Back in 2014 and 2015, the State of Florida experienced a string of 80 deaths linked to a bizarre substance called flakka (also known as Alpha-PVP). What is flakka, you ask? Imagine a drug with all the potency of cocaine and the power of methamphetamines that completely warps the brain and makes a person feel like their body is on fire. In several cases, victims who used this dangerous stimulant were driven to psychotic, near-animalistic behavior. As a result, officials have started to call flakka by the names “cannibal drug” or “zombie.” Although this drug has inflicted tremendous harm in the south, new reports have confirmed that a scant 1% of high school seniors have experimented with this dangerous concoction. Let’s take a closer look and find out more about this story.
A Rash of Violent Attacks
According to Joseph Palamar (lead author of the main study), flakka originally earned the nicknames “zombie drug” and “cannibal drug” due to its ability to drive the user into a psychotic, semi-conscious state of animalistic behavior. Although victims have not yet consumed human flesh after being exposed to flakka, the drug can still kill the user. People who consume this stimulant will suffer from an increased heartbeat, intense fever, severe anxiety, seizures, agitation, hallucinations, and (most notably) terrifying aggression. Chronic flakka use has ultimately led to untimely deaths, sometimes from homicides or suicides.
Speaking with the 1%
During the study (taking place from 2016 to 2017), Palamar and his team assessed 4,000 high school seniors in schools across America. As a result, the researchers confirmed that a mere 1% of the young men and women had experimented with flakka. Interestingly, though, these participants either didn’t live with their parents or lived with careless or negligent parents.
The researchers also determined that flakka is a dangerous gateway drug. After consuming the stimulant, teens may also experiment with other dangerous substances:
- 86% of flakka users will use K2/Spice (synthetic cannabinoids).
- 725 will use ketamine.
- 59% have used marijuana.
- 50% of total respondents admitted to using 4 to 12 additional drugs (besides flakka).
Seeking Treatment for Drug Abuse or Addiction
Although it might sound like an incident out of a science fiction novel, the cannibal drug called flakka is a very real danger and still poses a threat to teens, young adults, and older adults across America. As much as we do not like to admit it, drug abuse and addiction are not going anywhere anytime soon, but the good news is that you can easily find a way to overcome these illnesses.
If you, a friend, or loved one is suffering from a severe case of drug abuse or addiction, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process detox and withdrawal and guide you through each step of the rehabilitation process to help you separate yourself from these substances. The time to take back control of your life is now.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn about how you can overcome your attachment to drugs today.
