No, it is not safe to shoot or inject Xanax. There is no way to inject it safely.

What Is Xanax?

Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine drug that is prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. It is highly effective at providing quick relief of excessive activity in the brain causing symptoms of anxiety, which is why it is the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States.

Xanax is also a Schedule IV controlled substance, meaning it has a potential for misuse and addiction so its use must be closely monitored.

When taken as medically intended to, Xanax is generally considered to be a safe and effective medication. When used outside the scope of medical practice, Xanax misuse can be very dangerous and have serious negative consequences.

In addition to being one of the most commonly prescribed prescription medications in the U.S., Xanax is also one of the most commonly misused prescription medications.

People misuse Xanax by taking more of it than they should, getting it from multiple doctors at once, taking someone else’s prescription, or buying it off the street and taking it just to get high.

Is It Safe To Shoot or Inject Xanax?

When prescribed by a doctor, Xanax is usually taken as a pill in an immediate- or extended-release version, though it can also be consumed as a concentrated liquid. Each of these forms provides a safe release of the medication over time-based on your dosing schedule.

Shooting or injecting Xanax is occasionally seen in people misusing the drug for recreational reasons. It is dangerous to use Xanax this way, as doses are hard to estimate, and intravenous drug use makes an almost immediate impact on your brain. It also exposes you to a host of health risks.

Shooting or injecting Xanax is not safe due to the immediate and long-term health concerns it poses.

Side Effects of Xanax Misuse

People misuse Xanax for the relatively quick relaxing high it can produce when taken in high doses. Even for people who don’t suffer from anxiety, Xanax can cause an increased sense of calm. Xanax helps to relax muscles, ease restlessness, and can even produce a feeling of euphoria.

Whether you are using Xanax for medical or recreational reasons, you are likely to experience a range of physical, behavioral, and psychological side effects.

  • Relaxation
  • Euphoria
  • Mood swings
  • Irritability
  • Decreased libido
  • Dry mouth
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Reduced coordination
  • Seizures
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Slurred speech
  • Tremors
  • Impaired concentration
  • Confusion
  • Memory problems
  • Lack of inhibition

Your risk of experiencing adverse side effects increases with misuse of the medication. Taking higher doses than prescribed by a doctor, taking Xanax more frequently than you should, or combining it with other substances, such as alcohol or other prescription drugs, greatly increases the likelihood of experiencing negative side effects and dangerous risks to your health.

Health Concerns of Long-Term Xanax Use

As a benzodiazepine, Xanax is known to be habit-forming, so its use is not recommended for the long-term management of any condition. People who regularly use Xanax recreationally are putting themselves at risk for developing an addiction as well as other health problems.

Researchers have investigated common health consequences associated with long-term Xanax use. In addition to abuse and dependence, people who use Xanax long-term are at an increased risk of experiencing:

  • Cognitive impairment.
  • Motor vehicle crashes.
  • Falls and bone fractures.
  • Overdose and death.

To reduce your chances of experiencing any of the above risks, researchers recommend limiting your Xanax use to one month. Continuous use beyond this period exposes you to unnecessary health risks.

For people using Xanax to treat their anxiety, safer alternative treatment methods — including psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and the use of less addictive but still effective medications — are available.

Signs of Xanax Abuse

Whether you wonder if you are struggling with a Xanax problem or you are concerned for a loved one, there are clear signs of Xanax abuse to look out for. According to Mayo Clinic, signs of unhealthy drug use include:

  • Difficulties at school or work
  • Unkempt appearance
  • Changes in conduct
  • Money issues
  • Physical problems
  • Uncontrollable urges to use the drug
  • Needing greater amounts of the drug over time
  • Failing to meet obligations
  • Neglecting relationships
  • Engaging in risky activities in order to obtain the drug and while under the influence
  • Inability to stop using the drug even when you want to
  • Experience of withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug

For People Specifically Struggling With the Misuse of a Benzodiazepine Like Xanax, Signs of Abuse Include:

  • Drowsiness or excessive sleepiness
  • Slurred speech
  • Lack of coordination
  • Changes in mood
  • Problems concentrating
  • Memory problems
  • Involuntary eye movements
  • Lack of inhibitions
  • Lightheadedness
  • Falls and accidents
  • Slowed breathing
  • Reduced blood pressure

If you are concerned about Xanax abuse, it is important to be aware of the physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors that are likely to be impacted. Someone struggling with Xanax abuse does not need to exhibit all of the above symptoms to need and benefit from treatment for addiction.

Treatment Options

If your Xanax use has crossed the line into addiction, there are many effective treatment options available.

Studies have found that a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is highly effective for managing and treating benzodiazepine dependence and addiction.

Pharmacotherapy options include:

Substituting

Xanax for a longer-acting benzodiazepine that is effective for managing anxiety, but less addictive. The person can then be slowly tapered off that medication to avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms

Monitoring

the person to ensure they are not doctor shopping and receiving additional medications from elsewhere. Drug testing can be used as a useful and motivational tool for the person throughout the detox process

Discontinuing

all benzodiazepine use through a gradual reduction of the current drug the person is on without substitution. Tapering must be done for those with long-term benzodiazepine use, as life-threatening seizures can occur in people who used benzodiazepines daily for one to six months or more

Managing and prescribing

additional medications can be done to monitor dangerous or uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures, anxiety, and insomnia. Medically assisted detox can help to ensure mental and physical safety during the withdrawal period as well as promote completion of the treatment process.

In addition to the above pharmacotherapies, psychotherapy plays an important role in addiction treatment. Many extensive studies have found that medically assisted detox in combination with participation in behavioral therapy is the most effective form of addiction treatment.

People who participate in therapy following a successful detox are more likely to complete their treatment programs and maintain positive treatment outcomes once the programs are over.

How To Use Xanax Safely

Although Xanax is a widely misused drug that many people develop an addiction to, it is possible to use it safely. Only use it as directed by a doctor and keep your use of it very limited.

Anyone who takes benzodiazepines daily for longer than three to four weeks is likely to develop a physical dependence on the medication, so researchers recommend limiting use to just one to two weeks and keeping doses as minimal as possible.

As an addictive prescription drug, it is best not to use Xanax recreationally and to certainly not shoot or inject it.

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