is no longer able to function normally without it. When trying to cease use, withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, seizures, and tremors can ensue.
Most Common Barbiturates
The most common barbiturates include:
- Phenobarbital: Often used as an anticonvulsant and to treat seizures. It is also used in some cases to manage anxiety and sleep disorders. Phenobarbital is known for its long half-life and can be prescribed for long-term management of seizure disorders
- Secobarbital: Commonly prescribed for short-term management of insomnia and as a pre-anesthetic agent. It has a relatively rapid onset and short duration of action, making it effective for inducing sleep
- Pentobarbital: Primarily used for its sedative and anesthetic properties. It can be used in veterinary medicine and for euthanasia due to its potent effects. In humans, it has also been used to manage seizures
- Amobarbital: This barbiturate is used as a sedative and for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. It has a slightly longer duration of action compared to other short-acting barbiturates
- Butabarbital: Primarily used to treat insomnia and anxiety. It has similar effects to other barbiturates but is less commonly prescribed today
Why Do People Confuse Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines?
The main reason barbiturates and benzodiazepines are confused is probably because they have similar uses. Both are central nervous system (CNS) depressants and are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizure disorders. Their overlapping medical applications can lead to confusion about their specific properties and effects.
What Are the Risks of Barbiturate Abuse?
In the short term, barbiturate abuse can potentially lead to an overdose, which can be fatal. These drugs also greatly impair motor coordination and cognition, greatly raising the risk of accidents when a person drives or operates heavy machinery. And there are also mood changes that can occur, making a person more anxious or agitated.
Long-term, there are unpleasant, terrifying, and even potentially fatal barbiturate withdrawal symptoms like seizures that can occur with ceasing barbiturate use.
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Living with drug addiction can make it feel like there is no way forward, but recovery is possible with the right support. Whether you’ve been struggling for months or years, seeking professional treatment can help you safely stop using drugs, address the underlying causes of addiction, and build the skills needed for lasting recovery. You do not have to wait until things get worse before reaching out for help.
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If you or someone you love is struggling with drug addiction, now is the time to explore your options. Speaking with an admissions specialist or treatment professional is confidential, and asking questions does not obligate you to begin treatment. A simple conversation can help you understand your choices, verify insurance benefits, and determine which level of care is right for you. Recovery begins with one decision—and that decision could change your life.
- A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal – PMC
- Are Benzodiazepines the New Opioids? > News > Yale Medicine
- A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal – PMC
- Benzodiazepine Use in the United States | Geriatrics | JAMA Psychiatry | JAMA Network
- Wayback Machine
- ED Visits for Sedatives Increase | Toxicology | JAMA | JAMA Network
- Barbiturate Toxicity – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
