Benzodiazepine addiction is a pressing issue in the United States. The drug is used to treat anxiety disorders, but it carries the potential for abuse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), roughly two percent of people who use benzodiazepines become addicted. They’re also part of the ongoing opioid crisis. Fourteen percent of all opioid overdose death cases also involved benzodiazepines. Farmapram is one of the main players, being one of the drugs smuggled across the border by the cartels.
In this article, we’ll focus on Farmapram: how it compares to more well-known benzodiazepines like Xanax, Farmapram effects, and more.
What Is Farmapram?
Simply put, Farmapram is Mexican Xanax, the version of the drug most prescribed in Mexico. Like Xanax, it’s based on the generic drug alprazolam. Alprazolam is the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States. According to one estimate, over 48 million prescriptions for alprazolam are written each year.
Alprazolam is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and depression. It’s a benzodiazepine, a family of drugs that act on the brain to produce a sense of calm. They do this by increasing levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that prevents the brain and central nervous system from getting overstimulated. When the brain is overstimulated, seizures, anxiety, and other problems can result, which is why drugs like Farmapram can be so helpful.
However, they can also be abused.
The easy availability of alprazolam has led it to become a widely used street drug. Farmapram has become a popular drug of abuse because it is easy to obtain in Mexico. Unlike in the US, where pharmacies are well-regulated, there are tons of “street pharmacies” in Mexico, many connected to cartels.
These street pharmacies will sell all manner of drugs over the counter, including Farmapram and Fentanyl, no questions asked. People can also buy Xanax online from certain shady websites, and Farmapram pills are an option on these sites as well.
When combined with the lower cost of purchase (this being Mexico), it is no surprise people are increasingly turning to Xanax from Mexico.
Benzodiazepines for Anxiety
Benzodiazepines like Farmapram work by increasing GABA levels in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that regulates brain activity. When the brain gets too active or “excited,” conditions like anxiety, panic attacks, and seizures can result. When GABA binds to the brain’s GABA receptors, potassium ions can leave, making neurons less likely to fire.
What Are the Most Popular Benzodiazepines?
Aside from Farmapram, there is a wide variety of other benzodiazepines on the market.
These include:
- Xanax (Alprazolam) – Prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders
- Valium (Diazepam) – Used for anxiety disorders and seizures
- Halcion (Triazolam) – Often used for short-term treatment of insomnia
- Ativan (Lorazepam) – Can treat anxiety seizures and sometimes is used for off-label treatment for alcohol withdrawal
- Klonopin (Clonazepam) – Typically prescribed for seizures and panic disorders
- Restoril (Temazepam) – Can be used to treat insomnia on a short-term basis
- Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) – Used to treat anxiety and alcohol withdrawal
- Serax (Oxazepam) – Can treat anxiety and alcohol withdrawal
These medications are effective for their intended uses but are also open to abuse. Tolerance can build quickly, and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms can result.
Is Farmapram Xanax?
They’re essentially the same. Xanax and Farmapram are both derived from alprazolam and are prescribed for the same problems. Both treat anxiety and panic disorders by enhancing the effects of GABA in the brain to produce a sense of calm.
Xanax is the most well-known brand of alprazolam. It’s produced by Pfizer; Farmapram, the Mexican Xanax, is produced by Ifa Celtics, a Mexican pharmaceutical company. Both come in similar dosages and forms, such as tablets (“Xanax bars”). The exact formulations, inactive ingredients, and appearance may differ slightly due to different manufacturing processes and standards.
The only real difference is Xanax is more common in the United States, and Farmapram is more common in Mexico. That’s why it’s referred to as “Mexican Xanax.” It may also be cheaper, at least for Americans, due to the difference between American and Mexican standards of living.
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Call 866-881-1184Is Farmapram Addictive?
Yes, Farmapram carries the potential for addiction. Regular use, especially over extended periods, can lead to higher and higher tolerance and both physical and psychological dependence.
It can also lead to withdrawal symptoms. Some of these, like delirium and psychosis, are unique compared to other benzodiazepines. Because Farmapram is based on alprazolam, this is something to keep in mind. Because they are from the same generic drug, Xanax withdrawal symptoms are practically identical to those of Farmapram.
Signs and Symptoms of Farmapram Addiction
Possible Farmapram withdrawal symptoms include:
- Psychosis
- Delirium
- Panic attacks
- Seizures
- Insomnia
- High blood pressure
- Elevated heart rate
There’s also a special symptom known to all benzodiazepines called “rebound anxiety.” Sometimes, people who take these medications for anxiety find their anxiety comes roaring back, worse than before, when they get off. This is likely due to becoming dependent on the drug. Here, too, alprazolam drugs like Farmapram and Xanax stand out, with rebound anxiety commonly reported as being worse compared to other benzodiazepines.
While typically not life-threatening, Farmapram withdrawal can be extremely unpleasant, making it difficult to get off the drug. For this reason, a professionally-supervised medical detox is highly advised.
Farmapram Addiction Treatment Programs
Farmapram addiction can definitely be treated. Drugs like valproate can be used to treat Farmapram withdrawal symptoms. Studies also indicate that gabapentin, an anti-seizure medication, can make withdrawal much less unpleasant, as well as reduce cravings for Farmapram. These can be used during medical detox to make things go much more smoothly.
