Are you aware of the dangers of smoking, snorting or injecting Xanax? Xanax is a benzodiazepine and the brand name for Alprazolam. It’s used to facilitate a sense of calm. Xanax has been available since the 1980s, and it’s usually prescribed to individuals with anxiety and panic disorders. Xanax is usually taken orally as a tablet, capsule or liquid. 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. Let’s answer the questions of can you smoke Xanax, why you shouldn’t smoke it, and what you can do to free yourself from a Xanax dependency.

What are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that help individuals who have a high degree of anxiety. They also help relieve muscle spasms and can help reduce the frequency of seizures. These medications induce hypnosis and sedation, which means they are depressants rather than stimulants. Their street names include Downers and Benzos.

Can you smoke Xanax?

Xanax can be physically smoked. When individuals smoke Xanax, they typically crush the pills and mix the powder with another drug, usually tobacco or marijuana. This is called lacing because the tobacco or marijuana is laced with Xanax. The second method of smoking Xanax involves smoking only the powder with the use of a pipe.

What are the dangers of smoking Xanax?

It’s important to note that while Xanax can be smoked, it’s not recommended and can cause health problems, including pneumonia, trouble breathing and heart problems. Not to mention, Xanax should never be combined with other substances, especially depressants. This can lead to extremely slow breathing.

Can you snort Xanax?

When Xanax pills are crushed into a powder, they can be snorted. This is typically done via a manufactured or makeshift tube and is nearly identical to how someone might snort cocaine or heroin.

What are the dangers of snorting Xanax?

It’s important to understand that snorting Xanax is dangerous. It can lead to severe damage of the nasal passages, nosebleeds and even lung problems. Not to mention, it could result in an overdose.

Can you inject Xanax?

It is possible to physically inject Xanax. This method involves taking the crushed powder and dissolving it in a liquid before putting it in a syringe. While that liquid could be sterile saline, it’s most often not a sterile liquid and could result in injecting pathogens into the bloodstream.

What are the dangers of injecting Xanax?

Injecting Xanax is not recommended or safe. It can lead to severe infections, blood clots and overdoses. Not to mention, if needles are shared between users, it could result in getting infected with HIV or hepatitis.

Why do people snort, smoke and inject Xanax?

Individuals choose to snort, smoke or inject Xanax in order to intensify the effects of the drug and to decrease the time it takes for the drug to take effect. Unfortunately, snorting, smoking and injecting Xanax can lead to dependency.

What are the signs of Xanax dependency?

An individual may have a Xanax dependency if they smoke, snort or inject the drug. The individual may also use more of the medication than they are prescribed and visit multiple doctors in order to maintain their supply. They may also isolate themselves in an effort to hide their dependency. Individuals who are dependent on Xanax may appear to be fatigued or extremely drowsy. They may display signs of memory loss, have low motivation and be unable to concentrate. Individuals with a dependency on Xanax may also experience nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, delirium and light-headedness. They may miss work or school and have financial or legal problems due to their substance use disorder.

What are the signs of a Xanax overdose?

Despite Xanax being a legal medication that’s prescribed for anxiety, panic disorders, muscle spasms and seizures, it is still possible to overdose on it. Individuals who are overdosing on Xanax may have slurred speech and slow reaction times, and they may appear to be confused. They can also experience chest pain, tremors, breathing problems and convulsions. If you suspect that someone is suffering from a Xanax overdose, it’s important to get them emergency medical treatment right away.

What is the treatment process for Xanax dependency

Treatment for a Xanax dependency starts with detox. This is where you cease taking the Xanax and let your body rid itself of the substance. Detoxing from Xanax can take anywhere from one week to one month. If you’re a heavy Xanax user or have medical conditions for which the Xanax was initially prescribed, you may be given medication-assisted detox.

While you’re detoxing and after, you’ll be given other treatment modalities. These most often revolve around therapy. This can include behavioral therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. It can include psychotherapy as well as motivational interviewing and contingency management, and it may also involve participating in individual and group therapy.

Participating in various forms of therapy can help you analyze your thoughts and behaviors so that you understand yourself and your motivations better. Therapy can help you turn negative thinking and behaviors into positive thinking and productive actions, and it can help you process your past addictive behavior so that you can move forward in your life as a sober, happy and healthy person.

What types of treatment are available for individuals with Xanax dependency?

There are various types of treatment programs available. The one you choose will be dependent on your level of addiction, the amount of time you’ve been using Xanax and your family and work obligations. At Illinois Recovery Center, we offer medical detox, residential treatment, outpatient treatment and partial hospitalization. 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.

How do you get treatment for Xanax Dependency?

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.

If you need treatment for a Xanax dependency, give our friendly representatives a call today.

The post Dangers of Snorting, Smoking, or Injecting Xanax appeared first on Illinois Recovery Center.