When experiencing delirium on flakka, users might feel severe disorientation, not understand where they are, what day or time it is, etc. They are likely to lose rational thinking and rational behavior, which can lead to some of the bizarre and violent acts reported by users in the media. what is flakka drug wikipedia Any substance that causes this degree of hyperactive delirium becomes a danger to themselves or others. Alternatively, users could experience hypoactive delirium, which causes them to underreact to possible signs of physical distress or environmental dangers. These outcomes can depend on the amount of the drug taken and the user’s individual metabolic balance. The addictive nature of synthetic cathinones, the family of drugs to which Flakka belongs, is underscored by withdrawal symptoms that include anxiety, tremors, paranoia, depression, and sleep disturbances.
If you, or someone you know, is abusing Flakka, it’s important you get help. The clinical team at Delamere can support you through a safe clinical drug detox and have a range of holistic rehab programmes to help you through and out of addiction. The withdrawal symptoms from Flakka can set in as quickly as several hours after the last dose, causing overlap between ongoing side effects, making withdrawal especially miserable and uncomfortable. Flakka is designed to imitate the stimulant effects of the khat plant but more closely resembles a combination of amphetamines, MDMA, and cocaine. Despite the efforts of law enforcement agencies and public health campaigns, Flakka and other NPS continue to spread nationwide, along with the harmful effects.
When the brain gets used to these pleasant sensations, it is hardwired to want more, leading to a higher tolerance, greater dependence and a potentially deadly addiction. Known as the poor man’s cocaine, Flakka is both cheap and accessible, further increasing the potential for abuse, especially among young people. It might be a term of endearment in Latin America, but “la flaca” means something entirely different in the international drug world. Spanish for ‘pretty, skinny girl who charms all she meets’, Flakka is a highly addictive designer drug known for its ability to make people go crazy. Here, the team at Delamere wellness retreat shares more information on this dangerous drug, its origins, composition and the reason it’s so addictive. Popularly known as Flakka, formally known as alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP), the chemical cousin of bath salts has made its way into the hands of drug users nationwide.
If you’re concerned your child may be using flakka or other substances, the following can help you address the behavior more effectively. Tolerance to many of the effects of α-PVP develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption).
Who is at Risk of Using Flakka?
- Moreover, illegal drug makers often make minor product adjustments to avoid detection and legislation after authorities crack down on a substance.
- In the United States, flakka is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act.
- Also like cocaine and meth, the drug may alter brain chemistry in a way that makes users require a larger and larger dose to get the same high.
- Flakka has been considered a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration since 2014.
It has been used for centuries as a recreational drug in African and Middle Eastern countries, where people chew the leaves for a stimulant effect. However, the drug is highly regulated and deemed illegal by most governments around the world because it has such harmful long-term effects. However, as psycho stimulant, this drug can cause paranoia, hyper stimulation and hallucinations. There are news stories indicating the irrational behavior of people high on Flakka.
Flakka Addiction & Abuse
In a qualified treatment program like Recovery Ranch PA’s, your loved one can first benefit from medical detox. This care component supervises them while they undergo withdrawal symptoms and significantly raises their odds of safely and successfully coming through this challenging but essential process. If these behaviors remind you of the ones that made headlines a few years ago with the appearance of drugs called “bath salts” — it isn’t a coincidence. It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects.
What is flakka (aka gravel) and why is it more dangerous than cocaine?
These symptoms not only cause physical discomfort but can also be psychologically taxing, making the journey to recovery daunting. The severity of these side effects underscores the importance of seeking help for flakka abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it’s critical to get help immediately for necessary medical intervention. Cathinones stimulate Dopamine release and inhibit Norepinephrine, Serotonin, and Epinephrine reuptake in the central nervous system.
What Are the Symptoms of Flakka Abuse?
