Artificially made versions of illegal drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates, marijuana and LSD are called new psychoactive substances. Bath salts refers to a broad category of newly emerging drugs known as synthetic cathinones, which are designed to mimic stimulants. Synthetic cathinones are sold as off-white, white, yellow or brown crystalline powder, or in tablets, capsules or a liquid form. Despite the dangers associated with ingesting, smoking, snorting or injecting products that contain synthetic cathinones, people across the country continue to engage in bath salts drug abuse, paving their way to addiction rehab and recovery facilities.
What Are Synthetic Cathinones?
Synthetic cathinones are a broad category of drugs that share structural similarities with cathinone, a naturally occurring stimulant that is found in the khat plant. These drugs are most commonly referred to as bath salts. People in southern Arabia and East Africa chew the leaves of this shrub for the mildly stimulant effects it has. The shrub grows there. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is linked to addiction, pleasure, and reward. Synthetic cathinones work by increasing the activity of monoamine neurotransmitters, including dopamine.
Bath Salts Side Effects
There are numerous dangers associated with ingesting, smoking, snorting, or injecting products that contain synthetic cathinones. As synthetic cathinones were created to mimic stimulant drugs, many of the short-term effects produce similar side effects as cocaine and other amphetamines, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, increased energy and agitation.
Dangers Of Bath Salts
Some derivatives of bath salts contain a substance called 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone, also known as MDPV. This substance has at least ten times the potency of cocaine, which increases the likelihood that a person will abuse the substance and become addicted to it.
Bath Salts Drug Abuse
Bath salts have the potential to produce greater side effects compared to natural cathinones People who abuse synthetic cathinones by taking high doses or who repeatedly take the drug can experience serious and life-threatening medical problems. The hospitalizations and emergency room visits due to bath salts abuse increased substantially over the past decade.
Bath Salts Addiction
Synthetic products derived from cathinones are considered to be stronger, more dangerous and highly addictive. Addiction to bath salts can also produce strong drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms in users.
Bath Salts Treatment
Rehab centers provide comprehensive behavioral health treatment programs for individuals with bath salts abuse and addiction. Patients can also receive comprehensive programs for the treatment of mental disorders and co-occurring disorders. Upon admissions, patients receive thorough medical and biopsychosocial assessments to diagnose and treat the primary and any co-occurring conditions as well as tailor their treatment to their specific needs. The holistic treatment approach ensures that patients receive individualized treatment plans that are specific to each person’s needs.
All patients receive a combination of individual, group and family therapy. As part of our comprehensive programs, we offer nutritionally assisted detoxification (NAD) as well as evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), experiential activities and outings, and complementary therapies such as equine therapy, neurofeedback and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
