View Full Version : Opinions - So do people even use Alprazolam recreationally?
Hey all,
As described in a previous thread, SWIM was diagnosed with GAD and now has a scrip for Alprazolam.
Of all the accounts of recreational use SWIM has read, none of them seem enjoyable. They usually take X mg's and wake up not remembering a thing. SWIM has not tried using Alprazolam recreationally, but SWIM is curious if it possible to get a good feeling from it.
How would 1.5mg and a couple beers affect someone with no tolerance? Are there even any drugs out there prescribed for anxiety that can be used for fun once in a blue moon?
Hey all,
As described in a previous thread, SWIM was diagnosed with GAD and now has a scrip for Alprazolam.
Of all the accounts of recreational use SWIM has read, none of them seem enjoyable. They usually take X mg's and wake up not remembering a thing. SWIM has not tried using Alprazolam recreationally, but SWIM is curious if it possible to get a good feeling from it.
How would 1.5mg and a couple beers affect someone with no tolerance? Are there even any drugs out there prescribed for anxiety that can be used for fun once in a blue moon?I mean, there're a bunch of different benzos but they have very similar pharmacodynamics. Some like the effects of recreational doses, some don't. It sounds like SWIY doesn't. I think part of the enjoyment is the amnesia, just as is the case with drinking when one first starts... feeling awful the next morning and/or not remembering anything doesn't mean the high wasn't fun; though I suppose I'm not really the one to ask here so maybe someone else will have a better response..
The pharmacodynamics are considerably similar to that of alcohol and using a benzo will potentiate any alcohol use, but it shouldn't change the experience a whole lot. In fact, my doctor told me once that taking a 0.5mg dose of ativan is about equivalent to 2 drinks, but she added that they're not entirely the same in how they affect you, obviously. The danger here is suppression of the pulmonary system -- one could stop breathing!
So of course, use care when mixing these if SWIY must; SWIY should pay attention to how much he feels affected by moderate amounts of each before making a judgment on how much can be used safely.
Thanks for the objective and informative post. I wish I could add to your rating! :-)
SWIM understands completely what SWIY is saying though. SWIM just finds that Alprazolam makes him sleepy instead of lowering his inhibitions. Nothing will ever fight anxiety like 10-20mg of hydrocodone in SWIM's opinion.
SWIM took 1mg of Alprazolam this morning for a very minor episode of anxiety. Tonight he is going to a party. SWIM will take 1.5mg Alprazolam and two beers. SWIM will post the experience tomorrow if anyone is interested.
SWIM is interested. Post AWAY, and heres a green box.
SWIM is interested. Post AWAY, and heres a green box.
Hey all,
Well last night SWIM took 2mg Alprazolam and then 30 minutes later had 2 drinks. SWIM was pretty wasted and there are parts of last night be can't recall. No euphoria though. In fact, alll it seems to do is make SWIM drunk faster. It also makes him sleepy.
Panthers007
21-04-2008, 05:11
Mixing benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, and alcohol or other depressant drugs, sets in motion what is known as mutual-potentiation. In other words: 1 Xanax + 1 Beer = 2 xanax + 2 Beers. This can result in fatal respiratory depression and/or brain damage. Flat-liners, baby. And in that one's judgement becomes increasingly impaired, it easy to keep upping the dose without even knowing it. This process is often referred to as retrograde amnesia: You don't know you just took the pill so you take the pill you just took. And now you forgot you just took the pill again! Ya Hoo! Thud!
SWIM needs to be more than a little careful playing with these molecules.
SWIM understands what SWIY means. That is why SWIM only took 2mg Alprazolam and a couple beers. SWIM was at a party with his girlfriend and his pills were sitting in his room at home.
SWIM wants to know why it is suddenly looked down upon in this forum to use a substance for legit reasons except for every one in a while.
Anyway... The question still stands, are any anti-anxiety meds abusable?
