- HubPages»
- Health»
- Mental Health
Soccer Mom's are Getting High
This Generations Drug to Abuse
Last year a young twenty four year old mother of two died of an accidental overdose mixing prescription drugs with alcohol- She wasn't someone famous, and therefore didn't make national news, for her two little boys, her mother, her sister, her friends, and her husband, she was someone really special. She did not get the chance to finish her life. Some would say that she made her choice, it’s not like she died in a car accident that wasn't her fault, or some freak accident of sorts. We, as a society are always looking to blame someone, attempting to find reason, to justify why tragedy happens to the people we love.
Xanax and Addiction do not Mix
In this case I believe that blame is justified and should land squarely on the shoulders of the people who prescribed a benzodiazepine to an addict. She died from mixing a deadly cocktail, but it was still an accident. She was an addict, and a alcoholic. A women that had been a survivor of child sexual abuse, and never told anyone until it was too late.
When she sought help for an anxiety disorder, the medical personnel at her family health clinic, well aware that she was alcoholic, prescribed a highly addictive drug that cannot be mixed with alcohol. There isn’t a why in this case or in many others. How many people famous or ordinary have to die, before medical facilities, and their personnel are held responsible? This particular family practice clinic thought that it was wise to prescribe Xanax and Seroquel to a twenty-four year old recovering alcoholic and addict.
“Xanax is a commonly prescribed medication used to treat anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia. Although it's effective at reducing anxiety and promoting sleep, it's not without side effects, some of which are serious” (Leong, M.D., 2009, p. 1).
Secret Of Whitney Houston's Death Discovered!
Xanax is Highly Addictive
Xanax is said to be one of the most abused drug’s in the US. Xanax is highly addictive, because it is a sedative when mixed with alcohol the affects are uncontrollable, and often unforeseeable. Both Xanax and alcohol do the same thing to one’s body, when taken together the affects are magnified. The user will typically black out, in a body of water like a bath tub the result can lead the user to drowning. “The most serious side effects of Xanax to be aware of include: extreme drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of balance and coordination, fainting, and loss of consciousness” (Rosenberger, M.D., 2008, p. 1). I would also add death to that list of side effects, as it is the most serious side affect associated with the drug. The dangerous cocktail of Xanax-Alcohol slows down the central nervous and respiratory system which can lead to one’s demise, all in the name of escaping a fear, chasing a high, or trying to forget a painful memory. “The combination of Xanax and alcohol can be fatal; if you take any other sedative in combination with Xanax, the reaction can be fatal"(Rosenberger, M.D., 2008, p. 1). There is not enough awareness of the dangers of prescription medication. Prescribing drugs for anyone comes with a risk of that person becoming addicted, and when a doctor or PA (physician's assistant) prescribes a drug like Xanax to an addict, you might as well sign their death certificate.
Lock Up Your Meds
“Once the body is used to Xanax relieving the stresses of everyday life, coming off it can cause serious mood issues, even physical symptoms as severe as seizures. There is even a syndrome called benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome which outlines the symptoms of withdrawal” (Eric, 2009, p. 1)
Lock Up Your Meds is a campaign for people to lock up their prescription drugs. This is not going to end prescription drug abuse, if someone wants to find medication, they will find it. If they want to abuse prescription medication, they will abuse it, but we can try to take an active approach of not making it easy to find potentially harmful medication. Do not leave your medications in your medicine cabinets free for anyone, our children, our children’s friends, or our friends and loved ones that are battling with an addiction to find. Addiction is sad, and it sometimes ends in loss, how can your community make a difference? Spread the word: Xanax is a dangerous anti anxiety medication, if you are not currently addicted to drugs or alcohol you will probably end up that way if you risk Xanax, do not take this medication, especially if you are an alcoholic or are recovering from alcoholism.
Addict talks about taking Xanax and drinking
What Are the Side Effects of Drinking With Xanax?
- What Are The Side Effects Of Drinking With Xanax? | LIVESTRONG.COM
What Are The Side Effects Of Drinking With Xanax?. Xanax is a prescription anti-anxiety medication marketed by Pfizer Inc. also sold in generic form under its chemical name, alprazolam. Classified as a benzodiazepine central nervous system depressant
What to Do in Case of a Xanax Overdose
- What to Do in Case of a Xanax Overdose - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Xanax is a commonly used tranqualizer that is type of benzodiazipine. Known by its generic name as alprazolam, Xanax must be used carefully and under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Be Aware. Don't Share
Xanax
Xanax and alcohol are potent sedatives~
Side effects on the circulatory & respiratory systems.
Combination slows the heart rate and reduces the rate of breath, and an lead to respiratory failure.
Livestrong.com
Alcohol and Seroquel
- Alcohol and Seroquel
Alcohol and Seroquel should generally not be combined. This eMedTV article explains the reasons why -- for example, certain side effects of the drug may be increased -- and the discussion you should have with your doctor before taking them together.
Seroquel
Mixing with alcohol can be deadly~
Drowsiness, low blood pressure:
When sitting or standing up
MedTv
Comments
- Author
Thank you for reading and commenting. I think this is a great forum to creatively bring awareness to the very important issues, especially issues like you said, have been around for decades. I appreciate you voting my Hub up~ Kimberly
Just stumbled on your hub and found it really interesting.
