Bath Salt Addiction and why it can kill you

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Do not be fooled, this seemingly safe product is a killer in disguise when taken orally or snorted. One of the latest assaults on our society today is the easily obtainable bath salts which is sold on the market legally.

What are bath salts?

Bath Salts also known as Mephedrone, are manufactured in China and has a very similar chemically to cathinone compounds that are in a plant found in eastern parts of Africa. The effects of using bath salts are very similar to the highs from Methamphetamine and Cocaine. Users routinely crush the tablets and snort the powder from bath salts.

How is it addictive?
The most dangerous aspect of bath salts is the fact that the addiction can happen almost immediately after use. Addiction can happen with the first usage of bath salts. The use of bath salts has been linked to suicide, and can mimic symptoms of mental disorders like Schizophrenia. Users become disoriented, delusional and often hear voices in their head. With continued use, these side effects become more severe and prevalent, putting the user and those around them in danger. One should never assume that bath salts are a mild form of drug, as it is just as dangerous and lethal as any other drug currently found on the streets. In fact because it is readily available in the market place and can be purchased legally, addiction is far easier to come by. Those with an addicted loved one must seek help immediately. Because this is a relatively new “high” it may be a while before public awareness fully takes a hold of this new epidemic.

Bath salt addiction symptoms:

Extreme cravings-

Addiction can be immediate. As such many users suffer from extreme cravings.

Suicidal thoughts – Users are at risk of suicide and accidental death while under the influence o f bath salts. Because of the severe hallucinations that result from this drug, impaired judgment often places the user and family members at risk of death. Many users become suicidal when faced with the reality of their addiction.
 
Violence or aggression – Radical changes in behavior while under the influence of Bath salts often take place and does not exclude violent behavior, psychotic episodes and extreme aggression. 
 
Hallucinations – One powerful symptom associated with bath salt use is the disconnect between that which is real and that which is imagined. It is very common for users to hear voices, and in many cases these voices encourage the user to destructive acts against themselves and others. The users also see things that are not there and often interact with these imagined objects, and/or beings. Users also may experience the sensation of being touched, or feeling as though something is crawling all over their body and under the skin.

Insomnia- Many bath salt addicts will suffer from insomnia in part to the other side effects and symptoms mentioned in this article like paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. Many will not sleep for days due to the distorted realities the bath salt presents.

Rapid heart beat and rise in blood pressure – The effect that bath salts have on the heart and blood pressure can be so extreme that physicians often struggle finding the appropriate sedative dosage to give those in Emergency rooms for their bath salt addiction. Even high doses of sedatives have been ineffective as a treatment for this symptom. In some cases the patient must be anesthetized with general anesthesia medications 
 
Fever – It has been reported that some users of bath salts have had fevers racing well beyond 104.

Weight loss – As with most addictive drugs, weight loss is a common side effect and addiction to bath salts often over time result in a dramatic drop in weight.

Paranoia – Users of bath salts often are paranoid of their surroundings and of people much like those suffering from mental disorders, and addicts of other harmful drugs.

Make no mistake, this drug is deadly.

Here are some available resources specific to bath salt addiction:

Crisis counselor: 1-800-207-7598

Free: Online Assessment

Solutions Recovery's 24-Hour Addiction Helpline at: 1-800-771-8599

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Crystal Meth Addiction

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This article is to provide information for those using or considering using the drug Crystal Meth. Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant. The drug works directly on the brain and spinal cord by interfering with normal neuro transmission. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances naturally produced within nerve cells used to communicate with each other and send messages to influence and regulate our thinking and all other systems throughout the body.

Problems that arise from the use of Crystal Meth include:

1. Paranoia
2. Anxiety
3. Confusion
4. Hallucinations
5. Insomnia & Violent behavior.
   
   Psychotic symptoms may last for months, or possibly years, after someone has stopped using the drug! Overuse of the drug can bring on short term memory loss, wild rages and drastic mood swings, as well as the obvious damage to the immune system.
   
   Users who inject the drug potentially expose themselves to HIV, hepatitis B and C and other viruses that pass through the blood from an infected needle.

Other issues that can arise from repeated injections of crystal meth include:

1. Infections of the heart lining and valves
2. Scarred or collapsed veins
3. Abscesses
4. Pneumonia
5. Tuberculosis
6. Liver disease
7. Kidney disease
8. Death

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A & E show Intervention takes a look at the drug GHB

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If you watched this past edition of the Award winning show Intervention on A & E then you saw the story of Tiffany, a former beauty queen turned junkie. This particular episode gave insights into a drug that for many may be unfamiliar, GHB. Because there are very few statistics and studies on this particular drug and it's addictive effects, it is of great importance that it be brought to the public through awareness. Here are the facts currently known about this addictive and potentially deadly substance.


