Xanax is a common medication. It’s mainly used for anxiety and panic disorders. It helps relax people and gives some respite from a life filled with an overactive mind and body. It can even help with seizures and deeper muscle relaxation. With all these benefits, you can probably guess. It is a powerful medication.
By powerful, we mean its effects are strong, and its use should be under the guidance of a medical professional. So when someone says they ” took a trip on the yellow school bus,” take note. The yellow school bus is slang for the little yellow rectangular pills that Xanax often comes in.
While Xanax is critical in managing many mental health conditions, it is highly addictive. Misuse can lead to an array of harmful health effects and addiction.
Understanding the Yellow School Bus Drug
Understanding the yellow school bus drug first means understanding a class of meds called benzos. The actual name is benzodiazepines, and they affect the central nervous system. As mentioned above, they are relaxants; they have a calming effect and can help a person “feel good.” These are the primary reasons someone may take the yellow school bus recreationally.
Of course, there’s more to the story. Addiction is never just about the moment. Sure, it feels that way. But deeper issues are at play when a person develops an addiction to Xanax. There is a spiritual component to addiction that is not always talked about. But in other terms, there are also psychological root causes.
Signs of Being on the Yellow School Bus Drug
Xanax is classified as a depressant. It slows down the brain and the nervous system for the results it produces. Usually, this is a sedative or calming effect. But if someone you know is taking it recreationally, there are some signs.
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness
- Respiratory depression (slow, shallow breathing)
- Clumsy actions
- Euphoria
Dangers of Yellow Xanax
Addiction to a substance will always carry various degrees of danger and risks. Xanax addiction risks are real, but here are the biggest dangers to be aware of (dangers being, in this case, life-threatening).
Respiratory
As mentioned before, Xanax affects your breathing and can create a dangerous depression of respiration.
Mixing
Mixing Xanax with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids, increases the risk of dangerous interactions. These substances are depressants, and the combinations can lead to increased respiratory depression, overdose, and other serious complications.
Overdose
Excessive amounts of Xanax will cause an overdose. Overdoes will probably include extreme drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, slowed or shallow breathing, fainting, and even coma. An overdose is life-threatening.
Coordination
People under the influence of the yellow school bus drug have impaired judgment and poor coordination. This absolutely leads to dangerous situations—firearms, vehicles, and physical risks.
Addiction
Substance use disorders are life-threatening. It might not seem like an immediate danger, but it can be, and it happens quickly.
Treatment for Addiction to the Yellow School Bus Drug
Overcoming addiction to Xanax usually starts with a carefully monitored detoxification process. Because withdrawal from Xanax can be dangerous and include symptoms such as seizures, detox should be monitored by an experienced professional. At a high-quality detox, patient safety is the priority. Often they can also provide medications to manage withdrawal symptoms to help with overall comfort.
Once again, addiction is a symptom of deeper spiritual and psychological issues. A proven addiction program like the 12 Steps is essential for lasting recovery,
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for addiction treatment is a commonly used approach that helps individuals understand and change thought patterns leading to harmful behaviors.
Group therapy and support groups can also play a vital role by providing peer understanding and shared coping strategies.
Family involvement in the recovery process can also be beneficial, providing additional support and understanding for the person struggling with addiction.
Changing Your Life
Lasting recovery doesn’t come just from getting detoxed. Or from sitting quietly in rehab waiting for it to be over. Actual change comes when you believe and understand the issues creating a longing. Where the absence of life exists in your heart that contributes to the need to numb the pain.
Every person has a different path to that epiphany. But we find that certain universals help: counseling, life skills classes, aftercare, support groups, stress management, and more. Even exercise and nutrition play their part.
The point is lasting recovery is possible. But it takes good treatment along with a willing attitude. That said, we see full recovery every day. If you are struggling with addiction to the yellow school bus drug or any other substance, we want to help.
Call us and talk to our team. We are ready to take that first step with you. Call now: (800) 662-2873.
