They may switch from Xanax to Ativan to Klonopin and back again. Most people who misuse Xanax swallow pills that friends and family members give them.2 But some people get creative with their pills and take them in ways doctors never intended. Crushing and snorting Xanax can release an entire dose’s power in seconds. Compared to taking Xanax orally, snorting it induces a more intense high with a more rapid onset of effects. Xanax comes as a tablet, an extended-release tablet, an orally disintegrating tablet (tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth), and a concentrated solution (liquid) to take by mouth. The tablet, orally disintegrating tablet, and concentrated solution usually are taken two to four times a day.
- When benzodiazepines are taken, it reduces neuronal activity and causes people to feel drowsy, sedated, and relaxed.
- They may display signs of memory loss, have low motivation and be unable to concentrate.
- Aurelio specializes in the treatment of Addiction, Trauma, and Abandonment using strength based strategies deeply rooted in Solution Focused, and Mindfulness Therapies.
- Some people may experience a slight increase in weight while taking Xanax, while others may not notice any change.
- When an individual has become dependent on Xanax, stopping taking the drug abruptly or going cold turkey could cause severe side effects.
Once you complete your program, you’ll want to take part in our relapse prevention program, which provides you with the tools you need to avoid slipping back into your addiction. In addition to these programs, we also offer telehealth and rehab programs that are designed specifically for women. Like previously mentioned, when you inject or “shoot” benzos, you greatly increase your risk of overdosing and dying. That fact alone, you would think, should be enough to deter people from doing it, but unfortunately, it isn’t if you are an addict. Injecting anything directly into your veins, including benzodiazepines, can leave you at risk for abscesses, sores, and infections. Shooting up also leaves you at a higher risk for Hepatitis C and/or HIV if you are sharing your needles with other users.
The standard way that benzos are taken orally is in a small tablet form. For addicts who abuse benzodiazepines, swallowing pills may not be enough and they may crush up the pills to either snort, smoke, or even inject them. This is so that they can get the entire dose of the drug all at once, causing a near-instantaneous euphoric high which increases the relaxing and calming effect of benzos. Not only does using benzodiazepines in any way other than is prescribed by a doctor very dangerous, especially injecting it, it is also deadly as it increases the risk for an overdose. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor if you have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, if you use or have ever used street drugs, or have overused prescription medications.
Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox. On Tuesday, Kenner Police detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Danette Colbert, linking her to the tragic death of Adan Manzano. New evidence uncovered by investigators indicated Colbert and her alleged accomplice, Rickey White, had a pattern of drugging and robbing victims. Mr. Ayuso received his Graduate Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as Certified Addictions Professional in the State of Florida, and Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor. Aurelio specializes in the treatment of Addiction, Trauma, and Abandonment using strength based strategies deeply rooted in Solution Focused, and Mindfulness Therapies.
Is My Adult Child Snorting Xanax?
Xanax can have dangerous side effects when abused, leading to addiction and other health problems. Xanax is a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means it has a moderate potential for abuse and can lead to dependence. Addiction is a mental health disease that worsens over time, and even though the long-term effects of Xanax may not be noticeable immediately, it’s crucial to get help as soon as possible. Drug abuse of any kind can also impact other areas of your life, including your relationships, work or school performance, mental health, can you shoot xanax finances, and more. If you or a loved one is addicted to Xanax or any other drug or alcohol, our Christian drug rehab can help. Injecting benzos like alprazolam may also increase the typical side effects of the drug, such as feelings of relaxation and calm.
Are you aware of the dangers of smoking, snorting or injecting Xanax? Xanax has been available since the 1980s, and it’s usually prescribed to individuals with anxiety and panic disorders. The dosage is dependent on the individual’s health, response to the medication and age. Xanax should only be taken in accordance with the directions provided by your primary care doctor. It shouldn’t be smoked, injected or snorted due to the possibility of adverse reactions, like severe infections, damage to the nose and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, people do misuse Alprazolam in order to intensify its effects.
Dangers Associated With Snorting Xanax
However, this burst of euphoria is short-lived and doesn’t last as long as the effects of taking Xanax orally. Despite the possible consequences, once an addiction to alprazolam takes hold of someone, they may not be able to quit without prescription drug addiction treatment and medical assistance. The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members.