What is GHB?
Gamma Hydroxybutyrate. GHB,also known as liquid X, Georgia home boy, Goop, gamma-oh, and grievous bodily harm, is a central nervous system depressant abused for its ability to produce euphoric and hallucinatory states and its alleged ability to release a growth hormone and stimulate muscle growth. Although GHB was originally considered a safe and "natural" food supplement and was sold in health food stores, the medical community soon became aware that it caused overdoses and other health problems.

What are its short-term effects?
At lower doses, GHB can relieve anxiety and produce relaxation. Combining use with other drugs such as alcohol can result in nausea, loss of muscle control and difficulty breathing. GHB may also produce withdrawal effects, including insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and sweating.


What are its long-term effects?
As the dose increases, the sedative effects may result in sleep and eventual coma or death. Other effects include difficulty thinking, hallucinations, slurred speech, headaches and amnesia. GHB has reportedly been used in cases of date rape. Because GHB is odorless and tasteless, it can be slipped into someone’s drink without detection.

Date rape and GHB

The drug  GHB has been identified as a date rape drug,much the same way as alcohol and potent benzodiazepines, often known colloquially as "Rohypnol", the trade name of a potent hypnotic benzodiazepine, flunitrazepam. It has a salty taste but, as it is colourless and odorless, it has been described as "very easy to add to drinks" that mask the flavor. GHB has been used in cases of drug-related sexual assault, usually when the victim is vulnerable due to intoxication with a sedative, generally alcohol. However it is difficult to establish how often GHB is used to facilitate rape as it is difficult to detect in a urine sample after a day, and many victims may not recall the rape until some time after this.[

GHB, produced as a sodium salt (sodium oxybate), may provide a noticeable salty character to the drink, although individual sensitivity to the taste of salt varies.[ GHB can also be produced as different salts, some of which may not have a taste as distinctive as the sodium salt (e.g., magnesium oxybate), or much less commonly in the unstable free-acid form.

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The effects of Crystal Meth on your body

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Of all the addictive drugs out there, the one you probably do not want your loved one or friend to ever encounter is Crystal Meth. Crystal Meth is highly addictive, leads to risky deadly behavior, and additional health problems that all pave the path to a tragic end. Early intervention is one of the few actions that can improve long term help for this terrible drug. 

What is Crystal Meth?
The chemical n-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine is called methamphetamine, methylamphetamine, or desoxyephedrine.



What are some of the dangers associated with using Crystal meth?
Crystal meth causes a wide range of symptoms including causing a rapid increase in the users libido, often used in conjunction with Viagra and other known sexual enhancers. Because there is such an impact on the users sexual desire, many meth addicts often engage in sexually risky and dangerous habits that lead to HIV and AIDS infection. Users who inject the drug potentially expose themselves to not only HIV, but hepatitis B and C and other viruses that pass through the blood from an infected needle. The user may remain awake for days on end, have little fatigue. The user will develop a tolerance to the drug and this is where the greatest danger of addict lies with this drug. Because a tolerance is built up, the addict finds themselves craving greater quantities of the drug.  High quantities of the drug cause heart rate increase, body temperatures can raise to dangerous levels. Paranoia, agitation, bizarre sexual behaviors, all of which increase the users death rate probability.

Problems that arise from the use of Crystal Meth include:
Paranoia
Anxiety
Confusion
Hallucinations
Insomnia & Violent behavior.
Psychotic symptoms may last for months, or possibly years, after someone has stopped using the drug! Overuse of the drug can bring on short term memory loss, wild rages and drastic mood swings, as well as the obvious damage to the immune system.

How addictive is Crystal Meth?
Most experts in the field say this drug is highly addictive and becoming addicted to it is likely in almost every instance. So addictive is Crystal meth, that as the user graduates to injecting the substance into their veins, addiction becomes imminent. The occurrence of relapse is high with the user of Crystal meth. The addiction is strong enough to cause great emotional distress as well, and the longer an addict uses, the projected success of getting off of the drug is often slight. Successful intervention, needs to occur immediately. Rehab for a Crystal meth addict may have to become a lifelong commitment.
Users who inject the drug potentially expose themselves to HIV, hepatitis B and C and other viruses that pass through the blood from an infected needle.

Other issues that can arise from repeated injections of crystal meth include:
1. Infections of the heart lining and valves
2. Scarred or collapsed veins
3. Abscesses
4. Pneumonia
5. Tuberculosis
6. Liver disease
7. Kidney disease
8. Death

What are the chances for over coming this drug?
Prolonged use of Crystal Meth renders the user eventually of being incapable of producing the chemicals needed in the body to experience pleasure. The body can no longer have the sensation of enjoying pleasure on its own and the drug becomes the mood enhancer. As depression overcomes the addict, the drug becomes a necessity to avoid and fight off the depression. It fails to fight off the depression, and as continued use occurs, more and more is needed to achieve any results.  Many meth addicts use prostitution as a way to obtain the drug. Users on Crystal Meth have only a limited opportunity to overcome the disease, and intervention and treatment have to occur quickly in the history of the use.