GHB Addiction Withdrawal
Gamma hydroxybutyrate, also known as Gamma Hydroxy Butyryric, is a commonly abused drug these days. It is known to depress an individual’s central nervous system thereby sedating and relaxing the body. When taken in higher doses, however, the drug is known to slow the heart rate and breathing to life threatening levels. GHB creates a clear link between crime and drug abuse due to the many times when it has been used in crimes, such as rapes.
Made from potassium hydroxide and gamma butyrolactone, it is generally a floor stripper or degreasing solvent blended in drain cleaners. One thing you will note, however, is that when BD, GBL or even products that contain them are consumed, the body would produced GHB. The body actually manufacturers GHB in order to cater to its typical metabolism.
This drug in the past been used in the medical profession as a sedative or general anesthetic and other types of medication. However, the use of this drug was stopped after it emerged that it has a high addiction potential and had yet to be determined side effects. As much as GHB is naturally produced in the body, the synthetic or lab created form would not be necessarily safe for consumption.
This drug comes with a high addiction potential mainly due to its production of euphoria and action on central nervous system and the functioning of the brain. You need to note that even minute amounts of the drug can produce a craving for the drug and even have fatal results. This underlines the importance of being careful, especially about steroids and weight loss products that may contain this drug.
When the individual has been taking the drug for some time, the body would develop physical and psychological dependence in which case the individual will be feeling abnormal anytime they stay for long without taking it. This is because, rather than the body depending on its normal processes, it will be dependent on the presence of the drug in the system. In addition, the body would, with time, adjust or be aligned to a certain amount of the drug in which case the initial amounts will cease to be producing the initial effects. Essentially, this would mean that the individual has to increase the amounts in order to have the initial effects.
While dependent on the drug in such a manner, the body would react negatively if there is an attempt to cease consumption. These withdrawal symptoms occur as the body tries to readjust itself to its normal functioning without the drug. While they may not be necessarily threatening, the individual would feel really uncomfortable and may even be forced to go back to the drug. Some of the withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, restlessness, anxiety or panic attacks, uncontrollable shaking, convulsions and, even, excessive sweating.
Serious symptoms may also occur such as increased or decreased breathing, heart rate, headaches, seizures and even blocked airway. It is always important that one does not stop taking the drug abruptly, but rather gradually reduce the dose. Better still, doing it under the direction of qualified medical practitioners would be imperative so that they can monitor the undesirable effects.
