The psychoactive effects of bath salts, particularly the synthetic cathinones they contain, can lead to severe mental health issues, including anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations. Bath salts—synthetic cathinones sold as “designer drugs”—can cause long-lasting mental health effects that extend far beyond the high. The true long term effects of bath salts are yet to be discovered, but perhaps society can help to alleviate these consequences by offering support and treatment for the users of this drug. Rehab facilities generally provide counseling and support to the addict with the idea that these people can overcome the mental health problems and emotional issues caused by being addicted to these drugs. In the context of drug use, “bath salts” refers to a synthetic stimulant that belongs to a class of substances known as synthetic cathinones.
Today, many types of bath salts have been banned by the DEA and categorized as Schedule I controlled substances. Though the name may sound somewhat harmless, bath salts can be very dangerous and have a wide range of negative health effects. Manufacturers of bath salts intentionally mislabel them as other substances. Many people improve with abstinence and treatment, but some symptoms can last long term.
Signs of Bath Salts Addiction
- Short term effects of bath salt use include psychosis and unpredictable and violent behavior that may involve self-harm or harm to others.
- The synthetic cathinones in bath salts can lead to neurotoxic effects, impacting the structure and function of the brain.
- These include cravings for the drug that progress to become a dependency on the drug similar to other addictive drugs.
- While some people recover fully with treatment and time, others experience persistent symptoms such as paranoia, depression, anxiety, and cognitive problems.
- Experts don’t know much about these types of drugs except for the fact that the withdrawal symptoms are very similar to the withdrawal symptoms seen in amphetamine abuse.
- Since designer drugs are a fairly new part of the drug scene, the long term effects of bath salts are still largely unknown.
They are highly addictive and can cause serious side effects. Dr. Scot Thomas received his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. If you’re looking for treatment, please browse the site to reach out to treatment centers directly. Keep your profile updated with photos, videos, services, and contact details to connect with the right people. If you’re a treatment provider and have a question, please reach out and someone from our Customer Success team will be in touch with you shortly. See open positions and help people step into hope.
People who use multiple substances may need to start treatment with medical detox to manage acute withdrawal symptoms and become medically stable before starting comprehensive rehab.16 At Oxford Treatment Center, we specialize in the treatment of co-occurring disorders and use a “whole-person” treatment approach that addresses both early signs of liver damage from alcohol the addiction and the mental health condition. Additionally, people who use bath salts report that they experience cravings, or intense and uncontrollable desires to keep using the substance, as well as withdrawal symptoms.4 The term bath salts refers to different stimulant drugs that are chemically similar to cathinone, a naturally-occurring substance that is found in the khat plant.
Bath salts, also known as synthetic cathinones, are man-made drugs derived from the khat plant. If you’re struggling with a co-occurring disorder, different medications and therapies are available to treat a variety of mental health symptoms and disorders.4,12,14 As there are no FDA-approved medications to treat bath salts addiction, behavioral therapies serve as the cornerstone of treatment during bath salts rehab.4 However, bath salts are reported to pose different dangers and potential long-term effects, some of which can be very serious.
Protecting yourself from the bath salts
This means that they have no accepted medical use in the U.S. and a high potential for abuse.1,5 People sometimes refer to bath salts by numerous street names, such as bliss or meow meow. They contain types of synthetic cathinones, which are banned in the U.S. Read about the difference between drug abuse and misuse. Having the support of loved ones may encourage a person as they find help for their condition.
Finally, we must address the root causes that drive people to seek out these dangerous substances in the what happens if i report a drug dealer to the police first place. Many individuals have successfully overcome their dependence on these substances and gone on to lead fulfilling, drug-free lives. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown particular promise in treating bath salts addiction. Several factors contribute to the alarming rise of bath salts addiction.
Signs & Symptoms of Bath Salt Addiction
According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 659,000 people aged 12 and older in the U.S. had used synthetic cathinones in the past year.1–3 However, bath salts can also have serious adverse effects, including psychosis, violent behavior, and death. A person can take bath salts in various ways, such as snorting or smoking them. The people who manufacture bath salts intentionally mislabel them in an attempt to avoid legal restrictions. In 2020, the maximum prison sentence for a person found guilty of trafficking Schedule I substances was between 20–30 years.
If someone does become addicted to bath salts, they may deal with withdrawal symptoms for a period of time. But the lingering physical effects, especially for those who chronically abuse bath salts, can be dangerous. These behavioral symptoms of themselves can be dangerous given the situation a person is in when using bath salts. It’s thought that the substances impact the brain in a similar way as these other drugs, causing extra dopamine and serotonin to build up in the brain.
The use of psychoactive “bath salts” — illegal synthetic drugs not related to the colored crystalline compounds for softening bathwater — can induce a condition in the brain similar to that of patients suffering from psychosis, University of Florida Health researchers have found. However, the DEA has tracked some information about synthetic cathinones, and other nations have included these drugs in their reporting. The long term effects of bath salts also include irreversible brain damage and can lead to permanent disability depending upon the chemicals present in the bath salts.
