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Because these drugs are new on the scene, formulations vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. This makes the high an unpredictable one and means that every time you try bath salts, you're putting yourself at risk.
Over time, bath salts change the way your brain and body function, nurturing a dangerous dependence.
Bath salts addiction can turn you into a person you don't even recognize.
Many addicts become violent under the stimulating effects of these powerful drugs; others become so fixated on bath salts that they're willing to do anything, including steal from loved ones, to get another fix. When your mind is altered by these drugs, or when your life has been wrecked, it's tempting to fall into self-loathing, convinced your addiction is your fault.
Over time, bath salts change the way your brain and body function, nurturing a dangerous dependence. Once you become chemically dependent on these drugs, stopping can feel nearly impossible. Because bath salts can cloud your judgment, it's especially hard to have hope when you're high.
But addiction is highly treatable, and treatment can give you the willpower you need to resist the draw of these powerful drugs.
Addiction to bath salts is especially prevalent among teenagers, who often benefit from group treatment in a residential setting. Therapy, medical detox, and 12-step programs can also help you get sober.
Most experts agree that recreational use becomes addiction when addicts become chemically dependent on a drug.
If you feel like you can't function or be normal without bath salts, it's a good sign your body has grown dependent.
Many bath salts addicts also find themselves experiencing intense rage.
Some even become abusive toward people they love.
Some other indications that you have an addiction include:
If you feel like sobriety is impossible or feel miserable without bath salts, it's time to get treatment.
Residential treatment is the most intensive treatment option, making it an ideal choice for teens, people with co-occurring mental health conditions, and those with a history of relapse or multiple drug addictions.
You'll have access to supportive medical care, therapy, support groups, and education about the disease of addiction. And if you're concerned about the conditions in which you'll recover, luxury programs offer private rooms and beautiful accommodations.
For busy professionals who can't take time off of work, executive rehabs provide the perfect recovery option, offering intensive treatment, space for meetings, and access to business supplies.
Inpatient Treatment vs. Outpatient Care
It can be challenging to choose between inpatient and outpatient care, especially if you're worried about how rehab will affect the rest of your life. Generally speaking, inpatient treatment is best for bath salt addicts who have gotten into legal trouble, suffered health problems, or who feel they need 24/7 supportive care to stay sober.
If you need a bit more independence or are confident you can get sober with a bit of help, outpatient care may be the better choice. If you choose outpatient care, you can blend several different approaches - for instance, by attending therapy in addition to weekly 12-step meetings.
Bath salt addiction often benefits from medical treatment. No medications currently available can treat the addiction itself, and in most cases, your doctor will recommend quitting bath salts cold turkey. In fact, most treatment protocols recommend transferring to some kind of psychiatric care after completing treatment so that underlying issues can be addressed.
However, your doctor can offer you supportive care to deal with the side effects of withdrawal. For instance, if you experience panic, an anti-anxiety drug might help.
Bath salt toxicity produces aggressive and violent symptoms in patients; therefore the most important step is controlling the bizarre behavior of the patient.
Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs offer many of the benefits of residential treatment, but without the added challenges of having to live at a rehab facility. You'll get to go home each evening, and some programs even offer nighttime treatment so you can attend work during the day.
You'll attend treatment sessions most days of the week, participating in a variety of programs that may include:
If you have a mental illness alongside your bath salt addiction, the clinical term for this is dual diagnosis. Because bath salts are stimulants, they're especially attractive to people with depression and ADHD, but anyone can develop an addiction.
Mental illness complicates your treatment because quitting bath salts may trigger more symptoms. Additionally, some of the drugs used to treat your condition may be similar to bath salts. For instance, ADHD is commonly treated with stimulant drugs.
Many bath salt users suffer from underlying psychiatric conditions and the symptomatic effects of bath salts may be due to the concurrent psychiatric medications they are taking. Research from case studies has showed that serotonin toxicity may be exacerbated in bath salt users who have an underlying psychiatric condition for which they are currently on a medication. The antidepressant bupropion was effective in treating comorbid depression and bath salts dependence in one case study.
If you have a mental illness, dual diagnosis treatment can help you find healthy ways to manage both your addiction and mental illness--without allowing either to destroy your life. You'll get:
If you have a mental illness--or think you might--alongside your drug addiction, don't neglect either symptom. Call 1-888-993-3112Who Answers? for more information about comprehensive help for dual diagnosis issues.
Just as no two addicts are alike, no rehab facility can help everyone. You need to find a place where:
Take some time to interview treatment facilities, and be sure to ask the following questions before making a decision:
There is no shortage of good treatment options when it comes to bath salt addiction, especially since poison control centers field hundreds of calls about this dangerous drug each year.
The key is to do your research, then select a program that feels right for you.
