When someone struggles with addiction, they may use many methods to consume drugs, including snorting pills. One of the main reasons someone may decide to snort pills is because it makes the drug have faster effects compared to swallowing the pills and waiting for them to digest in the stomach.
That said, there are many dangers of snorting pills, and ongoing misuse of prescription or recreational substances can have many lasting effects on the mind and body. Therefore, it’s important to watch out for the signs of snorting pills if you think someone you care about is struggling with addiction or prescription drug misuse.
In the rest of this article, we’ll detail the effects of snorting prescription drugs so you understand what to watch out for and why seeking help for addiction as soon as possible is essential.
What Does Snorting Pills Mean?
Snorting pills usually refers to crushing and snorting prescription drugs like opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants. It’s similar to how someone would snort other recreational drugs like cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine, just using prescription pills instead.
When you compare snorting vs. swallowing pills, the main reason people decide to snort them is because it achieves a faster high from the substance.
What Happens When You Snort Pills?
After snorting pills, the drug gets absorbed in the blood vessels in your nose and can make its way straight to the brain, which is a much shorter process than swallowing them and having them get absorbed in the stomach.
This can lead to a rapid and intense high from the substance. It may even have dangerous effects since the brain and body can get overwhelmed by absorbing prescription drugs so quickly.
Common Types of Pills That Are Snorted
Some of the most common pills snorted are:
- Prescription opioids, such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet
- Stimulants, such as Adderall and Ritalin
- Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium
Snorting prescription medications like these is a dangerous form of misuse, and it can lead to long-term negative consequences if you snort them or take them in high doses regularly.
To stay safe, you should only take these medications when prescribed by a doctor for a health condition and follow their recommendations for dosage and consumption closely.
Signs of Someone Snorting Pills
When you think that someone you care about may be snorting pills, it’s important to look for common signs and symptoms that can be physical, behavioral, or environmental. Early intervention is crucial to treat addiction and prevent long-term health consequences.
Physical Signs
Looking at someone’s physical appearance or physical health markers over a duration of time can help identify common signs. Those include:
- Frequent nosebleeds or nasal congestion
- Unusual nasal discharge in odd colors
- Making constant sniffing or snorting sounds
- Irritated or inflamed nostrils
- Powdered substance around the nose and nostrils
- Recurring sinus infections
Behavioral Signs
One of the key prescription drug abuse signs is when someone’s behavior changes, such as starting to act secretive or going to multiple doctor’s appointments to get more medication. Some other behavioral signs to watch for are:
- Mood swings, paranoia, or aggression
- Rapid speech or sudden bursts of energy
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Sudden unexpected changes in schedule, such as sleeping later than normal or being awake at odd times of the night
- Increased risk-taking behavior
Environmental Signs
Looking around someone’s environment can also help identify signs of snorting pills. That includes:
- The presence of powder or crushed pill residue on surfaces
- Rolled up dollar bills, straws, or hollowed-out pens
- Lots of empty pill bottles
- Missing medications around the house
Health Risks and Dangers of Snorting Pills
Snorting pills has many health risks and dangers in the short and long term. Let’s review both to give you a better understanding of the potential risks and consequences.
Short-Term Risks
One of the most common effects in the short term is problems with the sinuses and nasal passages. Snorting drugs like cocaine or prescription medications can cause non-allergic rhinitis, which consists of frequent sneezing, runny nose, congestion, or postnasal drip.
If someone stops snorting drugs in the short term, these symptoms can subside or be treated successfully by a doctor. However, during ongoing use, they can persist and lead to more severe effects.
Another big risk is overdose. The rapid onset effects after snorting a prescription medication are hard for the body to cope with. It can lead to symptoms like suppressed breathing, rapid heart rate, or severely high blood pressure that could become life-threatening if immediate medical attention isn’t provided.
Common signs of overdose include unresponsiveness, slow or rapid heartbeat, slow breathing, confusion, skin becoming extremely pale, and chest pains. You should contact 911 immediately if you notice any of these signs.
The CDC states that mixing drugs can increase the risk of overdose and dangerous health complications. This is especially common when someone is snorting prescription drugs in recreational settings where they may also consume alcohol and other drugs that place a lot of stress on the body’s system.
Long-Term Risks
Continuing to snort prescription drugs for a long time can lead to permanent nasal damage and chronic respiratory issues.
