Can You Snort Xanax? What Reddit Users Say About the Risks

Doctors regularly prescribe Xanax to treat anxiety and panic attacks, however, it’s also a common drug of abuse. Xanax comes in pill form and is meant to be taken by mouth, but when people abuse it, they may try a number of different approaches to intensify the effects, including crushing and snorting the medication.

In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of snorting Xanax by looking at firsthand experiences of Reddit users. You will learn:

• What Xanax is and how it works
• What happens if you crush and snort Xanax
• Why people snort Xanax
• The dangers of snorting Xanax
• Signs of Xanax addiction and when to seek treatment

If you or someone you love is addicted to Xanax and in need of assistance, we encourage you to reach out to our team at Moving Mountains Recovery today. Our admissions line is open 24-7, and a team member can help you explore your treatment options.

What is Xanax?

Xanax (alprazolam) is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, a prescription medication belonging to the benzodiazepine drug class. 

Xanax comes in various doses, including .25mg, .5mg, 1mg, and 2mg. Xanax pills may also come in different colors and shapes, ranging from rectangular yellow Xanax bars scored into four sections to oval blue Xanax tablets.

Xanax works by enhancing the activity of a natural chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA acts as somewhat of a “brake” for the nervous system, slowing down brain activity to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. When Xanax binds to special receptors in the brain (called GABA-A receptors), it helps GABA work even better. This leads to a calming, relaxing effect that can help relieve anxiety and panic disorders.

Because of how it works, oral alprazolam (Xanax) can be very effective when used as prescribed, but it also carries a high risk of dependence and abuse. When taken for a long time or in higher doses, it can be habit-forming. That’s why it’s important to only take Xanax as directed by a healthcare professional.

Understanding Xanax Abuse

While Xanax is a legitimate prescription medication that can reduce anxiety, panic attacks, and more, people often misuse it for its calming effects. 

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Xanax is a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, indicating a low risk for misuse and dependence. However, as one of the most widely prescribed benzodiazepine medications, thousands of people experience Xanax addiction each year, especially those who take it in higher doses than prescribed.

A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that more than 5.3 million Americans reported misusing prescription benzodiazepines, and an estimated 17.2% of all benzodiazepine use is considered misuse.

Xanax misuse can look different from one person to the next. Common methods of misuse or abuse include:

• Taking more Xanax than directed
• Taking doses more frequently than directed
• Mixing alcohol with other drugs to enhance the effects, such as alcohol, opioids, or other benzodiazepines
• Crushing and snorting Xanax
• Attempting to smoke Xanax
• Dissolving and injecting Xanax

Can You Snort Xanax? What the Science Says

Some people might wonder if snorting Xanax makes it work faster or better than swallowing it. After all, this is true for drugs like oxycodone or heroin.

Technically, you can snort Xanax, but that doesn’t mean that you should or that there’s a good reason to.

When you snort a drug, it goes directly into the nasal passages and is absorbed by the mucous membranes. This route, called “intranasal administration,” bypasses the digestive system and sends the drug straight to the bloodstream. As a result, the drugs have a more rapid onset and modestly increased abuse potential.

The term bioavailability refers to how much of a drug actually gets into your bloodstream to have an effect. When Xanax is taken via oral ingestion (by mouth), its bioavailability is around 80–90%, meaning most of the drug is absorbed. 

While snorting can sometimes offer a faster onset of effects, it doesn’t necessarily increase the total amount of drug absorbed. In fact, studies have shown that snorting it can actually cause less of the drug to be absorbed in the end. That’s because the nasal membranes can’t always absorb the full dose. They can also be easily damaged with repeated use.

Can You Snort Xanax? What Reddit Users Say

Although some Reddit users have made claims that snorting Xanax does work, the majority of users are quick to point out that snorting it doesn’t increase bioavailability in the same way it does with drugs like opioids. 

