Xanax is the brand name for a prescription benzodiazepine called alprazolam. Doctors prescribe it to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and seizure disorders. If you have a condition like panic disorder, taking Xanax will depress the central nervous system to reduce symptoms of anxiety.
While Xanax is effective in managing conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, it is only intended for short-term use. When you misuse Xanax, your chances of becoming addicted are high. Unfortunately, Xanax addiction is a substance use disorder that must be treated professionally.
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine (NLM), 17.2% of all people in the United States who take benzodiazepines like Xanax are abusing the medication.
Most people who abuse Xanax swallow or snort the pills. However, there is a liquid version of the drug. The oral solution form of Xanax contains alprazolam intensol. Abusing liquid Xanax increases the chances of addiction, withdrawal, and life-threatening overdoses.
What is Liquid Xanax?
Liquid Xanax is an oral solution that is prescribed instead of tablets or pills. Usually, this type of Xanax is given to people who cannot swallow a pill. It is administered by placing drops in the mouth or mixing it with food or beverages.
Liquid Xanax causes the same side effects as Xanax pills. These side effects may include:
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Memory issues
- Poor coordination or balance issues
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Excessive sweating
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurry vision
- Appetite or weight changes
Liquid Xanax is a prescription drug, which means you must get it from a pharmacy with a doctor’s prescription. If you are buying liquid Xanax off of the street, you might be purchasing a solution with unknown substances. You could receive a dangerous substance like fentanyl, causing you to experience a life-threatening overdose.
Why Do People Abuse Liquid Xanax?
Most people who abuse Xanax start by swallowing the pills. They might take more than a recommended dose to experience a drowsy and euphoric high. Once they begin to develop a tolerance, they might start to look for different forms of Xanax that will cause a more intense effect.
Liquid Xanax tends to be more potent than the capsules. This is mainly due to the way the body metabolizes the oral solution. Additionally, it can be harder to get the dose of liquid Xanax correct, making it easier to take large amounts at once.
The main reasons people misuse liquid Xanax is because of potency, ease of use, and experimentation. When someone gets bored of swallowing Xanax pills, they are likely to seek out the liquid form of the drug.
The Dangers of Abusing Liquid Xanax
Liquid Xanax poses all of the same dangers as alprazolam pills. However, abusing liquid Xanax comes with an increased risk because of how easy it is to overdose. If you are engaging in drug abuse, you should consider seeking help from an addiction treatment center.
The main risks of abusing liquid Xanax include:
Addiction
When you are drinking liquid Xanax without a prescription, you are likely taking large doses. Consuming large amounts of Xanax at once will make you more likely to develop an addiction faster.
The signs of liquid Xanax addiction include:
- Running out of prescriptions early
- Stealing liquid Xanax from loved ones
- Going to multiple doctors to receive more than one prescription
- Faking symptoms to receive a liquid Xanax prescription
- Buying liquid alprazolam off of the street
- Mixing it with other drugs including alcohol, opioids, or other benzos
- Experiencing cravings to abuse liquid Xanax
- Needing to increase the dose of liquid alprazolam to experience the desired effect
- Dealing with withdrawal symptoms when stop using it
If you are addicted to liquid Xanax, a drug rehab center can help. Programs like Mandala Healing Center are here to offer a variety of evidence-based treatments that make recovery from addiction easier.
Withdrawal
When you are addicted to liquid Xanax, that means your brain and body rely on it to function properly. Suddenly stopping the use of it will cause you to experience withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, benzodiazepine withdrawal can be incredibly dangerous without medical treatment.
The symptoms of liquid Xanax withdrawal include:
- Trouble sleeping and nightmares
- Irritability and tension
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Tremors or shaking
- Excessive sweating
- Dry retching and nausea
- Weight loss
- Heart palpitations
- Muscle aches and pain
- Seizures
- Psychosis
Because liquid Xanax withdrawal can lead to seizures and psychosis, attempting to detox at home could be deadly. Instead, seek help from a medical detox center that can offer medications to soothe your symptoms.
Fake Street Versions
There is a drug that is circulating the streets that has the slang term “liquid Xanax”. While it is called Xanax, it actually contains another substance known as flubromazolam. This substance is an analog of benzodiazepines and is not accepted for medical use in the United States.
According to the DEA, recreational use of flubromazolam can lead to “coma, hypotension, and rhabdomyolysis (a breakdown of muscle tissue leading to release of dangerous protein into the bloodstream).”
In other words, attempting to buy liquid Xanax off of the street could result in you receiving a dangerous substance that could cause life-threatening effects.
Overdose and Death
Lastly, abusing liquid Xanax can lead to overdose and death, mainly because it is easy to abuse large amounts of it at once.
The symptoms of a liquid Xanax overdose include:
- Extreme drowsiness or sedation
- Confusion
- Impaired coordination and poor reflexes
- Respiratory depression
- Coma
- Death
If you believe someone is experiencing a liquid alprazolam overdose, contact 911 immediately.
Find Help for Liquid Alprazolam Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one suffer from alprazolam addiction, it’s time to seek help. Mandala Healing Center can offer you the tools and support you need to achieve long-lasting sobriety.
Contact us today to learn how our Xanax rehab programs can help.