Bath salts may sound soothing and relatively harmless, but some bath salts are known as a synthetic drug that is made from cathinone. These psychoactive bath salts (PABS) were sold disguised as bath salts for many years. Although the PABS crystals resemble something similar to Epson salts, they are chemically different.
Bath salts were first brought to the attention of US authorities in 2010 when poison control centers saw a rise in these cases when people started abusing them. Although the packaging of bath salts stated, “not for human conception”, they were still ingested as an underground market. Not only were they disguised as bath salts, they were also feigned as plant food, hookah cleaner, and other products that head shops and gas stations could get away with selling without authorities knowing the difference. In Europe, these so-called designer drugs were also sold online to bypass being controlled by drug prohibition laws. Today bath salts are illegal and cannot be sold clandestinely any longer.
PABS can be ingested, snorted, smoked, or even injected although injection is not recommended because the ingredients are rarely listed on the packaging which can make dosage a dangerous guessing game.
Symptoms of Bath Salt Abuse
- Erratic behavior
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Panic Attacks
- Heart attacks
- Organ Failure
- Dehydration
- Tissue disintegration
- Nausea
- Increased Blood Pressure
- Increased Body Temperature
The ingredients for bath salts are highly variable so it is difficult to know how bath salts affect people, since the contents of the drugs are unknown. Most bath salt concoctions will include methylenedioxypyrovalerone, mephedrone, pyrovalerone in different assortments. Once these chemicals get in the body, they can cause intense cravings once they are taken continuously for a period of time. Addiction can occur with bath salts after repeated abuse of the designer drug even after having negative experiences and consequences. Because of the erratic behavior along with delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia, bath salts have kept users disassociated from their own reality.
Bath salts have been known to land users in the emergency room as well as cause many deaths and suicides.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at: 1-800-273-8255
Text 741-741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis
Serenity Oaks Wellness Center is here to help you, or a loved one, cope with their addiction. Our 5-week partial program can instruct you on how to get and stay in recovery. One of our staff members is standing by to you help you today. Call us today: 844-720-6847
