Location
Our Idaho Location
Located in Boise, Idaho, Northpoint Recovery is proud to offer quality drug and alcohol detox as well as alcohol and drug rehab in the Treasure Valley.
- Idaho
2335 E. State Ave,
Meridian, ID 83642
Flakka Addiction and Abuse: Getting Treatment for a Successful Recovery
Flakka abuse and addiction continue to run rampant in Idaho, and other parts of the Midwest and Northwest.
A quality treatment program can help people get off this drug. But sadly, many people know of that option, and they still continue to use it.
Flakka has caused many deaths all over the country. It is a drug that is primarily used by teenagers. According to CNN Health:
- Less than 1% of high school seniors have used Flakka in the last year.
- But of those who had used it in the last year, close to 20% report having used it more than 40 times.
- Those students tend to have experience with other drugs as well.
- They also tend to live in homes without their parents present.
- Many of those young people who abuse Flakka do so without their knowledge. It is often included as an ingredient in other drugs, such as Ecstasy.
Flakka can become highly addictive with repeated use. It is important for people to be aware of the dangers of this drug. They also need to know that by opting for detox and rehab, recovery is possible.
What is Flakka?
Flakka is often sold under the drug name, “gravel.” It looks similar to bath salts and crystal meth and can produce the same types of effects. This drug contains alpha-PVP, which is a highly addictive stimulant. It can be made from many substances, including methamphetamine.
Flakka is believed to be more dangerous and potent than bath salts. Florida has been known as a “hot spot” for this and other “designer drugs.” Since 2013, more than 126 people have died because of it. But please know that it is available anywhere – even in Idaho.
The substances that are used to produce Flakka have effects that are very similar to cocaine. They block the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, which results in pleasurable feelings in the brain. When the drug was tested on mice, it was found to be very addictive, and the same has been found to be true in humans. The fact that dopamine is so intensely elevated when this drug is used means that the probability for addiction to Flakka is quite high.
When users partake of Flakka, they usually do so by using electronic cigarettes. This is a process known as vaping, and it also can make it much easier for people to use the drug in public without any fear of being discovered. The only giveaway is the fact that the vapor that is produced has a horrible smell.
Flakka Addiction Signs, Symptoms and Behaviors
In addition to the increase in dopamine that results when Flakka is used, norepinephrine levels are also increased substantially. Norepinephrine is the stress hormone that the body produces, and when it’s increased drastically, it results in an increase in blood flow and oxygen in the body. Additionally, this response can also affect heart rate and breathing. It can increase your blood pressure, cause anxiety and cause you to sweat uncontrollably.
Flakka abuse is identified as using the drug sporadically, or just a few times. However, those who abuse it generally want to keep on abusing it because of how good it makes them feel. That results in addiction relatively quickly for most people.
Some of the most common Flakka addiction behaviors can include:
- Acting out with erratic behaviors and movements
- Feelings of paranoia
- Being unable to sleep at night
- Experiencing psychosis
- Experiencing an excited delirium
- Violence or aggression
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Verify InsuranceThe Effects of Flakka on the Brain and Body
So many people take Flakka, thinking that they will only use one time. But their curiosity often gets the best of them, and before they know it, they are addicted to it. This drug can have a profound effect on the brain and body. It can lead to any or all of the following:
- Damage to the body’s muscle tissues.
- Lung damage.
- Kidney damage.
- Heart problems.
- Hallucinations.
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Flakka Withdrawal: Is Drug Detox Necessary?
Flakka is such a dangerous drug, and because of that, the withdrawal symptoms that can be experienced when it’s stopped are often just as dangerous. Even so, people attempt to quit using it on their own all the time, without getting any kind of professional help. The resulting Flakka withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Becoming irritable
- Experiencing extreme bouts of depression or anxiety
- Trouble sleeping at night
- Excessive fatigue
- Night sweats
- Weight gain
- Becoming suicidal
Drug detox can help to lessen or even eliminate these withdrawal symptoms while helping you experience a recovery that’s much easier to manage than if you try to quit on your own.
Is Flakka a Problem in the Midwest and Northwest?
When it comes to drugs like Flakka, a lot of people in Idaho and the surrounding states do not realize it can become a local problem. There have been several news stories that suggest that it is already in our midst.
In 2018, law enforcement officers in Spokane indicated that what they called a “bad batch of drugs” were found in the city. This realization came after one person died and twenty others were hurt as a result of them.
According to The Spokesman-Review, the drug appeared to be a type of stimulant. Taking it caused people to act unpredictably. Some people become violent and aggressive, and many reported hallucinations. It was reported that there were a number of people walking in the middle of the street while they were hallucinating. They yelled at random people, or at things that were not there.
It is believed that the drug in question was Flakka. Please know that this is not a drug that may come to our state one day. It is already here.
Getting Treatment for a Flakka Addiction
As we mentioned earlier, stopping the use of Flakka can and does lead to withdrawal symptoms. Those symptoms can become severe, and even cause a person to become suicidal without the drug. For these reasons, a person should only stop taking this drug under medical supervision.
It is so important for people who are addicted to Flakka to get treatment to help them stop. This typically means undergoing a period of drug detox and rehab. Treating both the physical and psychological aspects of this addiction is critical, and successful treatment can lead to a successful recovery.
Our Inpatient Treatment Program at Northpoint Recovery in Idaho
At Northpoint Recovery, we offer one of the best 28-day addiction recovery programs in our region. We are located in Boise, Idaho, and our inpatient rehab offers the comprehensive treatment people need to recover.
When patients come to us for help with Flakka addiction, they are often immediately placed into our detox program. There, they may undergo medical detox and receive holistic treatments for withdrawal. This is a process that usually takes around seven days, but it is very individualized for each patient’s needs.
During rehab, our patients experience several types of therapy. They work with an addiction treatment counselor one-on-one, and they also have group therapy sessions. People with co-occurring disorders or cross addictions will also get the help they need. Many Flakka addicts are also alcoholics, so they are placed in our alcoholism rehab program as well.
Yes, health insurance companies are now required to provide benefits to help cover the cost of addiction treatment. At Northpoint Recovery, we are in-network with many of the top insurance companies in the region. This allows us to make rehab as affordable as possible.
Learn More About Flakka Addiction, Abuse and the Available Recovery Options
Recovering from an addiction to Flakka may be challenging, but with the right support, it is possible. At Northpoint Recovery, we want our patients to know that our experience in treating this addiction can help them be successful.
Do you have questions about Flakka abuse or addiction? Would you like to learn more about our detox and rehab program? Please contact us.
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