Pubdate: Fri, 01 Feb 2002 Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL) Copyright: 2002 Orlando Sentinel Contact: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325 Author: Robyn Suriano XANAX ABUSE OFTEN TAKES A TOUGH HOLD When Bryan stopped taking drugs six months ago, he got through the worst of his heroin withdrawal in a week. It was Xanax that tortured him for a full month. He longed for the "benzos" -- slang for benzodiazepines, the class of drugs that includes Xanax -- to take the edge off his skittishness, sleeplessness and anxiety. Although Bryan used a variety of drugs for about 12 years, he found Xanax one of the hardest to let go. "Once you get fixated on downers like that, you don't stop easily," said Bryan, 29, who asked not to be identified by last name to protect his business. "Especially if you're a high-strung individual, it just gives you an extremely relaxing feeling." Xanax is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety. It also is a highly abused tranquilizer and the focus of a fraudulent prescription- drug charge this week against Gov. Jeb Bush's 24-year-old daughter, Noelle. If convicted, officials said, Noelle Bush likely would be given probation as a first-time offender. She will not be required to appear in court personally until after formal criminal charges are filed, a process that generally takes four to six weeks, Assistant State Attorney Owen McCaul in Leon County said Thursday. Xanax Popularity Booms Xanax and other prescription drugs are becoming increasingly popular with young people, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. A government survey in 2000 found that about 5 million Americans have abused Xanax or a similar anti-anxiety drug at some point. "It's basically the modern-day version of a Quaalude -- the mother's little helper," said Lui Delgado, a certified addictions professional and executive director of Quest Counseling Centre in Altamonte Springs. "It's very common with young people, and it's very easy to find." Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, a drug developed at least 20 years ago as an alternative to Valium, a widely prescribed sedative that was considered too easily addictive. Both drugs can create powerful addictions, and some say Xanax is worse than Valium. "Xanax, in particular, is abused because it has a fairly quick uptake into the system, and many people get a buzz from it," said Dr. Herndon Harding, medical director of Florida Hospital's Center for Behavioral Health. Drug Reduces Brain Activity Xanax works by depressing the central nervous system, enhancing the effects of a chemical in the brain that slows down the firing of neurons and reduces brain activity. Bryan said that taking Xanax felt like having a few drinks, minus the dizziness. He could get 100 pills for about $200, but the drug sells for up to $5 a pill on the street. Most prescriptions call for no more than 2 mg of Xanax a day. Because he had built up a tolerance, Bryan needed about 10 mg to get the desired effect. "They are so powerful, and the stronger the better when you're into that stuff," said Bryan, who is going through a drug-rehabilitation program and has not taken any drugs for six months. "We call them 'coffins' because they typically put you right in the coffin. They make you sleep so well." People can overdose on Xanax alone, although usually they get into trouble by mixing it with other drugs or alcohol, said Dr. Richard Saini, medical director of the chemical-dependency unit for Orlando Regional Healthcare. Because people develop a strong physical dependence on the drug, it's not recommended that anyone stop taking it abruptly. Doctors slowly decrease the dosage to avoid problems. Risks Of Use, Withdrawal If taken continuously at fairly high doses, there is a risk of seizures and other serious symptoms of withdrawal, Saini said. Experts on addiction say Xanax can be hard to overcome, and the difficulties may be magnified in people with prominent families, such as Noelle Bush. "One of the big things about suffering an addiction is the tremendous guilt and shame you feel," Delgado said. "That's got to be magnified when people are talking about it, and it's in the press, and your uncle is the president. You can imagine the pressure that is on her." Delgado said the high-profile case is more proof that drug problems can affect anyone. About 14 million Americans used illicit drugs in 2000, according to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. The same number of Americans are estimated to be alcoholics. "Addiction is a disease that can affect anyone, it does not discriminate, it does not care what your family's name is ," Delgado said. " Addiction is chemistry, addiction is a disease, and if you're going to play with drugs, you risk addiction." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake