The term “bath salts” may sound harmless but in reality, it refers to dangerous and potentially fatal street drugs. A designer drug of abuse, they are not a hygiene product but central nervous system stimulants that can lead to serious and even fatal adverse reactions in their users. Labeled under a variety of names, including “flakka,” “bloom,” “purple wave,” “white lightning,” or “cloud nine,” they are synthetic cathinones. Cathinone is a stimulant found in the “khat” plant, a shrub native to East Africa and southern Arabia whose leaves are normally chewed for their stimulant effects.
Often abused for effects like euphoria and alertness, synthetic cathinones are generally stronger than those found in nature. They are chemically similar to amphetamines, cocaine and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA, and are marketed as less expensive alternatives to these drugs. The chemical composition of bath salts varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. They often contain 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone and pyrovalerone; all of which are extremely potent and potentially dangerous chemical compounds. Synthetic cathinones also contain a number of harmful adulterants.
Effects of bath salts
Bath salts come in the form of a white or brown powder, or crystals that can be snorted, taken orally, smoked or put into a solution and injected. The powdered form is sold in packages with names like “bath salts,” “plant food,” “jewelry cleaner” or “phone screen cleaner” while being marked “not for human consumption.” When labeled this way, they are available online or in drug paraphernalia stores. This easy access has in part fueled the problem of bath salts abuse.
As is the case with amphetamines, cocaine and MDMA, bath salts boost dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is the main neurotransmitter that produces feelings of pleasure and well-being. As a result, users may experience a sense of euphoria when using synthetic cathinones as well as an increased sex drive and sociability. Their abuse has been associated with a number of physical and psychological effects, including:
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Combativeness
- Headaches
- Rapid heartbeat
- Hypertension
- Hyperthermia
- Panic attacks
- Acute psychosis
- Paranoia
- Violent behavior
Prolonged use of bath salts can be still more severe, including dehydration, a breakdown of muscle tissue attached to bones and kidney failure. Overdosing on these drugs can be fatal.
Bath salts addiction
Bath salts abuse and addiction have become a growing problem in recent years. Classified as Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), they have no currently accepted medical use and have a high potential for abuse and addiction liability.
Whenever one partakes in bath salts drug abuse, dopamine levels are being artificially raised; as a result, the brain begins to produce less of it. Consequently, users begins to crave for larger and more frequent doses. As soon as tolerance to the drug develops, they need to take more in order to achieve the desired effects, which can quickly develop into an addiction.
Additionally, if a person who is addicted to bath salts desires to stop the use, he/she will have to experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. The same can even happen while undergoing detox treatment. Following are some of the withdrawal effects of bath salts addiction:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Paranoia
- Problems with sleeping
- Extreme agitation
- Nausea
This is why a supervised detoxification treatment at certified bath salts detox centers is recommended to help ease the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and minimize the likelihood of a relapse.
Bath salts addiction treatment
In most cases, the treatment for baths salts will include bath salts detox treatment and therapy. Medically-supervised detox may be needed for those experiencing withdrawal symptoms to gradually remove the build-up of dangerous toxins from the user’s body. Once the detox program is successfully completed, he/she can move forward with the rest of the treatment, which will normally involve attending different types of behavioral therapies to address any underlying problems that may be fueling the addiction. These therapies also help the patients gain long-lasting tools to help them maintain their sobriety.
Treatment at Texas
Bath Sales treatment in Texas offers medically assisted detox and a host of effective therapeutic methods provide patients with effective treatment programs that facilitate long-lasting recovery. Our team of experts creates comprehensive and individualized treatment plans to meet the specific needs of each patient. We know it is not enough to just treat the physical consequences of drug abuse, so we make sure to identify and address the underlying issues that are contributing to the problem.
Upon admission, our patients undergo a detailed physical and psychological assessment to uncover any co-occurring conditions that may be contributing to their disorder. Basis the results of the assessment, an individualized treatment program that employs appropriate evidence-based treatment modalities is designed and recommended to help the patient achieve a lasting recovery.
Following are some of the treatment modalities offered at our facilities:
- Detoxification treatment
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Neurofeedback
- Individual and process group therapy
- Stress and anger management groups
- Schema treatment
- Narrative treatment
- Mindfulness training
- Biopsychosocial assessment
- Life skills education
- Experiential outings
- Couples therapy
- Continuing care program
We offer inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment as well as residential treatment to adult men and women (aged 18 years and above) for treatment of addiction, mental health or dual diagnosis. Our holistic approach to treatment gives us an added advantage and helps our patients enjoy a full, lasting recovery.
For more information about the top-notch addiction treatment programs offered at Texas call our 24/7 helpline number and speak with our admissions specialist. You can even chat online with our representatives for further assistance.