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Can hydroxyzine get you high. Hydroxyzine Abuse: Snorting Risks, Effects, and Addiction Potential

Can snorting hydroxyzine lead to a high. What are the dangers of abusing this antihistamine. Is hydroxyzine addictive when misused. Learn about the effects and risks of snorting hydroxyzine.

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Understanding Hydroxyzine and Its Intended Use

Hydroxyzine is a prescription antihistamine primarily used to treat allergy symptoms and anxiety. It’s commonly known by brand names such as Atarax and Vistaril. While its intended use is therapeutic, some individuals misuse hydroxyzine in an attempt to achieve a high.

What is hydroxyzine prescribed for?

Hydroxyzine is typically prescribed for:

  • Alleviating allergy symptoms
  • Managing anxiety disorders
  • Inducing sedation before medical procedures
  • Treating itching associated with various skin conditions

When used as directed, hydroxyzine can effectively manage these conditions without significant risk of abuse or addiction.

The Phenomenon of Snorting Hydroxyzine

Despite its medical uses, some individuals abuse hydroxyzine by crushing the pills and snorting the resulting powder. This method of administration is chosen for its rapid onset of effects, particularly the calming and relaxing sensations associated with the drug.

Why do people snort hydroxyzine?

People may choose to snort hydroxyzine for several reasons:

  1. To experience a faster onset of the drug’s calming effects
  2. In an attempt to achieve a “high” or euphoric state
  3. To intensify the sedative properties of the medication
  4. As a misguided method of self-medication for anxiety or insomnia

However, this form of abuse carries significant risks and is not a safe or effective way to use the medication.

Health Risks Associated with Snorting Hydroxyzine

Snorting hydroxyzine can lead to numerous health complications, both acute and chronic. The practice of insufflation (snorting) itself poses risks, regardless of the substance being used.

What damage can snorting hydroxyzine cause to the nasal passages?

Snorting hydroxyzine can result in various forms of nasal damage, including:

  • Frequent nosebleeds
  • Chronic runny nose
  • Loss or impairment of the sense of smell
  • Development of nasal sores and ulcerations
  • Formation of nasal blockages or obstructions
  • Inflammation and swelling of the nasal lining
  • Increased risk of sinusitis and other sinus infections
  • Hoarseness or changes in voice quality
  • Difficulties with swallowing or breathing
  • Elevated risk of respiratory infections, including pneumonia

These complications can range from minor irritations to severe, long-lasting health issues that may require medical intervention.

Increased Risk of Side Effects from Snorting Hydroxyzine

When hydroxyzine is snorted, it bypasses the body’s natural filtration and absorption processes. This altered route of administration can lead to a higher incidence and severity of side effects.

How does snorting hydroxyzine affect its absorption and side effects?

Snorting hydroxyzine results in rapid absorption through the nasal tissues, leading to:

  • A faster onset of effects compared to oral administration
  • More intense drug effects due to higher blood concentrations
  • Increased risk of experiencing both common and severe side effects
  • Potential for unpredictable drug interactions

This altered pharmacokinetics can make the drug’s effects more difficult to control and predict, increasing the likelihood of adverse reactions.

Common side effects that may be exacerbated by snorting hydroxyzine include:

  • Severe dry mouth
  • Intense dizziness and disorientation
  • Extreme drowsiness and sedation
  • Persistent headaches
  • Severe constipation

More serious side effects that may occur with increased frequency or severity when snorting hydroxyzine include:

  • Profound confusion and cognitive impairment
  • Dangerous drops in blood pressure
  • Irregular heart rhythms
  • Uncontrollable tremors or shaking
  • Increased risk of seizures
  • Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis

It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if any of these severe side effects are experienced.

Drug Interactions and Snorting Hydroxyzine

The practice of snorting hydroxyzine can significantly alter how it interacts with other substances in the body. This can lead to dangerous and potentially life-threatening drug interactions.

Which drugs pose the greatest risk when combined with snorted hydroxyzine?

Several classes of drugs can interact dangerously with snorted hydroxyzine:

  • Opioids (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone): Can lead to severe respiratory depression
  • Benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, clonazepam): May cause extreme sedation and cognitive impairment
  • Barbiturates: Can result in profound CNS depression
  • Sleeping medications: May intensify sedative effects to dangerous levels
  • Other antihistamines: Can lead to anticholinergic toxicity
  • Alcohol: Significantly increases the risk of respiratory failure and loss of consciousness

These interactions are particularly dangerous because snorting hydroxyzine can make its effects more unpredictable and intense, amplifying the potential for adverse reactions when combined with other substances.

Overdose Risks Associated with Snorting Hydroxyzine

The practice of snorting hydroxyzine significantly increases the risk of overdose. The rapid absorption and higher blood concentrations achieved through insufflation can overwhelm the body’s ability to process the drug safely.

What are the signs of a hydroxyzine overdose?

Recognizing the symptoms of a hydroxyzine overdose is crucial for seeking timely medical intervention. Common overdose symptoms include:

  • Severe nausea and uncontrollable vomiting
  • Extreme dizziness and loss of balance
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Dilated pupils that are unresponsive to light
  • Persistent ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Labored breathing or shortness of breath
  • Dangerously low blood pressure
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Intense anxiety or panic attacks
  • Visual or auditory hallucinations
  • Severe confusion or disorientation
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Loss of consciousness or coma

An overdose of hydroxyzine, particularly when snorted, can be life-threatening and requires immediate emergency medical attention.

The Addiction Potential of Hydroxyzine

While hydroxyzine is not classified as an addictive substance in the traditional sense, its misuse through methods like snorting can lead to problematic patterns of use and psychological dependence.

Can snorting hydroxyzine lead to addiction?