The other major component of treating Farmapram addiction is tapering. Tapering means gradually reducing the dose of the drug over time. The idea is to give the body time to slowly adjust to the drug leaving its system.
Psychotherapy
After detoxing, therapy is used to treat the underlying roots of Farmapram addiction, such as depression and anxiety.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most widely used treatment for benzodiazepine addiction.
CBT for Farmapram addiction can address the causes of insomnia or anxiety that spurred the person to take Farmapram. CBT is recognized as the treatment of choice for insomnia. Moreover, it’s been found to be more cost-effective and to yield greater improvements than medication.
Treatment compliance is another benefit of using CBT to treat Farmapram addiction. Cognitive restructuring and coping techniques can be used to prevent relapse. CBT can reinforce a someone’s sense of agency – confidence – allowing them to follow through with their treatment plan. One study found that CBT increases abstinence rates by 70 to 80%.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a variant of CBT. CBT is mainly about teaching people to avoid situations or emotions that can make relapse more likely. By contrast, ACT focuses more on helping clients accept values that promote recovery.
This includes things like:
- Mindfulness – Being present in the moment
- Acceptance – Making space for unpleasant feelings
- Defusion – Distancing oneself from unhelpful thought patterns
- Values – Focusing on what is important
- Committed Action – Acting on those values
- Context – Distancing oneself from one’s experiences
The point of ACT is to broaden a person’s perspective and teach them a wider range of possible behaviors and reactions.
It should be noted that there have been no studies specifically assessing ACT’s effectiveness in treating benzodiazepine addiction. However, it can treat key symptoms that drive people to take benzodiazepines like Farmapram. For example, a meta-analysis of 38 studies found that ACT is promising to reduce insomnia.
ACT may also be more effective than CBT when it comes to encouraging abstinence over a longer period of time than CBT.
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Check Your CoverageHow Long is Farmapram Addiction Treatment?
Withdrawal symptoms for Farmapram will typically last anywhere from 10 to 14 days. That is roughly how long a medical detox may take place.
How long the entire treatment takes place will depend on the severity of the Farmapram addiction, a person’s overall health, whether there are mental health problems and other factors.
Because everyone’s case may be different, here is a general outline of what to expect from Farmapram addiction treatment and how long the various stages may take.
Medical Detox in Orange County
The first step in treating substance use disorders is a medical detox in Orange County. This means using drugs to manage withdrawal symptoms, supervised by medical professionals at treatment centers.
One crucial element of a medical drug detox from benzodiazepines will involve the tapering schedule. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here – it depends on the length of your benzodiazepine use prior to seeking treatment.
To give you an example of what to expect, here is a benzodiazepine tapering schedule from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Note that it recommends CBT be used concurrently while tapering to improve chances of success.
A benzodiazepine tapering schedule from the Oregon government breaks it down by length of use. For those who have only used Farmapram for 2-8 weeks, tapering may only be around two weeks. However, those who have used the drug for more than a year may need 6 to 18 months to completely taper off Farmapram. Medication-assisted treatment is also an option for those who need extra help overcoming substance abuse.
Residential Treatment in Orange County
After medical detox, the next step is receiving inpatient treatment in Orange County, California. There, professionals will treat the roots of your Farmapram addiction using therapy, as well as medication if necessary.
Inpatient rehab for prescription medication typically takes anywhere from 30 to 90 days.
Partial Hospitalization in Orange County
Sometimes, people complete inpatient treatment but don’t feel quite ready for outpatient treatment. For these people, Partial Hospitalization in Newport Beach is a good option.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP), offer more structure than outpatient treatment but less than residential. Clients can receive care five to seven days a week for a number of hours each day, returning back to their homes in the evening.
While there is no set rule for PHP, it typically takes five to six weeks.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment in Orange County
For those leaving PHP, Intensive Outpatient Treatment in Newport Beach (IOP) puts you once step closer to full recovery. Focusing on group therapy, IOP clients meet three to five days a week for group therapy sessions. Each session typically lasts around three hours.
In terms of the overall length of treatment, outpatient rehab typically takes anywhere from two weeks to three months.
Start Today
If you or a loved one are struggling with Farmapram addiction but are afraid to get started, talk to us. We are experts at treating addiction to benzodiazepines, as well as dual diagnosis mental health issues. If you have any questions at all about addiction recovery, call us at 866-881-1184 or contact us here. Our highly qualified staff can help verify your insurance and assist with any other questions you may have about drug and alcohol rehab.
- Large amount of anxiety pills seized at the Falfurrias Checkpoint | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov)
- A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal – PMC (nih.gov)
- Northern District of California | Former Mexican Pharmacy Employee Sentenced To More Than 7 Years For Selling Fentanyl Pills That Killed Monterey Victim | United States Department of Justice
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- Treatment of Benzodiazepine Dependence | New England Journal of Medicine (nejm.org)
- IJERPH | Free Full-Text | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the Discontinuation of Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use in Insomnia and Anxiety Disorders (mdpi.com)
- How to approach a benzodiazepine taper (oregon.gov)
- Rebound anxiety in panic disorder patients treated with shorter-acting benzodiazepines – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Valproate Information | FDA
- Alprazolam – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
