Xanax is the brand name for a benzodiazepine medication called alprazolam.[1] While this medication is effective in treating anxiety and seizure disorders, it is highly habit-forming and addictive. Because Xanax can provide feelings of euphoria, calmness, and intoxication, many people abuse their prescriptions or buy Xanax from dealers on the street.
When people buy Xanax on the street, they may refer to it using street names, slang terms, or nicknames. Knowing the most popular Xanax street names and slang terms can help you determine whether your loved one is abusing the substance.
Why Do Xanax Dealers and Users Use Street Names?
When someone is selling or purchasing illicit drugs, they may use slang terms, street names, and nicknames to refer to the substance. More often than not, this is done to ensure that law enforcement or family members cannot determine that they are speaking about drugs.
Every single drug has tons of slang terms and nicknames associated with it. For example, heroin is often called “boy” or “dog food,” while cocaine is frequently referred to as “white girl.” Using nicknames ensures that people who are not involved in the drug scene cannot identify that a person is discussing the sale or purchase of illicit substances.
Common Xanax Street Names and Nicknames
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 5.2 million people abused benzodiazepines like Xanax in 2018.[2] While Xanax is legal to obtain through a prescription, it is commonly sold illegally on the street.
Being aware of the common street names and nicknames associated with illicit Xanax can help you determine whether your loved one is abusing the substance.
The most common slang terms and street names for Xanax include:[3]
- Bars
- Benzos
- Bicycles
- Handlebars
- Bicycle parts
- Bricks
- Footballs
- Hulks
- L7
- Ladders
- Palitroque
- Planks
- Peaches
- School buses
- Sticks
- Upjohns
- White boys
- White girls
- Xannies or zannies
- Yellow boys
- Zanbars
- Z-bars
While these are the common and well-known nicknames for Xanax, there could be other terms that your loved one is using to refer to the substance. As a result, it is important to look for other signs of Xanax addiction when determining whether your loved one requires professional help. For example, look for behavioral changes, a preoccupation with substances, changes in personal grooming habits, and sudden changes in sleep, eating, or weight.
Xanax Slang Terms Based on Appearance
Each of the street names associated with alprazolam may be used in different circumstances. Many of the nicknames refer to a specific type of Xanax, helping people be specific about the substance they are buying (such as the dose) without being found out.
There are several different dosages of Xanax, each one with a different appearance.
Xanax pills that are referred to as “peaches” are peach-colored and oval-shaped pills that are 0.5 mg. “Footballs” are blue-colored and oval-shaped pills that are 1 mg and “school buses” or “bars” are yellow-colored oblong pills that resemble a bar. Each Xanax pill will have the word “XANAX” imprinted with the dosage.
Because many of the Xanax pills sold by drug dealers are fake, sometimes the pills are not imprinted with the proper labels. For example, it’s common for drug dealers to forget to imprint the dosage on the pill and only put the word “XANAX.” Some of these pills might not have anything imprinted on them at all.
How to Know When it’s Time to Get Help for Xanax Abuse and Addiction
People can get addicted to Xanax after taking it for a medical condition or from abusing the drug recreationally. Either way, Xanax addiction should always be treated with the help of a drug and alcohol rehab center. While it can be difficult to determine whether your loved one is suffering from Xanax addiction, there are specific signs to look out for, including:
- Excessive and uncharacteristic drowsiness
- Impaired coordination
- Slurred speech
- Requiring more of the drug to feel its effects (developing a tolerance)
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you cannot take the substance
- Mood swings and behavioral changes
- Memory problems
- Concentration issues
- Lack of motivation
- Loss of interest in normal daily activities
- Experiencing strong cravings for the drug
- Avoiding tasks that require sustained attention
- Strained relationships with family and friends
- Financial problems due to excessive spending on the drug
Find Help for Xanax Abuse and Addiction Today
If you or a loved one abuse Xanax regularly, you may be suffering from an addiction. Benzodiazepine addiction can be extremely dangerous, especially if you attempt to quit using the drug on your own. The symptoms of Xanax withdrawal can be severe and life-threatening, making it imperative that you seek help from a licensed drug detox and rehab facility.
At Mandala Healing Center, Clients are taken on a journey of healing through complete immersion into evidence-based clinical modalities, multifaceted alternative therapies, and expert medical management, allowing them to fully detox and recover from drug and alcohol addictions. Through a program of care designed to encourage change, a foundation is created that allows clients to find their higher purpose and reclaim their lives.
Contact the Mandala Healing Center today to get started on your recovery.
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