There are growing concerns that the popularity of Xanax with teenagers is increasing, as experts warn of an “emerging crisis” in its use. Doctors have raised concerns about an increase in young people being admitted to A&E after taking the drug.

Meanwhile a study seen by the Guardian has revealed that the UK accounts for 22% of all global sales of the highly addictive anti-anxiety medication on the dark web or darknet, the collective name for hidden and anonymised websites. Readers responded to that report by telling their own stories of Xanax misuse.



‘The influx of Xanax at university means you won’t see people for days’

I’m 22, doing a master’s degree and living in Manchester. Xanax is a constant in university life. At the beginning of my undergraduate degree four years ago, people only really took it to go to sleep, but now it’s used almost every night out recreationally. Everyone buys the pills online in bulk, and while one pill might be £2, the way it is shaped means it’s really easy to break it up and share. You can now buy half or a quarter of a Xanax at a time.

It’s really sad because whereas recreational drugs are a given at university, the influx of Xanax means you won’t see people for days after. Or if you do, they are completely different people. The most social person in the world will be reduced to a zombie-like state for days – it’s the personality equaliser, everyone becomes boring.

Anonymous, 22, from Manchester



‘People are into painkillers and prescription drugs now’

I am a 23-year-old student from Falmouth in Cornwall. Most people who take Xanax use it only recreationally, or as a good hangover or comedown cure. I first tried it a few years ago. Nowadays it is without doubt easier to obtain.

The effect it had on me was great. My limbs felt heavier and every position I sat or lay in felt great, my communication was fine and I didn’t struggle to walk around my house. I did find the next day my memory was slightly spotty but no more than from the average night of drinking.

There could be more education on Xanax use but I think it’s the same for every drug. The reason it has grown in use is down to a few things. First of all, people are more into painkillers and prescription drugs now. As well as this, for a large amount of people uppers can be too much of a commitment so it’s easy to take a few Xanax and relax as opposed to committing to the next six hours when a person takes a pill or some cocaine.

Anonymous, 23, from Cornwall



‘I work in addiction treatment and I’ve witnessed a sharp rise in enquiries about Xanax’



I have worked in the private sector of addiction treatment for 20 years both in the UK, US and Middle East. I have witnessed a sharp rise in the enquiries I receive in relation to Xanax abuse and dependency – predominantly among adolescents, but also in adults.

Users are buying them from dealers, but also straight from the web and there is a big rise in pressure exerted on doctors to prescribe Xanax. We are, as is normally the case, following the drug trend witnessed in the US. The effects of withdrawals can be very distressing and indeed dangerous. This is against a background of vastly under-resourced NHS adolescent services and practically no private residential adolescent care.

Most families I see are forced to send their child abroad for treatment. We do need to educate, but we desperately need to provide treatment and care for the individuals and families afflicted. Prevention, as we know, is only a small part of the solution.

Johan Sorensen, 43, counsellor and case manager, London

‘A lot of the young people I work with are self-medicating with Xanax’

As a pupil support leader in a large comprehensive secondary school in Scotland, I have increasingly become aware of Xanax over the past two years. It is a drug that has become popular with young people and is causing many issues. I have at least two students within my caseload currently that are not accessing education because they have an issue with the drug.

They are also causing lots of problems in the community and are very well known to Police Scotland due to their antisocial behaviour while taking the drug and due to the suspicion that they have become involved in the distribution of the drug. The exploitation of young people by organised criminals is another issue that appears to be worryingly on the rise.

Anecdotally, I also see a link between young people experiencing mental health issues and the use of Xanax. It does appear that there’s a degree of “self-medicating” that is going on, especially for students that are suffering with anxiety-related issues, which is a lot. The fact that the waiting times for professional help with such issues is so long further exacerbates the problem. What is also clear is that the use of Xanax is not in any way helping these young people and is severely compounding their issues.

Anonymous teacher, Scotland



