GHB's chemical name is Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate. It is more commonly known as the date rape drug. Its use is normally seen during raves or parties that involve young adults and teenagers. It is a drug that is becoming more and more familiar every year. GHB goes by several different names on the street. These include:

• Liquid X
• Liquid ecstasy
• Oop
• Gamma-oh
• Georgia Home Boy
• Grievous Bodily Harm
• Fantasy
• Mils
• G
• Liquid G

According to the Global Information Network About Drugs:

• The effects of GHB can be experienced within 10 minutes. Although for some people, it can take as long as an hour.
• The effects can last for as long as 7 hours.
• The average age of GHB users is 22 years old.
• In 1999, 32% of poison control calls in Boston, MA were because of GHB.
• In 2003, only 16% of local and state police departments claimed that GHB was not widely available.

GHB is addictive. Even though it is known as the date rape drug, it is also a recreational drug. Those who use it can quickly become addicted to it. Stopping the drug is quite difficult and can lead to withdrawal.

Perhaps you've been using GHB recently. You have many questions about it.

You may even suspect that you have an addiction, but you're not quite sure. It's important for you to get your questions answered. Learning as much as you can about GHB is definitely the key.

We'd like to provide you with the information you need. Here, you'll find information about GHB addiction, abuse, and how to get treatment.

What is GHB?

GHB is actually a chemical that is found in the brain. It can also be found in other areas of the body. Many people don't realize that it was once produced as a dietary supplement in the United States. In 1990, it was taken off the market due to concerns about its safety.

After it was taken off the market, it continued to be produced in secret laboratories. Today, GHB can be purchased online. In 2000, it was classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. This puts it on par with heroin. It is illegal for Americans to possess, sell or produce GHB. There are some prescription forms of GHB available, but this is the only exception.

GHB addicts most likely purchase this drug through the Internet. Getting a prescription for it can be quite difficult. It is only approved to treat a small amount of medical conditions, such as narcolepsy and fibromyalgia.

How do You Make GHB?

Making GHB is very dangerous. On top of the legal risks involved, it requires a specific set of instructions. This is why most people purchase the type that has been made in a laboratory setting. It requires ingredients such as GBL and NaOH. Making it incorrectly can result in a very potent form of the drug that can be deadly.

Of course, GHB itself is also potent. GHB addicts often prefer to make it themselves to have more control over the ingredients.

GHB Effects You Need to be Aware of

For those who use GHB as a recreational drug, it's easy to see why it would be attractive. GHB's effects are usually quite enjoyable for new users. They commonly report that they experience euphoria, an increased sex drive and peace. Of course, there are negative effects to the drug as well. These can include:

• Profuse sweating
• A loss of consciousness (69% of users report this)
• An upset stomach or nausea
• Visual and auditory hallucinations
• Painful headaches
• Mental confusion
• Impaired coordination

People also report amnesia after using GHB. This is one reason why it is so popular as a date rape drug. Victims are unable to resist sexual advances after using it. They're also usually unable to remember what happened to them afterwards.

High doses of GHB can have a profound effect on the body. It can result in seizures, sedation, coma, severe breathing problems and even death. GHB is sometimes combined with other substances when it is used. When this occurs, aspiration, nausea and vomiting and breathing difficulties can result.

GHB Addiction Defined: What is it Exactly?

It is important to understand the GHB addiction definition. This is especially true if you feel that you may be addicted to this potent drug.

When someone has a GHB addiction, that individual feels a need to use it. The use of GHB may consume the person's thoughts. He or she feels compelled to use, and is unable to turn down an opportunity. When not using GHB, once the drug starts to leave the body, withdrawal symptoms are the result.

GHB addicts commonly think about the drug all the time. They may need to use as soon as they wake up in the morning.

They may need to use GHB in order to feel normal again. Without it, they just don't feel like themselves. This is what drives GHB addicts to believe that they need it in order to survive.