Stephenwolf
21-04-2008, 08:35
Many people enjoy taking anxiety meds for recreation. Valium and Xanax are very popular for it. There is recreational value to the drugs, near any benzodiazepine is abusable, but like many things out there some people just don't enjoy the buzz they give.
Swim has been taking pain meds for almost 5 years now, when swim cannot find any pills and starts to withdraw Xanax and other benzo's make swim feel a little better and helps swim sleep till he can find his next batch of opiates.
Swim has been taking pain meds for almost 5 years now, when swim cannot find any pills and starts to withdraw Xanax and other benzo's make swim feel a little better and helps swim sleep till he can find his next batch of opiates.
SWIM wishes he had a good way to obtain opiates. They give him the best anxiety relief as well has being the most fun for him.
After taking 2mg of Alprazolam on an empty stomach SWIM just wants to sleep... Maybe SWIM should as his doctor about Klonopin as he hear's it is a better benzo for what he is looking for.
Yes 1 Mg Xanax and a few beers no problem.
A whole bottle of Scotch and 2mg 1 hour later adios.
Be carefull mixing booze with benzos. If you consume the benzos first then have a few beers then no problem usually. The problem is if you get drunk first
then take a bunch of benzos you might suffer respiratory failure a la Jimi Hendrix,
John Bonham etc. Timing is imp. Only you know your tolerance.
Swim's experience from personal times.
rocksmokinmachine
23-04-2008, 12:40
Hey all,
As described in a previous thread, SWIM was diagnosed with GAD and now has a scrip for Alprazolam.
Of all the accounts of recreational use SWIM has read, none of them seem enjoyable. They usually take X mg's and wake up not remembering a thing. SWIM has not tried using Alprazolam recreationally, but SWIM is curious if it possible to get a good feeling from it.
How would 1.5mg and a couple beers affect someone with no tolerance? Are there even any drugs out there prescribed for anxiety that can be used for fun once in a blue moon?
Alcohol and benzo's can be a dangerous combination. Just stick to them on thier own. Some people like benzo's. Some people don't. Some people only like certain types. For example SWIM only really gets off on flunitrazepam and midazolam
SWIM finds benzodiazepines fantastic recreationally.
dreamingawake
23-04-2008, 16:30
SWIM was prescribed alprazolam because she too has GAD..not nice.
SWIM tries not to take it every day because its so bloody habit forming. But anyhoo, it works wonders for panic attacks and panic symptoms and is very comforting to have with you when you have GAD. SWIM carries 5mg of it with her everywhere, just in case.
Though SWIM tries not to use it recreationally much, its quite lovely, a floaty, nice benzo buzz. In SWIMs experience, a little alcohol with a xanax is ok but you'll become fairly incoherent and forgetful. but don't mix with alot of beer - you'll be knocked out cold, and there isn't much fun in that!
Also, SWIMs short term memory has become quite bad from benzo usage. Cest la vie!:)
SWM wishes he could atleast say that it helped with his GAD, but the sedation is just too extreme.
SWIM going to ask his doc to prescribe something else tomorrow, what should he be looking for and what should be staying away from?
SWIM was prescribed alprazolam because she too has GAD...it works wonders for panic attacks and panic symptoms
I'm curious as to why GAD seems to be diagnosed in the presence of panic symptoms in spite of the DSM-IV-TR? Are they really panic attacks or just excessive worry (which I imagine would be thought of as a panic attack).
Just for clarification: a panic attack is usually described as intense fear, not unlike the terror experienced in a situation where one is in immediate danger (e.g, upon spotting a fox, a bunny would go into state of panic: first by freezing up while its heart rate sky rockets and its muscles tense up, preparing it to flee).
dreamingawake
23-04-2008, 17:20
Well, all SWIM knows is that SWIMs doctor told her she has Severe Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Acute Panic Attacks (phew!)
After that, she couldn't tell you much more really. Because she's not a doctor. Though God knows she wishes she was. Meds and appointments are so frigging expensive.
Well, all SWIM knows is that SWIMs doctor told her she has Severe Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Acute Panic Attacks (phew!)
