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Signs of GHB addiction and abuse
Common effects of GHB use The effects of GHB include:
- intoxication, difficulty concentrating
- increased energy,
- happiness,
- talking, desire to socialize,
- feeling affectionate and playful,
- sensuality, enhanced sexual experience,
- muscle relaxation,
- loss of coordination due to loss of muscle tone, loss of gag reflex
- nausea
GHB's intoxicating effects begin 10 to 20 minutes after the drug is taken. The effects typically last up to 4 hours, depending on the dosage.
Common side effects of GHB use The side effects of GHB use include:
- nausea, vomiting
- headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, amnesia,
- loss of muscle control,
- respiratory problems,
- loss of consciousness, being conscious but unable to move,
- sedation, desire to sleep,
- rambling incoherent speech, slurred speech,
- giddiness, silliness,
- difficulty thinking,
- passing out, and death - especially when combined with alcohol or other drugs
Symptoms of GHB withdrawal and overdose The effects of withdrawal from GHB are:
- insomnia
- anxiety
- tremors
- sweating
An overdose of GHB can occur rather quickly. The signs are similar to those of other sedatives:
- drowsiness, sleep, loss of consciousness,
- nausea, vomiting,
- headache, loss of reflexes,
- impaired breathing, respiratory depression, blocked airway due to loss of gag reflex,
- seizures
- hypothermia
- slowed heart rate, coma, and ultimately death
"GHB has several characteristics that increase the likelihood of toxicity," says Dr. Frankenheim.
"A small increase in dose can push the sedative effects to a lethal level. High doses of GHB overwhelm the body's ability to eliminate the drug, and therefore lead to greater effects of longer duration than expected."
GHB's purity and strength are especially difficult to determine because the drug can be made from a number of chemical formulas, which differ in the amount of GHB produced when metabolized by the user's body.
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