Can You Snort Xanax? Short and Long-Term Side Effects & Dangers

By We Level Up | Editor Yamilla Francese | Clinically Reviewed By Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS, Director of Quality Assurance | Editorial Policy | Research Policy | Last Updated: March 22, 2023

Xanax Abuse Statistics

Long-term use of Xanax causes severe addiction and abuse since it is highly addictive. The most popular psychiatric drug prescribed in the US is Xanax.

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What Happens If You Snort Xanax? Do People Snort Xanax? Long-Term Effects of Snorting Xanax & Snorting Xanax Effects

Does Snorting Xanax Do Anything? Does Snorting Xanax Work? Why Do People Snort Xanax? Sniffing Xanax

Contrary to popular belief, benzodiazepines like Xanax may not truly provide a better high when crushed and snorted. No direct nose-to-brain transport was observed in animal research on the effects of diazepam (another benzodiazepine), indicating that nasal administration did not hasten the drug’s entry into the brain.

This means that those who snort Xanax may not experience any different effects from those who take it orally and instead face the numerous risks associated with drug-sniffing, such as:

• Nasal damage.
• Increased risk of infections.
• Irritation of the nasal cavity.
• Increased risk of nasal infections.
• Loss of sense of smell.

Can U Snort Xanax? Can I Snort Xanax? Side Effects Of Snorting Xanax

Various Xanax side effects may impact a person’s physical and mental health. Xanax side effects could include the following:

Users also experience the numerous negative effects of nasal insufflation outlined above. Drowsiness, confusion, and lack of concentration are a few Xanax side effects that can make it difficult for someone to drive safely and raise their risk of an accident. Those who are intoxicated should refrain from these actions for their own safety.

Can Xanax Be Snorted? Can You Sniff Xanax? Can Snorting Xanax Cause an Overdose? Xanax Snorting

It’s doubtful that taking Xanax as a doctor directs will have a negative impact. Alprazolam can have hazardous side effects if misused, including taking more than the recommended amount, combining it with other medicines and alcohol, and snorting it. Snorting Xanax carries several risks, including the potential for dosage error and accidental overdose. This makes Xanax overdoses more likely.

Frequent indications of an overdose on alprazolam include:

• Profound drowsiness.
• Confusion
• Poor coordination.
• Loss of consciousness.

A Xanax overdose may be lethal in some circumstances. It may even be more deadly than other benzodiazepines, according to some data. Call 911 right away if you think someone may be overdosing on Xanax. When a person takes a hazardous amount of Xanax, an overdose develops. The quantity of Xanax that will result in an overdose varies from person to person and is based on several variables, including a person’s weight and general health.

Even after just one use, a person could overdose. A deadly overdose is substantially more likely when Xanax is taken with alcohol or other prescription medicines, such as opioids or opiates. Other elements that could raise the danger of an overdose include:

• Taking Xanax without a prescription.
• Using more Xanax than prescribed.
• Using Xanax in ways other than prescribed.

Xanax Addiction Treatment

Xanax Detoxification

A crucial initial stage in the rehabilitation process is detoxification. It can occur in inpatient and outpatient settings and must incorporate these 3 crucial elements:

• Evaluation and assessment.
• Stabilization.
• Promotion of patient readiness for treatment.

Those detoxing from CNS depressants should do it under medical supervision so they can gently go off the medication. Currently, no drugs are FDA-approved to treat sedative (like Xanax) addiction.

Inpatient Treatment

An institution that offers round-the-clock care and a secure atmosphere for treatment or inpatient therapy. Depending on the demands of each patient, inpatient treatment may last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. A few examples of inpatient treatment are:

• Residential inpatient services, with 24-hour care by trained counselors and medical providers.
• Medically managed intensive inpatient services, with 24-hour nursing care, daily physician care, and counseling, are available 16 hours a day.

Can You Snort Xanax? We Level Up Dual Diagnosis Treatment

The definition of dual diagnosis (also referred to as co-occurring disorders) can differ between institutions. However, it is generally described as the specific treatment of someone diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder simultaneously. Treating dual-diagnosis clients is a critical aspect of our inpatient treatment experience because co-occurring disorders are strongly correlated with instances of substance abuse.

Creating a treatment plan that addresses the physical aspects of withdrawal, the psychological connection with drug use, and managing underlying mental health disorders is part of setting clients up for success.  A thorough mental health analysis identifies possibilities for treatment.  Meeting with mental health counselors and medical care providers means access to behavioral therapy and medication treatment. At our dual diagnosis treatment center, We Level Up can implement the highest quality of care. 

We recognize the fragile complexities of how mental and substance abuse disorders can influence others and sometimes result in a vicious cycle of addiction.  That’s why we offer specialized treatment in dual-diagnosis cases to provide the most excellent chance of true healing and long-lasting recovery.

Accepting that you may be living with a mental illness can be challenging. However, treating the presenting substance abuse case can be magnitudes easier once properly diagnosed and treated. Only a properly trained medical professional can diagnose these underlying conditions.  If you believe you are suffering from a disorder alongside addiction, we urge you to seek a qualified treatment center to begin your journey to recovery. Call We Level Up today.

Can You Snort Xanax? Prescription Drug Abuse Informative Video

Jen’s Addiction Recovery Testimonial

“I wanted my life back. I was a shell of a person. I wanted to be trusted, I wanted relationships back that I lost, mainly my children and family. It started innocent enough, I got into a car accident and then I got kind of sucked into the whole, you know, medication issue with the pills. And before I knew it, I was in a cloud. I was sucked in by addiction and with my mind, I kept thinking it was OK because a doctor was prescribing this for me, a doctor was giving me this, a doctor was giving me that.

So, I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong. Level Up supports my family and my relationships with my family and they’ve helped me grown as a person. When I first started there, I was so intimidated and kind of scared, you know? But, they’ve taught me, they’ve kind of taught me how to come into my own. And then, you know, when I get the call at the middle of the day from my twenty-one-year-old daughter, just to say ‘I love you, Mom.’, that’s amazing.”

Jen’s Addiction Recovery Testimonial