In the early 2010s, bath salt addiction began to sweep across the US. A popular synthetic drug among teenagers and young adults alike, bath salts are similar to potent amphetamines like meth, ecstasy, and molly. However, they’re not as prevalent as heroin in the media today; many struggles with addiction. Let’s explore some bath salt addiction facts and statistics to understand this disease better.
What are Bath Salts?
Although relatively new, bath salts are lab-made drugs that resemble a white or brown crystal-like powder. While people think bath salts are a single drug, the term refers to an entire family of chemicals. This family includes all synthetic cathinones extracted from the Khat plant. These are widely available in the street market under names like “plant food” and “jewelry cleaner,” Sometimes, you can even find them at gas stations because of their deceiving packages.
Bath salts are made from a combination of ingredients that sometimes can also be legal under specific guidelines. However, most bath salt formulations are Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) standards.
5 Interesting Bath Salt Addiction Facts You Should Know
There’s still much to know when it comes to bath salt addiction facts. In the US., bath salt addiction affects teenagers and young adults the most. However, bath salts are very famous in Europe, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Many believe it is from these addiction spots that the trend moved to the United States.
1. Bath Salts Are Never the Same
Because bath salts are a combination of ingredients, one of the biggest dangers is that a batch is never the same. The majority of them include mephedrone (the original cathinone), methylone, pyrovalerone, pyrone, and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (or MDPV for short). However, dealers add other substances to their batches and create different formulations. Because of this, bath salts can be hazardous, since the user never knows precisely what they’re putting in their system.
2. Side Effects Are Extremely Dangerous
Unlike other addictive substances, the side effects of bath salts are nangerous to the user bandthose around them. Around 40 percent of people seeking treatment for bath salt addiction suffered psychotic symptoms. These psychotic episodes include attempts to harm themselves or others.
Sometimes bath salt users become violent in their psychotic episodes. They experience some “excited delirium” due to the high levels of dopamine released the drug causes. These side effects make anyone addicted to bath salts unpredictable and possibly dangerous.
3. Popular Among Teens and Young Adults
The rate of misuse among teenagers and young adults suggests and supports the evidence that most adults are misusing bath salts. In the US, most bath salt addicts are between 18 to 24 years old. In Europe, the drug is famous among club-goers, probably for its rush effect that releases “feel good” hormones at a rapid pace.
4. Producers Still Find Legal Ways to Sell Bath Salts
While the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 tries to regulate bath salts due to adverse reactions and more, producers seem to be one step ahead. Most labs continue to change the chemical compounds of these drugs to avoid regulations and controls. Because of these loopholes, some of these drugs reach the market as technically legal, but they’re still far from being safe.
5. Bath Salt Addiction in the US is Fairly New
Unlike other addictive substances, in the US, it wasn’t until the late 2010s and early 2011s that bath salt addiction cases started to increase in popularity. Rates for bath salt addiction increased between 2011 and 2016. Thankfully, after 2017, bath salt addiction and misuse rates among teenagers began to decrease significantly.
Bath Salt Addiction Statistics
Even though bath salt addiction statistics aren’t like other popular drugs, they’re still a significant view of the country’s addiction problem. These are some shocking bath salt addiction statistics everyone should know:
- According to a report issued by SAMHSA, synthetic cathinones were responsible for over 22,000 ER visits in 2011.
- Bath salts can be at least ten times more potent than cocaine.
- According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), bath salts-related calls to poison control went from 300 to more than 6,000 between 2010 and 2011.
- 1 in 5 high-school seniors that make up 1% of those misusing bath salts had used them at least 40 times in the past year.
Bath Salt Addiction Treatment
Addiction to bath salts still happens, but those ready to break the addiction cycle can find hope in treatment. Side effects of bath salts addiction are extremely dangerous to those using them and those around them. It’s paramount to speak with an addiction treatment specialist to determine the best way to start seeking help for bath salt addiction. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, our alcohol addiction recovery programs include:
Bath Salt Medical Detox: A clinically supervised detox process held in addiction treatment centers ensures the patient’s safety and makes the withdrawal phase as comfortable as possible.
Partial Hospitalization Program: Because bath salts place people in danger of self-harm or harming others, a partial hospitalization program can help ensure they’ll be safe.
Long-term Recovery Programs: It’s easy to relapse after treatment; almost sixty percent of people relapse. Long-term recovery assistance, patients can have the ongoing support they need to maintain long-lasting sobriety, especially when people with alcohol addiction tend to struggle with related problems all their lives.
Group Therapy: As part of our drug addiction treatment program, patients often find group therapy helpful. So our team integrates Narcotics Anonymous (AA) meetings and other group therapy settings to assist in the recovery phase.
Get Help Today
If you or someone you love is struggling with bath salt abuse or addiction, seek help immediately. Call Lighthouse Recovery Institute today and speak with our addiction center specialists to learn more about our comprehensive and personalized addiction treatment programs.
Our philosophy revolves around treating each patient in a case-by-case scenario because we know no two addiction stories are alike. Start walking towards your recovery, and we’ll be here supporting you and your family every step of the way. Please don’t wait another day to start addiction treatment–your life depends on it.
