How Addiction Happens

Question by Chelsea Dagger: Researching prescribed medication addictions, any help is greatly appreciated.?
undergrad college student working on a paper about addiction to prescribed psychiatric medications, focusing on Xanax.

Is this medication easily obtained? How old are the patients that this particular drug is prescribed for? Do general physicians write the prescriptions, or is it only allowed by those in the psychiatric field of medication? Do insurance companies cover Xanax/Alprazolam and is it possible to obtain without insurance? In cases where addicts “doctor shop” can they be caught and penalized for submitting prescription scripts at multiple pharmacies in order to acquire more?

Sorry for so many questions, I’m just having a difficult time finding answers that don’t conflict with each other.

This research is only for addicts who use prescribed medication to maintain their addiction, not those who purchase from the street.

Best answer:

Answer by George
1) Is this medication easily obtained?

Generally, yes. Some doctors are unwilling–or hesistant to prescribe it; yet, it is easy to obtain legitmately, especially for short-term use.

2) How old are the patients that this particular drug is prescribed for?

In general, people over the age of 18. It is generally not recommended for the elderly. Between the ages of 18 through 55+ , in general.

3) Do general physicians write the prescriptions, or is it only allowed by those in the psychiatric field of medication?
Both “general physicians”, as well as psychiatrists, may write prescriptions for Xanax—and both types routinely prescribe this medication. This medication has other “off-label” uses, such as for irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia; as such, physicians in other specialities can (and do!) prescribe this medication as well.

4) Do insurance companies cover Xanax/Alprazolam and is it possible to obtain without insurance?

Yes; and Yes. (Note that “alprazolam” is the generic name for Xanax, and Xanax does come in generic form–generic alprazolam. Many insurances will cover Xanax–and those that do generally cover the generic version only).
Yes, it is possibly to obtain Xanax without insurance. This is a Schedule 4 Federally Controlled Substance and requires a valid prescription by a physician or other qualified prescribing practictioner (e.g. physician’s assistant/nurse practictioner). A person with a valid prescription who does not have insurance may pay for this medication out of pocket.

5) In cases where addicts “doctor shop” can they be caught and penalized for submitting prescription scripts at multiple pharmacies in order to acquire more?

Yes. Technically, this is a crime—a misdemeanor is some states–and a felony in others. Many states have tracking systems for controlled substances that physicians and/or pharmacists may access. Pharmacists have the right to refuse to fill prescriptions if they “know of or reasonably suspect this is happening” and have the right–or even obligation–to notify the physicians and “flag” this occurrence in the system. Usually, the patient is penalized only in this way; severe legal penalties are pursued for sale/diversion of controlled substances.

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