The Hidden Dangers of GHB

The Hidden Dangers of GHB

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February 21st, 2014 Drug Addictions, Helpful Articles

“GHB is the most dangerous drug because of misinformation about it on websites and because people can die so easily from it.”-Trinka Porrata, director of the Project GHB helpline”

This past May, police were called to a Vancouver dance party after two teens and a 20 year old friend nearly died as a result of GHB overdose. When officers arrived on the scene they discovered the 20 year old in medical distress and foaming at the mouth; and the two teens were unconscious while also foaming at the mouth. All three were immediately taken to the hospital and placed in urgent care. While there were no fatalities, their close brush with death provides a harrowing example of the extremely harmful side effects that can come as a result of GHB abuse.

GHB, or Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter like chemical naturally found in the brain and also synthetically produced in pharmaceutical laboratories. Though doctors in the United States are legally allowed to prescribe it in order to ease symptoms of the sleep disorder known as narcolepsy, the illegal use and abuse of GHB is rampant; used for its euphoric and sedative effects. GHB is a drug which has the ability to paralyze its unsuspecting victims, preventing them from any self-defense; as well as the potential to cause a multitude of dangerous side-effects including:

  • Seizures
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Unconsciousness
  • Amnesia
  • Abnormally low blood pressure
  • Serious or severe breathing problems
  • Delusional thinking
  • Hallucinations
  • Coma
  • Death

Adding to its extremely dangerous nature is the fact that GHB has no color or odor and, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, certain forms of the drug are also tasteless. Because it is mostly abused in settings such as concerts, clubs, and parties, GHB has earned a place in the unofficial category of substances known as “club drugs.” However, GHB’s ability to produce both unconsciousness and amnesia in individuals leads to GHB also being classified as one of the quintessential “date rape” drugs.

As the true effects of GHB are generally completely unpredictable, individuals abusing the drug are taking the risk of mistakenly ingesting amounts of GHB that can lead to incapacitation or the onset of serious or fatal health complications; as well as any of the previously mentioned side effects. If you or someone you love is abusing GHB or any other drug, take action and give us a call today; we are here to help.

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