Snorting Xanax

Is snorting Xanax effective? Any differences between snorting vs taking Xanax orally? And can snorting Xanax get you high? More on snorting Xanax effects here.

3
minute read

If you’re thinking about snorting Xanax, you can prevent serious harm by taking a few steps.

Although we don’t endorse snorting Xanax or any other drug, you should know what can happen. Here, we review what happens in the body while snorting Xanax, Xanax high effects, as well as the dangers and safety concerns of snorting Xanax. We welcome questions about snorting Xanax at the end of this article, and will try to answer all legitimate questions about Xanax use with a personal reply ASAP.

Xanax: What are you really snorting?

Xanax is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Xanax comes in a regular and extended-release tablet and contains the benzodiazepine medication alprazolam. But Xanax also contains the inactive ingredients Cellulose, corn starch, docusate sodium, lactose, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide and sodium benzoate, and coloring agents.

Snorting Xanax to get high

Xanax is intended to be taken orally, but some people will crush the pills and snort the powder to get high. Xanax only causes feelings of euphoria when it’s taken in larger amounts than intended, or when taken by people with no medical need for the drug. Using the drug in such way makes addiction a very possible outcome for any individual. If you’ve been abusing the medication and are now finding it difficult to stop, you may benefit from entering a Xanax addiction treatment program to overcome addiction in a safe and supervised environment.

Snorting allows larger doses to enter the bloodstream directly than taking the tablet orally – particularly in the case of the extended-release tablet. But snorting Xanax can also lead to serious adverse effects, including overdose or death.

Snorting Xanax vs oral

Although onset of action is quicker, how long Xanax in system does not really change when you snort Xanax versus oral tablets.  In fact, Xanax is not meant to be snorted. The oral doses are known to be prescribed in safe amounts with minimal side effects. Snorting Xanax can be dangerous, because it causes the drug to be absorbed in higher amounts than would normally enter the blood all at once. These doses can result in overdose, which can cause confusion, coordination problems, loss of consciousness, and even death. Even if you don’t overdose on Xanax, snorting it raises the risk of serious adverse effects.

How does snorting Xanax affect the body?

Xanax affects the body’s central nervous system. Even when taken orally, Xanax decreases abnormal excitement in the brain, helping to keep people with mood disorders calm. But when snorted, Xanax effects can be more intense and possibly cause a variety of side effects, which can include:

  • dizziness
  • difficulty concentrating
  • drowsiness
  • headache
  • irritability
  • joint pain
  • nausea
  • talkativeness

Snorting Xanax side effects

Taking Xanax orally often causes drowsiness and dizziness. Severe side effects of Xanax are rarer, but may occur more often when the medication is not taken as prescribed. Therefore, the possible serious side effects of snoring Xanax can include:

  • depression
  • hallucinations
  • memory problems
  • seizures
  • suicidal thoughts
  • shortness of breath

Snorting Xanax dangers

Snorting Xanax can have serious risks. For one, Xanax impairs coordination and judgment, putting you at greater risk of auto or industrial accidents. Inhaling Xanax powder through your nose can also damage your nasal passages. But snorting Xanax can also spread diseases, especially infections. How? Overuse and shared straws or snorting instruments. Even more, because of the large doses delivered when you snort Xanax, your risk of addiction and dependence is higher. Finally, overdose and death are also much more likely when the medication is taken in this way.

Snorting Xanax safely

The extended release version of Xanax should never the snorted – the medication is intended to be absorbed slowly by the body, and it’s not safe to release it all at once by crushing the pills. However, for your information, the recommended daily dosage of Xanax is only about 10 mg in one day.

Snorting Xanax questions

Are you addicted to Xanax?  Do you still have questions about taking Xanax? If so, please let us know. We respond to all real Xanax questions with a personal and prompt reply.

Reference Sources: PubMed Health: Alprazolam
Hazardous Substances DataBank: Alprazolam
National Drug Intelligence Center: Prescription Drugs Fast Facts
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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