What Is The Street Value Of Xanax (Alprazolam)?
The Xanax street cost is quite low, often under $5. However, the cost of street Xanax is so low because many of these pills are counterfeit. The low cost of prescription drugs on the street is dangerous because the high availability of these drugs fuels addiction.
Xanax belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which have a calming effect on the central nervous system.
It is a short-term medication that is prescribed to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorders.
To prevent Xanax abuse and addiction, state and federal governments place strict regulations on this medication.
However, Xanax and similar medications such as Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam) are often sold on the street.
Many people with addictions turn to street Xanax when they no longer have access to a prescription. The Xanax street cost is usually low.
According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, while a Xanax bar may cost as much as $20 on the street, the Xanax street cost is usually between $1 and $5 per milligram (mg).
What Is Street Xanax?
Street Xanax is any form of Xanax sold without a legal prescription from a doctor. It often appears identical to genuine prescription Xanax.
While Xanax is a brand name for alprazolam, there are also several street names for Xanax that may be used to obscure prescription drug abuse.
Some of these street names include:
- bars
- benzos
- bricks
- z-bars
- zannies
- bicycle parts
- footballs/blue footballs
- yellow school bus
- handlebars
- planks
- upjohns
Why Is Xanax So Cheap?
Genuine Xanax is difficult to obtain without a valid prescription, but most street Xanax is not genuine.
Instead, counterfeit Xanax laced with fentanyl is the most common type of Xanax sold on the streets.
Fentanyl is a prescription opioid that shares some effects with Xanax, including calmness and sedation.
Because fentanyl is cheap and easily replicated in illegal labs, many drug dealers mix fentanyl into their supply to sell more drugs and increase their profits.
Does The Low Xanax Street Cost Make It More Dangerous?
Because this drug has several side effects, including the potential for Xanax withdrawal symptoms, the safest way to take Xanax is under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
However, when people have a Xanax use disorder, they often pursue the fastest and simplest methods to obtain more drugs.
Because exposure to drugs and alcohol is a major risk factor for drug abuse, the low cost and easy access to street Xanax can fuel addiction.
Furthermore, the common presence of fentanyl in this illicit drug makes it especially risky.
Fentanyl is stronger than other opiates such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and even heroin. As a result, it takes only a small amount of fentanyl to cause an overdose.
When people are unaware that their drugs contain fentanyl, they may unintentionally consume enough of the drug to cause a life-threatening reaction.
What Factors Might Influence The Street Cost Of Xanax?
Several factors may influence how much a person pays for street Xanax.
For example, the size of a Xanax bar may impact its price. A 2.5 mg Xanax bar will generally cost more than a 2 mg pill.
Likewise, areas with easy access to street Xanax will have a lower street price than areas with limited availability.
In locations with greater access to the drug, the need for services such as detox, inpatient addiction treatment programs, and other treatment options may be intensified.
Addiction Treatment At Spring Hill Recovery Center
Substance abuse is a highly misunderstood mental health condition. Xanax addiction is especially complex because recovery requires detox and a safe Xanax tapering process.
If you or a loved one need an addiction treatment provider, contact Spring Hill today to learn more about our treatment options.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse — Benzodiazepines and Opioids https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids
- National Library of Medicine — Alprazolam https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684001.html
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration — One Pill Can Kill https://www.dea.gov/onepill