Xanax Bars: Why You Should Say No

September 18, 2019 - Drug Facts, Opioid Addiction, Substance Abuse - 0 Comments

As the new school year begins, there is a renewed focus on student drug use in campuses. You’d think that carrying drugs to school would be something that someone would be embarrassed about but times have definitely changed because now, having Xanax bars with you can even be seen as a “cool thing”. With so many rap songs ingraining Xanax into pop culture and somehow glorifying the use of this drug, it should then be not surprising anymore that more and more young people are into Xanax.

If you have been offered Xanax bars with the promise that it is a “mild sedative”, the temptation to try it out can be expected. After all, if everyone is taking it, shouldn’t it be safe? What could go wrong if you just try one Xanax bar? Is it really dangerous?

All About Xanax Bars

Xanax bars refer to the white rectangular tablet which contains 2 milligrams (2 mg) of alprazolam. Xanax is a brand name marketed by Pfizer but you can also find generic versions of alprazolam bars that are usually yellow or light green in color. This 2mg bar is the highest single dose of alprazolam as the drug also comes in lower doses – .25 mg, .5 mg, and 1 mg. The 2 mg tablets are often scored so you can split them into lower doses.

Xanax falls under the benzodiazepine class of drugs and is used to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and phobias. It was first introduced in 1981 and has become one of the most prescribed medications in the United States. In fact, over 27 million alprazolam prescriptions were filled in 2018 alone.

Xanax became well-known in pop culture because many celebrities suffering from anxiety issues started becoming dependent on the drug. Many rappers and hip-hop artists would include Xanax in their lyrics, and numerous celebrities have admitted being victims of Xanax addiction including Justin Bieber who admitted that he used to be dependent on Xanax and Demi Lovato who shared that she would pop a couple of Xanax bars with cocaine.

While people who are legitimately suffering from anxiety disorders may benefit from a Xanax prescription, using the drug recreationally just to obtain its sedative effects can be dangerous. Habitual use of Xanax bars can lead to addiction to the drug. Aside from that, there are other potential dangers of taking Xanax bars.

Dangers of Xanax Bars

Let’s be real. When someone hands you a pill, the typical reaction is to swallow it whole whatever the size or strength. Unless you have been on several medications before would you actually know how to split the drug and why you need to do it. If you’re taking Xanax bars recreationally, you’d probably just take the entire tablet, or if you’re like Demi Lovato, maybe you’ll even pop a couple of bars. What this means is that while Xanax pills are equally as addictive and potentially dangerous as Xanax bars, the latter poses a higher risk because of its strength.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, taking more than 4mg of alprazolam a day can lead to severe emotional and physical dependence. Take note that 4mg is equal to only two Xanax bars. When you constantly take high doses of alprazolam, you build tolerance faster which means you need higher doses to get the same effect. This tolerance can lead to dependence and addiction.

If you are offered a Xanax bar you should say no and avoid this drug. Below are some of the dangers associated with this drug that you should be aware of.

Harmful side effects of Xanax Bars

Taking Xanax can relieve anxiety symptoms and provide a calming effect on the user. What many people do not realize is that taking Xanax can cause various side effects which can be detrimental to your health. Some of the side effects of taking Xanax bars include depression, memory loss, sleepwalking, lack of balance and coordination, constipation, slurred speech, dry mouth, nausea, and seizures. Xanax bars can also alter your mood, appetite, and weight. It has also been said to affect a user’s sex drive.

Xanax Bars pose a risk of overdose when mixed with other substances

Since taking high doses of alprazolam in the form of Xanax bars can result in developing tolerance faster, users are unable to get the same effect over time. This could lead to experimentation wherein they mix Xanax with other substances like alcohol, depressants, and stimulants. When Xanax bars are mixed with other substances, the consequences can be fatal. There have been many incidents wherein users overdose because of drug cocktails with Xanax.

Fake Xanax bars can be deadly

The increase of counterfeit Xanax bars in the market is probably one of the main reasons why you should not take this drug. These fake Xanax bars are often sold illegally in school campuses, in clubs, and in social media. When you buy drugs from social media or from untrusted sources, you do not really know what you’re getting. There have been news reports about fake Xanax bars cut with the potent artificial opioid fentanyl and taking a single tablet can be deadly.

If you or a loved one is suffering from substance abuse, help is available.

Contact Lighthouse Treatment Center today.