A close friend of mine from primary school was enjoying herself at our town’s most popular pub a few years ago. At some point, she excused herself from the table for a visit to the ladies’ room, and when she came back, everyone had dispersed. Her unfinished glass of beer was the only one left on the table. It was her second of the night. It went down smoothly.
Soon, she started to feel her arms and legs tingling and weakening. She cut herself off from alcohol and ate some nachos. Still, in less than 30 minutes, she was so intoxicated, incoherent, disoriented, and oddly euphoric that a friend of ours suspected she had been drugged. He guided her to his car and he drove her to the hospital to be evaluated.
A blood test revealed a large amount of GHB in her bloodstream. Someone must have slipped the substance into her drink while she was in the bathroom.
GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) goes by many names. Some call it G, others call it Roofies. It also goes by the more infamous title of the date rape drug.
Essentially, GHB is a party drug. It’s highly popular in clubbing environments. Initially, it produces feelings of extreme happiness followed by relaxation and drowsiness.
Surprisingly, little is known about its effects when it is used by itself, without alcohol or other drugs. But unfortunately, when mixed with alcohol, it can have detrimental and even lethal consequences for its users, some of which include:
- GHB-induced comas
- Memory loss
- Blackouts
- Respiratory failure
- Decreased heart rate
- Epileptic seizures
GHB is a chemical found in the brain that can also be created in labs. Due to its intoxicating effect on the brain, it is illegal to produce, sell, or possess GHB for recreational purposes in the United States. Sometimes a prescription form of GHB is used by doctors for treating narcolepsy.
GHB affects the central nervous system. It functions by interacting with and influencing neural pathways in the brain in such a way that it has also earned itself the title of liquid ecstasy (for the euphoric high it gives to many users).
GHB is highly dangerous when mixed alcohol or any of the following substances:
- Amphetamines
- Antipsychotic drugs
- Anticonvulsants
- Muscle relaxants
- Benzodiazepines
- Prescription and non-prescription narcotics of any type or strength
If you or a loved one is using GHB, know that long-term use can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms when stopped. Addiction and dependence often require professional detox and treatment to overcome. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Great Oaks Recovery Center, where our friendly, knowledgeable professionals can answer your questions and help determine the level of treatment you need.