Our addiction specialists have expert knowledge on the latest medications and advanced therapeutic practices to make your transition into recovery as comfortable as possible. Every guest has their own ensuite room and dedicated team of medical professionals to support them every step of the way. We will start with a medically assisted drug detox and continue with a range of supportive measures to guide you on the right path. WORC’s private and relaxing residential treatment center offers a fresh start to reset and heal, surrounded by support, away from the triggers and temptations of substance abuse. There is debate over whether Flakka causes physical dependence and addiction or solely addiction.
Is there treatment for flakka addiction?
This allows flakka to quickly be absorbed through the lungs and into the bloodstream. Diluting flakka in order to inject or eat the drug are both slower release methods, so the person abusing it does not experience the same intense intoxication as with smoking it. When the drug is vaped, however, it can rapidly lead to intoxication, negative side effects, and overdose. People who are abusing Flakka will likely display some of these symptoms and their behaviour may seem bizarre or uncontrollable. Known to cause psychosis, agitation and paranoia, Flakka shuts off the part of the brain responsible for rational control and can lead to people believing they have superhuman strength.
The euphoria effected by this drug is quite intense and getting off takes longer than cocaine or meth. In recent news, Flakka was behind a man stabbing and allegedly attempting to eat a Florida couple. This could be a possibility as aside from causing violent behavior, the drug also boosts a user’s physical strength. From medically assisted interventions to harm reduction policies, a multi-layered approach can help individuals and communities manage and prevent this dangerous drug. Norepinephrine buildup triggers “fight-or-flight” responses, such as increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and hyper-alertness.
Some, plain and simply, refer to the drug as “five-dollar insanity.” For most, the drug is Flakka. Since flakka is so new, researchers aren’t sure exactly how it affects the brain, or how addictive it is. Flakka has been considered a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration since 2014. Because of this affordability, the drug is appealing to economically vulnerable groups, contributing to pockets of higher usage despite overall modest national prevalence. By preventing cells from reabsorbing dopamine and norepinephrine, flakka prolongs the “rush” effect.
Flakka Overdose
This leads to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and dopamine production, making the brain demand more and more of the drug to register reward. In substance abuse treatment, therapists will also work to identify any co-occurring disorders your loved one may have besides substance use. Often, an underlying problem like a personality disorder or major depression can trigger a person to abuse drugs in the first place. Treating the mental health concern can often provide significant relief and build a sound foundation for lasting sobriety. Like cocaine and meth, flakka comes with a comedown, the period when the drug leaves the body and the person is left feeling fatigued or depressed. This sensation often results in users returning to the drug to get rid of the negative comedown feeling, jump-starting a cycle of use that can lead to abuse.
There are five schedules of controlled substances labeled from 1-V, with the classification based on the pertaining drug’s medical applications, safety, and abuse potential. As alpha-PVP is a stimulant, a state of hyper-stimulation, hallucinations and paranoia that could result in self-injury and violent aggression are possible. This drug has the combined effects of methamphetamine and cocaine without the price tag. Cocaine and methamphetamine have similar modes of action in the brain, but the chemicals in flakka have longer-lasting effects, Hall said. Laguna Treatment Center utilizes evidence-based methods at our Orange county rehab facility that can help someone safely get sober and remain in long-term recovery.
The information contained on this website is not intended to be a substitute for, or to be relied upon as, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Flakka, being related to amphetamines, causes alertness, hyperactivity, anxiety, profuse sweating, and extreme agitation. In some cases, the individual can have bizarre behaviors, hallucinations, delusions, confusion, or health distress. However, since Flakka mimics methamphetamine and cocaine, its long term effects may rival the two mentioned illicit drugs. Because it is 10x more potent than cocaine, is cheap and accessible online, this drug has become very popular to college-age adults.
Flakka is considered a Schedule I drug (high potential for abuse with no medical use). Bath salts are usually found in white or brown crystals or powder sold in small packages. Many illegal manufacturers sell the drug under names that sound like household products, like plant care materials or household cleaning solutions.
