Bath salts are a type of synthetic stimulant. Their active ingredient is related to cathinone. Cathinone is derived from the khat plant, which hails from East Africa and parts of the Middle East. Some cultures in those areas chew the leaves of the khat plant to produce a stimulating effect. Synthetic versions of cathinone, including bath salts, are often much more powerful and even dangerous than the natural khat plant’s natural cathinone.
Bath salts usually come as small, white, or brown crystals. They can also come in powder form. This type of bath salts is distinct from Epsom salts, which are a valid product people use when bathing. Epsom salts are harmless and have no mind-altering effects. Meanwhile, bath salts are an addictive drug that should always be avoided.
Help is available for anyone struggling with synthetic drug addiction. Contact Serenity Grove at 844.904.3485 or online o learn more about our substance abuse treatment programs in Athens, GA.
What Are Bath Salts Drugs?
Synthetic cathinones, or bath salts drugs, are stimulants that tend to be marketed and sold as alternatives to meth or cocaine. They tend to be cheaper while producing similar effects. Bath salts drugs can be used by snorting, swallowing, smoking, snorting, or injecting. Their side effects include:
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Increased libido
- Panic attacks
- Manic delirium
Using bath salts drugs also raises heart rate and blood pressure and sometimes causes chest pain. Bath salts are not harmless. Beyond the serious side effects listed above, they are also addictive. Clinical studies have proven the addictive nature of bath salts. Trying to quit using bath salts can often be harrowing as they produce nasty withdrawal symptoms that range from tremors to paranoia to mental health issues.
The Dangers of Using Bath Salts Drugs
Bath salts drugs are some of the most dangerous substances out there, and it’s important to be aware of what they can do to your body and mind. Here are some of the risks associated with using bath salts:
- Nausea, vomiting, and headaches
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Paranoia, agitation, and aggression
- Hallucinations
- Rapid mood swings
- Psychosis and other mental health problems
- Seizures and coma
Using bath salts can also have serious effects on your behavior. They can lead to unpredictable actions, aggressive outbursts, and an elevated risk of violence. It’s important to be aware that using bath salts can put you in dangerous situations, and it’s best to avoid them altogether.
Using bath salts is also associated with an increased risk for addiction. The effects of bath salts are often unpredictable, which makes it difficult to gauge how much you are taking and whether or not you are addicted. The risk of dependence is also much higher than other drugs, making it easy to become addicted without knowing it.
Bath Salts Drug Treatment
Bath salts drug treatment is the best answer for anyone who finds themselves using bath salts compulsively or struggling with an addiction. Treatment at Serenity Grove is judgment free. We are here to provide healing and recovery, not punishment or shame. Most of the time, bath salts drug treatment is grounded in behavioral therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management, and motivational enhancement therapy are often used in treating bath salts addiction. Teens are often at higher risk than other age groups for bath salts addiction. As a result, providers like Serenity Grove have multiple treatment options that target the needs of young people. This includes family therapy, educational resources, and family involvement in the treatment process.
Managing Bath Salts Withdrawal
As indicated earlier, bath salts withdrawal is often a difficult process. Serenity Grove works hard to ensure any withdrawal during treatment is managed carefully. The worst withdrawal symptoms tend to be experienced during detox, which occurs at the beginning of treatment. Detox is ridding the body of a harmful substance through abstinence, medical oversight, and proper nutrition.
How long the withdrawal lasts depends on several factors. Things like how long someone has been addicted and how much bath salts drug they took can influence how long withdrawal lasts. Based on treatment histories, bath salts withdrawal extends anywhere from one to ten days. It is always recommended to undergo bath salts detox in professional care. Medical monitoring and 24/7 care are critical to ensuring withdrawal symptoms are kept to a minimum, return to use is avoided, and a firm foundation for treatment is laid.
Overcome Addiction At Serenity Grove
Serenity Grove is an experienced addiction treatment provider. We partner with each client to formulate comprehensive treatment plans. These treatment plans are flexible enough to adjust over time and customized to meet each client’s specific needs. Learn more about how we approach addiction recovery by calling 844.904.3485 or filling out our online form.
