Alprazolam (Xanax) use among southern youth: beliefs and social norms concerning dangerous rides on "handlebars".
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.
Peters
Ronald J
RJ
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 77030, USA. Ronald.J.Peters@uth.tmc.edu
Meshack
Angela F
AF
Kelder
Steven H
SH
Webb
Patrick
P
Smith
Dexter
D
Garner
Kevin
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000525:Alprazolam; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012931:Social Environment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000525:Alprazolam