According to Gina Ryder, "Xanax is the most well-known brand in the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines; other popular brands include Klonopin and Ativan. "Benzos," as the drugs are culturally known, are sedatives for the age of anxiety-popular preflight fear quellers and an instant blunter for life's sharp edges: breakups, deadlines, funerals. They're readily prescribed and passed around friend groups like brunch recommendations, and they've gotten shout-outs in everything from rap songs to New York Times columns."

This article discusses benzodiazepine addiction and the long term effects these drugs have on the human body.