Bath salts are classified as Schedule I drugs in the United States, meaning they are illegal and have no accepted medical use. Despite this, they are still widely available on the street or through underground markets. Users who engage with bath salts often find themselves facing serious legal consequences, especially if their behavior becomes violent or reckless. Bath salts are a designer drug of abuse with reports of dangerous intoxication from emergency departments across the US. “Bath salts” are not a hygiene product used for bathing, as the name might imply, but are dangerous synthetic (“man-made”) cathinones.
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When it comes to identifying potential bath salts use, it’s important to be aware of common signs and symptoms that may indicate someone is using this dangerous drug. Recognizing these signs can help in seeking appropriate help and treatment options. The name “bath salts” is misleading and has caused confusion among the general public.
This means new, even more dangerous versions of bath salts regularly hit the streets. Users usually snort the drug up the nose, but it can also been injected, smoked, swallowed or used rectally. Toxic doses for the newer synthetic cathinones such as bath salts have not yet been determined9, and doses can be variable due to the illegal nature of the drug. There is a great risk for overdose because packages may contain up to 500 milligrams.
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- These chemicals are structurally similar to amphetamines and have stimulant properties.
- These seemingly harmless substances, innocuously labeled as “bath salts,” have infiltrated our communities, wreaking havoc on unsuspecting users and their loved ones.
- Synthetic drug addiction, including Spice, K2, and bath salts, can spiral quickly, driven by their unpredictable, intense highs.
- Bath salt addiction can seriously affect a person’s mental health, causing various distressing and disabling issues.
- Users cannot predict how their bodies will react to each batch, making every use a potential overdose situation.
The most commonly found chemical compounds in bath salts are 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, and methylone. In 2011, all three ingredients were added to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) schedule I list of controlled substances, making them entirely illegal throughout the United States. His primary strengths include clinical insight into substance abuse/mental health, hard work ethic, and ability to work well under pressure. Lisa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 25 years of clinical experience working in the field of addiction treatment and mental health stabilization and care. She has strong communication skills, compassion for others, and a drive to provide the best services we can to each client and their family throughout their experience with Elevate.
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Bath salts affect the brain’s chemical systems, particularly those involving dopamine and serotonin, which regulate mood, behavior, and cognitive function. Repeated use can impair these systems, and in many cases, the damage is irreversible. Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox. As President and Chairman of the Board, Dan’s mission is to grow the unique Elevate model outside of California and to bring it nationwide. Dan brings a unique and modern perspective to substance abuse and the problems faced by addicts, families, and society. I’ve had experience with recovery since 1996 and began working in the field in early 2004.
Are bath salts legal?
It also equips them with coping strategies to manage cravings and avoid relapse. Chemically speaking, bath salts are a cocktail of synthetic cathinones – compounds derived from the khat plant, a naturally occurring stimulant native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. However, the synthetic versions found in bath salts are far more potent and unpredictable than their natural counterparts. The most common ingredients include methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, and methylone, though the exact composition can vary widely from batch to batch. Unlike many stimulants, bath salts are more likely to cause unprovoked aggressive behavior. The combination of paranoia, hallucinations, and emotional instability can make users unpredictable and, in some cases, violent.
- Jennie Stanford, M.D., is a dual board-certified physician with nearly ten years of clinical experience in traditional practice.
- A person with a family history of addiction may be more likely to abuse substances including bath salts.
- Some individuals are drawn to bath salts because of their ability to produce euphoria, increased energy, and altered perceptions.
- People who use bath salts can potentially develop a bath salt addiction, leading to dangerous health conditions like increased blood pressure, paranoia, dehydration, and delirium.
- The effects of bath salts can mimic symptoms of other drug use or mental health conditions, like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or stimulant overdose.
If synthetic cathinones are identified as that trigger, then specific management needs to be done. A study discovered that synthetic cathinones were found to wreak more havoc on people who are in stuffy places with many people. When people use this drug at parties and rave concerts, a salt overdose is more likely to happen. The presence of bath salt and alcohol in an individual’s system makes the likelihood of bath salt overdose more likely. Some people overdose accidentally because they had alcohol or another drug in their system before taking this drug.
This test provides results with relatively higher reliability than a saliva test and a quicker turnaround time than a blood test. However, the window period for detecting the presence of cloud bath salts addiction: signs, risks, and treatment nine drug in the urine is highly variable. Wegovy (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved weekly injection for weight loss, reducing heart risks … Stories like Sarah’s underscore the importance of early intervention and comprehensive treatment. They also highlight the critical role that community support plays in the recovery process. Bath salts should not be confused with Epsom salts used in actual bathing products.
The powerful dopamine release creates intense cravings and leads users to take more of the drug to achieve the same euphoric effects, which accelerates dependency. Bath salts have been linked to extreme, violent, and bizarre behaviors that make users seem out of control or disconnected from reality. Media reports have described users behaving like “zombies,” attacking others or themselves due to hallucinations, paranoia, or psychosis induced by the drug.
Potential for Addiction and Overdose
MDPV or MDPK also have chemical similarities to hallucinogens like Ecstasy, which is a street name for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). In reality, they’re a class of dangerous synthetic drugs made from synthetic cathinones which are lab-made chemicals that mimic the effects of powerful stimulants like methamphetamine or cocaine. Once patients have safely and fully detoxed from bath salts, they can begin more intensive work in therapy and 12-step programs for addiction. In many cases, people who become addicted to drugs or alcohol use these substances to cope with stress, mental health conditions, or other traumas. During rehabilitation and therapy, patients can explore the deeper reasons behind their addiction.
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