The reason these drugs are commonly called bath salts is that they tend to be in the form of white or off-white powder or crystals. However, these substances are not at all the same as Epsom salts or the other bath salts in which people bathe. These drugs and are chemically similar to stimulant chemicals like cocaine or amphetamines. MDPV or MDPK also have chemical similarities to hallucinogens like Ecstasy, which is a street name for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Often, much more difficult and time-consuming than recovery from the physical aspects of drug dependency is psychological addiction.
Effects of Bath Salts
- The facts about bath salts are disturbing on their own, but further investigation found that there was no evidence that they cause “zombie-like” behavior.
- If the person is not overly agitated or aggressive but is displaying other signs and symptoms consistent with bath salts overdose, call 911 and monitor their condition.
- Whatever these synthetic cathinones are called on the streets, some indications being bath salts high repeatedly over time, they can cause addiction.
Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 4 Jun 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 3 Jun 2024), ASHP (updated 10 Jun 2024) and others. Some cloud nine drug formulations may contain synthetic cathinones like mephedrone and methylone. In which case, a mephedrone or methylone drug test will be required to detect possible abuse of cloud nine drug. It can be difficult for a person to stop misusing certain substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs.
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If one uses a mixture that is not banned by law, one will not break the law. Therefore, even though there are many illegal bath salts, new types which are not banned yet are constantly being made. Even if the components have not yet been banned, this does not mean that this substance can be bought or consumed. These drugs may cause a person to feel euphoria and alertness when ingested. However, they can also cause serious side effects, such as psychosis or death. Hailey Shafir is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, and Certified Clinical Supervisor with extensive experience in counseling people with mental health and addictive disorders.
Side Effects of Bath Salts Abuse
If you have a mental disorder along with an addiction, it is known as a dual diagnosis. It causes a person to take drugs repeatedly, despite the harm they cause. His Master’s thesis delved into the associations and mediational relationships among treated individuals with bulimia and co-occurring borderline personality disorder symptomatology. Outpatient treatment programs offer the same kinds of treatment as inpatient treatment facilities do.
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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. Unlike Epsom salts, Dead Sea salts, or other types of salts you might use to game up your bath time, synthetic cathinones are a powerful and illegal drug. Synthetic cathinones is the scientific name for the drug commonly known as bath salts. The initial stage of treatment manages the drug’s immediate side effects, including temperature regulation and aggression. Healthcare providers also screen for co-occurring mental health conditions and devise a treatment plan based on medical advice.
According to statistics by state, people residing in the West tend to be at higher risk for chemical dependency. As with substance use disorder in general, circumstances like receiving appropriate supervision, as well as clear messages from family members that drug use is unacceptable help prevent bath salt abuse and addiction. The primary goals of drug abuse and addiction disorders treatment (also called recovery) are abstinence, relapse prevention, and rehabilitation.
Adverse effects
The drugs’ packaging often states “not for human consumption” in an attempt to circumvent drug prohibition laws.[5] Additionally, they may be called as “plant food”, “powdered cleaner”, and other such products. Treatment for a bath salts addiction is similar to what might be seen with other substance use disorders. Rehab centers typically employ behavioral therapy techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management. 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. Another important aspect of treating bath salts addiction is helping family members and friends of the addicted person refrain from encouraging addictive behaviors (codependency).
Although some health professionals indicate that cloud nine drug has a half-life of three to four hours, sometimes it can extend for up to 24 hours. It happens mostly due to the variety of formulations created for this designer drug. Whatever these synthetic cathinones are called on the streets, some indications being bath salts high repeatedly over time, they can cause addiction.
For people who may have less severe drug use disorder, the symptoms of psychological addiction may be able to be managed in an outpatient treatment program. Similar to many mental health diagnoses, there is no one test that definitively determines that someone has a chemical barbiturates: usage effects and signs of barbiturate overdose use disorder. Therefore, health care professionals diagnose these conditions by thoroughly gathering medical, family, and mental health information. The practitioner will also either conduct a physical examination or ask that the person’s primary care doctor perform one.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. The drug effect is a high or “rush” that is similar to methamphetamine (speed). They are often sold on the street as cheap substitutes for other stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine.
It mainly consists of behavioral therapy, which aims to inform users about the consequences of addiction, motivate them to stay clean and provide support during the process. The negative short-term mdma withdrawal timeline symptoms + detox treatment options effects of bath salts can range from agitation to panic attacks, to hallucinations. Severe reactions may include aggression, violent behavior, adverse mental health symptoms, and psychosis.
Research shows that combining medicines with counseling gives most people the best chance of success. Mental health disorders encompass a wide range of issues, including severe depression and attempts at suicide. Media outlets have reported serious disturbances as being a side effect of bath salts use.
Cannabis often precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
Using multiple substances almost always puts the user at amplified risk of overdose. Synthetic cathinones are powerful stimulants, so using other stimulants, in particular, can be very dangerous. For example, using bath salts and methamphetamine could worsen many of the unwanted symptoms of bath salts use, like agitation, paranoia, and rapid heart rate. The most popular ingredients include 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone and methylone. These substances are synthetic stimulants with effects similar to amphetamine. Users usually snort the drug up the nose, but it can also been injected, smoked, swallowed or used rectally.
Cathinone is a stimulant occurring naturally in the khat plant typically found in parts of Africa. Other names, including brand names, for bath salts include White Lightning, Cloud Nine, Red Dove, Cotton Cloud, Bloom, Vanilla Sky, Lunar Wave, White Snow, Ivory Wave, and Scarface. They’re sold online and in head shops, convenience stores, gas stations, under categories such as jewelry cleaner, phone-screen cleaner, or plant food. Detox centers will provide a safe environment and medical supervision.
People with a recessive genetic vulnerability to psychological illnesses will also see these vulnerabilities become dominant. People sometimes refer to bath salts by numerous street names, such as bliss or meow meow. A person experiencing bath salt toxicity alcohol intoxication may also show psychological signs, such as aggression, psychosis, or violence. When in this state, a person may be at risk of harming themselves or other people. Bath salts are also available in tablet or capsule form, which can be taken orally.
Using bath salts can trigger intense cravings and lead to drug binges, making cessation challenging. Regular use increases tolerance, necessitating larger doses to achieve the same effects. In rats, doses above 10mg/kg showed severe depletion of brain serotonin. However, further studies on the lethal dose for humans is still unknown. Initially, when the dose of bath salts or flakka has been exceeded, the likelihood of one feeling one’s heartbeat is common.