Often used to treat anxiety disorders, Xanax has been known to produce calming effects in the user. Short-term effects of Xanax include drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, changes in sex drive, and more – but that isn’t stopping anyone from consuming this drug. Teenagers and young adults are more widely expected to consume this drug at parties, but there is one major concern on the rise – one that’s taking lives. The National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK stated,
“The great disaster is when these tablets are supplied between friends, and one friend kills another friend because they’ve sold them something without knowing what it was.”
Counterfeit Xanax is becoming more popular, and drug producers are lacing it with a deadly drug – fentanyl, which has taken the lives of 113 people in the UK so far. There are several ways to identify what is Xanax and what is a counterfeit, but you must be well-versed on the drug’s generic qualities to be able to appropriately decipher:
- Different taste than the real Xanax
- Dosages are discolored or thicker than the original prescription pills
- Rectangular pills only break apart into 3 parts, not 4
- Asymmetrical in shape
- Chalky odor, giving a sign that a filler is present
Fentanyl is a cheap, synthetic opioid that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states is 100 times more potent than morphine. The counterfeits can look incredibly like the generic pills, making it incredibly difficult to tell the difference, and incredibly dangerous for the user. Individuals who have taken these counterfeit drugs in the past and have survived suffered from heart attacks, heart failure, and/or a dangerous drop in their respiratory and nervous system functioning.
Always stay aware of what you’re taking beforehand. If you’re unsure, have a doctor inspect it. It’s well worth the check if it ensures your life. If you’ve been struggling with Xanax addiction, make the decision to seek help today. Recovery is possible – it’s never too late.
If you’re seeking a mental health and/or substance abuse recovery treatment center, call us today at 855-412-2426. Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed treatment center with licensed, experienced professionals who care about your recovery. We have a variety of methods that we can try with you to see what works and will help you develop a customized treatment plan to best suit your needs. Make the decision to place your health and happiness as top priority and call us for a consultation.
