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Are you a fan of rap music? If so, you may have heard of popular rap artists like Future, 6ix9ine, Migos, or 21 Savage. Collectively, these artists and groups have racked up millions of views, plays, and downloads on YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify. Migos just won the BET award for Best Music Group in 2020, and 21 Savage won the 2018 MTV Music Video Award for song of the year. It’s safe to say that hip-hop and rap artists like these are ingrained into today’s pop culture – and so are their lyrics.
Here’s a surprising thing all of the aforementioned artists and groups have in common: they also sing about using Xanax, or to be more specific, “Xanax bars.” It is partly through this musical exposure that Xanax got some of its alternative or “slang” names, including but not limited to “xannies”, “xans”, “yellow boys”, “white girls”, and of course, “Xanax bars.”
In the United States, benzodiazepines like Xanax (alprazolam) are undoubtedly popular. There are an estimated 17 million Xanax prescriptions per year. We know that benzodiazepines are problematic, especially here in Oregon where accidental overdoses are climbing (100,000 between 2019-2020), often due to the unknown presence of fentanyl in illicitly obtained medications.
The dangers of using Xanax aren’t always being conveyed the way they should be – especially amongst our youth. Part of our mission at Serenity Lane is to expose our community to the realities that come along with medications like alprazolam. Oregonians might hear about benzos in some of their favorite songs, but that doesn’t make them safe – especially when they’re being used outside of a doctor’s prescription. Let’s talk about Xanax bars, how they got their infamous name, and what they do to the people who take them.
Xanax bars aren’t just a slang name for “regular old” alprazolam – they differ in their dosage and appearance, as well. Each “bar” comes in a long, rectangular pill form. Each pill is scored 4 times, with each section containing .5mg of alprazolam for a total of 2mg per Xanax bar. If you’re not familiar with Xanax, this is a fairly hefty dose. The recommended maximum dose of alprazolam is 4mg per day; it would only take 2 of these pills to reach that. Additionally, doctors will often recommend that patients take only .25-.5mg at a time (multiple times daily as needed). In other words, Xanax bars pack a heavy punch, and people illicitly obtaining them aren’t always aware of this.
Xanax bars have their own sub-category of street slang. They’re often called “planks”, “sticks”, “zbars”, “handlebars”, “totem poles”, and “bricks.” Actavis Pharma, one of the companies that manufacture Xanax bars, chooses to make their pills yellow. This has inspired the street name “yellow school buses”, as well.
Xanax bars are also popular in Mexico and they go by the brand name “Farmapram.” Because the ingredients used in Mexican Xanax often go without being tested or approved, they can pose an additional risk to anyone taking them illegally. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued public warnings against buying illicitly-sourced Xanax bars.
The origin of the term “Xanax bars” is tough to trace, but it lives up to its namesake in appearance alone (long, rectangular “bars” of Xanax). One of the rappers we discussed earlier, Future, also mentions Xanax bars in his 2015 song “56 Nights”:
I think 56 nights crazy
I think me and Esco crazy
I think me and Young Sco’ crazy
I took 56 bars all in one month and I’m still dranking
I could still see the scar on a hand, man this crazy
Whether the name was created by a musician or spread by word-of-mouth on the street, one thing is certain: they’re not safe to take long-term.
A common feeling many people face in recovery is betrayal. It doesn’t matter what you’re recovering from. It could be alcohol, benzo, or stimulant use – the feeling is still there. How could something that made me feel so good end up hurting me so badly? Xanax isn’t prescribed to make people feel “bad” or cause health issues. It’s prescribed to help people manage anxiety (or even seizures) so they can live healthy and beautiful lives. Unfortunately, that’s not always how it ends up working out.
Xanax comes with a high risk for physical dependence, especially in larger doses like what Xanax bars contain. This is for several reasons. Benzodiazepines alter the reward pathways in the brain, forcing us to depend on them to feel relaxation or well-being of any kind. When taken for significant periods, tolerance is heightened and people need more of the medication to feel the same effects. Unfortunately, the more you take, the more dangerous things get.
The possibility of overdose is only one of the unfortunate consequences of taking Xanax outside of medical advice. Another important consequence is the myriad of withdrawal symptoms that come from missed doses (or from stopping the medication altogether). Over time, benzodiazepines like Xanax impact long-term brain and body health.
Some common long-term side effects of taking Xanax bars outside of medical advice include:
Thankfully, the risk of long-term health issues decreases when someone stops using benzos.
One of the unfortunate side effects of regular benzodiazepine use (whether taken illegally or via a prescription) is withdrawal. A series of uncomfortable (sometimes intolerable) symptoms can occur when someone stops taking Xanax after regularly using it. The brain has become reliant on the substance to feel calm. It needs to relearn how to function again – without the medication.
Withdrawals usually start within 24 hours and can last for up to a week. Protracted withdrawal symptoms can last for months. The first 3 days of benzodiazepine withdrawal are usually the hardest. Serious complications can occur during this time, which is why medical treatment is always recommended. If this is something you’re managing personally, reach out for help when you’re ready to stop. Some common withdrawal symptoms include:
Treatment isn’t just about managing your withdrawal symptoms, it’s about reclaiming your health and your life. The use of Xanax bars outside of a prescription is happening for a reason, and we want to help you discover that reason. In other words, we want to help you build a strong foundation for your long-term recovery. Addiction doesn’t define you – growth does.
Serenity Lane is proud to offer a full continuum of care for benzodiazepine use disorder:
Serenity Lane is the oldest non-profit program in the state of Oregon with over 50 years of experience. We specialize in individualized, effective, and innovative solutions for recovery. If you or someone you love is ready for benzodiazepine addiction treatment, call us today at 800-543-9905 so we can help. We offer no-cost, confidential screenings at all of our locations.
What are Xanax bars used for?
Xanax bars are prescribed for short-term anxiety, panic attacks, or seizures. They are often misused for the feelings they elicit (well-being, relaxation, euphoria, and more).
How are Xanax bars taken?
Each “bar” comes in a long, rectangular pill form. Each pill is scored 4 times, with each section containing .5mg of alprazolam for a total of 2mg per Xanax bar.
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