Snorting Xanax: Alprazolam Substance Abuse & Addiction

Anxiety is the most common mental illness affecting 40 million adults in the United States or 18.1% of the population. In response to this growing mental health concern, anti-anxiety pills continue to be in high demand with Xanax being the number one most heavily prescribed psychiatric drug. Due to its high risk of dependency, though, many American’s are facing the onset of a growing substance abuse problem. In order to reach peak desired effects much more quickly, many are opting to ingest using various methods like snorting Xanax, shooting, or smoking it.

Snorting Xanax and other types of Xanax abuse can carry serious health consequences, both for the user and those close to them. This post covers everything you need to know about snorting Xanax and the side effects and dangers of Xanax abuse and addiction. We’ll look at what Xanax is, the ways it’s abused, and the harms that result.

Are you or someone you know suffering from misuse or abuse of Xanax or other anti-anxiety medications? It’s important to seek expert guidance — the earlier the better. Contact our 24/7 helpline at 855-281-5588.

What is Xanax?

Alprazolam, commonly referred to by brand name Xanax, is a prescription medication that doctors use to treat anxiety. It is also used for panic disorders. The medication is provided in a pill format and patients are instructed to ingest orally as prescribed. However, with the onset of misuse, users may feel inclined to snort Xanax in order to produce the same euphoric effect much more quickly. 

Anxiety impacts every individual differently. In some instances, anxiety can stem from childhood trauma, PTSD, or other mental health concerns. Typically, in these cases, anxiety can be a life-long battle. In other instances, anxiety can stem from more recent events such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a job or home. Short-term anxiety issues can usually be resolved with prescription medications like Xanax, especially if the dosage if followed as prescribed and eventually use seized. The majority of people who take alprazolam follow their doctor’s instructions. However, it’s important to know the dangers of anti-anxiety medications. For one, it drastically impacts the central nervous system, giving users a sense of euphoria and relaxation. However, if it’s not used in combination with mental health therapy, it can give users a fall sense of hope in recovering from an anxiety disorder.

In short, people use Xanax as a chill pill. Alprazolam has effects similar to alcohol when it is abused. Users feel relaxed and calm. They can be more outgoing. However, users may also make decisions that increase destructive or risky behavior. Snorting Xanax is all too common and can result in extreme health complications. We’ll discuss the internal damage alprazolam can do later. First, readers should understand how Xanax is abused. One of the most common means of abuse is snorting Xanax.

Snorting Xanax: A Prime Example of Prescription Drug Abuse

Xanax abusers always look for ways to make the drug more powerful. One of the most common ways they go about doing this is by snorting Xanax. Snorting Xanax is the act of inhaling the drug through the nose. First, users grind the pill into a powder. After, they section the powdered Xanax into lines. They then use a straw or other tube device and to inhale the prescription medication via the nostril.

Snorting Xanax adds extra risks to abusing the drug. It is dangerous to snort any drug. Snorting Xanax can cause the following physical issues:

• Blocked Airways
• Sinus inflammation
• Sinus infection
• Lung infections

Another issue is that snorting substances make them much more potent and highly addictive. Snorting bypasses the digestive system. Substances go directly into the bloodstream. This includes the binder and filler material in pills, as well as the drug itself. Binders contain known allergens; therefore, people snorting Xanax for a stronger effect also risk putting allergens directly into their bloodstream.

Additionally, snorting Xanax increases the risk of addiction. The timeframe for physical dependency on Xanax is already fairly short. Physical dependence can happen in one to two months when taking the drug as prescribed; however, the speed of dependence increases with the strength and dose of the drug. When used alone, benzodiazepines carry an extremely low risk of acute toxicity. However, benzodiazepines are often used with other types of medications, including other drugs with abuse potential, and these drugs can enhance the toxic effects of benzodiazepines like Xanax. In fact, according to a study conducted by American Family Physician, an estimated 80% of benzodiazepine abuse is part of polydrug abuse, most commonly used with opioids.

