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Can you get high off of hydroxyzine. Hydroxyzine Abuse: Dangers of Snorting, Effects, and Addiction Potential

Can you get high off hydroxyzine. What are the dangers of snorting hydroxyzine. Is hydroxyzine addictive. What are the side effects of hydroxyzine abuse. How does snorting hydroxyzine affect the body.

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Understanding Hydroxyzine: Uses and Misuse

Hydroxyzine is a prescription antihistamine commonly used to treat allergy symptoms and anxiety. It’s marketed under brand names such as Atarax and Vistaril. While it’s designed for oral consumption, some individuals misuse hydroxyzine by crushing and snorting it in an attempt to achieve a high. This practice, however, comes with significant risks and potential health consequences.

What is Hydroxyzine Used For?

Hydroxyzine is primarily prescribed for:

  • Alleviating allergy symptoms
  • Managing anxiety disorders
  • Treating itching associated with various skin conditions
  • As a sedative before and after general anesthesia

Why Do People Snort Hydroxyzine?

Some individuals misuse hydroxyzine by snorting it because:

  • It can induce feelings of calmness and relaxation
  • They believe it will produce a faster or more intense effect
  • They may be seeking an alternative to other drugs

However, snorting any medication, including hydroxyzine, is dangerous and not medically recommended.

The Dangers of Snorting Hydroxyzine

Snorting hydroxyzine poses several significant health risks. The practice can lead to both immediate and long-term complications affecting various parts of the body.

Nasal Damage from Snorting Hydroxyzine

The nasal passages are delicate structures not designed to handle crushed medications. Snorting hydroxyzine can result in:

  • Nosebleeds
  • Chronic runny nose
  • Loss of smell (anosmia)
  • Nasal sores and ulcerations
  • Blockages in the nasal passages
  • Inflammation of the nasal lining
  • Sinusitis (sinus infections)
  • Hoarseness
  • Difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • Increased risk of respiratory infections

Heightened Risk of Side Effects

When hydroxyzine is snorted, it bypasses the body’s natural absorption process. This rapid absorption can intensify and accelerate the onset of side effects, which may include:

  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Severe headaches
  • Constipation
  • Confusion
  • Low blood pressure
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
  • Allergic reactions (fever, itching, hives, skin rash)

Increased Overdose Risk with Snorting Hydroxyzine

Snorting hydroxyzine significantly elevates the risk of overdose. The rapid absorption and higher concentration of the drug in the bloodstream can overwhelm the body’s systems, leading to severe complications.

Symptoms of Hydroxyzine Overdose

Recognizing the signs of a hydroxyzine overdose is crucial. Symptoms may include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Severe dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Dilated pupils
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dangerously low blood pressure
  • Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
  • Intense anxiety
  • Hallucinations
  • Profound confusion
  • Seizures
  • Loss of consciousness

If you suspect a hydroxyzine overdose, seek immediate medical attention. Untreated overdoses can be fatal.

Drug Interactions and Snorting Hydroxyzine

The dangers of snorting hydroxyzine are compounded when combined with other substances. Certain drug interactions can drastically increase the risk of adverse effects and overdose.

Dangerous Drug Combinations

Snorting hydroxyzine while using the following substances can lead to severe health consequences:

  1. Opioids (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone)
  2. Benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, clonazepam)
  3. Barbiturates (e.g., amobarbital, secobarbital)
  4. Sleeping medications (e.g., zolpidem, eszopiclone)
  5. Other antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine)
  6. Alcohol

These combinations can lead to dangerous central nervous system depression, potentially resulting in respiratory failure, coma, or death.

The Addictive Potential of Hydroxyzine

Unlike many commonly abused substances, hydroxyzine is not considered addictive in the traditional sense. It doesn’t cause physical dependence or tolerance. However, this doesn’t mean that abusing hydroxyzine is without consequences.

Psychological Dependence on Hydroxyzine

While hydroxyzine may not lead to physical addiction, regular misuse can result in psychological dependence. Users may develop:

  • Cravings for hydroxyzine’s sedative effects
  • Loss of interest in activities not involving hydroxyzine use
  • Mood swings or irritability when unable to use the drug
  • Social isolation to facilitate drug abuse
  • Difficulty stopping hydroxyzine use without assistance

Treatment Options for Hydroxyzine Abuse

If you or someone you know is struggling with hydroxyzine abuse, it’s essential to seek professional help. Treatment options are available and can be tailored to individual needs.

Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Effective treatment for hydroxyzine abuse may include:

  • Medical evaluation and supervised detoxification if necessary
  • Individual and group therapy sessions
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy to address underlying issues
  • Support groups for individuals dealing with substance abuse
  • Education on the risks of drug misuse and healthy coping mechanisms
  • Aftercare planning to prevent relapse

Prevention and Education: Key to Combating Hydroxyzine Misuse

Preventing hydroxyzine abuse starts with education and awareness. Understanding the risks associated with misusing prescription medications is crucial in making informed decisions about one’s health.

Strategies for Preventing Hydroxyzine Abuse

To reduce the likelihood of hydroxyzine misuse:

  • Always follow prescribed dosages and instructions
  • Never share prescription medications with others
  • Dispose of unused medications properly
  • Educate yourself and others about the dangers of prescription drug abuse
  • Seek alternative, non-pharmacological methods for managing anxiety when appropriate
  • Communicate openly with healthcare providers about any concerns or side effects

Hydroxyzine, when used as prescribed, can be an effective medication for managing allergies and anxiety. However, misusing it by snorting or taking higher doses than recommended can lead to serious health consequences. It’s crucial to understand that while hydroxyzine may not be physically addictive, its abuse can still result in psychological dependence and other health issues. If you or someone you know is struggling with hydroxyzine abuse, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. With proper treatment and support, it’s possible to overcome substance abuse and reclaim a healthy, drug-free life.

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.