The medical/psychiatric profession and the drug companies have maintained a grubby alliance for decades. Pleasingly, it appears that awareness is growing about these malpractices (the recent GlaxoSmithKline fine for example). Hubs like yours help to further increase awareness.
The misinformation espoused by psychiatry is a particular bug-bear of mine (and some of my own hubs reflect this).
Voted up.
- Author
WOW- Faith thank you for that example. It is sad that doctors aren't even listening- do you think they are on auto pilot? Thank you very much for always reading and commenting!
Excellent, excellent hub! This is a major problem today and far-reaching. Our society cannot continue down this road, and thank you so very much for bringing much needed attention to this very serious problem. Well done! The doctors do need to take care in prescribing such meds. I know someone who went to a doctor and told him straight up that she cannot take narcotics, and guess what, he continued on to write out a prescription for narcotics. Thankfully, she does not go to him any longer, and she did not take the precription or have it filled!! In His Love, Faith Reaper
- Author
Lord de Cross. Thank you for reading and commenting. You are right... there should be more restrictions on these drugs, some times I wonder if the worldly powers that be consider it population control????
- Author
Steph, thank you so much for sharing and commenting. Your comments are invaluable to me. I am so glad you enjoyed the writing, and I hope this subject matter will reach the masses. I think when we share subjects that are more personal in nature, and ones that have outraged us we can be more eloquent in delivery. I do not know about you, when I go to the doctors or my children, doctors do not discuss the side effects anymore or the dangers of different drugs. And if they do, they tend to down play the side effects. Something that can affect your breathing and kill you should have a long consult. With that being said people also need to do research and find things out. Young people sometimes need more guidance. They don't always worry about themselves, especially to the point of dying.
Excellent hub! Not only have you provided very useful information regarding addictive prescription medications and the need for better medical oversight in who they are prescribing the medications to, but this is written in such a persuasive, sensitive manner. What you said about the 24-year old mother of two was particularly compelling. Her death didn't make the news because she wasn't famous, but to her children, husband and family, she was the world. Quite sad! Rated up and sharing, Steph
Well written Kimberly,
Now We know that these mixes can be fatal. I feel for that young mom that departed so young! Xanax and seroquel should have severe restriction laws enforced by FDA.
- Author
quildon,
Thank you,I appreciate your comments, and you are right, people do buy prescription drugs on the street, and I am sure that is a huge part of the problem. I wish people would lock up their meds as many of those prescription drugs converted to street drugs, are probably stolen. My thoughts for this article was to focus on the role that doctors play.
Very good article. As an occupational therapist working in behavioral health, I see drug addicts everyday who abuse prescription, street drugs and alcohol. The doctors are not always at fault. Many addicts buy prescription drugs - benzos, opiates, whatever they can get - on the street. They are a big drain on the healthcare system as many of them do not have health insurance, so when they end up in hospital, guess who foots the bill.
- Author
lambservant, you are exactly right, this is the biggest problem: doctors and pharmaceutical companies in bed with each other, and in my opinion it is sick and unethical, to put people at risk for financial gain, what about the oath they take... How can they say that it means anything and then sell out their patients for their pocketbooks? Thanks again for your comments. I will continue to speak out on the atrocities of the world, maybe if enough people take notice, it will make a difference?
K2, absolutely should doctors be more responsible most of the time, and you make a good point that if doctors were prosecuted they would be more careful. What do you think about the point that many make about the relationship between doctors and pharmaceutical companies? I think there is a lot of pressure and temptation for doctors to bow the pharmaceutical gods for financial gain. Blessings K2 and keep speaking out.
- Author
JC and lammbservant,thank you for reading and for your valuable comments. I hear you, and I know that both people in this situation has responsibility for the decisions made; however, I feel like the non addict with the medical licence should take more responsibility... I think if doctors were prosecuted for their patients death's, they would be more careful?? I knew this would be a controversial topic. In my area, pain meds and anti anxiety meds are way to easy to get and abuse.
Very well done K2. I am appalled at how freely doctors hand out meds, even for legitimate reasons, like severe pain. I have met way too many people who were addicted to prescription meds. The thing that happened to Michael Jackson was beyond belief, although I realize that most doctors don't go that far. The young woman you began with, her doctor was either highly irresponsible to give her Xanax knowing she was an alcoholic, or too ignorant for words.
I think much of the blame must be placed on doctors, but many people abusing these meds (not all) know they are abusing them. The young woman who was alcoholic most likely knew the meds were not meant to be used with alcohol, and though she may not have realized she was taking too much of both at once, she must have known that every time she mixed them there was a risk. Most alcoholics know about prescription meds as well. So in her case, I suspect she bears some of the blame. But that doctor ought to have his license taken a away.
The video's are excellent and help the message have more impact. Thank you for speaking out on this topic.
I guess everyone of us knows someone on drugs like this. Let's be honest, they are being handed out like sweets. But how many of us are aware of the dangers of mixing them with alcohol? Don't stand on the sidelines, talk to the folks concerned about the dangers.
- Author
Thank you Miked1919@ I appreciate your comments, I hope people do take notice. You never think a warning or a what if is going to be you... especially when your young.
I hope everyone takes notice of the warning in this article. Some people believe that if a drug is prescribed by a doctor, it somehow magically blends with all the other chemicals in their bodies. Many prescription drugs are as addictive and dangerous as illegal, recreational drugs.
17