In a thread on r/drugs, one user posted, writing, “ I’ve snorting soooo many Xanax. Bars, round ones (1mg), footballs (2mg) and they do work just as much as swallowing them. And they say they aren’t water soluble. I was prescribed footballs and they are water soluble. I don’t care what anyone says, placebo, drip into stomach- doesn’t matter.”

In the responses, users explain why snorting Xanax isn’t any more effective than swallowing it, and why the original poster still felt the effects after insufflation (snorting).

A user named adenrules said, “Alprazolam is legitimately almost insoluble in water, and that makes it a terrible candidate for snorting. You’re right, it does work, and anyone who says it does nothing is just parroting what they’ve heard on subs like these…it just doesn’t make sense to me why you’d choose to be wasteful.”

User28833828 goes on to explain exactly why people still feel some of the effects when snorting, explaining, “That’s cuz some of the stuff you snort (especially when you’re snorting a lot of powder with a lot of binder) ends up going down your throat and essentially consumed regularly. It’s still not as bioavailable as just taking the pill.”

Cratesoflemon added, “Alprazolam barely gets absorbed through nasal tissue not to mention getting stuck in your mucus.”

User brenden_unchained puts things in simple terms: “Not water soluble = no better absorption rate going thru the nose.”

Why Do People Snort Xanax? Insights from Reddit

When experimenting with a prescription sedative like Xanax, people often turn to anonymous sources like Reddit to get advice. On subreddits like r/drugs and r/benzodiazepines, users regularly discuss their experiences with snorting Xanax.

One user asks why people would snort it if doing so isn’t any more effective. They write: 

“Swallowing a benzo -vs- snorting it.

Now I’ve seen this debate go back and forth, always with no scientific evidence. It’s to my understanding that the bioavailability of a benzo once insufflated is somewhere around 13% (don’t quote me). As opposed to just swallowing it the body receives over 93%.

Is this true? Why would anyone waste so much of their medication just to toot it and feel like they’ve done something more bad*** and “hard”?”

The user Stimulance- responded by saying, “Snorting things is addictive in itself. The whole process. Some people just dont have a clue. it’s stupid to snort benzos.”

Another user, motherofsiblings, writes, “My brother snorts his Xanax, the least bioavailable benzo to snort if I’m not mistaken, because it’s the “cooler” way of taking it. He’s been on them for almost a decade, you think he would’ve found a better solution if just taking them normally wasn’t enough.”

Normally, people snort drugs when they’re trying to experience a stronger and faster onset of effects. However, when it comes to Xanax, there’s no real reason to snort it. Doing so does not produce stronger or faster effects, but it can cause significant harm.

The Dangers of Snorting Xanax

Snorting Xanax increases the risks associated with the drug and can be incredibly dangerous to your physical and mental health. Learn about the risks below.

Respiratory Depression and Overdose

Snorting Xanax increases the risk of respiratory depression and overdose. Not only is it difficult to regulate dosages when you’re snorting a crushed-up powder, but it’s incredibly easy to take too much. People often imagine getting hit with a strong, euphoric high shortly after snorting Xanax, but it often takes time for the effects to kick in, if they do at all. Impatience can cause people to take more Xanax than they should, only for the effects to kick in stronger, later.

Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants, which means they slow down things like breathing, heart rate, and respiration. Taking too much at once can slow down breathing and respiration to dangerously low levels, resulting in respiratory depression and overdose.

Symptoms of Xanax overdose include:

• Extreme drowsiness or sedation
• Confusion or difficulty thinking clearly
• Impaired cognitive function
• Slurred speech
• Poor coordination or trouble walking
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Fainting or unresponsiveness
• Coma in severe cases

If you suspect someone has been misusing Xanax or other prescription drugs and has suffered an overdose, call 911 immediately. Xanax overdose is often reversible if medical treatment is obtained in time.