It’s never advisable to take an illegal drug. People who use the drug this way are more likely to overdose. The drug doesn’t contain any ingredients from bathwater products. In purest form, the drug is a light brown or white crystallized powder.
Over time, this leads to a rewiring of the brain’s circuitry, making it increasingly difficult for users to experience pleasure from anything other than the drug. It’s as if the drug unlocks a primal, feral part of the brain, stripping away the veneer of civilization. Manufacturers have exploited loopholes in drug laws by constantly tweaking their formulas to stay one step ahead of regulations. Users never really know what they’re getting, and the effects can be wildly unpredictable.
For Treatment Providers
Though early indications may point to severe damage to the brain and other organs, the Potential long-term effects of bath salts are yet to be researched. Some of the other side effects of these drugs are violent and unpredictable behaviors that are dangerous for the user and the people surrounding them. Use of the drugs, which contain derivatives of manmade cathinone — a stimulant found naturally in leaves of the khat shrub in Africa and the Middle East — has increased in the last decade as some users falsely believe the substances are safe, non-addictive alternatives to drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine. It might also be due to the fact that bath salts and synthetic cathinones are still not fully defined or regulated. Both the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration offer in-depth information on bath salts and synthetic cathinones. Those can include insomnia and shaking as well as mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.
And to our communities at large, let’s commit to creating environments that foster healing and growth rather than despair and addiction. Don’t let shame or fear prevent you from seeking the support you need. From healthcare providers and law enforcement to educators and community leaders, we all have a role to play in combating this menace. These programs should go beyond simple “just say no” messaging, providing accurate information about the risks and consequences of drug use.
People prone to mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, psychosis, and schizophrenia are at greater risk for triggering these conditions if they use bath salts even once. The person may initially experience pleasure or euphoria since synthetic cathinones release dopamine; however, this experience rapidly fades for most people as the drug leads to intense anxiety. These substances, bath salts smoked, can lead to rapid absorption into the bloodstream, intensifying their stimulant effects.
- Therapists play a crucial role in bath salts recovery by providing emotional support, guidance, and therapeutic interventions.
- When created synthetically, cathinones are harder-hitting than the natural chemical.
- The combination of anxiety, delirium, and hallucinations has led many people to cause harm to themselves or others while they are on bath salts.
- Understanding the potential dangers and side effects of bath salts is essential for making informed decisions about their use.
- Education campaigns to inform the populace to stay away from bath salts, and the community can mobilize to limit access to bath salts.
- “Bath salts face eaten,” “bath salts face eater,” and “bath salt face eat” likely refer to a widely reported and sensationalized drug-related bath salts Florida incident.
It is important to prioritize your health and well-being by avoiding the use of substances that can pose significant risks to your physical and mental health. Drug addiction, especially with substances like bath salts, requires immediate attention and professional intervention. Being informed about the legal consequences underscores the importance of seeking treatment and avoiding involvement with illicit substances like bath salts. Integrating these alternative therapies into a comprehensive treatment plan can offer individuals various tools to support their recovery from bath salt addiction. Indeed, education and awareness programs play a vital role in preventing the abuse of bath salts by providing information about the risks and consequences of these substances. The unpredictable and intense nature of bath salts can further destabilize individuals who may already be vulnerable to mental health challenges.
That can lead to addiction because the body doesn’t physically know what to do with dopamine drops to normal levels. Too much dopamine can lead to feelings of extra energy and euphoria, but once the drug is gone and the dopamine diminishes, someone can be left feeling depressed and unable to enjoy things in a normal manner. When created synthetically, cathinones are harder-hitting than the natural chemical. Cathinone is the chemical name of a substance derived from the khat plant, which grows in parts of Africa and the Middle East.
According to the CDC, 35 people attended the emergency room due to bath salts ingestion in Michigan during the year 2011. If you’ve heard of bath salts, it’s probably due to the case in Florida where a man high on the substance attempted to eat someone’s face. Unfortunately, when the khat plant is synthesized into bath salts, the effects become incredibly potent and unpredictable, causing a wide range of adverse effects. While the use of bath salts itself is quite disturbing, the reasons influencing the increased popularity of this drug are even more so. Unfortunately, drug abuse and addiction is a social issue that will never be completely eradicated. Thus, for people who are on probation or are otherwise a potential candidate for drug testing, these drugs offer a way to get high without facing legal consequences.
This means taking the drug becomes necessary for the user to function normally. Bath salts are abused due to their psychostimulant properties. Our goal is to help you choose the best path for your recovery. That’s why we have a comprehensive set of treatment providers and don’t charge for inclusion. If you or a loved one is ready to seek rehab for a substance use disorder, explore your options and reach out to a rehab center using our rehab directory tool today! 4 Treatment is what is clonazolam highly recommended to reduce the likelihood of negative side effects and prevent possibly fatal reactions.