CITIZENS RALLYING FOR CHANGE ON ALCOHOL

Over the past few months, there has been a growing use of, and interest in, synthetic stimulants sold under the guise of “bath salts” or “plant food”. Marketed under names such as “Ivory Wave”, “Purple Wave”, “Vanilla Sky” or “Bliss”, these products are comprised of a class of chemicals perceived as mimics of cocaine, LSD, MDMA, and/or methamphetamine. Users have reported impaired perception, reduced motor control, disorientation, extreme paranoia, and violent episodes. The long-term physical and psychological effects of use are unknown but potentially severe. These products have become increasingly popular, particularly among teens and young adults, and are sold at a variety of retail outlets, in head shops and over the Internet.  However, they have not been approved by the FDA for human consumption or for medical use, and there is no oversight of the manufacturing process.

In the last six months, DEA has received an increasing number of reports from poison centers, hospitals and law enforcement regarding products containing one or more of these chemicals.  Thirty-three states have already taken action to control or ban these or other synthetic stimulants.  The Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to allow the DEA Administrator to temporarily schedule an abused, harmful, non-medical substance in order to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety while the formal rule-making procedures described in the CSA are being conducted. 

Bath Salts

Bath salts are very addictive psychoactive chemicals which are presumed to include synthetic cocaine and an ecstasy variety in its components. Bath salts produce a “high” comparable to methamphetamine. It is considered bath salts abuse when it is used as a drug alternative.

Bath salts designer drugs sold inside small powder pockets are not the same as the legally sold bath salts used for body cleansing and tub relaxation. The proof is the absence of the basic ingredients of legal bath salts which are sea salt and Epsom salt. Manufacturers of these designer drugs are presumed to have labeled it as bath salts in order to get around the country’s drug laws. These drugs are legally sold as household chemicals analogous to insecticide and plant foods.

Manufactures shrewdly placed them in ready to snort cans and 500mg small powder package. These new designer drugs can be purchased from $20 up to $60. Dealers carry out the trade in gasoline stations, convenience stores and online stores like eBay. Bath salts are believed to be imported primarily from India or China.

Alternative and street names

Bath salts products include:

Purple Wave, Ivory Wave, Blue Silk, Purple Rain, Vanilla Sky, Pure Ivory, Route 69 and White Rush.

Herbal bath salts are also marketed under the following brand names: 

White Lightning, White Dove, Stardust, Spark-20, Scarface, Red Dove, Ocean, Hurricane, Cloud-9, Charlie and Charge +

How are bath salts taken?

Bath salts are taken by swallowing, snorting, or injecting.

Effects of consumption

• Initial rush upon injection or euphoria
• Appetite suppressant
• Provides more energy   
• Stimulation
• Positive reception for music
• High mood
• Decreased unfriendliness
• Enhanced mental function
• Mild sexual spur

Impact on the mind/body and health risks (side effects):

• Facial muscle tension ending with jaw, tongue rolling, teeth grinding,
• dilated pupils,
•  muscle twitching,
• anxiety,
• panic attacks 
• violent rage.

Signs of overdose from bath salts

• Hot flashes
• mild fever
• dysphoria
• lack of body heat or hypothermia
• unintentional violation of the law due to severe hallucinations and alteration of mental pattern
• violent actions 
• unpredictable behaviors

Violent cases of bath salts abuse involved people committing suicide in a violent manner like cutting his own throat, face or stomach. There were reports of attempted and consummated murders in a very violent manner like beheading, shooting and stabbing. Most of these actions are due to severe hallucinations.

The effects of the high dosage of the drugs are similar to the trip of amphetamines, cocaine and methamphetamine. 10mg or less can already produce the desired normal hit.

However since most of the users assume 500mg as a normal dose a single intake results to severe forms of hallucinations that led some users to commit self-injury and suicide.

An initial dose can cause initial rush with its peak from 15 minutes to 1 hour and a euphoric feeling that lasts for 5 hours. With the desire to experience a lasting effect many young adults re-dose to extend the effects for few days. This causes overdose that results in a dangerous trip.

Signs of abuse of bath salts

Signs of bath salts abuse include persistence use of the drugs in spite of its harmful physical, mental and even social effects. The user can also be involved in recurrent legal problems related to the use of the said substances.

Common treatment options

To prevent acute withdrawal symptoms
In order to avoid severe bath salts withdrawal symptoms compassionate medical intervention and 24-hour medical support is vital. Bath salts drug abuse treatment includes the necessity for a client to stay in a detox center that integrates psychiatric and behavioral therapy to the detoxification process.

Treatment in a detox/rehab facility
Since anti-depressant therapy will be helpful for patients with depressive states due to bath salts withdrawal it is vital to find a treatment center that integrates 12- Step programs and behavior modifications in its treatment plan.

Bath salts withdrawal/detox symptoms

Bath salts withdrawal symptoms are similar to methamphetamine withdrawal.

    Fatigue and Depression