After that, she couldn't tell you much more really. Because she's not a doctor. Though God knows she wishes she was. Meds and appointments are so frigging expensive.
Ah, well I'm not a doctor either, just a little curious, it sounds like there's more to it than I thought. Also, I believe doctors cannot prescribe themselves nor their (immediate?) family members to much more than antibiotics. Well, they can and they do, but my doctor told me it's illegal, not sure if this is a federal or state law. Either way, working as a doctor would likely provide some health insurance or cheap assessments from other doctor friends, so yeah.
Anyway, back on topic, I was just curious about the GAD with panic symptoms thing.
seeingred
23-04-2008, 21:41
Mixing benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, and alcohol or other depressant drugs, sets in motion what is known as mutual-potentiation. In other words: 1 Xanax + 1 Beer = 2 xanax + 2 Beers. This can result in fatal respiratory depression and/or brain damage. Flat-liners, baby. And in that one's judgement becomes increasingly impaired, it easy to keep upping the dose without even knowing it. This process is often referred to as retrograde amnesia: You don't know you just took the pill so you take the pill you just took. And now you forgot you just took the pill again! Ya Hoo! Thud!
SWIM needs to be more than a little careful playing with these molecules.
Painless suicide. Swim overdosed on xanax, a few other pills and a bottle of wine. Needless to say swim woke up in bed with a band on swims arm, and a slight memory of being in the ER, swim was taken there because swim was incoherent and it could have been fatal. So Swim reached the conclusion xanax is the best drug for fatal suicide. No memory, nothing, and a lot of bruises from falling down.
radiometer
23-04-2008, 22:00
To steer back to the original topic:
Many drug users are rather, shall I say, unsophisticated. They have no sense of discrimination whatsoever. Anything which can "fuck you up" is recreational in their eyes.
Hell, just glancing on the last days posts, one can discover that some people think that cyclobenzeprine is recreational - as good as opiates! They'd probably equally enjoy munching some lithium salts.
One man's cynical but evidence-supported view.
Swim enjoys benzodiazepines in combination with other drugs, and feels they have excellent recreational value in that sense. Dangers of mixing drugs are discussed often on this forum, and rightly so. Still, benzos are best when combined with other drugs, Swim feels
On their own, they do not have so much recreational value, though Swim does sometimes consider feeling relaxed and calm to be recreational as that is not always his natural state of mind
Thanks for the info.
SWIM finds this unfortunate because he was looking for something to clear his head and make him worry less. SWIM wanted something that lowered his inhibitions without lowering his judgement.
SWIM enjoys Kratom to treat his anxiety and thinks it works better than Alprazolam. SWIM just wishes he could get his doctor to prescribe some opiate since that is by far the most helpful thing for SWIM as far as anxiety goes.
Are there any other anxiety meds that are effective and can occasionally be used for a good time?
SwiY could always ask his doctor to prescribe a different benzo. Everyone seems to have their own particular favourite or favourites, whether it be one which helps relax them more, gives more of a happy feeling, makes them more sleepy, or whatever. It may be that a different benzodiazepine could suit SwiY better, if SwiY feels the current medication is not really having the desired effect. It might at least be worth discussing with your doc and seeing what he or she thinks
Thanks for the response.
SWIM hears good things about Clonazepam (Klonopin).
SWIM isn't really sure how each benzo is different because everything he reads puts benzos in a group like theyre all the same.
SWIM is looking for something to take the edge off and make him feel more relaxed.
Thanks for the response.
SWIM hears good things about Clonazepam (Klonopin).
SWIM isn't really sure how each benzo is different because everything he reads puts benzos in a group like theyre all the same.
SWIM is looking for something to take the edge off and make him feel more relaxed.
I think changing the chemical structure slightly gives different benzos different affinities for some GABA receptors as well as it seems to change slight properties of metabolization (causing some to have more quick, strong effects, and others to have slower, longer-lasting effects).
