Abuse of Bath Salts Growing Problem, Expert Weighs In on New Danger

Dr. Jeffery Huttman of Challenges Treatment Center says the drugs are ‘incredibly dangerous’
By: V3 Integrated Marketing
 
Jan. 30, 2011 - PRLog -- Addiction to bath salts is a growing problem. The effects of bath salts — used inappropriately despite their warning labels — when smoked or taken orally is the same as cocaine or meth. Bath salts, sold under innocuous-sounding names as Ivory Wave, and Vanilla Sky are an emerging menace and a danger to young people from South Florida to California.

The effects of the bath salt powders are as powerful as abusing methamphetamine. Law enforcement agents and poison control centers say the advertised bath salt abuse is becoming a big problem in several U.S. states and there is talk about a ban.

Emergency room calls are being reported over-exposure to the stimulants the powders often contain: mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, also known as MDPV.

Sold under such names as Ivory Wave, Bliss, White Lightning and Hurricane Charlie, the chemicals can cause hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rates and suicidal thoughts, authorities say. The chemicals are in products sold legally at convenience stores and on the Internet as bath salts and even plant foods. However, they aren’t necessarily being used for the purposes on the label.

Dr. Jeffrey Huttman, Chief Clinical Officer at Challenges Treatment Center, weighs in on the abuse of bath salts:

“The use of Bath Salts is incredibly dangerous. Individuals who use this substance are desperate for a quick high that is easily accessible and may not yet be detectable by standard drug test protocols.”

“Synthetic drugs such as this are in experimental phases and have not been tested for human consumption. Therefore, the short and possible long term effects are unknown and could cause a myriad of potential problems; some of which could turn out to be irreversible. This is very similar to a synthetic form of marijuana called Spice, which we have seen at alarming rates of use in Florida. Spice has led to a significant increase in ER visits over the last year and I suspect that we will see that Bath Salts will have the same effect if not worse. We have already begun to treat patients for addictions who report the use of Bath Salts and the terrible reactions they had to using them.”

Bath salts are hard to battle because they are legal, and like Four Loko, bath salts are sold in convenience stores at a very cheap price.

LINKS
Challenges' website: www.challenges-program.com

CONTACT
If you are a member of the media interested in interviewing one of the doctors or experts on the Challenges Addiction and Relapse Prevention Treatment Center staff, please contact Shelly Kramer at V3 Integrated Marketing. Contact us at info@v3im.com or call 816-200-2520.

If you are not a member of the media and you are interested in learning more about Challenges’ addiction and relapse prevention programs, please contact us by phone at 888-755-3334 or online at http://www.challenges-program.com. The team at Challenges is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Challenges Addiction and Relapse Prevention Treatment Center
5100 Coconut Creek Parkway
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33063
888-755-3334 Toll Free
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Source:V3 Integrated Marketing
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Tags:Drug Addiction, Alcohol Addiction, Challenges Addiction Treatment Center, Bath Salt Abuse, Bath Salts Teen Drugs
Industry:Health, Family, Medical
Location:Missouri - United States
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