Most of you are familiar with drugs like heroin, marijuana, cocaine, or crystal meth. However, another deadly illegal substance has plagued the streets of our country in recent years. Known by street names like Vanilla Sky or Purple Bliss, bath salts are potent, potentially lethal synthetic chemicals that can produce psychotic behavior and induce frightening hallucinations in users. While medical experts have attempted to place heavy restrictions on Level-1 drugs used to make this substance, bath salt addiction and abuse is still common and very disturbing. Let’s take a closer look at these deadly drugs and see what can be done to prevent future deaths.
Bath Salts Defined
Contrary to popular belief, bath salts are not derived from actual bath salts (like Epsom products) or contain byproducts from chemicals like phone cleaner or plant food. A key component in bath salts is mephedrone, a drug that produces similar effects to methamphetamine (as proven in experiments with lab rats) including increased dopamine levels and permanent damage of receptors that react to serotonin. In recent years, doctors have also suspected that variants of MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone) another component in the construction of bath salts, particularly in underground labs. So far, however, no official confirmations of the presence of MDPV have been released.
Individuals who consume bath salts experience:
- erratic or agitated behavior
- anxiety and paranoia
- hallucinations
- psychotic behavior (including suicidal thoughts)
- increased pulse and blood pressure
Doctors also warn that suicidal tendencies may continue, even after the bath salts have left a user’s system. In the case of MDPV, medical experts have confirmed that people committed suicide several days after taking bath salts.
Underground Dealings of Bath Salts
Despite federal regulations controlling the production of Schedule 1 chemicals (including mephedrone, MDPV, and methylone), these drugs (now listed as medications) still place people at a substantial risk for addiction or abuse. Typically, people will snort or inject bath salt mixtures or add the drugs to their food and drinks. Meanwhile, dealers and producers label “bath salts” (the disguised name for methadone in certain cases) as “unsafe for human consumption,” to pass under the radar of federal drug laws.
Drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance abuse disorder or suffer from addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from these illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery. Counselors and healthcare experts can walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and help guide you to a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While it might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug addiction troubles today.