Damage to The Respiratory System and Nasal Passages

When you snort Xanax, you’re forcing a powdered form of the medication directly into your nasal passages. Over time, this can lead to significant irritation and damage. The delicate tissues in your nose can become inflamed, causing a chronic runny nose, nosebleeds, and even the formation of painful sores. In more severe cases, snorting Xanax can destroy the nasal septum, which is the cartilage that divides your nostrils. This can lead to permanent holes in the septum (a condition known as septal perforation), which often require surgery to repair.

Potential risks include:

• Runny nose and constant congestion
• Chronic nosebleeds
• Sinus infections and inflammation
• Damage to the nasal septum (including septum perforation)
• Loss of sense of smell
• Irritation in the throat and airways
• Increased risk of lung infections and difficulty breathing

Other Adverse Side Effects

Taking Xanax in a way in which it is not prescribed, such as snorting it, can lead to an increased risk of other adverse side effects. These include:

• Drowsiness and extreme sedation
• Slurred speech
• Confusion and poor coordination
• Memory problems and difficulty concentrating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches and dizziness
• Mood swings or increased aggression
• Heightened risk of fatal overdose and life-threatening respiratory depression

Because snorting Xanax causes it to go through your nasal passages and enter your bloodstream more rapidly, these side effects can be more intense and unpredictable.

Long-Term Effects

The dangers of snorting Xanax don’t stop there, either.

People snort Xanax because they either want to get high or want near-instant relief for anxiety, but it can also cause increased anxiety if it’s abused. But once people become physically dependent, they become consumed with the use of Xanax or other benzos. This comes with anxiety related to how and when they will get their next fix. Additionally, stopping Xanax suddenly can lead to “rebound anxiety,” or worsened anxiety symptoms.

Other long-term effects of Xanax abuse include:

• Memory and learning problems that can persist long after stopping
• Cognitive decline, making it harder to think clearly or make decisions
• Chronic fatigue and sleep disturbances
• Increased risk of depression and mood disorders
• Relationship and social difficulties due to changes in mood and behavior
• Physical health problems, including liver damage, kidney failure, and weakened immune function

Unfortunately, many of these effects can persist even after you stop taking Xanax, but seeking professional help can always reduce the risks.

Physical Dependence and Addiction

Xanax abuse is a dangerous practice that may lead to physical and psychological dependence. Physical dependence occurs when your body gets so used to the drug that you experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it. Withdrawal from Xanax can have intense and even harmful effects, causing symptoms like seizures, severe anxiety, tremors, sweating, and nausea.

Addiction takes this dependence even further. It’s marked by an inability to stop using the drug, cravings, and continued use despite negative consequences like relationship issues or health problems. Xanax addiction can cause a person to prioritize using the drug over other parts of their life, leading to job loss, financial trouble, and serious health risks.

Signs of Xanax Addiction

People often joke, saying, “I need a Xanax,” when they’re feeling stressed or anxious, but for many people, this goes far beyond joking. After long periods of regular use, the body starts to physically and mentally rely on Xanax to feel “normal.” People may even go to extreme lengths to get more Xanax, either by visiting multiple doctors to try to get multiple prescriptions or even purchasing illegal Xanax pills off the street.

When Xanax begins affecting behaviors negatively, leading to compulsive and dangerous use, an addiction has developed.

Common signs of Xanax addiction include:

• Taking higher doses or using it more often than prescribed
• Craving Xanax or thinking about it constantly
• Lying to doctors to get more prescriptions or trying to buy Xanax online illegally
• Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
• Withdrawal symptoms (like anxiety, insomnia, sweating) when not using
• Spending a lot of time and money to get Xanax
• Needing more to get the same effect
• Legal troubles as a result of drug abuse
• Changes in mood or behavior, including increased irritability or depression
• Misusing Xanax in risky situations, like driving or mixing with alcohol

Without treatment, Xanax misuse and addiction can lead to serious health consequences. If you or someone you love is struggling, it’s best to reach out for help sooner rather than later.

Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

Xanax is a benzodiazepine that boosts the calming effects of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain. Over time, your brain adapts by producing less of its own GABA, relying instead on Xanax to maintain that calming effect that causes so many people to abuse and snort Xanax.

