In rare instances, it may be used to treat premenstrual symptoms or agoraphobia (fear of open spaces). 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. No, you should not shoot or inject Xanax, always take your medicine as prescribed. Injecting benzodiazepines can be dangerous as the pills do not dissolve well and can block blood vessels if injected causing scarring and bruising, and may lead to blood clots or the loss of a limb. There is also the risk of infections and blood borne virus transmission such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV.

Dangers of Snorting, Smoking, or Injecting Xanax

Crushing and snorting Xanax (alprazolam) is common among people who misuse drugs. After inhaling the drug, it is rapidly absorbed through the mucous membranes in your nasal passages and into the bloodstream and brain. The effects of the substance occur much faster in the central nervous system. Snorting benzos will have this effect on anyone who abuses these medications in this way. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor if you have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, if you use or have ever used street drugs, or have overused prescription medications.

Higher Chance of Overdose

If you or a family member needs addiction treatment, you can find help at Bedrock Recovery Center, a treatment center located in Massachusetts. Smoking prescription drugs has become more popular among young adults who abuse drugs and represents a step deeper into the world of drug use. Injecting Xanax should seem terrifying, but for some users, it comes across as the ideal way to get Xanax into the bloodstream fast. When a person shoots up Xanax, they are increasing their chances of overdosing. Xanax absorbs within the liver first and foremost, breaking it down into a manageable, safe dosage. Preparation involves chopping Xanax tablets up into a fine powdery substance.

Those people, places and things that can cause craving, as well as internal triggers like feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Kim also clients with identifying and building healthy relationships now that they’re clean and sober. 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.

Side Effects of Xanax

Like all benzodiazepine drugs, Xanax increases the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) – a neurotransmitter that lowers nerve impulses throughout the body – in the brain. 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. Benzodiazepines, also known as benzos, are psychoactive drugs used to treat many different conditions including anxiety, panic disorders, seizures, and even alcohol withdrawal. An individual may have a Xanax dependency if they smoke, snort or inject the drug.

However, it is unlikely that the effect of Xanax is more intense when it is smoked. Many believe that crushing Xanax pills and snorting them results in a faster, more intense high. 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. Xanax or alprazolam abuse arises when the drug is taken more often, for too long, or at a higher dose than prescribed. Consuming Xanax in any way other than swallowing the pill as instructed by a healthcare professional also constitutes Xanax abuse. Abusing Xanax can also result in drug dependence and, if taken for an extended period, it becomes highly addictive, so it is often only prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Can you smoke Xanax?

Our admissions counselors and professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the disease of addiction. Many of these symptoms occur because the stronger effects of snorted Xanax may be too much for a person. Snorting involves crushing a drug, often with a razor, until it becomes a powder. It is then divided into sections called “lines” and snorted with an implement, such as a paper that has been rolled or a straw.

As a benzo, Xanax has intense withdrawal symptoms, which require medical supervision to avoid serious physical harm and illness. The standard way that benzos are taken orally is in a small tablet form. For addicts who abuse benzodiazepines, swallowing pills may not be enough and they may crush up the pills to either snort, smoke, or even inject them. This is so that they can get the entire dose of the drug all at once, causing a near-instantaneous euphoric high which increases the relaxing and calming effect of benzos. Not only does using benzodiazepines in any way other than is prescribed by a doctor very dangerous, especially injecting it, it is also deadly as it increases the risk for an overdose.

• The second method of smoking Xanax involves smoking only the powder with the use of a pipe.
• I then decided to go back for my mental health therapy license after that and working in a forensic treatment center.
• Treatment does not just address the addiction itself; it can help a person work through comorbidities like depression and anxiety.
• The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members.
• The amnesia effect compounds with repeated use, potentially causing lasting cognitive damage.

The Risks of Injecting Benzodiazepines

• Stopping Xanax abuse requires more than getting over withdrawal symptoms or breaking physical dependence.
• This explains why people mixing Xanax and alcohol often attempt driving despite knowing better, engaging in risky sexual behaviour, or making financial decisions they’d never consider sober.
• Both scenarios create life-threatening risks as alcohol with Xanax is dangerous regardless of the order consumed; neither approach is safer than the other.
• Of all the methods of taking Xanax, injecting the drug is likely the most dangerous.
• This is extremely dangerous as Xanax should not be taken with any other substances.

The amnesia effect compounds with repeated use, potentially causing lasting cognitive damage. Alcohol Xanax interactions hijack your brain’s GABA receptors—the neural “brakes” that calm excessive activity. Breathing patterns grow shallow and irregular while your heart struggles to maintain proper can you shoot up xanax rhythm. You’re not simply relaxed; you’re sliding toward a physiological shutdown.

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. Our team is trained to treat withdrawal symptoms, help patients manage drug cravings, teach patients how to sustain sobriety after rehab, and more.

It can lead to severe damage of the nasal passages, nosebleeds and even lung problems. Drug abuse of any kind can also impact other areas of your life, including your relationships, work or school performance, mental health, finances, and more. If you or a loved one is addicted to Xanax or any other drug or alcohol, our Christian drug rehab can help. Despite the possible consequences, once an addiction to alprazolam takes hold of someone, they may not be able to quit without prescription drug addiction treatment and medical assistance. On the other hand, while Xanax is often effective in treating anxiety when taken as prescribed, Xanax abuse is also common. Once someone is taking Xanax for a few weeks, tolerance begins to develop, requiring the user to take more doses to achieve the same effects.

Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. If you or someone you love are ready to take the necessary steps to get sober, the best way to start is with a medically assisted detox process. Due to the brain rewiring after prolonged use, withdrawal symptoms can be extremely intense and even deadly when you abruptly stop.

There are several ways to take Xanax, including oral tablets, capsules, and liquid form. From getting admitted to rehab, to covering the costs of treatment and using your health insurance, our team is here to help you each step of the way. Call us today to get started with treatment or verify your benefits online.

Tasks requiring split-second decisions become impossible as neural pathways struggle to transmit signals through the fog. Driving becomes equivalent to operating heavy machinery blindfolded; even crossing a street transforms into a high-risk activity when drinking on Xanax. Standing, walking, or even sitting upright becomes a complex puzzle your brain can’t solve. The resulting falls account for countless injuries, from minor bruises to fatal head trauma. This loss of motor control occurs at blood alcohol levels far lower than what would normally cause impairment.