Every day seems to bring a new horror drug to the streets, from zombie drugs that rot your flesh to ones that make you go psychotic. One of these is Alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (Alpha-PVP) also known as flakka or gravel. It’s like bath salts, both are synthetics that mimic the effects of an amphetamine like stimulant called cathinone. Cathinone is found in nature in a plant called khat which is illegal in most of the world. Flakka is a cheap alternative to cocaine, 3-5 dollars a dose and it’s popular among the youth because of the euphoric high. It’s mainly sold in Asia but can be bought over the internet and shipped to the US.
Flakka comes in crystal form and can be eaten, snorted, injected or vaporized. Studies from the National Institutes of Health showed it’s as potent as methamphetamine but with higher probability of addiction among users. It’s hard to determine the exact dose and because of the potency of the drug, a small amount can be the difference between a high, overdose and death.
Like other stimulants, it releases a flood of dopamine in the brain causing an intense sense of euphoria and alertness. It can also cause rapid heart rate and palpitations, increase in blood pressure and aggressive behavior. As the drug leaves the body, the user will feel fatigue and depression and will use more to counteract these effects. As the body develops tolerance to the drug, the risk of overdose and serious medical problems like kidney disease and body temperature to 105 degrees. Some users who survived flakka overdose may need dialysis for the rest of their lives.
Not much is known about the long term effects of flakka but it’s clear it has a serious impact on the brain. It causes delusions of superhuman strength, paranoia and hallucinations which can lead to violent behavior. For example, a man in Florida who was high on flakka attacked an officer, proclaimed himself God and had sex with a tree. When a police officer used a taser to subdue him, the man shook it off and tried to stab the officer with his own badge.
Another man broke down the hurricane proof doors of a police station. The paranoia often takes the form of feeling that a group of people is chasing the drug user and trying to kill him which puts the intoxicated person and the police or first responders who are trying to help him in danger.
In 2014, the US Drug Enforcement Agency placed flakka in its schedule I list of controlled substances making it easier for the federal government to prosecute flakka sellers. Penalties up to 10 years.
If you or a loved one needs help quitting drugs or alcohol, call Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, residential and outpatient programs and you will be supervised by a team of medical professionals, counselors and therapists. Call us now (949)-763-3440.