GHB Addiction

GHB addiction occurs in those that use this drug on a systematic or daily basis. Its use may start out innocently enough but quickly escalates into a full-blown addiction. Initially, GHB gained a widespread reputation as the "date rape drug." It turns out there is a lot more to worry about with this substance than its potential to knock-out unsuspecting victims. Its use to knock girls out so they can unknowingly be forced into sexual encounters is a huge problem, but there is also such a thing as GHB addiction in which people intentionally take the drug become unconscious or to get a momentary high.

GHB is known on the street as "Liquid Ecstasy", "Liquid X", and "Liquid G." It is a depressant that produces a feeling of euphoria, an increased libido, and an enhanced appreciation for music and movement in small doses. This drug may be used by people involved in the club scene. A person using "Liquid X" will feel the intoxicating effects for between 1.5 and 3 hours. The effects of using GHB will last longer if the person ingests it with alcohol.

GHB is illegal. So, those who develop a GHB addiction have to obtain their supplies through criminal means. Those who use this drug can end up with a serious drug addiction within a few doses. Just as commonly happens with most types of drug addictions, many people do not realize that they have a GHB addiction until it starts to interfere negatively with their daily life. At that point, it is an engrained habit and their body will constantly crave more, which makes it extremely difficult to detox.

Essentially, this drug is a depressant that has the potential to deliver a powerful high and a feeling of overall well being and extreme happiness. Some of the more serious effects that can occur from taking this drug include a serious drop in blood pressure and respiration rates, dizziness, and nausea. Many people who routinely use the drug tend to be cold and may start to have hallucinations over the course of their GHB addiction. There may even be long term effects in some users. As with many drugs, death is always a possibility.

Today, GHB addiction is not as prevalent a problem as it used to be. It is best known for its unlawful use as the date rape drug, with many people not even realizing it is being used for recreational purposes. The fact that it knocks people out is about the extent of knowledge that many people have today. Parents need to be aware that it is still out there and that it holds more dangers for their children than they ever imagined.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is dedicating $54 million to a national campaign with partner organizations Join Together, National Families in Action, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America to alert teens, young adults, parents, educators, and others to the dangers of GHB addiction and other club drugs. Many in the field of drug addiction recovery hope that such legitimate public education will outweigh the often inaccurate information disseminated by individuals over the Internet. Internet authors who enjoy taking illegal drugs are not to be counted on for correct, unbiased information.

As for the common Internet claim that a person who passes out from GHB will wake up in four hours, don't count on it. One mother of a deceased son due to GHB pleads on her own Website, "If anyone you know has used GHB or any other substance and has passed out and is unable to be roused and/or having seizures: Call 911 immediately!"

She also offers this additional advice: Since those who are near death from GHB addiction typically don't remember the experience, videotaping people when they're exhibiting dangerous symptoms may help convince them of the problem's seriousness. Don't yet know of anyone who's been harmed by the so-called party drug? Count yourself lucky, says Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Like many dangerous habits, sometimes you can get away with it for a while. But then your number may come up."