Yellow Boys, Blue Footballs, Schoolbus, Xannies, Upjohn, Z-Bars, and Handlebars.
These are some of the street names of Xanax, the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medication in America. Half of all the Xanax sold worldwide is purchased in The United States. Alprazolam is the drug’s active ingredient, a short-acting benzodiazepine usually prescribed as a tranquilizer, meant to treat a wide array of social anxiety disorders.
It is available on the streets, through the dark web, and in online pharmacies. Some obtain it from friends or relatives with legal prescriptions.
Understanding Xanax: Usage, Prevalence, and Street Names
Xanax, the brand name for Alprazolam, holds the somewhat dubious distinction of being the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States. The U.S. accounts for a staggering 50% of global Xanax sales. This widespread use underscores its perceived effectiveness in treating a range of conditions, primarily anxiety disorders. However, being in such high demand and sold through illegal channels has also made this medicine available on the black market, known by various slang and street names.
Alprazolam, the active ingredient in Xanax, belongs to the benzodiazepine class of drugs. Benzodiazepines are known for their sedative properties and act on the central nervous system to produce a calming effect. Typically prescribed as a tranquilizer, Xanax is indicated for the management of various anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. The World Health Organization has also highlighted its application in the short-term treatment of anxiety-related insomnia and anxiety associated with depression. The “short-acting” nature of Alprazolam means it takes effect quickly but leaves the system relatively fast, contributing to its therapeutic benefit and potential for misuse. The World Health Organization (WHO) also listed Alprazolam on its 2019 Essential Medicines List, highlighting its efficacy in providing rapid relief and short-term management of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. This contrasts with the fact that drug users highly misuse it. It can be an affordable “quick fix,” hence the appeal. It is estimated that between 2013 and 2020, Alprazolam was connected to about 25,000 deaths per year in the United States.
Given its widespread use and the potential for recreational misuse, Xanax has acquired numerous street names. Some of the common street names for this drug are:
- Zanies or Zannies
- Bars, Xanbars
- Footballs, or Blue Footballs
- Z-Bars
- Handlebars
- School Bus
- Upjohn
- BenZos
These nicknames often reflect the shape and color of the pills. For instance, “bars” refers to the typical rectangular shape of Xanax pills, while “footballs” refers to oval-shaped pills. Recognizing these street names can be crucial for healthcare professionals, educators, and family members in identifying potential medication misuse or diversion. A 2021 study by the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics found that as many as 19 million people have been prescribed Benzodiazepine. In a study, it was discovered that nearly 7.4 million adults misused benzos in a year. Also, according to the same source, of people who have sought treatment for any drug, between 5% and 30% cited benzos as their primary source of help. It is critical to know what the risks are of taking Alprazolam (Xanax). Being in such high demand on the black market, and with the dangers of overdose or other drug-to-drug interactions that can occur when using the medicine illicitly, is critical for harm reduction.
It is also important to state, as the World Health Organization does that with the prolonged use of any medicine, Alprazolam can cause dependence, even under the supervised care of a doctor. This dependence can cause physical and mental addiction, and as the WHO warns, can be fatal. Specific at-risk populations should use extra caution and talk to a medical doctor before they are to take Alprazolam.
While Xanax provides valuable therapeutic benefits for many individuals, its prevalence and potential for misuse necessitate informed awareness among healthcare providers and the public alike. Understanding its mechanism of action, the conditions it treats, and the street names it goes by is essential for addressing the complexities associated with this widely prescribed medication.
