Yaba Addiction

What is Yaba?

Yaba is a methamphetamine-based drug predominantly used in Thailand. Yaba means "crazy medicine" in Thai and typically comes in the form of a tablet containing a mixture of methamphetamines and caffeine. Yaba is synthetically produced and contains between 25 to 35 mg of methamphetamine and 45 to 65 mg of caffeine. The main ingredients of yaba include salt, household cleaning products, distilled cold medicines, and lithium from camera batteries.

Street Names for Yaba

Crazy Medicine
Hitler’s Drug
Yaa baa
Ya ba
Yah Bah
Shabu
Bhul Bhuliya
Chocaleee
Nazi speed

Yaba Addiction in Thailand

In the past, yaba tablets were sold at gas stations and used by Thai truckers to keep them awake while driving. The Thai government outlawed the drug in 1970 after numerous tragic long distance bus accidents. Prices have risen over the years due to the government crackdown on drugs. Typically a yaba tablet will cost the user between 200 and 450 baht or 6-14 USD. Yaba remains a popular club drug in Thailand.

Yaba Addiction Around the World

Introduced to East Asia during World War II to enhance soldiers’ performance, methamphetamines have become increasingly popular in East Asia, particularly among young people. Yaba is now the main form of methamphetamine abused in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia as well as Vietnam and Myanmar, where it is typically manufactured. Thailand is the biggest consumer of yaba tablets, with some sources believing that yaba abuse surpasses that of heroin. Other southeastern nations have followed suit including Hong Kong and Singapore. Yaba is the now the most popular drug in the Philippines. Yaba has made its way across the world, becoming popular in the United States, particularly in California as well as in Europe, China and Australia. India is suspected to have a large yaba addiction problem and though exact estimates of yaba abuse are unknown, in 2007 over 1.2 million yaba tablets were confiscated in Bangladesh.

What does Yaba look like?

Yaba is produced in the form of a round pill or tablet, roughly 6mm in diameter. Typically small in size (about the size of a pencil eraser), yaba pills are brightly colored red, lime green or orange and may carry logos with the letters "R" or "WY." They are sometimes flavored grape, orange or vanilla. Yaba addiction is particularly prevalent amount adolescents and can be found in the club or "rave" scene.

How is Yaba Used?

There are three ways to take yaba, by oral injection, inhalation or injection. Although it comes in a pill form, yaba is usually crushed and smoked. Tablets can be crushed and mixed with a liquid for injection. There is a special type of yaba produced for smoking or "chasing on foil". Yaba addicts will create a "turbo" to inhale the drug. The "turbo" is a water funnel made from an empty jar, two pipes and some foil. By using a water funnel, the burning mixture is cooled through water before it is inhaled by the user. Other users prefer to clasp a one baht coin between their teeth while inhaling to reduce the number of toxic deposits that go into the lungs while the yaba vapor flows through their lungs. When taking yaba, users get an intense burst of energy. Once the effects wear off, the user ‘crashes’ and experiences prolonged periods of sleep and depression.

Short Term Effects of Yaba Abuse

Elevated blood pressure
Dizziness
Euphoria
Light headedness
Alertness
Anxiety
Paranoia
Insomnia
Aggression
Hot flashes
Dry mouth
Sweating
Nausea
Dilated pupils
Decreased appetite
Hypothermia
Increased respiration
Euphoria

Long Term Effects of Yaba Abuse

Yaba addiction
Black teeth
Weight loss
Anxiety
Confusion
Tremors
Convulsions
Stroke
Hallucinations
Death
Aggressive behavior
Hair loss
Hypertension
Psychotic episodes
Violent behavior
Paranoid delusions
Mental confusion
Psychosis
Memory loss
Low back pain
Liver or kidney damage

Yaba Addiction, Tolerance, and Withdrawal

Yaba is dangerous and has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Moderate to chronic use of yaba can lead to physical and psychological dependence and even death. As with any drug, tolerance to yaba develops with chronic use causing the addicted user to take more pills in an effort to reach the same level of intensity or high. Often times users will change methods of how they take the drug (switch to smoking or injecting) to intensify the high.

Yaba Addiction Treatment

At The Cabin Chiang Mai, located in the north of Thailand, we see the devastating effects of Yaba addiction in both the locals and our expat community.

Yaba addicts require special yaba addiction treatment, especially since the drug is so cheap and readily available. Many rehab centres don’t know how to treat yaba addiction as they rarely see yaba patients. Thailand is the number one consumer of yaba and we understand how to treat this terrible drug . We see the devastating effects it has on the local community. Often young adults get hooked on yaba in the club or "rave" scene. Tourists, students here on study abroad and expats living in Thailand are susceptible to this commonly abused drug.

We give our patients the tools they need to overcome their addiction to yaba.

Yaba Rehab: Our Approach to Yaba Addiction Treatment

At The Cabin Chiang Mai, we offer highly effective, affordable yaba addiction treatment programmes. Our programmes range from 14 to 90 days and depending on the severity of the addiction, we will recommend a yaba addiction treatment programme tailored to an addict’s individual needs. We are a 12 step treatment centre that combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques and Fitness Therapy to restore the individual’s mind, body and spirit to a natural and healthy state. Our innovative programme gives our patients a foundation in yaba addiction recovery and prepares them for long-term sobriety.

Elements of our Yaba Addiction Treatment Programme

12 Step Treatment Programme: All yaba addicts who go through addiction rehab at The Cabin Chiang Mai receive a foundation in our 12 step addiction treatment programme. We use a wide range of techniques from the 12 step framework and coaching with an emphasis on cognitive change to other methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, motivational interviewing and mind mapping. Patients who undergo rehab treatment at The Cabin Chiang Mai will receive both one on one and group therapy sessions. We work with our patients to get through to the root cause of their yaba addiction and teach therapeutic techniques to help them overcome their addiction and stay clean for life.

Fitness Therapy: Exercise has been proven to help the addiction recovery process. At The Cabin Chiang Mai, we have professional fitness instructors and personal trainers that lead our patients through a rigorous exercise programme. From body combat to Thai martial arts and mountain biking, our programme is aimed to help boost our patients’ level of endorphins, reducing cravings and enhancing clarity and overall well-being. We also balance the mind, body and spirit with yoga and pilates. Our goal is to teach our patients exercise therapies that can not only help them to overcome their addiction to yaba but continue to abstain when they leave.

At The Cabin Chiang Mai, we believe that a well-rounded approach to yaba abuse treatment is the best method for helping our patients achieve their goals.

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