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Any drug can be dangerous. Some drugs are made for the sole purpose of getting high. They have no health benefits. These drugs are often synthetic, or man-made. They are unpredictable and even deadly. One popular man-made drug is flakka, and those that become hooked are known as ‘flakka addicts.’
If you or a loved one are struggling with flakka addiction, our trained agents are available 24/7 to help. They understand how flakka works, flakka drug side effects, and how difficult it can be to stop using this drug.
Keep reading to find out more regarding flakka, flakka addiction, and how to get help for yourself or a loved one if bath salts of any kind have become an issue!
The synthetic drug, Alpha-PVP, better known as flakka is an illegal, man-made drug that is fairly cheap. Doses have been reported to be sold for as little as $5. Flakka is made in laboratories in China, India, and Pakistan. Another common name for flakka is gravel.
It delivers an instant high that can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Some of the longer side effects have been reported to last for weeks after taking the drug. Many people start taking flakka because it is cheap and delivers strong feelings of excitement and happiness.
Flakka is a synthetic cathinone. Cathinone is a substance found in the khat plant, a shrub that grows naturally in East Africa and southern Arabia. Scientists from California report that it is as potent and addictive as its chemical cousin, MDPV, better known as bath salts.
These man-made drugs can be much stronger and more dangerous than natural products. The change in chemical makeup from the natural plant to the man-made drug can make this drug’s effect unpredictable.
Gravel is usually a white or brown crystal-like powder. The U.S Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that flakka is commonly sold on the streets, like other illegal drugs. It comes in a capsule form and is sold in small baggies.
Flakka can be smoked, injected, or snorted as a method of ingestion. It has also been put into vapes, or e-cigarettes, in an attempt to hide that the user is using an illegal drug.
Yes, flakka is a highly addictive substance. Flakka can quickly lead to an addiction and requires addiction treatment in order to overcome the difficult circumstances. The addictive qualities of flakka can be seen in the side effects of using flakka.
You will feel the effects of flakka quickly, within 5-15 minutes. Flakka’s side effects will last 2-5 hours and the after-effects can last as long as 48 hours after the first dose of the drug.
According to the University of Maryland, flakka drug side effects include:
These side effects may cause the user to exhibit odd behaviors. Users may feel such a high and increased strength that they are disconnected from reality. They may see and hear things that are not there.
This can lead to them doing things that are later shown in the media as flakka drug stories. This includes zombie-like behavior, violent outbursts, and nudity. If you or a loved one have taken flakka and are experiencing these effects, it is important that you get immediate help.
Using flakka can quickly lead to a medical emergency. It is best to avoid all contact with this drug.
With the danger and toxicity that flakka comes with, there is limited information regarding the long-term effects of flakka. The research that has been conducted has shown that flakka can be toxic to the kidneys and brain.
Withdrawal symptoms are one of the major factors as to why individuals are unable to stop drug abuse or, in this case, flakka abuse.
Similar to what was said in the long-term effects of flakka, there is much that is still unknown about how flakka affects the brain. It is important to understand that flakka is a highly toxic and dangerous drug that can quickly lead to death.
As flakka directly affects an individual’s proper bodily functions, some of the signs of an overdose include:
Individuals who abuse flakka should call emergency services immediately to receive medical attention as soon as possible.
Seeking addiction treatment immediately can best lower the risk of sudden death with flakka use. Addiction treatment services are trained to support individuals through recovery from wherever they are in their recovery journey.
Substance abuse has been and still is a prevalent issue in our society and there are many different forms of treatment available to support these individuals through recovery. Individuals undergoing treatment will work with a treatment provider to create a plan for their treatment.
This plan can be life-changing addiction treatment as they work to support the needs of each individual. They work to address the very personal and individual needs of a person to allow them to properly recover and retain recovery.
The first step in all addiction treatment is to undergo a drug detoxification program. This program works to support individuals by removing a substance from their body so that they can begin the addiction recovery process.
Drug detoxification is not treatment, it is the prerequisite to treatment. It is important for individuals to be free of a substance before beginning treatment to best allow an individual to recover from the addiction.
After receiving a drug detox, an individual is likely to take on either inpatient or outpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment requires an individual to live on-site at a treatment center to receive treatment.
This option is very desired for many individuals struggling with intense cravings and heavy addiction withdrawals. Being removed from their familiar environment, an individual is able to better overcome and manage their experiences.
Outpatient treatment is more flexible and allows individuals to leave after receiving treatment. This option can appeal to more individuals when it comes to paying for treatment. Outpatient treatment is often less intensive and, in turn, less expensive than inpatient treatment.
This range of available treatments provides an option to allow everyone to receive proper treatment for recovery. Despite the two different treatment settings, an individual can receive the treatment that fits their needs.
The core fundamental of all treatment, no matter the setting, is behavioral therapy. The behavioral health industry is a major component of substance addiction treatment. It also makes up the forefront of flakka addiction treatment.
Individuals are provided with individualized therapy, group therapy, and many other forms of counseling. These treatments work to support individuals through withdrawals and allow them to properly manage their experience through a stable lifestyle.
Flakka is an incredibly dangerous drug that has resulted in many life-threatening situations and even death. Here at Find Addiction Rehabs, we make finding treatment easy.
Whether finding a treatment center in your location or connecting you with recovery tools and resources, our hotline is available 24/7 to make sure you can get the help you need, anytime you need it.
Flakka is a drug that requires addiction treatment to recover from. Call us today to begin your or your loved one’s recovery journey!
