Xanax is the brand name for a benzodiazepine medication called alprazolam. Alprazolam is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders.[1] While Xanax has medicinal uses, it is known to be habit-forming and highly addictive when abused.
Benzodiazepine abuse is extremely common, and it accounted for 17.5% of all benzodiazepine use in the United States.[2]
Xanax comes in a variety of dosages and two different forms: tablets and liquid. Most people who are prescribed Xanax receive a tablet that is intended to be swallowed. However, individuals who might have a hard time swallowing a pill or those who are in medical settings might receive liquid Xanax. Liquid Xanax can come in the form of drops or an IV solution.
While liquid Xanax is only available by prescription, it might be found on the street. Taking liquid Xanax that does not come from a doctor can be incredibly dangerous.
1. Liquid Xanax is a Benzodiazepine
Xanax is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines increase the amount of a neurotransmitter in your brain known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).[3] This is what causes you to feel drowsy, tired, and relaxed.
Xanax is primarily used to treat panic attacks and anxiety disorders. However, this medication might also be used to treat treatment-resistant depression and insomnia.
Liquid Xanax is the same thing as the alprazolam that comes in a tablet, which means it’s used to treat the same conditions. The main difference is that liquid Xanax is only used for people who will have a hard time swallowing a pill.
2. Xanax Has a Shorter Onset Than Other Benzos
Most benzodiazepines take a while to start working, but last long. For example, the effects of Ativan can last for up to 8 hours. However, liquid Xanax takes 30 minutes to an hour to kick in and only lasts for up to 6 hours.[4]
When a substance does not take as long to start producing effects, the risk of addiction increases because of the euphoria fast-acting drugs can produce.
If you or a loved one abuse liquid Xanax and begin noticing that you have to increase your dosage to experience the desired effect, you could be building a tolerance. Tolerance as well as physical and psychological dependency are the three main signs of benzodiazepine addiction.
3. It is Easier to Overdose on Liquid Xanax
When you are abusing the liquid form of any addictive substance, you are more likely to overdose because it can be easy to accidentally pour too much of the substance into your drink or your mouth. When you are taking a prescription pill, you know exactly what dose you are taking.
Signs of a Xanax overdose include:[4]
- Extreme drowsiness
- Confusion
- Impaired coordination and reflexes
- Respiratory depression
- Coma
- Death
If you or a loved one are displaying the signs of a Xanax overdose, contact emergency medical services immediately.
4. There are Fake Street Versions of Liquid Xanax
Like most drugs of abuse, liquid Xanax is being made and sold illicitly. The liquid Xanax you find on the street is typically created by illegal drug manufacturers who do not follow FDA guidelines, so there is no way to tell what substances it contains or how potent the substance is.
Because of this, you should never buy liquid Xanax on the street. The only safe way to use it is by obtaining a prescription and carefully following your doctor’s instructions.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “In 2021, nearly 14% of overdose deaths involving opioids also involved benzodiazepines.”[5]
5. Mixing Liquid Xanax With Other Substances Can be Dangerous
When you abuse liquid Xanax, you might develop a tolerance to the substance, forcing you to take higher doses or mix Xanax with other drugs to enhance the effects. Combining Xanax with opioids and other drugs can be incredibly dangerous and often leads to life-threatening overdoses. These risks are increased when you are taking liquid Xanax.
You should never mix liquid Xanax with any substance before consulting with your doctor.
Find Help for Xanax Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one abuse benzodiazepines of any kind, a benzodiazepine rehab center can help you regain control over your life. Benzodiazepine addiction can lead to an array of social, emotional, and physical health issues, including life-threatening overdoses. Attending addiction treatment can provide you with the tools and support you need to achieve long-term sobriety.
To learn more about our Xanax rehab programs, contact Moving Mountains Recovery today.
References:
- National Library of Medicine: Alprazolam, Retrieved May 2023 from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684001.html
- National Library of Medicine: Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse Among Adults in the United States, Retrieved May 2023 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30554562/
- National Library of Medicine: Benzodiazepine modulation of GABAA receptor opening frequency depends on activation context: A patch clamp and simulation study, Retrieved May 2023 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2834588/
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Drug Fact Sheet – Benzodiazepines, Retrieved 2023 from https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Benzodiazepenes-2020_1.pdf
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Benzodiazepines and Opioids, Retrieved 2023 from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids
