Drug Slang for Xanax
Sometimes a person with an addiction may talk in code. Or at least a language you might not understand without some insight. If you hear, “I’m totally out of it today. It might be that yellow school bus I took.” Sounds okay. Unless they are talking about a version of Xanax that is addictive and can cause serious dependence issues. So what is the yellow school bus drug?
Xanax belongs to a class of drugs called Benzodiazepines. Doctors prescribe them for conditions such as insomnia, panic disorders, phobias, and anxiety. In the US, it is the most commonly prescribed psychiatric drug, with nearly 50 million prescriptions issued every year. The reason why so many teenagers become addicted to it can probably be ascribed to the fact that most of them have to look no further than their family’s medicine cabinet for access. No wonder it’s also known as the “Yellow school bus drug.”
Yellow Versus White Xanax
The standard version of Xanax is white and consists of a rectangular bar that typically contains between 0.25mg and 2mg of the active ingredient Alprazolam. This version has over the years become known as the Xanax bar.
There is, however, also a generic version of Xanax that is yellow in color. This one is popularly known as the yellow school bus drug. It normally contains 2mg of the active ingredient. Xanax is also available in other strengths, colors, and shapes, for example, a green bar and a pink, oval-shaped tablet that contains 3mg Alprazolam.
Is Yellow Xanax Addiction Dangerous?
People with genuine anxiety issues who take the prescribed dosage of Xanax for a relatively short time do not have much to fear. Alprazolam is, however, a very addictive substance and if you take more than the prescribed amount, even for a relatively short time, you could get addicted. Also, take note that the yellow Xanax bars can be as addictive as the white ones because they contain the same active ingredient and both could require a prescription drug rehab.
Recreational Xanax users often make the mistake of using a whole bar of the yellow school bus drug at a time, which is much more than what a doctor might prescribe for a medical condition. This increases their chances of developing an addiction. Many first-time users become heavily sedated after taking a full 2mg Xanax bar. Combining Xanax with other drugs is even more dangerous and increases the risk of an overdose.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have to take more and more Xanax to obtain the desired effect, you might already be well on your way to becoming addicted.
Treating a Yellow School Bus Addiction
Overcoming Xanax addiction will not be an easy task, yet many struggling with a substance use disorder do exactly that every day. Your first step is to find an addiction treatment center with a sound reputation near you.
Heartwood Recovery offers addiction treatment program for men in Austin. Our addiction staff is experienced and ready to give you the tools you need to find the recovery that will change your life.