Snorting Xanax Isn’t the Only Way Xanax is Abused

In addition to snorting Xanax, there are several other ways people abuse alprazolam. Users are clever when it comes to finding different ways to get high. All forms of Xanax abuse have a few things in common. They involve people taking alprazolam either without a prescription or taking it in a different way than their doctor recommends.

It is also important to note that people can abuse alprazolam even if they take the pill normally. However, Xanax abusers take the drug in different ways. They do this in an attempt to manipulate how the drug works. Usually, abusers attempt to make the drug work faster. They also try to make the drug have a stronger effect. Unfortunately, alternative methods of taking alprazolam create more risks for the user.

Chewing Xanax

Chewing is one of the most common ways to abuse the drug. The act of chewing the drug breaks it into smaller pieces. This increases the surface area of the drug. As a result, the many small pieces are absorbed into the bloodstream quicker. This causes the drug to get to the brain faster. Moreover, more of the drug gets to the brain at once. People who abuse the drug want this because it makes the high more intense.

As you can see, chewing Xanax is an attempt to achieve the same goals of snorting Xanax. Chewing the drug makes it stronger. Consequentially, it can lead to addiction faster. Moreover, this method of abuse is even more dangerous when combined with drinking alcohol. Alcohol lowers the threshold for a Xanax overdose. As a result, the faster and stronger effect users get from chewing increases the risk when combined with alcohol.

Parachuting Xanax

Parachuting alprazolam is similar to chewing it. However, abusers crush the pill before taking it. They put the crushed pill into some sort of holder, like a piece of napkin or paper. The abuser then swallows the packet. The harms of parachuting Xanax are similar to those of chewing it.

Smoking Xanax

Xanax users also smoke the drug to get high. Some will smoke the drug off of a surface, like tin foil. Others will add powdered alprazolam pills to pipes or bowls of weed. What these users don’t know is that smoking Xanax is less effective than taking it orally. Moreover, the binders used in pills cause lung irritation when smoked. People who smoke Xanax are causing themselves more harm and getting worse results.

Additionally, mixing alprazolam with other drugs makes the effects more intense. That increases the risk of complications. Users risk lung damage based on how they smoke the drug. Smoking off of tin foil produces extremely dangerous irritants. Moreover, smoking from aluminum foil may increase the risk of heart disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.

Shooting Xanax

Some users are known to shoot alprazolam. They use a needle to inject it directly into their bloodstream. This action goes around the digestive system. Therefore, the drug gets to the brain faster and has a stronger effect.  Some users mix the drug with other drugs they are injecting.

Using a needle to inject alprazolam also injects more risks into the situation. Clean needles are hard to come by. Users face several terrible infections when they inject with a used needle. Moreover, injection sites are prone to infection. This is true even if the needle is clean.

Plugging Xanax

Another way that users abuse alprazolam is a method known as plugging. This method involves inserting the pill into the anus. This area of the body is full of capillaries and blood vessels. Users do this to increase the speed at which the drug takes effect. They also try to make the effects of the drug more powerful.

As with other methods of abuse, increasing the speed and power of a drug makes addiction happen faster. Moreover, this method is frequently paired with consuming alcohol or other drugs. As a result, the user creates a bigger risk for complications and health problems. Moreover, the effects of the drug make accidents and other injuries more likely.

The Harms of Snorting Xanax and Xanax Abuse

Now that you know about snorting Xanax and the other ways that alprazolam is abused it is time to learn about the harms of that abuse. People who snort Xanax and abuse the drug face many threats. These threats happen in both the short and long-term. Moreover, alprazolam abuse damages the mind as well as the body.

The effects of the drug and its withdrawal make it one of the hardest addictions to kick. Finding resources for Xanax addiction treatment is extremely important. You do not have to face this battle alone. Call us direct 24/7 for immediate assistance at 855-281-5588.

