Categories: HEALTH & WELLNESS

Signs Your Teen is Abusing Your Xanax

Some teens pop Xanax like they are candy, not realizing the damage they are causing to their developing brains and bodies. Experts say teens like the buzz they get from taking Xanax. Instead of sneaking into college frat parties, troubled teens nowadays are into “pharm parties.” According to a 2009 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 percent of teens have taken a drug prescription without a doctor’s consent.

Xanax, a benzodiazepine, is typically prescribed to treat anxiety. How do you know your teenager is abusing your Xanax and should you stop taking it to ease your worries? Here are some signs that your teen is helping himself or herself to your medicine cabinet:

Does your teen seem drowsy?

Xanax is a central nervous system depressant. The general effects of Xanax include drowsiness, dizziness and nightmares. Pay attention to your teen’s sleep patterns.

Are you missing pills?

Be extremely careful to keep your prescriptions in a safe place. Either lock your medicine cabinet or keep them elsewhere. You can explain to your teen that it’s prudent to lock medicine because there is a growing number of criminals who break into homes not to steal jewelry and money, but prescription drugs. You won’t be lying.

Is your teen under pressure?

Teens often turn to Xanax when they are under extreme stress. It has a calming effect. But if your teen is abusing the drug, they may show signs of depression, changes in appetite and confusion. They may act more impulsive or seem irritable.

Are grades going down?

Teens on Xanax may do poorly in school because the drugs affects their cognitive abilities. Your teen may have trouble with memory, coordination, information processing and concentration.

Antisocial behavior

If you teen is starting to show signs of social phobia, and a loss of interest in their normal activities and hobbies, get other family members involved in getting the teen to talk and come out of his or her shell. Do not encourage the teen to spend time with any relatives or friends that have addictive behaviors, and smoke, drink excessively or use drugs.

Does your teen have more money?

If your teen suddenly has a lot of money, but isn’t working, you might be right to suspect he or she is selling Xanax. Again, the solution is to keep the Xanax in a safer place. Also, make sure your teen gets the information (even if it’s not from you directly) that it’s illegal to sell prescription drugs or to use medications that are not prescribed to you.

Other drugs teens abuse

Teens today also abuse OxyContin, Demerol and Vicodin, which are painkillers. Some teens use prescriptions that they think will help them lose weight such as stimulants or ADHD medications including Ritalin, Strattera and Adderall.

So should you stop taking Xanax because you are worried your teen might be selling or using your medications? See your doctor if you want to discontinue since you may need to taper off gradually to avoid side effects. Xanax is addictive.

You may want to consider more natural ways to calm yourself, such as meditation or receiving a massage. You will be setting a great example for your teen about how to relieve stress in healthy ways.