Snorting Xanax - Side Effects & Risks

Whether it’s because they’ve developed a physical tolerance (meaning it takes more of the drug to get the desired high) or because they simply want to intensify its effects, some users will use medications like Xanax in ways they were never intended, including crushing the pills and snorting them.

The main reason for this is that many users believe snorting Xanax will make the drug start working more quickly and/or increase the intensity of the effect or high they get from it. However, studies performed on both animals and humans have not shown any evidence that snorting Xanax will help the drug take effect in the brain any sooner – with the exception of the time-released formulations of the medication. Similar studies also suggest that the effects aren’t any more pronounced than when it’s taken orally.

Of course, addiction and overdose are two of the primary health concerns, but snorting prescription drugs can also lead to other health consequences. Because these kinds of medications are formulated to be taken orally, they contain things like cellulose and other chemical binders and filler ingredients that can harm the nasal passages, throat and lungs, and can cause issues like:

• Blocked airways
• Sinus inflammation
• Damage to the nasal cavity
• An increased risk of sinus infections
• Loss of sense of smell
• Lung infections

When users escalate their substance abuse to the point that they are snorting pills, there is also the risk that they will purchase tablets made by illicit manufacturers. Often purchased illegally online or from street dealers, these “knock-off” Xanax pills (which may or may not contain the actual active ingredient, alprazolam) are typically made in countries where there is little over no oversight into the production and may contain dangerous additives that are harmful if swallowed or inhaled.

Additional specific health consequences of snorting Xanax include nasal irritation, chronic runny nose, and chronic nose bleeds which can lead to a perforated septum. These issues result directly from the mechanical damage that the undissolved particles cause to the delicate tissues of the nasal cavity and sinus areas. Prolonged exposure can exacerbate these conditions, potentially leading to a permanent loss of the sense of smell and an increased risk of infection. Moreover, the method of snorting enhances the drug’s potency and speed of absorption, significantly increasing the risk of a fatal overdose.

Besides the damage inhaling pills designed for oral use can have on the nose, throat and lungs, abusing benzodiazepines drugs like Xanax can lead to a number of other problems in both the body and the brain, including:

To determine if you might have a Xanax addiction, it’s important to recognize various signs and symptoms that may indicate dependency on the medication. Addiction to Xanax typically manifests through both behavioral and physical indicators.

Behavioral signs include an overwhelming preoccupation with obtaining and using Xanax, neglecting social, professional, or educational responsibilities, and isolating oneself from family and friends. You might notice a decline in personal grooming and self-care practices, along with increased absenteeism or decreased performance at work or in school.

Physical symptoms can also arise, such as difficulty sleeping, frequent mood changes, easily triggered emotional outbursts, and an intensification of underlying psychological conditions, for example, heightened anxiety or depression when not using the drug. A key indicator of addiction is the presence of withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Xanax, which confirms physical dependence on the drug.

If attempting to stop Xanax results in withdrawal symptoms, or if it feels impossible to quit despite a desire to do so, these are strong indicators of addiction. Because withdrawal can be severe, it is advisable to seek medical supervision during the process. Comprehensive treatment tailored to individual needs is recommended, and professional help from addiction treatment centers can offer the necessary support and guidance.

Physical dependence on Xanax can develop very quickly – within just a couple of weeks of use. When a person becomes physically dependent on the drug, they will increasingly need higher doses to achieve the same effect they desire, and when there is none present the user will experience unpleasant and even dangerous withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can set in quickly after the last dose wears off, usually within a few hours.

The amount of dose length and frequency of use contribute to the intensity of the Xanax withdrawal symptoms which may include:

• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
• Increased anxiety and nervousness
• Tremors
• Intense sweating
• Memory issues
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Mood swings
• Seizures
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
• Delirium Tremens – a life threating, emergency medical condition

Some of these withdrawal symptoms – insomnia, nausea and vomiting, etc. – are merely uncomfortable, while others can be life-threatening problems. For this reason, abruptly quitting Xanax is not recommended.

The safest and most effective way to quit and recover from addiction to Xanax or any other sedative medication is to undergo inpatient treatment with a qualified substance addiction treatment provider like Enterhealth that can help you safely taper off the medication under close medical supervision.

Enterhealth Ranch provides patients with supervised drug and alcohol detox (also known as withdrawal stabilization) services for Xanax addiction, which includes anti-addiction medication therapy. Our trained medical staff and addiction treatment professionals help patients safely lower their dose over time while closely monitoring their health to prevent and treat any potentially dangerous reactions or complications.

In addition, because people who abuse Xanax often experience mental health issues such as depression and anxiety (whether pre-existing, or as a result of the substance abuse), we also employ mental health evaluations, psychiatric care and behavioral therapy interventions to treat these conditions throughout recovery. This helps to address the dysfunctional thought patterns and behaviors that contributed to and exacerbated their substance abuse and greatly reduces the chances of relapse.