Drug Information - GHB Addiction
What is GHB?
Since about 1990, GHB has been abused in the U.S. for euphoric, sedative, and
anabolic (body building) effects. As with Rohypnol and clonazepam, GHB has been
associated with sexual assault in cities throughout the country.
GHB was formerly sold by health-food stores and gyms as a sleep aid, anabolic
agent, fat burner, enhancer of muscle definition and natural psychedelic. GHB
was first synthesized in 1960 by a French researcher. It has been used in
Europe as a general anesthetic, a treatment for insomnia and narcolepsy, an aid
to childbirth and a treatment for alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
In the last few years it has been gaining popularity as a recreational drug
offering an alcohol-like, hangover free high with possible prosexual effects
(disinhibition often occurs and inhibitions are suppressed).
Since 1990, GHB has been abused in the U.S. for euphoric, sedative, and
anabolic (body building) effects. Reports from Detroit indicate liquid GHB is
being used in nightclubs for effects similar to those of Rohypnol. As with
Rohypnol and clonazepam, GHB has been associated with sexual assault in cities
throughout the country.
Brief Description:
Originally developed as an anesthetic, GHB (Gamma-HydroxyButyerate) is a
naturally occurring 4-carbon molecule sold in powdered, liquid or capsule form.
Street Names:
G, Liquid X, Liquid E, Scoop, Soap, Gook, Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia Home
Boy, Natural Sleep-500, Easy Lay or Gamma 10.
Effects:
The effects of GHB are unpredictable and very dose-dependent. Sleep paralysis,
agitation, delusions and hallucination have all been reported. Other effects
include excessive salivation, decreased gag reflex and vomiting in 30 to 50
percent of users. Dizziness may occur for up to two weeks post ingestion.
Side-effects of GHB
-
Abrupt, intense drowsiness
-
Decreased body temperature
-
Vomiting - Slower, deep respiration
-
Giddiness, silliness and dizziness
-
Temporary amnesia
-
Interference with mobility and verbal coherence
-
Interference with mobility and verbal coherence
-
Diarrhea
-
Semi-consciousness
-
Seizure
-
Decreased heart rate
-
Coma
-
Sleep-walking
-
Death
Rohypnol and GHB are predominantly central nervous system
depressants. Because they are often colorless, tasteless, and odorless, they
can be added to beverages and ingested unknowingly.
GHB
Since about 1990, GHB (gamma- hydroxybutyrate) has been abused in the U.S. for
euphoric, sedative, and anabolic (body building) effects. As with Rohypnol and
clonazepam, GHB has been associated with sexual assault in cities throughout
the country.
Reports from Detroit indicate liquid GHB is being used in nightclubs for
effects similar to those of Rohypnol. It is also common in the club scene in
Phoenix, Honolulu, and Texas, where it is known as "liquid ecstasy,"
"somatomax," "scoop," or "grievous bodily harm." In Miami, poison control
center calls have reflected problems associated with increased GHB use,
including loss of consciousness. In New York City, there have been reports of
GHB use among those in the fashion industry. In Atlanta, it is commonly used as
a synthetic steroid at fitness centers and gyms.
Coma and seizures can occur following abuse of GHB and, when combined with
methamphetamine, there appears to be an increased risk of seizure. Combining
use with other drugs such as alcohol can result in nausea and difficulty
breathing. GHB may also produce withdrawal effects, including insomnia,
anxiety, tremors, and sweating. Because of concern about Rohypnol, GHB, and
other similarly abused sedative-hypnotics, Congress passed the "Drug-Induced
Rape Prevention and Punishment Act of 1996" in October 1996. This legislation
increased Federal penalties for use of any controlled substance to aid in
sexual assault.
Rohypnol
Rohypnol, the trade name for flunitrazepam, has been a concern for the last few
years because of its abuse as a "date rape" drug. People may unknowingly be
given the drug which, when mixed with alcohol, can incapacitate a victim and
prevent them from resisting sexual assault. Also, Rohypnol may be lethal when
mixed with alcohol and/or other depressants.
Rohypnol produces sedative-hypnotic effects including muscle relaxation and
amnesia; it can also produce physical and psychological dependence. In Miami,
one of the first sites of Rohypnol abuse, poison control centers report an
increase in withdrawal seizures among people addicted to Rohypnol.
Rohypnol is not approved for use in the United States and its importation is
banned. Illicit use of Rohypnol began in Europe in the 1970s and started
appearing in the United States in the early 1990s, where it became known as
"rophies," "roofies," "roach," "rope," and the "date rape" drug.
Another very similar drug is now being sold as "roofies" in Miami, Minnesota,
and Texas. This is clonazepam, marketed in the U.S. as Klonopin and in Mexico
as Rivotril. It is sometimes abused to enhance the effects of heroin and other
opiates. Based on emergency room admission information, Boston, San Francisco,
Phoenix, and Seattle appear to have the highest use rates of clonazepam
What are GHB Analogs?
GHB analogs are drugs which are metabolized in the body to produce similar
effects as GHB. GHB analogs often are abused in place of GHB or are used to
produce GHB.
Common GHB analogs include:
GBL
-
gamma-butyrolactone
-
furonone di-hydro
-
dihydrofuranone
BD
-
1,4-butanediol
-
tetramethylene glycol
-
sucol-B
-
butylene glycol
GHV
-
gamma-hydroxyvalerate
-
methyl-GHB
GVL
-
gamma-valerolactone
-
4-pentanolide
|