GHB Symptoms of Dependence Defined

There are certain GHB symptoms of addiction that you should be aware of. If you've been questioning if you're addicted, it's important to know what to look for. The signs of GHB dependence include:

• Feeling nauseous frequently
• Experiencing hallucinations
• Feeling drowsy
• Losing muscle tone in the body
• Loss of muscle control
• Experiencing breathing problems
• Slurred speech
• Problems with thinking clearly

The longer you are addicted to GHB, the more severe your symptoms become. Over time, you could even develop seizures or slip into a coma.

Are You a GHB Addict? Take a Quiz to Find Out

Maybe you've noticed many of the above signs and symptoms of GHB addiction in yourself. However, you're still not sure that you have what would be considered an actual addiction. You'd be surprised, but many people feel exactly the same way. GHB addicts (like other types of addicts) tend to believe that they are in control. They believe that they can stop using any time they want to. Sadly, this is just one of the lies that the addiction tells you.

You need to know for sure if you're a GHB addict.

It might be helpful to take a drug addiction quiz. You can also ask yourself some honest questions, such as:

• Do thoughts of GHB consume my life?
• Have I gotten into legal trouble because of this drug?
• Are my friends and family worried about my GHB abuse?
• Have I tried to hide my GHB addiction from my loved ones?
• Do I continue to use GHB even though I'm experiencing negative side effects?
• Do I have financial problems because of my drug use problem?

Answering yes to even one of these questions indicates that you might have an addiction. It's important to talk with a professional to find out for sure.

What are the Risks of Addiction to the GHB Drug?

Are you at risk of developing an addiction to GHB? It's important to know what the risks of addiction are. These include:

• Having a personal history of addiction
• Having a genetic predisposition to addiction
• Being diagnosed with a mental health condition
• Living in or spending time in an environment where GHB use is normal
• Having lived through a traumatic event in your past

You may just be participating with GHB abuse for now. However, if you can relate to any of the above, you are at risk for addiction.

Professional Help for GHB Dependence is Available

If you do suffer from GHB dependence, professional help is available to you. Going to a GHB rehab program can provide you with all the support you need to recover. This addiction is very dangerous, and it's important for you to know that you have options.

At GHB treatment, you'll find that:

• Individual therapy sessions will help you discover the cause behind your addiction
• Group therapy sessions will introduce you to others who can sympathize with what you're going through
• Family therapy sessions will assist you with repairing broken relationships in your life.
• Alternate therapy options will be chosen for you, based on your needs.
• The correct type of follow-up treatment will ensure that you stay on the right path toward recovery.

Your GHB addiction cannot be healed overnight. However, it is so important for you to take that first step toward recovery. It's not an easy step to take, but it is incredibly rewarding.

GHB Addiction Recovery Can Be Yours, and We Can Help

Perhaps you started using GHB as a recreational drug because you thought it would be safer. You didn't want to use another street drug, and this seemed like a better choice to you. Many people assume that GHB is much safer, but in fact, it can be even more dangerous. Continuing to participate in GHB abuse can have a profound effect on your life. If you're addicted to GHB, the risks are even higher.

People tend to look at GHB as a drug that is associated with fun and partying. However, GHB dependence is no laughing matter.

It is a serious condition that requires immediate intervention and help. Going to a drug rehab can provide you with the assistance you need to stop using.

Many times, people attempt to stop using GHB on their own. This is a problem for a number of reasons. It can lead to a dangerous overdose with the individual relapses. This can be fatal if immediate treatment is not sought. It can also cause the person to slip into an addiction cycle. This can make quitting in the future even harder.

At Northpoint Recovery, we can provide you with the help you need for your GHB addiction recovery. We understand that it is extremely difficult to admit that you have a drug addiction that needs to be treated. However, we can promise you that once you do, you'll agree that it was the best decision you could have made.

Do you have a GHB addiction? Are you participating in GHB abuse? Help is available for you. All you need to do is contact us today.