Bath Salts Addiction and Abuse

Bath Salts Info

• Bath Salts Addiction and Abuse
• Bath Salts Symptoms and Warning Signs
• Bath Salts Treatment and Rehab
• Bath Salts Withdrawal and Detox

Recently, there has been an explosion in the use of ‘legal highs’ and new psychoactive substances (NPS). These substances are cheaper, easily accessible alternatives to illicit drugs like cocaine and ecstasy. NPS products are often labelled “not suitable for human consumption” and given deceptive names to avoid detection by law enforcement in the UK and US, where these drugs are especially popular.

Recent findings show that drugs like ecstasy have lost their purity because they are mixed with Bath Salts (a synthetic psychoactive substance) to elicit the same response, at lower quality. Most users are unaware that the synthetic drugs they use are mixed with other substances, which subsequently results in poisoning and increased cases of drug overdoses.

What Are Bath Salts? An overview

Also known as psychoactive Bath Salts (PABS), the name derives from drugs disguised as real Bath Salts in granules, white powder or crystal form (but chemically different). They have also been camouflaged as hookah cleaner, plant food, fertilisers and other products.

The drug is derived from the khat plant that grows in the Arabian Peninsula and parts of East Africa. It produces cathinones, with similar effect to that of amphetamines, which act on the central nervous system.

The chemical components of Bath Salts

People chew cathinones for the mild stimulant effects, but when synthesized, it is much stronger and very dangerous. Bath Salts are made in the form of crystal powder and sold in foil packages or small plastic containers, disguised as phone screen cleaners, Bath Salts or jewellery cleaner. Other brand names include ‘white lightning’,’ lunar wave’ and ‘cloud nine’.

The exact effect of the drug is unknown, but the chemicals and compounds used in making them mimic recreational drugs like MDMA, methamphetamine and LSD, leading to similar effects such as euphoria, aggression, dilated pupils, seizures, high blood pressure and psychosis.

How Bath Salts addiction develops: Who is most at risk?

Risk factors include:

• Biological factors – having parents who abused drugs
• Environment – growing up in an environment where drug use is normal
• Dual diagnosis – diagnosis of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder
• Polydrug use disorder – combining Bath Salts with other stimulants and substances to increase the potency of the ‘high’

Why are Bath Salts addictive?

Most people take Bath Salts because they are cheap, inexpensive and easy to obtain. Recreational drug users who are low on cash can get their supply by placing their order online or from their local drug dealer. The effects are similar to popular drugs like cocaine, ecstasy and crystal meth, so it’s a relatively affordable ‘high’ to maintain.

Although the precise chemical composition of Bath Salts can vary, chemicals similar to cathinone found in Bath Salts include methylenedioxypyrovalerone, mephedrone and methylone. The reason Bath Salts are so addictive is the positive effect of the drug, which includes feelings of euphoria, reduced appetite, increased energy and intensified sensory experiences.

Signs and symptoms of Bath Salts abuse

Signs of Bath Salts abuse include:

Physical, emotional and social effects of Bath Salts abuse

Using stimulants affects both your physical and mental health. When you’re ‘high’ on the drug, you feel happy, relaxed and euphoric, but after the effects wear off, you’ll feel depressed, unable to feel pleasure, irritated, and anxious. You’ll lose confidence, have a poor self-image and your relationships with friends, loved ones and family will suffer, as you isolate yourself to use drugs.

Short-term effects of Bath Salts abuse

Long-term effects of Bath Salts abuse

If you inject Bath Salts, effects can include gangrene, skin erosion, vein blockage, blood clots and increased risk of hepatitis, HIV and other contagious diseases.

A UK survey carried out in 2010 revealed that Bath Salts were the fourth most commonly abused drug in the UK (after Cannabis, Ecstasy and Cocaine)

Synthetic cathinones – while similar to illicit drugs like cocaine – produce ten times more powerful effects.

Bath Salts addiction treatment

Bath Salts addiction is a very serious issue, because most of the compounds used to make the drug are unknown. The first stage of treatment is detox to rid your body of harmful toxins. After the Bath Salts detox, you can attend outpatient or inpatient Bath Salts addiction treatment.

Rehab provides the unique opportunity to understand why you abused drugs and learn coping skills for dealing with triggers and stressors, without resorting to drug use. Programmes in drug rehabilitation include relapse prevention plan, education, skills classes, individual therapy, support groups and group counselling.

Get clean and stop your Bath Salts abuse today

FAQs

Sources

• https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3458734/Ecstasy-warning-40-users-taking-BATH-SALTS-raising-risk-drug-poisoning.html
• https://whitesandstreatment.com/2017/01/20/bath-salts-addiction/
• https://science.howstuffworks.com/bath-salts1.htm
• https://www.recovery.org/topics/quitting-bath-salts/
• https://drugabuse.com/library/the-effects-of-bath-salts-use/#long-term-effects-of-bath-salts
• https://www.solutions-recovery.com/bath-salt-guide/overdose-and-withdrawal/
• https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/bath-salts-withdrawal/
• https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/synthetic-cathinones-bath-salts
• https://americanaddictioncenters.org/synthetic/bath-salts-abuse/
• https://www.recovery.org/topics/bath-salts-facts/