When you suddenly stop taking Xanax, your brain is left without enough GABA activity, leading to a state of over-excitation. This imbalance is what causes withdrawal symptoms.

As the drug leaves your system, your central nervous system becomes hyperactive. This can lead to symptoms like anxiety, panic, and insomnia. The intensity of withdrawal symptoms depends on factors like how long you took Xanax, your dose, and your overall health.

Common symptoms of Xanax withdrawal are:

• Increased anxiety and panic attacks
• Insomnia and sleep disturbances
• Irritability and mood swings
• Tremors or shaking
• Muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness
• Headaches
• Sweating and hot flashes
• Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased sensitivity to light, sound, and touch

Without medical supervision, Xanax withdrawal is potentially fatal. People, particularly heavy or long-term Xanax users, can experience seizures, hallucinations, and psychosis, which are medical emergencies requiring immediate attention.

Xanax Addiction Treatment Programs: What to Expect

Xanax addiction can be overwhelming, but treatment programs can help people safely stop using the drug and rebuild their lives. Here’s what to expect when starting a Xanax addiction treatment program:

Medically-Supervised Detox: Tapering off Xanax

Because Xanax withdrawal can be severe, a medically supervised detox program is essential. Rather than stopping abruptly, which can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms, doctors typically use a tapering approach. This means gradually reducing the dose of Xanax over time to ease the withdrawal process and keep people as comfortable and safe as possible.

During detox, medical staff closely monitor vital signs and symptoms to manage any complications. Medications may also be used to treat symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, or seizures. A supportive environment and 24-hour care help ease the stress of withdrawal and provide reassurance throughout the process.

Rehab Levels of Care

After detox, treatment continues with rehab programs that help people build the skills and strategies they need to stay sober. There are several levels of care depending on your needs:

• Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): Provide intensive therapy during the day but allow people to return home or to sober living housing at night.
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): Let people attend therapy sessions while managing other responsibilities like work or school.
• Outpatient Programs (OP): Offer flexible treatment that is less intensive than IOP, usually used as a bridge from IOP to independent living.

Behavioral Therapy and Counseling

Various types of behavioral therapy and counseling techniques are used during treatment to address the root causes of benzo use as well as any co-occurring disorders. In both individual and group settings, people explore the root causes of their benzo use and learn healthier ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and other triggers. 

Therapies used may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Family behavior therapy
• Trauma therapy

Addiction Treatment Aftercare

Aftercare programs, including relapse prevention plans, peer support groups, alumni networks, and ongoing therapy, play a crucial role in helping people stay sober. Aftercare can also help with rebuilding relationships and returning to work or school, making it easier to maintain long-term recovery.

Learn More About Your Xanax Addiction Treatment Options Now

If you or someone you love is struggling with benzodiazepine addiction, know that there’s help available. With medical detox, comprehensive therapy, and supportive aftercare, anyone can overcome benzo addiction. Whether you snort Xanax or smoke it, we want you to know that recovery is possible.

At Moving Mountains Recovery, we offer several levels of care, including partial care, intensive outpatient programming, outpatient treatment, and an alumni group. Our drug abuse treatment programs are evidence-based and can be tailored to meet your unique needs. We’ll help you detox safely, develop healthy coping skills, and obtain the resources you need to stay in recovery.

To learn more about our Xanax rehab programs or to get started with a confidential, risk-free assessment, please contact us today.

References:

1. National Institute of Health (NIH): Alprazolam
2. DEA: Drug Scheduling
3. NIH: Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse Among Adults in the United States
4. NIH: Inhaled vs. oral alprazolam: subjective, behavioral and cognitive effects, and modestly increased abuse potential
5. NIH: Snorting benzodiazepines
6. Science Direct: Exploring clinical applications and long-term effectiveness of benzodiazepines: An integrated perspective on mechanisms, imaging, and personalized medicine
7. American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP): Tapering Patients Off of Benzodiazepines