I think changing the chemical structure slightly gives different benzos different affinities for some GABA receptors as well as it seems to change slight properties of metabolization (causing some to have more quick, strong effects, and others to have slower, longer-lasting effects).
Interesting.
SWIM does enjoy how fast Alprazolam acts, but just doesn't like the feeling it gives him. With Kratom, SWIM feels more sociable and more upbeat. SWIM is curious if there is a benzo that can provide some of these things. If not, what else should SWIM ask his doctor about tomorrow?
outriderx
24-04-2008, 11:38
Mixing benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, and alcohol or other depressant drugs, sets in motion what is known as mutual-potentiation. In other words: 1 Xanax + 1 Beer = 2 xanax + 2 Beers. This can result in fatal respiratory depression and/or brain damage. Flat-liners, baby. And in that one's judgement becomes increasingly impaired, it easy to keep upping the dose without even knowing it. This process is often referred to as retrograde amnesia: You don't know you just took the pill so you take the pill you just took. And now you forgot you just took the pill again! Ya Hoo! Thud!
SWIM needs to be more than a little careful playing with these molecules.
thıs braın damage part, any more ınfo on that? SWIM never heard of that..
T-minus 3 hours until SWIM goes to his doc appointment.
thıs braın damage part, any more ınfo on that? SWIM never heard of that..
Respiratory depression is not breathing. Not breathing = no oxygen to brain. No oxygen to brain = Anoxic brain damage
outriderx
25-04-2008, 08:54
well yes, obviously, but SWIM thought besides that, there is not really any neuro-toxic effect, right? (and of course besides the fact that the liver "has to work" and brain chemistry is played with.. )
btw can alprazolan etc, benzos, induce anxiety also (if abused and not used as presicribed/not even presicribed) like opiates can (in some cases)??
btw can alprazolan etc, benzos, induce anxiety also (if abused and not used as presicribed/not even presicribed) like opiates can (in some cases)??
As I understand: yes. I'm not too sure on the specifics.
outriderx
25-04-2008, 10:33
SWIM really need some infos about that.. it helped him taper off some stuff and now he has one package of 50x1mg alpra, which is enough, if not too much, and he just got over the hard psychological part of the former problem and doesnt want to get that again. the good part is, that after that one bottle he will not be able to obtain more, but still he needs to know about that anxiety inducing part..
thanks for any help
Take it truly as needed (be honest, don't take it if SWIY can't say for sure it's not really a craving), rather than taking it on a schedule (e.g, once a day). Taking it on a schedule will cause the brain to recognize cues in the environment that indicate you are about to take some, and the brain actually starts countering the effects before xanax starts them. If the brain cannot guess in this manner, both tolerance and dependence should stay low.
My psychology book used the example of a heroin user who would always shoot up in a certain ally. If one day a cop were investigating the ally, the user may select a different location to get his fix, such as a restroom somewhere. He takes the same amount he ever would, but he ODs, because his brain didn't recognize the environment and couldn't prepare for heroine's effects.
rocksmokinmachine
25-04-2008, 15:53
SWM wishes he could atleast say that it helped with his GAD, but the sedation is just too extreme.
SWIM going to ask his doc to prescribe something else tomorrow, what should he be looking for and what should be staying away from?
IMO benzodiazepines should not be used in the long term for anxiety. They are just too addictive and the withdrawals are terrible and life threatening. Tricyclic antidepressants can work well for anxiety and insomnia associated with anxiety.
IMO benzodiazepines should not be used in the long term for anxiety. They are just too addictive and the withdrawals are terrible and life threatening. Tricyclic antidepressants can work well for anxiety and insomnia associated with anxiety.
Well I was given a scrip for paroxetine (Paxil) and I was not too happy about it. He started me a 10mg.
I took it for the first time yesterday afternoon and last night it took me over an hour of sex to ejaculate. My girl didn't seem to mind too much though.
He also gave me 40 more .5mg alprazolams...