A study in 2015 linked chronic invasive fungal sinusitis (severe sinus infections) with intranasal drug use. Those chronic sinus infections required extensive care to treat and left patients with serious damage to the nasal tissues.
There are also several other long-term health consequences linked to ongoing drug abuse and snorting prescription pills. Those include:
- Liver, kidney, and heart problems
- Increased risk of cancer
- Stroke
- Cognitive and memory problems
- Reduced immune system
- Mental health issues
- Psychosis
Additionally, continuing to snort prescription pills increases the risk of addiction and dependence on the substance. It can start to feel hard for someone to quit taking the substance, and they may have serious withdrawal symptoms after stopping. Fortunately, resources are available that can help treat addiction. Contacting a local treatment center is a great first step if you or someone you care about is struggling.
Why Snorting Pills is More Dangerous Than Swallowing
Snorting prescription pills is more dangerous than swallowing for several reasons:
- It leads to a faster and more intense high that can cause irrational behaviors
- The immediate absorption into the bloodstream can increase the risk of overdose
- Rapid onset of drugs is linked to a higher risk of addiction and drug cravings
Some studies have also stated that filler ingredients in prescription medications that contribute to the texture and taste of the pills can cause inflammation and erode nasal passages when the drugs are snorted.
For example, a case report on patients who snorted over-the-counter acetaminophen found that an ingredient called Talc, which makes tablets easier to swallow, led to chronic inflammation on the inner lining of the nose. Talc is also commonly used in prescription opioid pills, so someone snorting prescription opioids could experience similar effects.
Seeking Help for Pill Addiction
You can overcome an addiction to prescription pills, and you don’t have to go through it alone.
A great first step is contacting an addiction treatment center that can provide a consultation and diagnosis. After diagnosis, treatment professionals can help you determine which options are best for your needs. Common treatment options for prescription pill addiction are:
- Medical detox: This is the first step of most treatment programs where you stop taking drugs and let them leave your system. You’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms during this time, but you’ll receive 24/7 medical support to keep you safe and as comfortable as possible.
- Inpatient treatment: Inpatient care involves staying at a treatment center for a duration of time. It provides a controlled setting with continuous support so you can focus on recovery. You’ll receive therapy, work on building life skills, and create strategies that help maintain sobriety long-term.
- Outpatient treatment: Outpatient care allows you to continue living at home while you commute to the treatment center at designated times each week to receive therapy and build skills to maintain sobriety. It’s best for those with less severe addictions who don’t want to give up work or family responsibilities while recovering.
Conclusion
Snorting pills has many dangers to physical and mental health, which is why looking for signs and seeking treatment as soon as possible is crucial. If you or a loved one is snorting pills and struggling with addiction, there are resources that can help.
At Genesis House, we provide medical detox, inpatient treatment, and outpatient treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. All our programs are evidence-based and personalized to your specific needs, with our knowledgeable treatment team there to support you each step of the way.
References
- “UpToDate.” www.uptodate.com, https://www.uptodate.com/contents/nonallergic-rhinitis-runny-or-stuffy-nose-beyond-the-basics/print
- Better Health Channel. “Drug Overdose.” Vic.gov.au, 2012, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/drug-overdose
- CDC. “Polysubstance Use Facts.” Stop Overdose, 30 Apr. 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/caring/polysubstance-use.html
- Pekala, Kelly R., et al. “Chronic Invasive Fungal Sinusitis Associated with Intranasal Drug Use.” The Laryngoscope, vol. 125, no. 12, 7 July 2015, pp. 2656–2659, doi:10.1002/lary.25429. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4725714/
- Better Health Channel. “How Drugs Affect Your Body.” Vic.gov.au, Better Health Channel, 18 Dec. 2017, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/How-drugs-affect-your-body
- Allain, Florence, et al. “How Fast and How Often: The Pharmacokinetics of Drug Use Are Decisive in Addiction.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, vol. 56, Sept. 2015, pp. 166–179, doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.06.012. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763415001669
- “Nasal Cavity and Laryngopharyngeal Erosion Secondary to Intranasal Pain Medication Abuse: A Case Report.” Anncaserep.com, 2016, https://www.anncaserep.com/full-text/accr-v1-id1072.php
