Signs and Symptoms of GHB Abuse
GHB is the common name for gamma gydroxybutyric. It is a drug legitimately used to treat insomnia, narcolepsy and depression. This drug is also used as a general anesthetic. However, GHB is also used for date rape, along with other date rape drugs such as Ketamine and Rohypnol.
GHB is a tasteless, odorless and colorless drug. It can be very difficult to notice if someone has slipped it into your food or drink, which means that you should always be very careful about accepting food or drink from strangers whenever you go out. The initial symptoms of drug abuse can be very difficult to recognize, especially if you are not familiar with what to watch out for.
Signs and symptoms of GHB in the system can begin to show 10 to 20 minutes after you have consumed the drug. Depending on the dosage, the effects of the drug can last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours.
1. The first sign of drug abuse is an unusual sense of relaxation. You will feel as if you are merely intoxicated by alcohol. Moderate amounts of GHB can cause someone to lower his or her inhibitions. You will also start to feel drowsy and it is very possible that you will eventually pass out.
2. GHB can also make it difficult for you to think properly. You may have an impaired sense of judgment. You may also begin to experience hallucinations and later on experience insomnia.
3. Another symptom of drug abuse is amnesia or memory loss. GHB can cause someone to pass out and wake up with no memory of what happened a few hours before. Some victims of this drug find it extremely difficult to remember simple facts.
4. Another symptom that you were abused is nausea and possibly even vomiting. You will also have difficulty breathing, especially if GHB was mixed with alcohol and other drugs.
5. You may begin to experience tremors and migraines. You might begin to sweat profusely. These are also common signs of GHB in your system.
6. A common sign of drug abuse is slurred speech and the inability to form coherent sentences. You may be more talkative, but you may not necessarily be making any sense.
7. As GHB enters your body, your anxiety level will either increase or decrease. As the drug leaves your body, it will increase your heart rate and possibly cause hypertension.
8. Upon waking up, inspect your genital area for a physical sign of any abrasions or bruises. Signs of a struggle may mean you were drugged with GHB and were a victim of date rape.
These are some of the most common Signs and Symptoms of GHB Abuse. If you notice that you have some of these symptoms, then immediately call a family member or go to the nearest police station.
Some FAQs About Alcohol Addiction Treatment In Washington
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about alcohol addiction treatment in Washington.
Q1. Where can I find a suitable addiction treatment center for alcoholism in Washington?
Washington has ample opportunities for finding alcohol addiction treatment. There are treatment centers in almost every part of the state, but you will find some of the best options in the areas of Seattle, Bellevue, Spokane and Tacoma. If you want to find a treatment center in your local area, then you can search on the Internet or speak with a substance abuse counselor who will find through any healthcare institution in the state. They will not only guide you in locating a center for alcohol addiction treatment in Washington but will also tell you what will be the best program for you as per your requirements.
Q2. Where do I get more information on what kind of alcohol addiction treatment in Washington is permissible?
The most convenient way would be to check out on the Internet. You may visit federal websites such as those of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the National Clearinghouse. This is where all programs that are permissible federally for treatment in Washington are listed. Also, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website has a Facility Locator where you can get the link to your state health website. There, in the substance abuse section, you can find clearly what programs are suitable for alcohol addiction treatment in Washington.
Q3. What programs will help me get an insurance coverage for them?
Not all treatment programs in Washington are covered by the insurance companies, so you need to be careful. Also, if one program is covered by a particular insurance company, it does not mean that all providers will cover for it. The best thing to do is to call the insurance company before you plan on the treatment. Ask them what kinds of programs are permissible according to their policies and see if you can go with what they are providing. If you do that, coverage is assured for you. Also, the medical programs such as the detox are easily covered, but outpatient treatment programs and the various holistic programs will not be. In short, if the program is approved by the state, you have better chances of coverage.
Q4. Is detox always made compulsory in alcohol addiction treatment in Washington?
No. That depends on the condition of the patient. Two things are taken in to account. The first is the nature and extent of the addiction. If you have been drinking since a long time, it is certain that there will be a lot of alcohol residual in your body and hence you will need to go through the detox treatment program. Second, if you have some complication that will make treatment difficult or if you already have a condition because of the alcohol in your body, you will have to undergo the detox.
Having a detox treatment is ideal in alcohol addiction treatment because it cleanses the body from the accumulated alcohol and hence purifies it. This helps the person to stay healthy for longer. At the same time, it is important to get detoxified because as long as alcohol persists in the body, the person will find it very difficult to come out of the craving for the substance.
Q5. How long does the detox treatment last in Washington?
This will depend on the kind of addiction the person is in actually. In general cases, the withdrawal from alcohol must begin anywhere between 1 and 2 days from the beginning of the abstinence. However, if the person has been too deeply into the addiction, the withdrawal may occur earlier and last longer. Typically, alcohol treatment requires a three day detox program in Washington. But in some cases, such as in people who have a very strong addiction to the substance and people who have some health complications that are making the treatment difficult, the detox can go on to seven days or more.
Q6. How is the aftercare provided?
The addiction treatment is not over with the detox, there is definitely an aftercare program that follows. But the way the aftercare will be conducted will actually depend on the nature of the person’s treatment. If the withdrawal was mild, it means the patient is not so much dependent on the substance as yet and so an outpatient aftercare treatment would suffice. But for people with heavy withdrawals, nothing less than a residential treatment program will do to maintain their treatment.
Click on alcohol addiction treatment in Washington to find out more about how it is conducted and how you can locate the best.