:thumbsdown:
outriderx
25-04-2008, 17:58
SWIM really thinks that pregabalin (lyrica) can be a replacement for him to get complete relief for his slight anxiety problem after opiate dependance..
rocksmokinmachine
25-04-2008, 18:30
Well I was given a scrip for paroxetine (Paxil) and I was not too happy about it. He started me a 10mg.
I took it for the first time yesterday afternoon and last night it took me over an hour of sex to ejaculate. My girl didn't seem to mind too much though.
He also gave me 40 more .5mg alprazolams...
:thumbsdown:
I believe SSRI type anti-depressants can cause problems with ejaculation. There is other anecdotal evidence on the forum to support this.
outriderx
25-04-2008, 18:36
well thats why SWIM suggested for himself (and maybe others) pregabalin aka lyrica
btw can alprazolam induce anxiety also (in some cases)??
Yes
See here... http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/local_links.php?action=jump&id=1310&catid=129 (http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/local_links.php?action=jump&id=1310&catid=129)
EndlessKnight
26-04-2008, 08:39
A friend of mine just got some 2mg alprazolam pills (not bars) from a friend in South America. My friend knows they they are real because they are still in the blister pack but they seem to have little to no effect, other than making him sleep a lot time (like nyquil). So far my frind has only taken a half (1mg) at a time, but last night he took a half and had a few drinks and still nothing (or at least very little)
Is this common? Is there any way to tell if they are XR? The blister pack just says kentium 2mg (Alprazolam 2mg)
rocksmokinmachine
27-04-2008, 18:46
So far my frind has only taken a half (1mg) at a time, but last night he took a half and had a few drinks and still nothing (or at least very little)
Is this common? Is there any way to tell if they are XR?)
If they were controlled release they would say so. 1mg of alprazolam is not a HUGE dose, though it should be enough to feel some of the receational effects. The drowsiness is common. Some people just do not 'get' benzodiazepines for recreational use, and maybe SWIY is one of those people. They only thing SWIM can suggest is a larger dose. Say 2-3mg to start with.
radiometer
27-04-2008, 21:04
A friend of mine just got some 2mg alprazolam pills (not bars) from a friend in South America. My friend knows they they are real because they are still in the blister pack but they seem to have little to no effect, other than making him sleep a lot time (like nyquil). So far my frind has only taken a half (1mg) at a time, but last night he took a half and had a few drinks and still nothing (or at least very little)
Is this common? Is there any way to tell if they are XR? The blister pack just says kentium 2mg (Alprazolam 2mg)
Blister packs do not mean that pills are not counterfeit. The packaging is just as easily counterfeited.
The pills could also have lost their potency due to age or mishandling. Or as already noted it is a possibility that they are time release. Alprazolam does come in 2mg time release units. I could find no information regarding the name of the generic brand you mentioned.
2mg instant release alprazolam tablets are always scored into four doses to my knowledge, while it seems very likely that time-release 2mg tablets would NOT be scored four ways.
EndlessKnight
28-04-2008, 03:35
Blister packs do not mean that pills are not counterfeit. The packaging is just as easily counterfeited.
The pills could also have lost their potency due to age or mishandling. Or as already noted it is a possibility that they are time release. Alprazolam does come in 2mg time release units. I could find no information regarding the name of the generic brand you mentioned.
2mg instant release alprazolam tablets are always scored into four doses to my knowledge, while it seems very likely that time-release 2mg tablets would NOT be scored four ways.
The pills my friend got are scored just once down the middle and I don't think counterfiting or afe is a problem because they were just bought a few weeks ago at legit pharmacy with script.
radiometer
28-04-2008, 06:08
On some occasions that I've read about, pharmacies have been victims of counterfeiting, but of course this is very rare and not likely to be the case. I thought that the tablets were perhaps procured from an internet based site.
On the other hand, since they are the result of a legitimate prescription, than it should be already known, as well as easily discerned, whether or not they are instant or extended release.
