Due to its relative ease of obtainability, people may not think twice about taking more than is prescribed or taking it more often than they should. There are several ways to take Xanax, including oral tablets, capsules, and liquid form.
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Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox. When taken as prescribed, Xanax is a safe and effective medication. However, it can be addictive and should not be taken without a doctor’s supervision.
Can You Overdose on Xanax, and What Are the Symptoms?
Her dream is to own acres of land so she can care for vulnerable animals, especially old dogs, cats, and horses. When medical detox takes place, it is common to experience Xanax withdrawal symptoms. These can arise regardless of whether a person is smoking Xanax or snorts Xanax. Another risk of Xanax overdose comes when fake Xanax is acquired on the street instead of via a medical prescription. These pills may combine Xanax with other dangerous substances such as fentanyl, which can cause an overdose. As touched on above, people may abuse Xanax by snorting, smoking, or injecting it, all of which are extremely dangerous and increase the risk of addiction.
Smoking Benzos
Call us today to get started with treatment or verify your benefits online. If you struggle with Xanax addiction, contact us today to speak to one of our compassionate experts. In doing so, you can take the first steps in your recovery journey. After detox is complete, the treatment process at a rehab center can begin. There have been anecdotal reports of people smoking Xanax in recent years.
- Treatment does not just address the addiction itself; it can help a person work through comorbidities like depression and anxiety.
- Are you aware of the dangers of smoking, snorting or injecting Xanax?
- Those who consume Xanax quickly build a tolerance to the effects of the drug, which is one reason it is misused.
- While Xanax is commonly taken orally as a pill (the form in which it is manufactured), there are other methods of abuse.
Benzodiazepine drugs or benzos as they are commonly known are steadily increasing in popularity, as is the number of people seeking treatment for benzodiazepine abuse. Xanax is the most prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States, meaning it is incredibly easy for most people to access it. In fact, it is thought that 70% of teenagers with a Xanax addiction acquire the drug from the medicine cabinet in their house. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists Xanax as one of the top prescription drugs being taken from the legal drug market and sold on the streets in the illicit drug trade. There are a variety of ways that people abuse the drug, with adults and adolescents alike crushing the pill form before injecting, smoking, or snorting Xanax to produce a high.
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. He specializes in both Addictions and Trauma, he has worked first as a therapist then as the clinical supervisor to both the Juvenile and Adult Drug Court programs in Brevard County. Aurelio has been instrumental in developing substance abuse treatment programs directly tailored to help those that also suffer from complex trauma due to their addiction. He has been recognized by several organizations for his forward thinking and ability to tailor treatment to individuals in the most restrictive environments. Usually, those who have developed a physical dependence on Xanax experience the most severe withdrawal symptoms, which can begin just hours after the last dose.
The Risk and Effects of Smoking Xanax
Navigating the world of sleep can be tricky, especially when you’re dealing with medications like Xanax. It’s essential to recognize when it’s time to seek help from a professional, particularly if you find that Xanax can affect your sleep. Are you waking up feeling more exhausted than when you went to bed? 🤔 If so, this could be a sign that your sleep quality is suffering.
- 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.
- Another risk of Xanax overdose comes when fake Xanax is acquired on the street instead of via a medical prescription.
- You may face challenges along the way, but combining the power of hope with practical guidance and tools, you’ll be taking steps towards better health.
- While you’re detoxing and after, you’ll be given other treatment modalities.
- Xanax addiction is also a risk factor among those with mental illness who have been prescribed the drug for a legitimate purpose.
Understanding how Xanax can affect your sleep is essential, not just for your energy levels but also for your overall health. If you’re finding it challenging to manage your sleep and anxiety simultaneously, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional who can help you evaluate your options. Our Lead Therapist, Megan, is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in working with adults who struggle with addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma. As Lead Therapist, she provides individual, family, and group therapy sessions to our clients. Megan says “I am very passionate about therapy, especially about supporting my clients in exploring their strengths and identity.
It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Xanax is a prescription, brand-name drug with the generic name alprazolam. It belongs to a larger class of prescription drugs called benzodiazepines or benzos. Benzos are intended to treat anxiety and panic disorders, and they’re among themost commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S. Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. While it is typically taken orally, some individuals may seek faster effects by intravenously injecting the drug.
Alprazolam is a fast onset, short-acting medication used for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. In an effort to feels its effect more quickly, some individuals may snort or attempt to inject crushed Xanax. Benzodiazepines can be prescribed for many different medical conditions. The drugs are most widely taken for anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder. However, some doctors recommend medications like Xanax to relieve anxiety related to mood disorders like depression— and to temper nausea from chemotherapy in cancer treatment. Xanax (alprazolam) is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety and panic disorders.
Those in recovery may be temporarily prescribed other medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, such as longer-acting benzodiazepines. Medical professionals have also expressed their concerns as snorting Xanax generates a suddenly increased depression of the central nervous system. This is particularly dangerous as it depresses heart rate and breathing. Often, a Xanax overdose can slow the breathing rate to a point at which a lack of oxygen is received by the brain, which risks permanent brain damage and even death. As it avoids the digestive system, the effects of the substance occur much faster in the central nervous system.
As a central nervous system depressant, Xanax slows down the nervous system, offering users a calm, relaxed feeling while providing effects such as sedation and relaxation. Firstly, Xanax can impact both your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Some people might hit the pillow and drift off without a hitch, but that doesn’t mean the quality of their sleep is where it should be. Have you ever woken up feeling groggy or like you didn’t sleep at all? The medication can lead to less time spent in deep sleep stages, which are essential for feeling rejuvenated.
Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had depression or another mental illness. My name is Madison Knowles, I am a Mental health therapist at NPAC. I am a single-mother of two and I have a daughter who is globally delayed and has been diagnosed with autism. I have been in this industry since I was 16 years old, as I was fascinated with human behavior. I obtained my masters in applied behavioral analysis and started off working with people with disabilities.
The pills can be crushed and snorted up a nostril similar to snorting cocaine. Injecting a central nervous system depressant like Xanax increases the likelihood of respiratory failure. Mixing it with other central nervous system depressants can exponentially increase this likelihood. Alcohol and opioids are two of the most commonly mixed-in depressants. When someone admits to the hospital for these effects, the typical treatment plan does not involve surgery (unless, of course, necrosis has progressed to the point of amputation being necessary).
When anything at all gets injected into the body, a person runs the risk of developing abscesses, sores, Hepatitis C, and AIDS. Since Xanax is not water soluble, people who shoot it up will dissolve it in alcohol first, which is inherently dangerous. When Xanax does not get fully and properly dissolved in the body, it can lead to blocked blood vessels, which can trigger a heart attack, stroke, or other types of cardiovascular problems. 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. One case that was documented by the Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology involved a woman who snorted meth for three years, presenting with a perforated septum, swelling of the sinuses, and necrosis.
Drugs That Are Commonly Injected
There has only been limited scientific research into whether snorting Xanax actually does create stronger or faster effects, and none of the results have been conclusive. 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. If you know someone with a Xanax dependency or suspect you are dependent on Xanax, you can get treatment for your benzodiazepine addiction. In fact, we offer treatment for individuals who are dependent on Xanax or another benzodiazepine at Illinois Recovery Center. Participating in various forms of therapy can help you analyze your thoughts and behaviors so that you understand yourself and your motivations better.
Prescription drug use in general, and abuse of alprazolam in particular, is prevalent among adolescents and young adult people who engage in drug target="_blank">injecting xanax abuse. Long-term damage caused by snorting drugs like Xanax can be massive. Decreased blood supply to the nose is quite common with long-term use, which is what leads to a perforated septum.
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