Xanax, also sold as the generic version alprazolam, is a powerful anti-anxiety medication with a high potential for abuse.
When taken as prescribed, this medication can be tremendously beneficial for people who experience severe anxiety, panic attacks, or phobias. Yet Xanax is often used as a recreational drug, and the dangers of snorting Xanax can cause serious harm to people who use this medication for recreation.
Xanax belongs to a drug class called benzodiazepines. These medications are intended for short-term use to deal with anxiety, panic attacks, or phobias. They are a controlled substance since they have a high potential for abuse.
Many people who use Xanax recreationally prefer snorting Xanax to taking it orally. There are several reasons for this preference, but the dangers of snorting Xanax are much greater than the risks of taking Xanax as prescribed.
Snorting alprazolam increases the risk of addiction and can quickly lead to overdose. Although it’s possible to snort Xanax, doing so can introduce a host of problems. Xanax is easily absorbed through the mucous membranes in the nose, so snorting alprazolam “works” if the goal is to get the drug into the bloodstream.
Xanax snorting provides the same effects as taking it orally, but it delivers the dose to the bloodstream much quicker. Many people report feeling a “rush” when snorting alprazolam compared to taking it as prescribed, and they prefer the sudden intensity of the drug’s effects.
There are several ways that Xanax is misused. The only way to use Xanax safely is by following the directions given to you by your doctor, which is nearly always to take it orally.
People who misuse this drug take several different approaches, including snorting it, chewing it, or crushing it up and smoking it.
Each of these methods intends to skip the slower processing through the digestive system and get Xanax into the bloodstream as quickly as possible.
Snorting Xanax puts you at a much higher risk of severe side effects from this medication. Xanax abuse can be life-threatening, even if you received this medication from a doctor.
Common Side Effects
When snorting Xanax, side effects that are extremely common include:
Severe Side Effects
More severe side effects of snorting alprazolam include:
Other Consequences to Consider
Importantly, the side effects of snorting Xanax inhibit your ability to make good decisions independently. Side effects like memory loss and impaired judgment can lead to accidentally taking more Xanax than intended or performing dangerous activities such as driving a vehicle while under the influence.
The two greatest dangers of Xanax snorting are addiction and overdose. When you snort Xanax, you increase the likelihood of experiencing one of these two dangerous effects, even if you take the same amount as is on your prescription.
Xanax addiction signs can be hard to spot to an outside observer, but people who abuse Xanax feel them regularly. These signs include: 1
If you or a loved one is experiencing these signs, Xanax addiction treatment may be able to help.
In 2020, there were almost one hundred thousand overdose deaths in the United States alone.2 Around 17% of these overdoses involved benzodiazepines like Xanax. These statistics showcase the very real danger that Xanax overdose poses. 3
The signs of Xanax overdose include:
If you see somebody overdose on Xanax, call 911 immediately. Medical professionals may be able to arrive in time to save their life.
One of the sad realities of Xanax addiction is the intense nature of withdrawal. Two common substances cause withdrawal symptoms severe enough to result in death, which are benzodiazepines and alcohol. When you’re ready to stop using Xanax for good, you must seek professional addiction treatment in order to safely achieve sobriety.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms run opposite to the effects that Xanax produces and may include: 4
Starting treatment at a medical detox center can help alleviate these symptoms and make the path to recovery much simpler.
The seizures frequently associated with Xanax withdrawal can be severe enough to cause death. This is why medical detoxification typically involves tapering people off of benzodiazepines in a controlled and monitored manner rather than stopping Xanax use all at once.
When you meet with a medical detox team, they will formulate a plan to slowly wean you off benzodiazepines and provide several complementary treatments to alleviate any symptoms that still remain.
Snorting Xanax
When you or a loved one are ready to start getting help for Xanax addiction, there are several options available to you, including:
An effective combination of these treatments can help you overcome the physical symptoms of withdrawal, address the root cause of your addiction, and learn valuable coping skills to support you in maintaining sobriety for a lifetime.
Genesis Recovery is San Diego’s premier provider of Xanax addiction treatment. Reach out to our expert team to learn more about our extensive treatment options, including detox, residential treatment, and much more.
Anyone can recover from Xanax addiction, and the team at Genesis Recovery can show you the way.