Xanax can be consumed in a few different ways. The method for consumption growing most in popularity is snorting – that’s because it causes a faster and more intense high. If only the people snorting xanax knew the side effects of doing so! Snorting is no good at all. It can cause numerous health problems, most prominently damage to the nostrils, nasal cavity, and throat. Furthermore, snorting might not actually cause the drug to be absorbed faster and with more intensity. In fact, there is little to NO scientific data that proves this point. In this article we’ll explore snorting Xanax, the damage it causes, and how you can help when yourself or a loved one is dependent on it.
What is Xanax?
Xanax is a sedative, usually prescribed for the management of anxiety, panic attacks, and panic disorder. Xanax, or Alprazolam, falls within the category of drugs known as benzodiazepines, or benzos. Xanax is most commonly prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety, but some individuals may turn to the streets to seek out the substance. This is especially dangerous because counterfeit Xanax has become increasingly popular. Xanax is a highly addictive substance. Withdrawal from it can be dangerous if not monitored by a professional.
Xanax Statistics
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration SAMHSA recently came out saying that more and more Americans are misusing Xanax and other similar drugs. The good thing is, SAMHSA is aware of this information because more people than ever are attempting to get help. Let’s look at some more statistics:
- Benzodiazepine-related abuse treatment admissions tripled in the ten year period between 1998 and 2008.
- The Benzo trend continues to increase. In 1998, 22,400 people were admitted for treatment for benzo abuse. While in 2008, 60,000 were admitted. In 2017, 286,000 were admitted.
- Benzodiazepine prescriptions hit their peak in 2013, when almost 50 million Xanax prescriptions were written.
- Alprazolam, also known as Xanax, was at one point the most prescribed psychiatric medication in the US, that was until 2016, when Sertraline, an antidepressant most commonly known as Zoloft, surpassed it.
The Trend of Xanax Addiction
Unfortunately, Xanax abuse is trending in the US again. In fact, abusing prescription drugs is a trend that hasn’t died down, affecting teens and adults from sea to sea. The problem with Xanax in particular is that it carries a high potential for dependency and abuse. While it isn’t common to overdose on Xanax, it is possible when the drug is combined with other substances. The combination causes respiratory depression, and ultimately, death. Another big problem with Xanax is tolerance. Once an individual begins taking Xanax, their tolerance to it builds rapidly. If an individual is abusing the drug, taking more and more oral doses each day, one day they’re going to find out that the dose they originally took has absolutely no effect on them whatsoever. In this case, the Xanax-dependent individual will likely turn to other methods to capture that “benzo high.” Sometimes they’ll resort to snorting the drug, and sometimes they’ll inject it. Either scenario is no good, but injection comes with an entirely independent set of risks.
Risk of Xanax Addiction
When an individual misuses Xanax for a long period of time, they may become dependent on it or addicted to it. Certain people are at a higher risk of Xanax dependence. Here are indications of a higher risk profile:
- Personal history of substance abuse issues
- Currently in recovery for alcohol addiction
- Family history of substance abuse issues
- Chronic, unresolved pain
- A mental health condition, including:
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Insomnia
Signs and Symptoms of Withdrawal
Suddenly discontinuing Xanax is uncomfortable and can even be dangerous. Individuals who have been taking large doses of Xanax for a period of time may experience extreme agitation and seizures if they quit abruptly. Withdrawal from Xanax, even for mild users can be incredibly uncomfortable, even painful. Here are some of the symptoms of withdrawal:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Rapid heart rate
- Agitation
- Depression
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Delirium
- Psychosis
- Grand mal seizures
- Violent muscle contractions
- Loss of consciousness
In Conclusion: Get Help for Snorting Xanax
Snorting Xanax is a prevalent way to illicitly administer it. There are numerous health risks to snorting Xanax, including causing damage to the nasal cavity and throat. At the same time, researchers aren’t sure if it actually causes the user to get higher faster – which is why people snort Xanax. In fact, some researchers think the user might get the same effects in the same amount of time. When you think about the fact that snorting Xanax comes with increased health risks, why snort it at all? One good thing to mention is that when someone stops snorting Xanax, the mucous membranes in their nose recover. If you or a loved one is dependent on Xanax, get help today. Make sure to work with a trained profession because unmanaged benzo withdrawal is associated with potentially lethal complications, including seizures. That’s why supervised medical detoxification is always best.