Although hydroxyzine does not typically cause physical dependence or tolerance, regular misuse through snorting can result in:

  • Psychological cravings for the drug’s sedative effects
  • Development of a habit or ritual around drug use
  • Difficulty in stopping use despite negative consequences
  • Withdrawal-like symptoms when attempting to discontinue use

While not a classical addiction, these patterns of misuse can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life and overall health.

Signs that hydroxyzine use has become problematic include:

  • Neglecting responsibilities or relationships in favor of drug use
  • Experiencing mood swings or irritability when unable to use hydroxyzine
  • Isolating from friends and family to hide drug use
  • Continuing to use despite awareness of negative health consequences
  • Inability to control or reduce hydroxyzine use without assistance

If these signs are present, it may indicate a need for professional intervention and support.

Seeking Help for Hydroxyzine Misuse

Recognizing the need for help is a crucial first step in addressing hydroxyzine misuse. Various treatment options are available for individuals struggling with substance abuse, including hydroxyzine.

What treatment options are available for hydroxyzine misuse?

Treatment for hydroxyzine misuse may include:

  • Inpatient rehabilitation programs for severe cases of abuse
  • Outpatient counseling and therapy sessions
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy to address underlying issues
  • Support groups and peer counseling
  • Medical supervision for safe discontinuation of use
  • Holistic approaches combining mental and physical health treatments

The most effective treatment plan will be tailored to the individual’s specific needs and circumstances.

Seeking professional help is essential for safely addressing hydroxyzine misuse. Healthcare providers can offer personalized, evidence-based care to help individuals overcome problematic drug use and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Remember, recovery is possible with the right support and resources.

Snorting Hydroxyzine | Effects & Dangers

  • Dangers Of Snorting Hydroxyzine
  • Is Hydroxyzine Addictive?

Hydroxyzine is a prescription antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms and anxiety. It’s often sold under the brand names Atarax and Vistaril.

Because hydroxyzine can make you feel calm and relaxed, some people abuse it by crushing the pills into a powder and snorting it through the nose. However, this practice poses serious health risks.

Dangers Of Snorting Hydroxyzine

Snorting hydroxyzine can cause nasal damage. It also increases your risk of hydroxyzine side effects and overdose.

Nasal Damage

Your nose and nasal passages are very delicate. Snorting hydroxyzine (or any other drug) can damage these delicate tissues, causing problems such as:

  • nosebleeds
  • frequent runny nose
  • loss of sense of smell
  • nasal sores
  • nasal blockages
  • swelling of the inner lining of the nose
  • sinusitis (sinus infection)
  • hoarseness
  • trouble swallowing or breathing
  • lung infections

Increased Risk Of Side Effects

When you snort hydroxyzine, the drug can’t enter your body properly or safely. Like other prescription drugs, hydroxyzine is meant to be broken down in your stomach and slowly absorbed into your bloodstream.

However, when you snort hydroxyzine, your nasal tissues absorb the drug and transport it into your bloodstream almost instantly. You will then feel the drug’s effects more quickly and intensely than if you used it as prescribed.

This rapid onset of effects can increase your risk of side effects.

The most common side effects of hydroxyzine include:

  • dry mouth
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • headache
  • constipation

Some people also experience more serious side effects, including:

  • confusion
  • low blood pressure
  • abnormal heart rhythms
  • shaking
  • seizures
  • symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as fever, itching, hives, or skin rash

If you or someone you know experiences these more serious side effects, call your doctor for medical advice right away.

You may face a higher risk of adverse effects if you snort hydroxyzine while using certain over-the-counter and prescription drugs. These drugs include:

  • opioids, such as oxycodone (OxyContin) and hydrocodone (Vicodin)
  • benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin)
  • barbiturates, such as amobarbital (Amytal) and secobarbital (Seconal)
  • sleeping medications, such as zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta)
  • other antihistamines, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (Allegra)

Increased Risk Of Overdose

Along with raising your risk of side effects, snorting hydroxyzine makes you more likely to experience an overdose.

The most common symptoms of hydroxyzine overdose include:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • dizziness
  • blurry vision
  • bigger pupils
  • ringing in the ears
  • shortness of breath
  • low blood pressure
  • fast heartbeat
  • anxiety
  • hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there)
  • confusion
  • seizures
  • loss of consciousness

If you think you or someone you know is overdosing on hydroxyzine, seek medical attention immediately. When left untreated, a hydroxyzine overdose may be fatal.

You face a higher risk of hydroxyzine overdose if you snort the drug while using central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines.

That’s because hydroxyzine can also depress (slow down) your central nervous system. When you mix CNS depressants, your nervous system may slow to the point of overdose.

Is Hydroxyzine Addictive?

In many cases, snorting drugs raises your risk of addiction. Addiction is a serious disease that makes you feel unable to control your use of a drug.

Common symptoms include tolerance (needing increasingly higher or more frequent doses of a drug to feel the desired effects) and physical dependence (experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using a drug).

However, studies suggest that hydroxyzine is not addictive.

That means it won’t cause physical dependence or tolerance. However, if you regularly snort or otherwise abuse hydroxyzine, you might start to crave the drug’s sedative effects. You may then develop other unpleasant symptoms, such as:

  • loss of interest in activities that don’t involve hydroxyzine use
  • mood swings, anxiety, or irritability when you can’t use hydroxyzine
  • avoidance of family and friends so you can spend more time abusing hydroxyzine

Also, you may find it difficult to stop using hydroxyzine on your own. In that case, consider seeking help at a substance abuse treatment program. These programs provide mental health counseling, support groups, and other services to help you stay drug-free.

To learn more about substance abuse treatment options, please contact a Recovering Champions specialist. Our board-certified healthcare providers offer personalized, evidence-based care to help you or your loved one stop abusing hydroxyzine.