Part of the reason for this is that people mistakenly believe that benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan are safer than prescription painkillers. Benzodiazepine abuse is a significant problem for young people in particular. Certain Xanax alternatives have nothing to do with pharmaceuticals. To treat anxiety disorders, there are non-medication options that can bring relief.
Programs & Tracks
Detoxing from benzos such as Xanax without medical supervision and support can increase the risk of potentially lethal complications such as seizures. Supervised medical detoxification is necessary if you or someone you know is ready to stop abusing Xanax. Smoking Xanax is more common when it is mixed with other drugs. For example, Xanax powder is sometimes added to pipes or bowls of weed for an additional feeling of relaxation. However, it is unlikely that the effect of Xanax is more intense when it is smoked. Xanax or alprazolam abuse arises when the drug is taken more often, for too long, or at a higher dose than prescribed.
- Treatment can help you stop misusing Xanax and build a healthy life.
- Detoxing from Xanax can take anywhere from one week to one month.
- We offer many different treatment programs that provide therapeutic education and guidance for each individual to help them safely reintegrate into society.
- Similarly, regularly taking more pills than a doctor has prescribed may signify an escalating problem.
- At our Atlanta rehab center, we specialize in treating dual-diagnosis disorders.
How does getting an Euflexxa injection compare to getting the cortisone injection?
Anticoagulants, corticosteroids, and vasodilators may help the symptoms subside. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. In studies, people rank Xanax more likable than other drugs like Valium.3 But some people will use any drug in this class that they can get from a dealer.
Xanax Abuse and Xanax Addiction
If you are concerned about potential weight gain, speak to your doctor about other options. It works by slowing down the activity of the brain and nerves. If you take Xanax and feel sleepy, it is important to not drive or operate heavy machinery. You should also avoid drinking alcohol while taking Xanax, as it can make the effects of the drug more potent. While the opioid epidemic continues to dominate the headlines, it is important to recognize that in recent years benzodiazepine abuse has been on the rise as well.
There are, however, some long-term effects that are of concern. Extended use of any snorted drug has the potential to cause damage to the nasal passages and airways. Blood vessels might become constricted, and some drugs have even been known to cause necrosis. Short-term effects of snorting are at least typically minor, but they still have the potential to be painful. A lung infection certainly requires medical attention, and, of course, psychological help is a necessary step in moving forward from any type of drug use. With Xanax, most tablets rapidly release into the bloodstream in the same amount of time that it would take regardless of whether an individual orally ingests or snorts them.
Still, taking either of these routes can result in permanent damage, not excluding death. Taking the difficult but necessary steps toward sobriety can help you or your loved one become safe, happy, and healthy. Some people inject Xanax, and its effects range from painful to dangerous. Intravenous drug users often develop conditions like cutaneous infections, abscesses, ulcers, bacteremia, and endocarditis. Most horrific among the effects of injecting drugs are severe tissue ischemia and necrosis.
Xanax addiction is a significant problem that requires professional treatment. Thankfully, there are many treatment options available that can help people struggling with addiction to Xanax. As tolerance to the drug builds, people may take larger doses to achieve the same effects.
Most who are prescribed Xanax are encouraged to use it only when necessary for brief periods of time and to notify their physicians of any concerning developments. After detox is complete, the treatment process at a rehab center can begin. Others have reported putting the powder on top of foil, similar to how individuals smoke heroin or fentanyl.
Some non-medical users will even wrap the pill powder in foil to smoke it. Xanax is a popular, anti-anxiety medication that belongs to a class of “benzodiazepine” or “benzo” drugs. When taken as prescribed, Xanax and other drugs in the same class (Ativan, Klonopin, etc.) relieve the symptoms of clinically diagnosed conditions such as anxiety or panic disorders. A recent study showed that while opioid abuse has declined among teens since 2004, 15% of young people have abused benzodiazepines. This party drug is also often combined with other medications that pose a high risk of overdose. Individuals who crush and snort Xanax increase their risk even more significantly.