Getting Ready: Preparing Yourself & Your Equipment

Alprazolam has been reported as a preferred substance of abuse to equally potent doses of diazepam, most commonly known as Valium. This is likely due to Xanax’s faster action, getting into the bloodstream and binding to the GABA receptors faster than diazepam. 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. Between 1996 and 2013, the number of adults with benzo prescriptions grew 67% in the U.S. while the total dispensed quantity of pills tripled.

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.

This is the role of evidence-based therapy and support groups and is a necessary component of overcoming any substance use disorder. Xanax addiction is also a risk factor among those with mental illness who have been prescribed the drug for a legitimate purpose. People abuse Xanax by taking higher doses because of the potent relief it provides from stress or concerns.

A British couple who were ringleaders of a gang selling millions of fake Xanax pills around the world have been jailed. Mark Bayley, 63, of Jeremy Road, Wolverhampton, was sentenced to six years and five months. He also previously pleaded guilty to five charges, including conspiracy to supply Class C drugs and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs.

• 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.
• Those in recovery may be temporarily prescribed other medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, such as longer-acting benzodiazepines.
• In particular, Xanax shouldn’t be smoked with other substances, especially other central nervous system depressants like cannabis, due to the increased risk of side effects such as slowed breathing.

The gang used cryptocurrency to buy the powder needed to make the pills from China, which were pressed in four legally-obtained pill-making machines. This medication is sometimes used to treat depression, but this is usually an off-label treatment because it is rare. 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. While you’re detoxing and after, you’ll be given other treatment modalities. This can include behavioral therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.

Getting Ready: Preparing Yourself & Your Equipment

The drugs are most widely taken for anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder. However, some doctors recommend medications like Xanax to relieve anxiety related to mood disorders like depression— and to temper nausea from chemotherapy in cancer treatment. Like other benzo drugs, Xanax is a safe medication when used as directed. Many people have found relief from diagnoses of insomnia, anxiety disorders, or other mental health conditions, by taking doctor-prescribed Xanax. Xanax is the brand name of the drug alprazolam, one of many benzodiazepine prescription drugs used to treat mood disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Not only can you shoot up Xanax, but there are also other forms of administration that users might try to get high, including snorting Xanax. Any form of alprazolam abuse can lead to physical dependence and addiction and can also increase your risk of a fatal overdose. People who inject drugs, especially when they’re central nervous system depressants, are at a much higher risk of fatal respiratory depression and death. If you are injecting Xanax and mixing it with other central nervous depressants like alcohol or opioids, theXanax overdoserisks are exponentially higher.

How does getting an Euflexxa injection compare to getting the cortisone injection?

Powdered drugs must be dissolved into a liquid form before they can be injected—a process known as “cooking.” Different drugs dissolve differently. If you’re using something like injectable morphine or hormones that are already in liquid form, cooking is completely unnecessary. Some drugs will dissolve in water without being heated; some people cook their cocaine, for instance, while many more do not because it can clot when heated, mess up your shot, and clog your needle. Also, new needles and syringes are sterile as opposed to simply clean, which means they’re free of all biological matter that, if present, can cause infection. Using a new, sharp, sterile needle and syringe for every injection and then disposing of it is simply the safest possible way to go.

How Addictive Is Xanax, and What Are the Signs of Addiction?

To this day, they are still among the most widely prescribed drugs despite their risks. 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.

Gang made millions selling fake Xanax pills on dark web

Wash your hands and split whatever cotton you have in two before you use it–it’s virtually impossible to clean such a filter. And remember that sharing water is one of the most efficient ways to pass on or contract a virus or other infection-causing organism. 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.

It can lead to severe damage of the nasal passages, nosebleeds and even lung problems. This is typically done via a manufactured or makeshift tube and is nearly identical to how someone might snort cocaine or heroin. 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.

• It’s a terrifying truth that many users may not realize until it’s too late.
• When binding to these receptors, benzodiazepines allow for the GABA neurotransmitter to remain more available to slow down communication between neurons.
• Cookers and spoons are used to dissolve (cook up) powdered and solid drugs for injection.
• Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that help individuals who have a high degree of anxiety.
• In addition to these programs, we also offer telehealth and rehab programs that are designed specifically for women.

While the gang made £4m, the number of tablets they made could have fetched them more than £11m, the court heard. The inquiry was then picked up by the Regional Organised Crime Unit, which discovered the gang had purchased legally four pill-making machines, enabling them to press more than 16,000 tablets an hour. The gang had initially come to light after an investigation was launched by Pfizer, the manufacturer of the genuine Xanax tablets, which are used to treat anxiety. The court heard he had been involved in packaging, posting and record-keeping and had been “in the middle of packaging pills” when police visited him.

Common Addictions

It increases the probability of life-threatening health issues, exposes how to shoot xanax individuals to infectious diseases, and can accelerate the path to drug dependence and addiction. In addition to these side effects, this method of Xanax abuse increases the rate of tolerance as well as the risk of addiction and overdose. Alprazolam overdose can occur if a regular dose is administered in a way that will flood the body and distribute it all at once.

The only definite way to avoid disease transmission of this sort is to never share needles, syringes, or other injection equipment. In the same way that hospitals will use a needle and syringe only once and then dispose of it, this is the gold standard that anyone who injects drugs should also strive for. Using dull needles causes unnecessary trauma to the veins and surrounding tissue, results in a larger puncture wound and increased bleeding, and is simply not as comfortable as using a new, sharp needle every time. The smaller gauge needle you use, the smaller the puncture wound, and therefore the less opportunity for infection to occur. Using a smaller gauge needle is also likely to result in less bleeding. Intramuscular injections must be given with larger gauge needles (frequently 21G or 23G), and certain substances such as injectable steroids and hormones can only be administered intramuscularly.

Risks of Smoking Benzos

Are you aware of the dangers of smoking, snorting or injecting Xanax? Xanax has been available since the 1980s, and it’s usually prescribed to individuals with anxiety and panic disorders. 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.

Sharing injection equipment even after it has been cleaned is definitely a second-best choice because blood and other matter can remain in a needle or syringe even after cleaning with bleach. If you’re injecting in a relatively public place, like a toilet stall in a public bathroom, try to make it look like you’re changing your clothes or freshening up. Most importantly, always try to stay as calm as possible no matter where you’re injecting. Our team is trained to treat withdrawal symptoms, help patients manage drug cravings, teach patients how to sustain sobriety after rehab, and more.

Medications should only be taken as directed by a physician orother health care professional. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. If one of our articles is marked with a ‘reviewed for accuracy and expertise’ badge, it indicates that one or more members of our team of doctors and clinicians have reviewed the article further to ensure accuracy. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. They may also shop for doctors to write prescriptions or visit dealers to buy drugs.