Xanax is a legally prescribed pharmaceutical substance that is often used in the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders.
However, when the pills are diverted and sold on the black market, they are often referred to by a number of different street or slang terms.
The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that Xanax is one of the two most common benzodiazepines intercepted on the black market. As such, there are a number of different names that are commonly used to refer to the pills covertly. These include:
- Zannies
- Bars
- Ladders
- Footballs
- Bennies
- Downers
- Goofballs
- Ludes
- Xs
- Peanuts
- Phennies
- Christmas Trees
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Some are referred to based on the color of the pill. The Mesa Arizona Police Department reports that some common names include:
- Blues
- Red devil
- Yellow jackets
- Pink ladies
- Blue devil
- Yellow bullets
Purpose of Slang Terms for Xanax?
There are a number of different reasons why people use a coded language to refer to pills like Xanax. First, it allows them to make references to specific substances without alerting anyone who may be listening, from concerned bystanders to police officers who may cut in on criminal activity related to the sales of diverted pills. It also serves as a bonding point among young people who enjoy using a certain drug together. In fact, in different areas and different regions, different slang terms are popular for Xanax.
Family Member Continually Refers to Xanax?
If you recognize the slang terms for Xanax in your loved one’s conversations on the phone, with certain friends or in texts, it can help you to determine just how problematic Xanax abuse is for your loved one. They may use slang terms to:
- Talk about their recent drug use
- Set up a buy
- Discuss how many pills they need
- Determine the price per pill
Talking to Your Loved One
If you are concerned that abuse of Xanax has become a serious problem or if you are worried about the risk of overdose, your first step is to talk to your family member. Be honest. Tell them what you fear and why. Make it clear that your concern is out of love, not judgment, and let them know that you want them to be happy and healthy and that you know that Xanax abuse will provide them with neither of those things.
Next, listen. Ask them how they feel about their use of prescription sedatives. Let them tell you about why they use Xanax, how it helps them, and their feelings about attempting to stop. You may be surprised at the issues they are struggling with and how they feel that Xanax aids them in functioning or dealing with certain problems.
Chance to Get Treatment
No matter how or why Xanax abuse began or the way in which Xanax addiction developed, the problem is widely recognized as a medical disorder. As such, there are a number of different treatment and therapy options that have been proven to be effective against the chronic problem of drug addiction. Depending upon your loved one’s experience with pills and other substances of abuse, a unique combination of these options can help him or her to begin the healing process. Not sure which ones are right for your loved one?
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are withdrawal symptoms an issue? If withdrawal symptoms occur when your loved one stops taking Xanax, they will need a program that offers detox.
- Are there co-occurring mental health symptoms present? If your loved one is diagnosed with a mental health disorder like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, an eating disorder, moderate depression or others, then dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both that issue and the problem of addiction is necessary.
- Is inpatient care possible? Residential rehabilitation is the first choice for addiction. It offers 24-hour protection against relapse and provides an immersion experience that can be hugely beneficial. A 100-percent focus on recovery during the first few months of sobriety can be instrumental in long-term sobriety.
- What is your loved one’s personality? Some people are creative and will do well to include a number of artistic and creative therapies in their treatment program. Others are more structured and benefit from traditional care. In most cases, a balance of both is optimum and provides for the most well-rounded treatment program possible.
At Axis, we offer a range of different therapeutic treatment options for your loved one. Call now to learn more about how we can provide your addicted family member with the help they need to stop abusing Xanax today.
