If you or a loved one is struggling with bath salts addiction, know that you are not alone. Our team of medical, clinical, and wellness experts are here to help you break free from addiction and achieve the happy, healthy life you deserve.
Bath salts have become a growing concern in recent years, as these illicit synthetic drugs have caused a surge of alarming and dangerous incidents across the United States. Contrary to their innocuous name, bath salts are a class of powerful and highly addictive stimulants that can have severe neurological and psychiatric consequences.
Bath salts, also known as synthetic cathinones, are human-made chemicals chemically related to the natural stimulant found in the khat plant, native to East Africa and parts of the Middle East. These synthetic substances are designed to mimic the effects of other illicit drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (ecstasy).
The active ingredients in bath salts are often mislabeled and marketed as “plant food,” “jewelry cleaner,” or “not for human consumption” in an attempt to circumvent legal restrictions. This deceptive packaging allows bath salts to be sold openly in various retail outlets, including gas stations, convenience stores, and online. However, these synthetic stimulants are anything but harmless – they can be up to 10 times more potent than cocaine and have been linked to a range of life-threatening side effects.
Popular names for bath salts include:
Bath salts are available in powder form (as capsules) and crystal form, which resembles Epsom salts used for bathing. They are usually white or brown in color and sold in small plastic or foil packages. These substances can sometimes be packaged as common household products to conceal their true identity.
Bath salts can be consumed in various ways, with risks and potential consequences. The most common methods of ingestion include
Regardless of the method of use, bath salts’ unpredictable nature makes their consumption inherently dangerous, as the user can never be certain of the exact chemical composition or potency of the substance.
The use of bath salts can have severe and unpredictable consequences, both in the short and long term. Some of the dangerous effects associated with bath salts include
The effects of bath salts can be long-lasting, with some users reporting persistent psychiatric issues and neurological damage even after they stop using the drugs. The unpredictable nature of bath salt composition, combined with their highly potent and addictive properties, make them one of the most dangerous and concerning synthetic substances on the market today.
Bath salts have a high potential for harm, as the chemical components of these synthetic drugs are difficult to trace. Even short-term use can cause individuals to become aggressive, confused, irritable, and delusional. Many people are unaware of the dose and strength before they ingest bath salts, so consuming the drug is a constant risk.
Even first time users will experience depression and have intense cravings for the drug again, often leading to addiction. Users may also experience hypertension, heart palpitations, and seizures. The negative effects of bath salts multiply with prolonged use.
Bath salts alter the brain’s chemistry and can cause people to act intoxicated, or extremely drunk. These episodes are referred to as “excited delirium.” In one extreme case, bath salts caused one user to act psychotic and bite a stranger’s face off in Miami. People who use bath salts by injecting them are also at higher risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis if they share needles.
Prolonged misuse of bath salts can lead to addiction and health problems, such as:
Individuals who are prone to mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia are at greater risk for triggering these conditions if they use bath salts.
Due to the number of powerful chemicals that make up the drug, many of which are often unknown, bath salts are very dangerous. There are no set standards when chemists are creating each batch of the drug. Bath salts are extremely addictive and lead to intense cravings, causing users to take deadly amounts of the drug in chasing “the high.” Overdose symptoms can include:
Individuals who overdose require immediate medical attention, as the psychotic symptoms of a bath salts overdose can cause extremely aggressive behavior and often lead to suicide. Even if an individual appears to be better, their cravings will intensify after an overdose, causing them to seek out a potentially deadly amount of the drug.
Overcoming an addiction to bath salts requires a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to treatment. This typically involves a combination of:
It’s important to note that there are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for the treatment of bath salts addiction. However, clinicians may utilize medicines approved for the treatment of other stimulant use disorders to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Seeking professional help from a qualified addiction treatment provider is crucial for overcoming a bath salts addiction. With the proper support and evidence-based interventions, individuals can break the cycle of bath salts abuse and reclaim their lives in recovery.
If you or a loved one is struggling with bath salts addiction, know that you are not alone. Our team of medical, clinical, and wellness experts are here to help you break free from addiction and achieve the happy, healthy life you deserve.