GHB Addiction Facts

What Is GHB?

Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid, also known as Liquid Ecstasy, Soap, Liquid X, Georgia Home Boy, Salty Water, and Scoop is a fast-acting depressant that has been known to cause people to lose consciousness and suffer from amnesia within ten minutes of ingesting the drug. GHB is a harmful substance, regardless of the dosage ingested, due to its intense impact on the central nervous system. GHB was originally sold in health food stores until cases of overdose and other medical emergencies became known as a direct result of using the product.

Signs & Symptoms of GHB Addiction

Signs of GHB addiction include impaired breathing, nausea, vomiting, impaired peripheral vision, body tremors, seizures, agitation, drowsiness, weight loss, and mood swings.

The inherent risks in using GHB increase with the addition of alcohol consumption or other anti-depressants that impact the central nervous system. Taken in combination with either alcohol or other drugs, possible side effects range from lethargy to death (e.g., coma, respiratory failure, or cardiac arrest).

Treatment Protocols for GHB Addiction

Withdrawal symptoms for GHB progress in an intermittent, wave-like frequency in which the initial phase exhibits mild mental and physical discomfort, while a later or subsequent phase lasting two to four days can exhibit intense episodes of hallucinations, anger, and paranoia.

GHB addiction treatment has not yet developed standardized protocols, but most treatment centers are reportedly using anti-seizure medications such as Benzodiazepine as well as anti-psychotic medications to help control the detoxification process. Due to the rapid rise in blood pressure that often occurs with GHB withdrawal, many physicians administer some type of medication to reduce spikes in blood pressure.

GHB detoxification is best supported by in-house or residential treatment to carefully monitor the safety and comfort of the patient as their daily dosage of GHB is gradually tapered to reduce the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Due to the number of fatalities that have occurred among patients whose medication was abruptly discontinued, sudden abstinence is not advised. The length of time required for detoxification is approximately ten to fourteen days.

Advice for Families

Withdrawal symptoms for GHB can be unpredictable and life threatening. If you or someone you love is addicted to GHB, do not attempt any form of detoxification program that does not have licensed addiction specialists on staff prepared to deal with every phase of your recovery and post recovery care. This information is not intended to substitute for seeking the advice of your personal physician or other health care specialist.

Long Term Rehab Can Stop GHB Addiction

Burning Tree specializes in designing long-term recovery programs that fit your needs. We know that only long-term care produces long-term results. Our licensed team of clinicians, therapists, and addiction specialists utilizes a dual diagnosis approach to treating chemical/alcohol dependency behavior and mental disorders, so you receive state of the art therapeutics only found among the top rehab centers in the country. At Burning Tree, we know that stopping the cycle of relapse requires more than just medication. Our unique holistic program combines Twelve Step study groups and discussion, private and group counseling, life skills training, community service, yoga, art classes, and more. Come and be part of an experience that will change your life today.

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