«Breaking News» Number of children needing treatment for addiction to anti-anxiety pills DOUBLED in a year

The amount of under-18-year-olds being treated for addiction to sleeping and anxiety pills has almost doubled in a year, figures show. 

Cases of addiction to benzodiazepines have increased by 96 per cent, from 161 in 2016 to 2017, to 315 in 2017 to 2018. 

Treatment for addiction to Xanax, a powerful type of the anti-anxiety drug, saw an increase of five-fold among youngsters.  

Experts say the figures are just the 'tip of the iceberg', as many more children may be addicted to Xanax, which is more than 200 times stronger than Valium.

The amount of young people being treated for addiction to sleeping and anxiety pills has almost doubled in a year, a health report said. Xanax use (pictured) increased by five-fold

The data on treatment for misuse of substances, such as cannabis and alcohol, in children is collected by Public Health England every year. 

However, this is the first report to include treatment for misuse of benzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, are prescribed for the short-term treatment of anxiety, as well as insomnia, panic attacks and seizures.

CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 11 NEED MEDICAL TREATMENT AFTER TAKING XANAX THEY BOUGHT ON SOCIAL MEDIA 

Children as young as 11 are being treated for abusing the anxiety drug Xanax, it was revealed in May this year.

Recreational use of the medication is soaring among young people in Britain following its glamorisation in American rap music.

Xanax, the brand name for alprazolam, is not available on the NHS but can be obtained on private prescription.

However, the drug and associated fake versions are increasingly finding their way on to social media and the 'dark web'.

One ambulance trust last year attended 240 call-outs for Xanax abuse relating to children and teenagers aged between 11 and 18, an analysis by the BBC found.

In response to a Freedom of Information request, the North East Ambulance Service said two of the cases involved 11-year-olds. 

It also recorded incidents relating to Xanax abuse involving children aged 11 in 2014 and 2016.

Leading drugs charity Addaction said it was aware of children of 13 'dealing' the strong medication, which is in the benzodiazepine group of drugs, in schools. 

Xanax (Alprazolam) is unavailable on the NHS but can be prescribed in the US, obtained on a private prescription in the UK, or bought from illegal websites. 

Access to anxiety drugs on the black market and social media is leading to an increase in their misuse, charities have warned.

Celebrity culture is thought to be to blame for the rise in Xanax's illicit use. For example, Eminem raps: 'I get these panic attacks, pop a Xanax, relax.'

The PHE figures, released today, showed the number of under-18s addicted to Xanax rose from just eight in 2016 to 2017 to 53 in 2017 to 2018.

Children as young as 13 are being admitted for treatment, the data show.

Experts have previously warned Xanax and other anxiety drugs are becoming popular among teenagers for recreational use.  

However, Ian Hamilton, a senior lecturer in mental health at University of York told MailOnline it's not just a 'weekend buzz' young people are after when they take 'benzos', as they are known in short.  

He said: 'The report says that a significant amount of people getting treatment have mental health problems.'

Young people with mental health issues are seeking anti-anxiety drugs on social media as a faster and cheaper alternative to seeing their GP, he added.

'While you might have to wait two days to see a GP,' Mr Hamilton said. 'And then wait to get these drugs, your mate or someone you have a connection with on FB can get you them in the same day. And they are very strong and potent.'

Xanax is available to buy illegally on social media websites such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, the charity Addaction warned earlier this year. 

'This is the tip of the icberg. There is far more children out there that don't get treatment', Mr Hamilton told MailOnline.  

Celebrity culture is thought to be to blame for the rise in Xanax's illicit use. For example, popular music artist Eminem raps: 'I get these panic attacks, pop a Xanax, relax.'

NEARLY 60 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12 WERE HOOKED ON ILLEGAL DRUGS THIS YEAR

Almost 60 children under the age of 12 needed treatment from the NHS for addictions to illegal drugs and alcohol, Public Health England figures revealed.

The number (58) was a decrease of almost 15 per cent from the year 2016 to 2017 (68 children).

However, the number of cases have steadily been climbing over the past four years.

There has been an increase of almost 35 per cent from 2014-2015. 

The total number of under-18s needing treatment for substance abuse was 15,583.

Under 13 year olds were hooked on the following drugs: 

• Cannabis (261)


• Alcohol (162)


• Ecstasy (22)


• Cocaine (9)


• Solvents (22) 

Due to very low numbers for some substances, those from under 12 to 13 years were grouped together.

He warned young people aren't going for treatment because they have 'found their solution'. 

He said: 'It give some children a form of escape from something like anxiety or bullying.'

Commenting on the figures, Rosanna O'Connor, director for drugs alcohol and tobacco at Public Health England said: 'There is limited evidence and data for these drugs so we do not have a clear picture of changes in use.

'Benzodiazepines are risky when taken without medical supervision, and mixing them with alcohol or other drugs increases the risk of harm, particularly when mixed with other sedatives.'     

But Mr Hamilton said: 'A lot of kids are naïve and don't know how much of a drug to use or how long to wait inbetween doses. That increases the risk of overdose more than with an adult who may be more likely to realise how long a drug takes to kick in.

'These kids are combining it with alcohol as well. Benzodiazepines and alcohol both supreses respiratory performance, which can reduce your breathing.' 

The drug can cause a 'high', which users describe as euphoric and dreamy. 

But withdrawal symptoms from sedatives including Xanax can cause anxiety, panic attacks and hallucinations. 

Online dealers are openly advertising the drug for as little as 25p to teenagers, alongside pictures of pills piled high and boasts of next day delivery.

Mr Hamilton said: 'Young people are buying drugs through WhatsApp, Facebook or other social media platforms. We know dealings go on here and information about drugs is shared.

'Although the policy of social media is you have to be of a certain age to participate, we know these rules are broken.' 

Use of ecstasy is also on the rise among under 18s. The number of young people entering treatment for problems with ecstasy in 2017 to 2018 increased by 16 per cent from the last year (1,815 to 2,112) and has almost doubled since 2013 to 2014. 

Mr Hamilton told the MailOnline this was likely to be because of a drop in cost: 'Ecstasy is making a bit of a comeback. Less people used it five or six years ago and now we've seen it come back up again. 

'It’s become stronger and cheaper, so you get more for your money, which is good for young people.'

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/12/06/number-of-children-needing-treatment-for-addiction-to-anti-anxiety-pills-doubled-in-a-year/
Main photo article The amount of under-18-year-olds being treated for addiction to sleeping and anxiety pills has almost doubled in a year, figures show. 
Cases of addiction to benzodiazepines have increased by 96 per cent, from 161 in 2016 to 2017, to 315 in 2017 to 2018. 
Treatment for addiction to Xanax, a p...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca





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