Alprazolam (Xanax®) Use among Southern Youth: Beliefs and Social Norms concerning Dangerous Rides on “Handlebars”

Abstract

While the epidemiologic trends concerning alprazolam (Xanax) are unknown, the use of benzodiazepines, in general, has increased in popularity among youth within recent years. To shed light on the drug problem, the current pilot study used a qualitative approach to investigate relevant beliefs, norms, and perceived addiction associated with alprazolam initiation among 46 youth who were attending an inpatient drug treatment program during the spring of 2004. Overwhelmingly, most participants stated that addiction to alprazolam occurs as early as initial consumption. Most youth in the study stated that their friends felt it was normal to use alprazolam. In addition, their control beliefs revealed that if someone wanted to stop it would be difficult because of the widespread use in their communities and family social reinforcement involved with its use. In this study, a majority of students stated that medical professionals such as doctors and pharmacists were the greatest facilitator of alprazolam acquisition. Implications for these results are discussed.

The role of alprazolam for the treatment of panic disorder in Australia

“…Some researchers suggest continuing use of alprazolam (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010; SDI/ Verispan, 2010) may represent ongoing clinical management of chronic conditions rather than drug dependence (Romach et al, 1991(Romach et al, , 1992Sellers et al, 1993). A qualitative investigation of youth attitudes concerning alprazolam revealed use was deemed common, the drug was highly addictive, difficult to cease and medical professionals were the greatest facilitators of use (Peters et al, 2007), indicating that at least a portion of ongoing use may relate to drug dependence.…”

Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs among Youth in an Appalachian Population: Prevalence, Predictors, and Implications for Prevention

“…In the peer domain, Collins and colleagues found that friends’ use was a significant predictor of prevalence of marijuana, inhalants, and other drugs (including narcotics and uppers) (Collins, Pan, Johnson, Courser, & Shamblen, 2008). And, Peters, Meshack, and Kelder (2007) reported that peer reinforcement was a main reason given by youth for using Xanax (Alprazolam) non-medically the first time.…”

If kids ruled the world, how would they stop the non-medical use of prescription drugs?

“…Use has been found to increase with age [22]. Individual risk factors such as deviant [24] and sensation-seeking behaviors [25], and peer influence [26] are two of the main reasons why youth initiate the use of prescription drugs non-medically. Other risk factors include previous medical use of prescription drugs [22], availability [27], and urbanicity [28].…”