GHB Addiction

What is GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate)?

GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) naturally occurs in the human body as an amino acid. GHB is a central nervous system depressant that at low doses will sedate the body. GHB is a club drug and has psychoactive compounds. At higher doses, GHB abuse may slow the body’s heart rate and respiratory functions to nearly lethal levels. Body builders often use gamma-hydroxybutyrate in their training for weight loss and muscle building. The manufactured drug is now considered by many as one of the most popular club drugs. Users are drawn to GHB by the euphoric effects it produces in the body and it can be found in raves, clubs and parties all around the world.

History of GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate)

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate was originally developed as an anesthetic. GHB is a naturally occurring 4-carbon molecule sold in powdered, liquid or capsule form. In the past, GHB was sold in gyms and in health-food stores as a sleep aid, anabolic agent, fat burner, enhancer of muscle definition and natural psychedelic. In 1960, Gamma-hydroxybutyrate was first synthesized by a French researcher. GHB has been used in Europe as a general anesthetic, a treatment for insomnia and narcolepsy, an aid to childbirth and a treatment for alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Over the years, GHB gained popularity as a “recreational” drug because of its alcohol-like high that leaves the user free of a hangover.

How is GHB Made?

GHB is made from Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL) and Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide. Essentially, GHB(Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is a degreasing solvent or floor stripper mixed with drain cleaner. When GBL or BD or products containing them are ingested, GHB is produced in the body.

GHB is often manufactured in homes with recipes and ingredients purchased on the web. Ingredients in GHB, Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol, can also be converted by the body into GHB. These ingredients are found in dietary supplements and can be found in health food stores and gyms. They are often used to induce sleep, build muscles, and enhance sexual performance.

GHB(Gamma-hydroxybutyrate)Analogs

Some of the products sold as Gamma-hydroxybutyrate are analogs or chemical cousins that convert to GHB once inside the body. Common analogs include gamma butyrolactone (GBL) or 1,4-butanediol (BD). GBL (aka 2(3)H furanone dihydroxy) is both a primary ingredient in the making GHB and an active analog which converts in the body to GHB with the same effects. GBL may be found in the hardware stores as a primary ingredient in paint strippers. This level of abuse can be particularly dangerous as these products contain other toxic ingredients. BD is an active analog. Gamma hydroxyvalerate (GHV) is another analog GBL, BD and GHV are available at gyms, chemical supply stores, and on the internet for mail order. These chemical compounds can be sold as powders, capsules, gels or liquids. They come in a variety of concentrations, colors, and flavors

What does GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate )look like?

GHB typically comes in a clear liquid form though it can be produced in the form of a white powder, tablet or capsule. In the clear liquid form, GHB can look like water and when diluted, it is odorless, tasteless and colorless. In more pure forms, users may detect a salty taste. Typically GHB abusers will carry the drug around in a small shampoo bottle, eye or nasal spray container or water bottle. The average 30 ml bottle will contain up to 9 doses of GHB. One of the dangers associated with GHB is that the addict is unaware of how strong the GHB mix is. In an undiluted form, the drug, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, will be much more powerful.

How is GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) Used?

GHB and two of its precursors, gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4 butanediol (BD) have been involved in poisonings, overdoses, date rapes, and deaths. GHB can be purchased online, at raves, nightclubs, college campuses, gay male parties, in gym locker rooms and on the street.

GHB is typically ingested. GHB is abused by a wide range of people for the various effects in has on the body. At dance clubs, GHB addicts take the drug to produce euphoric and mind altering effects. In the body building community, GHB addicts take the drug to enhance the body’s production of growth hormones. Because of its stealth like nature (odorless, colorless, etc.), GHB has become notorious for its use in crimes, particularly date rape and robbery. GHB is often slipped into fruity drinks and ingested without the victim having any clue. GHB causes sedation in the victim who is often rendered helpless. Another side effect is amnesia, making it very difficult to arrest and convict a perpetrator.

Street Names for GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate)

G
Gamma-OH
Liquid E
Fantasy
Georgia Home Boy
Grievous Bodily Harm
Liquid X
Liquid Ecstasy
Scoop
Water
Everclear
Great Hormones at Bedtime
GBH
Soap
Easy Lay
Salty Water
G-Riffick
Cherry Meth

How is GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate )supposed to make the user feel?

The intoxicating effects of GHB typically begin within 10 to 20 minutes after the drug is taken. Depending on the dosage, the effects will last up to 4 hours. GHB addicts report feelings of intoxication, happiness, feelings of affection or playfulness, increased energy, talking, desire to socialize, sensuality, enhanced sexual experience, and muscle relaxation.

Side Effects of GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate)

Euphoric feeling
Loss of coordination
Loss of muscle tone
Nausea
Difficulty concentrating
Loss of gag reflex
Headaches
Intense Drowsiness
Dizziness
Amnesia
Vomiting
Loss of muscle control
Respiratory problems

Effects of Large Doses of GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate)

Disinhibition
Sedation
Amnesia
Desire to sleep
Decreased heart rate
Incoherent speech
GHB addiction/dependency
Giddiness
Silliness
Difficulty thinking
Slurred speech
Seizures
Sleep walking
Loss of consciousness
Unable to move
Coma
Death

GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) & Alcohol

One of the most dangerous elements of GHB abuse is that it is often mixed with alcohol. Mixing GHB with alcohol can produce lethal effects in the body. The chances of a user having an adverse reaction such as seizures, coma, respiratory arrest and death are dramatically increased. GHB abusers who mix alcohol may feel paralyzed. The most common death by GHB and alcohol is due to respiratory failure. Passing out while on GHB is also dangerous and life threatening as the user runs the risk of dying in their sleep.

GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) Overdose

Typically, GHB addicts experience frequent overdoses or mini-overdoses. GHB overdose can happen quickly and the signs of overdose are similar to other sedatives and can include impaired breathing, sleep, loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, paralysis, hypothermia, seizures, slowed heart rate, coma and ultimately death.

One of the biggest dangers of GHB abuse is that the strength and purity of the drug is unknown to the user as the drug can be made from a variety of chemical formulas. Each formula will produce a different amount of GHB when metabolized in the user’s body. GHB can be extremely potent and just a small increase in the dose can cause the sedative and often desired effects to lead to lethal levels. When ingesting high doses of GHB, the body will become overwhelmed and may lose the ability to eliminate the drug.

GHB is known to have a steep dosage response curve. Even as a GHB addict develops a tolerance, the effects on the body still very greatly. Typically dosing patterns involve either precise dosing at regular intervals (every 1-3 hours) or sipping GHB around the clock. Sipping GHB all day long is more likely to cause a mini overdose as tiny variations in dose can produce a radically different effect on the body. Things like food intake, lack of food, alcohol intake, etc. can affect the way the dose effects even a regular user.

GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) Addiction

Despite information on the internet to the contrary, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) is an addictive drug. GHB withdrawals can be severe and prolonged. Information on GHB addiction and rehab treatment is not readily available as much of the public information on GHB is limited to its abuse as a date rape drug.

GHB addiction is typically characterized by dosing every one to three hours, around the clock, with heaver dosing at night. GHB addiction can develop quickly in as little time as a few weeks. Individuals who abuse GHB in the form of an anti-depressant, a sleep aid, a workout aid, weight loss product, or an anti-aging substance, are at a much greater risk for GHB addiction. The daily and systematic pattern of their GHB intake lends itself to addiction. Many users are lured in my internet advertisements that promote the drug as safe and non addictive. They may find themselves using around the clock without really registering what is happening.

GHB addicts, may feel they have found the ideal supplement and often times swear by the incredible benefits they feel they are seeing. Loved ones may witness bizarre and radical behavior changes or “head snaps” in the user. Head snaps typically occur after 15 minutes of dosing when the user experiences several minutes of twitching, strange behavior, or black outs. Episodes may occur after every dose or only after heavy doses. The addict will have no recollection of the episodes.

Who uses GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate)?

The largest group of GHB users are bodybuilders and other athletes who use the drug as a weight loss supplement or workload aid.
Ravers who are using it as a euphoric "club drug"
People suffering from depression who are using it as an anti-depressant
Business professionals who are using the drug as a "safe" sleeping

GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) Withdrawal Symptoms

GHB addicts will find that missing a dose can send them into a series of severe withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can last up to 10-14 days. The danger with GHB is that various symptoms of withdrawal can appear over a period of several days. From soaring levels in blood pressure to subdued effects to hallucinations, withdrawal symptoms that appear and then disappear can lead to a user being released from treatment too early.

High blood pressure
Insomnia
Anxiety attacks
Tremors
Profuse sweating
Hallucinations
Confusion
Altered mental state

GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) Rehab

GHB addicts may find it difficult to quit. Attempts to self-detoxify without the supervision of a drug rehab treatment centre, may result in severe and unpredictable consequences. In some cases, addicts have died while trying to quit. GHB addiction is serious and can leave what some people describe as a "hole in your soul". Often times the GHB addict may experience severe levels of depression and have suicidal thoughts.

The GHB addict may experience depression for several weeks, months or even years. This is why it is so important for the GHB addict to be under the care of a professional residential rehabilitation drug treatment programme. At The Cabin Chiang Mai, we understand how to treat recovering GHB addicts. We provide a safe and structured rehabilitative environment where they can come off the drug under the supervision of Western trained drug addiction counselling specialists.

GHB Rehab Treatment Programme

At The Cabin Chiang Mai, we treat psychoactive drug addictions. Our programmes are effective and affordable, and range from 30 to 90 days of treatment. Depending on the severity of GHB addiction, we will recommend an addiction treatment programme tailored to the addict’s individual needs.

We approach GHB addiction treatment with a well-rounded, innovative 12 step rehab programme. We give GHB addicts a foundation in the 12 step treatment programme, long recognized as one of the most successful therapies to treat alcohol and drug addiction. Our counsellors integrate Cognitive Behavioral Techniques that help the GHB addict identify the feelings and circumstances that led to their addiction.

GHB Rehab & Fitness Therapy

As part our healthy lifestyle training programme, we focus on integrating fitness therapy into the lives of our patients. All patients are given a personal training programme upon arrival and are given a rigorous exercise programme aimed at boosting their level of endorphins.

Our programme, which combines body combat, aqua fitness, Thai martial arts, mountain biking, yoga and pilates, is aimed at not only getting the GHB addict physically healthy but keeping their mind of the addictive drug thoughts. This form of fitness therapy has been proven to help addicts during the recovery process and to increase their likelihood of remaining abstinent.

GHB patients leave our rehab programme emotionally stable, more physically fit and active and with a newfound sense of clarity and purpose in their life. Our innovative rehab programme helps to restore our patients mind, body and spirit to a natural and healthy state.

If you or someone you care about is suffering from GHB addiction, contact The Cabin Chiang Mai at contact@thecabinchaingmai.com and inquire about our GHB rehab treatment programme. Our team of Western trained professional counselling staff will help guide you or your loved one through the process of recovery.