Bath Salts Addiction And Abuse

What Are Bath Salts?

Bath salts, a colloquial term for synthetic cathinones, are a class of illicit synthetic stimulants that are chemically related to the substances found in the khat plant. The khat plant is endemic to Eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and its leaves are typically chewed like tobacco, producing stimulant-like effects.

Bath salts are known to produce psychoactive effects in addition to their stimulant effects. They are commonly abused because they are cheaper than methamphetamine or cocaine, but they have more dangerous side effects.

A variety of psychoactive chemicals commonly used to make these drugs are illegal Schedule I substances that include 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, and methylone.

Before becoming illegal in 2012, they were easily accessible at gas stations, convenience stores, smoke shops, and online for $20 for 200-500 milligrams. These drugs are typically swallowed, snorted, smoked, or injected. Studies from 2021 revealed that an estimated 660,000 people 12 years of age and older reported intentionally using bath salts to get high.

Bath Salts Street Names

Common street names for bath salts include:

Because they are both synthetic cathinones, “flakka” is also commonly used as a street name for bath salts. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but although they are very similar, there are some specific differences.

• Flakka is a recreational synthetic stimulant drug made from a single cathinone compound, alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP), and is deemed to be more potent than bath salts.
• Bath salts are made from a variety of synthetic cathinone compounds, 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, and methylone.

Are Bath Salts Addictive?

Since bath salts are cathinones and cathinones alter dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin, there is potential for addiction.

Although there is not a lot of research on bath salts and addiction in humans, it is believed that bath salts have psychoactive and stimulant properties that are similar to cocaine and meth. They work on the brain’s reward system, which plays a large role in the addiction process.

Studies of cathinones in rats have shown that these animals will self-administer synthetic cathinones, indicating a compulsion to use the drug repeatedly. Mephedrone, one of the active ingredients in bath salts, has been linked to withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, cravings, fatigue, depression, and lack of focus when people stop taking bath salts, indicating that people can become dependent on bath salts with continued use.

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How Are They Abused?

Bath salts are generally snorted, but they can also be ingested (swallowed) or cooked down into a liquid and injected.

Since bath salts are synthetic illicit drugs, any bath salt use, whether it is a one-time use or a recurring pattern of use, is considered abuse. Bath salts go undetected in drug tests, making them easy to misuse.

What Are The Effects Of Bath Salts?

Bath salts are synthetic stimulant drugs with psychoactive properties and have been compared to cocaine and methamphetamine. Taking these drugs can result in feelings of:

For some people, the mental effects of bath salts can be more dangerous due to their potential to cause unintended injury. The effects may include:

How To Identify Bath Salts

Synthetic illicit bath salts come in fine crystalline powder that is packaged in plastic or foil packaging that is commonly labeled with phrases such as “not for human consumption”, “plant food”, and “jewelry cleaner.” The powder is usually white, off-white, beige, or light brown.

Although they look similar to Epsom bath salts, the key difference is their packaging and where they are sold. Epsom bath salts are white crystal chunks made from magnesium sulfate and are packaged in material that has instructions for bathing or medical use.

Can You Overdose On Bath Salts?

Yes. Because it’s impossible to know the exact ingredients in each batch of bath salts, the risk of overdose and even death can be high.

The immediate effect on the cardiovascular system from bath salts is very similar to how cocaine affects the heart. Bath salts can cause a rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure, leading to a heart attack or stroke, which can be fatal. They also result in deadly arrhythmias.

Treatment For Bath Salt Addiction

Treatment for a bath salt addiction is similar to other stimulant addictions, such as cocaine or methamphetamine. Although there is no FDA-approved medication to treat bath salt withdrawals or addiction, the mainstay treatment involves psychotherapy approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management.

The goals are to reduce urges and cravings while finding healthy ways to overcome underlying triggers that are associated with the initial drug use.

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