Xanax Bars:

Xanax bars, also called “zanies” and “planks,” are small, pill-sized Xanax tablets that can be broken down into quarters and taken individually. Each Xanax bar has 2-milligrams per dose, but when broken in half, becomes 2, 1-milligram pieces of a bar. Smaller doses include 0.5 milligrams and 0.25 milligrams, which is the smallest dose.

People who have developed a tolerance to a quarter of a Xanax bar often double their dosage to 2 small quarter-sized squares. Some take an entire Xanax bar, which can create irritability, aggression, and hyperactive behavior. More symptoms may follow, like chest pain, low blood pressure, drowsiness, and withdrawal symptoms. Many will continue to use Xanax bars and pills in order to escape withdrawal symptoms like panic attacks and shaking

Xanax is popular among teenagers to help them cope with the stressors, depressions, and anxieties of teenage life. This is problematic as early Xanax use among teens increases the likelihood of a life-long dependence. A 2016 report notes “roughly 70% of teens experimented with drugs or alcohol” before 15 years old. Out of these drugs, many young students are hooked on Xanax. It is widely available in schools, and some teens get the drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinets. Since Xanax relaxes the mind and body, teens often find themselves abusing the substance and then want something stronger.