EndlessKnight
28-04-2008, 08:09
On some occasions that I've read about, pharmacies have been victims of counterfeiting, but of course this is very rare and not likely to be the case. I thought that the tablets were perhaps procured from an internet based site.
On the other hand, since they are the result of a legitimate prescription, than it should be already known, as well as easily discerned, whether or not they are instant or extended release.
Let me clearify, when I say "legit script" I mean that my friend's friend has access to a real script pad in her native country in which she can right scripts for whatever she wants and get them filled at any pharmacy in her country.
I've translated most of the words on the back of the blister pack, all except the proper nouns, abbreviations and acronyms, but nothing seems to suggest that its XR.
My friend does notice some effect from the pills but it is quite subtle, other than the sleeping part, when my friend goes to sleep after taking even half a pill he ends up sleeping like 10-12 hours.
My friends starting to think that maybe that's all alparzolam does for him, last night he took a 2mg pill along with a 5mg percocet (5mg oxycodone and 325mg actemenphen) and it as extremely subtle high. At no point in time did he even "feel high" but he also did feel like he had a care or trouble in the world (desprite currently being under a lot of stress in his life). Not only that but he slept like a baby, about 10 hours, and woke up feeling fine.
radiometer
28-04-2008, 08:23
Your friend has a script pad from a country the language of which she needs assistance from someone else to translate, and this is "legit?" I'm confused to say the least. If the pills are bought from some internet source than the above comments apply, script or not.
Don't take the comments in this thread to mean that the effects of alprazolam are subtle. But whether they are considered recreational. Some people think not remembering what happened last night is fun.
EndlessKnight
28-04-2008, 08:42
Your friend has a script pad from a country the language of which she needs assistance from someone else to translate, and this is "legit?" I'm confused to say the least. If the pills are bought from some internet source than the above comments apply, script or not.
Don't take the comments in this thread to mean that the effects of alprazolam are subtle. But whether they are considered recreational. Some people think not remembering what happened last night is fun.
My friend's friend is a nurses aid in a South American country. As a nurse's aid she has easy access to perscription pads which she uses to write scripts for what ever she want and them get them filled at a normal brick and mortor phramacy.
My friend told her he wanted to try some xanax so she just wrote a script for some, filled it a local pharmacy and then sent it to him. (still in the original blister pack.)
LimbFromLimb91
29-04-2008, 02:39
SWIM likes "getting xaned-out" (recreational benzo use) alot, but Alprazolam is by far SWIM's favorite drug when combined with stimulants and/or weed..
try about 4 mg of xanax, followed by a blunt and some adderall (SWIM's favorite feeling)
LimbFromLimb91 added 85 Minutes and 39 Seconds later...
I feel bad for not including this before, but DO NOT abuse ANY downer on a daily basis. One of my best friends that I grew up with died from Klonopin (a benzo with the same "mg. strength" as xanax) withdrawal 2 weeks ago. He thought that benzo-withdrawal would be the same as withdrawal from a stimulant or something. He had no idea that he would have a seizure, and never wake up.
rocksmokinmachine
03-05-2008, 19:14
He had no idea that he would have a seizure, and never wake up.
I am sorry for your loss. I cannot stress enough the importance of this subject, and how many people underestimate the hold that these substances can have on someone. Benzodiazepine withdrawal is extremely dangerous and very often life threatening. For people that have been using a long time, consult a physician. Slowly get one's doctor to taper the dose. If the physical addiction has come about of illegtimate benzodiazepine use (which many often are), then one may need to self detox.
For those who have this problem, have had, or know someone who has. I have contructed slow withdrawal schedule for just about every commonly prescribed (and abused) benzodiazepine out there. Here is the thread.
http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45539&highlight=benzodiazepine+withdrawal+schedule
If anyone needs a schedule for a specific benzo, please post in the thread, or PM me if needs be.
outriderx
05-05-2008, 06:14
well would be nice if SWIY could look http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55990 and give some advice (btw the weekend has passed.. )