Drug Addiction - GHB

Drug addiction - GHB was first synthesized in France more than 40 years ago as a possible anesthetic, but because of its undesirable side effects was rejected by the American medical community. Its legal use anywhere is dwindling as countries are beginning to recognize the problems with this drug.

GHB resurfaced in 1987 as an orphan drug being researched to treat the combination of sleep disorders known as narcolepsy/cataplexy. At about the same time, steroid users were told that it might enhance the body's production of growth hormone (in deep sleep state). However, due to growing numbers of overdoses, it was ordered off the shelves of stores in November 1990. Unfortunately, it has gained status as a recreational drug and as a rape drug, and has become dangerously common. As a result of increased restrictions on GHB itself, its "analogs," or chemical cousins that turn into GHB in the body, have become increasingly prevalent.

Lower doses of GHB have a euphoric effect similar to alcohol and can make the user feel relaxed, happy and sociable. Higher doses can make the user feel dizzy and sleepy and can sometimes cause vomiting, muscle spasms and loss of consciousness. Overdoses will always cause loss of consciousness (temporary coma) and will slow down breathing. Sometimes, and particularly if mixed with alcohol, GHB can slow breathing down to a dangerously low rate, which has caused a number of deaths. Coma and seizures can occur following abuse of GHB and, when combined with methamphetamine, there appears to be an increased risk of seizure. Combining use with other drugs such as alcohol can result in nausea and difficulty breathing. GHB may also produce withdrawal effects, including insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and sweating. Repeated use can lead to addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal when the drug is stopped.

Annual use of GHB among 8th-graders and 10th-graders remained relatively stable from 2004 to 2005, but 12th-graders reported a significant decrease according to MTF findings. In 2005, 0.5 percent of 8th-graders, 0.8 percent of 10th-graders, and 1.1 percent of 12th-graders reported annual use.

Hospital emergency department (ED) episodes involving drug addiction - GHB abuse were estimated at 990 for the third and fourth quarters of 2003. Males made up the majority of patients involved in these mentions (52 percent), as did Whites (86 percent). The two age categories with the highest number of mentions were the 18-20 age group and the 35-44 age group, each estimated at 28 percent of total mentions. Among ED mentions involving club drugs, however, only MDMA (ecstasy) is cited more frequently than GHB.

The majority of drug addiction - GHB users are young adults, between ages 18 and 25, and they are now mainly using the drug to produce feelings of euphoria while they are at clubs or raves. GHB, which is usually developed as a liquid or powder, is odorless and colorless, so it is difficult to recognize by sight that it is an illegal substance. A person carrying what looks like a bottle of water into a party may really have GHB in that bottle.

Also disturbing is the fact that some people are slipping GHB into women's drinks while they aren't looking and using the drug's effects to take advantage of the women sexually, also known as "date rape." Because GHB can cause the victim to be immobile and to even suffer from amnesia, this drug appeals to many sexual predators. Victims usually don't even notice when GHB is slipped in their drink since it is both odorless and colorless.

Many date-rape victims don't suspect that they have been drugged until the drug has left their body. GHB typically leaves the system within 12 hours, which makes it critical for persons who suspect they might have been drugged to get tested at a hospital emergency department quickly. If tests can be done before GHB leaves the body, officials may have an easier time proving that the victim has been date-raped and drugged and, therefore, prosecuting the perpetrator.

In addition to immobility and amnesia, side effects of drug addiction - GHB range from drowsiness and dizziness to nausea, seizures, respiratory problems, and death. Other side effects include high blood pressure, mood swings, liver tumors, violent behavior, impaired breathing, and loss of reflexes.

Other dangers exist with drug addiction - GHB ingestion. Users have no way of knowing which chemicals are used to create GHB since it is illegally developed in clandestine labs. Typically, however, GHB is produced using common household cleaning products and other strong chemicals. Two "chemical cousins" to GHB - 1,4-butanediol (or BD) and GBL - are just as dangerous to users. When ingested, these drugs convert in the user's body to GHB and can cause the same side effects found in GHB.

Even short term use of GHB is associated with the development of dependence. When GHB is abruptly stopped, the individual may develop these GHB withdrawal symptoms:

anxiety attacks
blood pressure increases
fast heart rate
profuse sweating

These drug addiction - GHB withdrawal symptoms will often persist for a few days. The symptoms may subside on their own after two or three days or in response to medication. Unlike other club drugs, GHB withdrawal symptoms also occur on a delayed basis or second phase symptoms. In the delayed phase of GHB withdrawal the individual may have extreme mental clouding, anxiety, confusion and paranoia. The second phase of GHB withdrawal usually lasts another 2-4 days.

Treatment of the GHB withdrawal syndrome is empirical and no standard protocols have yet been devised. However, most treatment centers have utilized benzodiazepines, anti seizure medications and sedative to help with the detoxification/withdrawal symptoms. In addition, it is highly recommended that medications to control the blood pressure be available because of the extreme levels of BP that can occur.

It is also recommended that drug addiction - GHB detoxification be done on an inpatient basis, so that the individual can be carefully monitored. Most detoxification programs ensure that the individual is slowly tapered off GHB to help reduce the symptoms of GHB withdrawal during detoxification. A number of fatalities have occurred when the drug has been abruptly stopped because GHB withdrawal symptoms may be severe and unpredictable. The help of an addiction specialist is highly recommended during the detoxification procedure. A GHB detoxification program usually takes 10-14 days.