Alprazolam abuse in Texas, 1998-2004

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Public Health
• Toxicology

Background:

• Alprazolam (Xanax) is a widely prescribed medication for anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
• The drug is subject to abuse, necessitating an understanding of its patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the trends and demographics of alprazolam abuse and drug identification calls.
• To analyze the circumstances and outcomes associated with alprazolam abuse.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of alprazolam-related calls to six poison control centers from 1998 to 2004.
• Categorization of calls into drug identification, human exposure, and abuse scenarios.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in both drug identification and abuse calls was observed over the study period.
• Alprazolam abuse calls were more prevalent among males (54%) and adolescents (43%) compared to non-abuse calls.
• Abuse exposures were more likely to occur in public or school settings and were associated with a higher incidence of minor medical outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Alprazolam abuse is an increasing concern, particularly among male and adolescent populations.
• The pattern of alprazolam abuse suggests a need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies.
• Understanding the specific contexts and outcomes of alprazolam abuse is crucial for public health initiatives.