More Injuries

One of the most common harms of alprazolam abuse is a greater number of injuries. The drug affects people in a fashion very similar to alcohol. Many users suffer from poor coordination and slow response time. As a result, they are more likely to injure themselves. Many users get hurt in falls while walking around. Others cut themselves with sharp objects. It is dangerous to drive a car while abusing alprazolam. Users are prone to accidents because they don’t control the car as well. Additionally, users don’t react as fast as they normally do. This leads to more accidents.

The act of driving serves as an excellent example for another point. People who abuse the drug also create hazards for others. Xanax abuse has obvious dangers for drivers. However, it has similar dangers for co-workers or even family and friends helping to make dinner.

Memory Damage

Another negative effect of alprazolam abuse is memory damage. Abusers say that it is difficult to remember events when high on the drug. This is especially true when the drug is pair with alcohol. As a result, users have problems remembering good things and the bad things they’ve experienced.

This effect of abuse can impact users and their loved ones in many ways. It can destroy relationships and family bonds, as users forget commitments they agree to. Moreover, users forget when they’ve done something to hurt someone’s feelings. This places tremendous stress on relationships. Additionally, memory loss makes it harder to function in everyday life. Users might have problems paying bills on time, keeping track of purchases and expenses, lose important objects, and more.

Emotional and Brain Damage

People who abuse alprazolam can also suffer from emotional damage. Abusers frequently experience mood swings and even bipolar disorder. These mood swings happen while they are on the drug and when they are going through withdrawal. The mood swings can be very intense and can create confusion for the user. Users may damage relationships or hurt their careers because of the mental toll Xanax addiction can take on an individual. Moreover, users have greater difficulty understanding why they started abusing drugs in the first place. In most instances, treatment options for Xanax addiction should consider a dual diagnosis approach. Treating any underlying co-occurring mental health disorders significantly improves the probability that a person can find sobriety long-term.

Suicidal Thoughts

One of the worst side effects of Xanax abuse is an increase in suicidal thoughts. Suicide is a very real problem in America. In fact, many doctors warn patients about suicidal thoughts when they are considering a prescription for the drug. These thoughts can lead to self-harm and suicide. They also make it difficult to engage in effective recovery efforts. Moreover, suicidal thoughts make it more likely that the user will look to other drugs or escalate their addiction. As a result, this increases the risk of overdose and harmful complications.

Overdose

Finally, people who abuse alprazolam risk overdoses. People think that you cannot overdose on benzodiazepines like alprazolam. However, the rate of overdose and death from overdose has increased every year.  People falsely think that prescription drugs are safe. Therefore, they engage in reckless behavior, like snorting Xanax. The effects of the drug can fuel this behavior. However, drugs like Xanax are only safe when used the way your doctor instructs. People who are snorting Xanax, even if they have a prescription, place themselves at risk of becoming another statistic in the growing trend of overdoses and deaths caused by benzodiazepines.

Understanding Snorting Xanax and Other Types of Xanax Abuse

Regardless of how snorting Xanax or alprazolam abuse begins, it is important to stop it. Snorting Xanax creates serious risks for yourself and others. It can cause lasting damage to your body and your mind. No two addictions are the same, but it’s important to keep in mind that many Xanax addicts have been able to find relief and stop snorting Xanax.

Use the information in this post to make informed decisions about Xanax. If you are considering a prescription for the drug, make sure you talk to your doctor. It is important to fully understand the risks you face. Watch out for warning signs, and report anything to your doctor immediately. You should also investigate other ways to control stress and anxiety. Alprazolam addiction and snorting Xanax can be overcome with the right tools and approaches. Never give up on yourself or someone you love, because everyone is worth fighting for.

Are you ready for a change? Discover a compassionate treatment center that offers a wide variety of supportive services for individuals and families that are facing Xanax and other prescription addictions. We have a proven track record and are more than happy to provide resources to you, even if they’re not through our own program. Contact us directly at 855-281-5588 to learn more about AspenRidge Recovery centers.