Rise of Synthetic Drug Abuse: The Growing Threat of Bath Salts - Essay Sample

Introduction

According to Gershman and Fass (2012), abuse of bath salts which is a synthetic stimulant drug has turned to be a significant health threat in the United States. Unlike the traditional bath salts that were added on the bath water, the current toxic bath salts do not have any legitimate bathing use, and they are mainly produced for the recreational abusers of drugs as a substitute for amphetamines, ecstasy, and cocaine. Even though bath salts are dangerous, they have remained legal in society. This type of drug is mainly consumed by young adults and college students between the age of 20 to 29.

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The cathinone which is present in bath salts is called methylenedioxypyrovalerone, and it functions as the other amphetamines by raising the several brain chemicals level responsible for pleasure, euphoria, alertness, and energy. MDPV does it through the process referred to as reuptake. Reuptake is the process where neurotransmitters such as dopamine are not required which makes the brain to reabsorb them for use in the future (Stiles, Fish, Cook, & Silva, 2016). MDVP the blocks the reuptake process from taking place meaning that the chemicals remain and accumulate in an individual's brain making the effects of the drug powerful and long-lasting. This drug mainly affects the brain of the user. It is also sold in gas stations, head shops, the internet, and smoke shops since it cannot be sold as a drug as that needs approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The topic of bath salts addiction is significant in current society. The abuse of this drug has fatal effects on the consumers; thus, the importance of doing more research on it to find reasons for abusing it and the best ways of treating or preventing its addiction. In the United States, the drug emerged in 2007 and became famous in 2011 (Liu et al., 2018). The drugs have been falsely represented as "Molly" or "MDMA" which can make the recreational users to consume them unknowingly. Over 100 components of bath salts compounds are present in the market and sold as "plant food" or "bath salts", and they have been labelled as "not for human consumption" so that they can evade drug abuse regulations (Liu et al., 2018).

Hohmann, Mikus, and Czock (2014) that most individuals consume bath salts currently and the highness of the drug is seen after 1.5 hours of oral consumption. It lasts for about 2 to 8 hours depending on the abused bath salt. The individuals addicted to the drug usually report heightened music perception, sexual stimulation, diminished hostility, lightening of mood, and clear thinking (Hohmann, Mikus, & Czock, 2014). The doses of the drug range from 5 to 20mg. Although most people believe that the feelings brought by the drug are good, the drug has later adverse effects which might even result in death. The reason as to why this topic is important is because exposure and usage of bath salts have become popular despite inadequate scientific research in the area and knowing the potential harms of the substance (Prosser & Nelson, 2012).

The issue of bath salts addiction is a problem since it has adverse effects among young adults and youths in the society. Synthetic cathinone or bath salts are found in different products including methylone, dimethylcathinone, mephedrone, ethylone, mephedrone, and pyrovalerone (Prosser & Nelson, 2012). According to research conducted by Stiles, Fish, Cook, and Silva (2016), out of the 42 reported found cases only 18 were confirmed through laboratory testing to have bath salts components. Among the 18 reported cases, 12 people died. It means that the drug can highly result in death. The drug is a problem in the society due to its side effects including kidney failure, blood circulation problems, panic attacks, hallucinations, severe paranoia, and aggression (Gershman & Fass, 2012). Besides, being addicted to this drug can make one miss school.

Suggestion/Opinions on How to Solve the Problem of Bath Salt Drug Addiction

It is essential to find the best ways of solving the problem of bath salt addiction as it poses several challenges among the users. I think the pharmacists and physicians can play an essential role through increasing public awareness regarding the dangers of the product by participating in community outreach programs and patient counselling. This option applies to the high school students even though only a few consume the drug and college students. The programs should explain the dangers of consuming drugs to the abusers. The health care professionals can also benefit from ongoing education programs regarding synthetic stimulant. Through increased awareness, the clinicians can question patients and their family members on bath salt use if psychiatric symptoms are presented with no psychosis.

Bath salt addicts can also use rehabilitation option to quit the drug. A detoxification stage can be followed for both inpatient and outpatient. However, inpatient rehab program is recommended as it gives one the chance of having a more intensive aspect of the program. The detoxification entails both group and individual counselling sessions in teaching about the benefits one gets by quitting bath salt abuse. It also involves recreation therapy with options like art classes, engaging in outdoor activities, and exercising. These activities will make one busy. Thus, not having the time to abuse the drug. Apart from rehab, the addicts should have peer support and get encouragement from family and friends. The reason is that bath salts are addictive and the drug produces side effects that can be damaging on the first hit. Healthcare professionals have suggested treatment such as the use of large doses of sedatives in relieving emotional distress and physical agitation. Unfortunately, the treatment option may result in complications. Therefore, community outreach programs and rehab are the proposed ways of resolving the issue of bath salt prevention.

Conclusion

Bath salts are common in the current society, and they have posed challenging impacts on the users as some cases even result in death. Most of the college students and young adults from the age of 20 to 29 are addicted to bath salts. Bath salts exist in different products such as methylone, demethylcathinone, mephedrone, ethylone, methedrone, and pyrovalerone. Furthermore, the drug has been represented falsely as "Molly" or "MDMA" which can make the recreational users to consume it without knowing. The topic of bath salts addiction is essential since this drug has fatal effects on the consumers, thus, the importance of doing more research on it to find reasons for abusing it and the best ways of treating or preventing its addiction. It is also essential since exposure and usage of bath salts have become popular despite inadequate scientific research in the area and knowing the potential harms of the substance. The effects associated with the drug include kidney failure, blood circulation problems, panic attacks, hallucinations, severe paranoia, and aggression. The best ways of solving the problem of bath salt drug addiction are community outreach programs and rehab.

References

Gershman, J. A., & Fass, A. D. (2012). Synthetic cathinones ('bath salts'): legal and health care challenges. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 37(10), 571.

Hohmann, N., Mikus, G., & Czock, D. (2014). Effects and risks associated with novel psychoactive substances: mislabeling and sale as bath salts, spice, and research chemicals. Deutsches Arzteblatt International, 111(9), 139.

Liu, L., Wheeler, S. E., Venkataramanan, R., Rymer, J. A., Pizon, A. F., Lynch, M. J., & Tamama, K. (2018). Newly emerging drugs of abuse and their detection methods: an ACLPS critical review. American journal of clinical pathology, 149(2), 105-116.

Prosser, J. M., & Nelson, L. S. (2012). The toxicology of bath salts: a review of synthetic cathinones. Journal of medical toxicology, 8(1), 33-42.

Stiles, B. M., Fish, A. F., Cook, C. A., & Silva, V. (2016). Bath salt-induced psychosis: nursing assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Perspectives in psychiatric care, 52(1), 68-78.