An illegal drug used as a party drug, a “date rape” drug and a muscle-building drug.

GHB, short for gamma-hydroxybutyrate, can be found in pill, powder or liquid form, and it’s been directly linked to serious illnesses and even deaths. GHB abuse and addiction has created the need for GHB drug rehab treatment for many people.

Although illegal, one form of GHB called sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is used legally to treat symptoms of the chronic sleep disorder of narcolepsy. GHB, on the other hand, was placed on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act in 2000. It’s a dangerous drug that isn’t well known by the American public. Given the peril that users put themselves in using this substance, it’s a good idea to learn more about GHB and GHB drug rehab treatment.

Why is GHB Dangerous?

The side effects of GHB use are many and are a good reason to consider GHB drug rehab treatment. The possible side effects of GHB, which typically appear about 10 to 20 minutes after taking the drug, include:

Dizziness
Drowsiness
Loss of coordination
Nausea
Vomiting
Changes in blood pressure
Difficulty breathing
Unusually aggressive behavior
Impaired judgment
Seizures
Hallucinations
Coma
Death

GHB as a Date Rape and Party Drug

Given how GHB is used, GHB drug rehab treatment has become a necessity. However, it’s not just used to achieve a recreational high. GHB makes the perfect date rape drug due to the fact that it’s colorless and odorless, and it’s easy to slip into a person’s drink or food. It doesn’t take much to cause a person to black out and become helpless.

Medically, GHB is known as a central nervous system depressant (i.e., a sedative). It’s also used illegally as a club drug to which users can easily become addicted. If you or a loved one is addicted to GHB, you should strongly consider GHB drug rehab treatment. Many reputable GHB drug rehab centers can help you overcome this less well-known substance. Allowing addiction to continue is a recipe for your life slowly spiraling out of control, which can lead to very unfortunate results.

GHB Street Names

GHB is known by an unusually large number of street names, including:

Blue nitro
Cherry meth
Easy lay
Gamma G
Georgia homeboy
G.H. revitalizer
Gib
Goops
G-riffick
Insom-X
Lemon fX drops
Liquid ecstasy
Liquid E
Liquid X
Longevity
Natural sleep-500
Nature’s quaalude
Orange fX rush
Organic quaalude
Oxy-sleep
Poor man’s heroin
Revivarant
Salty water
Scoop
Somatomax PM
Vita-G
Wolfies
Zonked

If you need help with GHB addiction, let a reputable GHB drug rehab center help you. Putting off treatment is no solution. It only allows the problem to get worse.

What are the Statistics Regarding GHB Abuse and Addiction?

The need for GHB drug rehab treatment is very real. In addition to addiction, there’s also the possibility of death. From 1992 to 2001, GHB use, in combination with alcohol use, resulted in more than 60 deaths. Of these fatalities, approximately 60% were victims aged 20–29. Emergency room visits in which GHB was involved have increased as well. One report indicated that GHB-related ER visits jumped from 56 per year to 4,969 per year over just a six-year period.

GHB use since 2000 has been relatively low when compared to many other drugs, according to a Monitoring the Future Survey. In 2010, for example, for 8th, 10th and 12th graders, annual GHB usage was 1.4% of those surveyed. One survey in 2004 reported 12th grader use at a high of 2%. While these may seem like relatively small numbers, they still represent tens of thousands of teenagers at risk every day. If you suspect your child is abusing GHB, you need to strongly consider GHB drug rehab.

Do I Need Detox Before Going Into GHB Drug Rehab?

The very first step toward recovery is obviously acknowledging the problem. The second step is understanding that’s it’s necessary to seek GHB drug rehab treatment. In reading this, it’s important to realize that you’re already at the second step. Now, it’s time for the third step: pursuing treatment. However, before you can enter rehab, you’ll need to complete the detox process.

In detox, all traces of drug toxins are flushed from your body. It’s not an easy process, and completing this process on your own isn’t recommended.

Withdrawal symptoms from drugs can be many and varied, such as:

Nausea
Insomnia
Anxiety
Diarrhea
Elevated blood pressure
Profuse sweating

At a GHB detox facility, doctors and staff members can ensure that detox is safe. Sometimes, they may dispense medication to make the process easier. Once your body is clean, your recovery isn’t over. Detox only rids your body of GHB. It’s successful drug rehab treatment that will keep you off GHB in the future.

Should I pursue Inpatient GHB Drug Rehab or Outpatient GHB Drug Rehab?

At this point, it becomes necessary to determine what is most appropriate: inpatient GHB drug rehab treatment or outpatient GHB drug rehab treatment. Many people aren’t certain what’s right for them or their loved ones.

Inpatient GHB drug rehab treatment: When an addiction is more advanced, inpatient treatment is often a better choice. In an inpatient environment, all of the familiar triggers and temptations of the outside world are kept away so that patients can concentrate entirely on their own recoveries. Inpatient is an appropriate choice for those whose GHB addictions are severe or have gone on for a long time. It’s also an excellent choice if patients don’t have a stable and supportive family unit to rely on. If you go to inpatient GHB drug rehab treatment, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that doctors and trained staff members keeps all of their patients safe and comfortable 24/7.

During inpatient GHB drug rehab treatment at a reputable facility, patients undergo a treatment plan that utilizes evidence-based therapies designed to not only get people off drugs but also keep them off drugs. Things like one-on-one counseling and group counseling are especially helpful in getting patients to better understand the roots of their addiction, as well as to support and receive support from others experiencing the same thing.

Outpatient GHB drug rehab treatment is well suited for patients whose addiction isn’t as far advanced. Also, it’s very appropriate for individuals whose school, work or home responsibilities don’t easily allow for an inpatient stay. Outpatient GHB drug rehab treatment is also appropriate for people who have a strong family unit that can be supportive during this challenging time. In addition, health insurance companies are more likely to cover a substantial amount of the cost of outpatient treatment due to the fact that it’s less expensive than inpatient treatment.

During outpatient GHB drug rehab treatment, you’ll receive much of the same treatment that inpatient treatment patients enjoy but with the flexibility you need to keep up with other personal and professional responsibilities. When you meet with an addiction specialist at a GHB drug rehab center, this individual will help you determine which type of treatment is best suited to your unique needs.

How Long Does GHB Drug Rehab Treatment Last?

For many people, a 28-day or 30-day GHB drug rehab program would address their needs. However, no two addictions or personal circumstances are exactly the same. For some people, a 60-day or 90-day program may be necessary for complete effectiveness. Another factor to consider is, how long of a stay will your insurance plan cover? No two plans are the same in this regard, not even if they are from the same company. Any reputable GHB drug rehab center works with health insurance plans every day and will be able to help you better understand what your insurance will (and won’t) cover.

It’s worth noting that the longer patients remain in a treatment program, the greater the chances are that they will remain sober after leaving the GHB drug rehab center. Most reputable facilities will offer some sort of aftercare program to help patients reinforce what they’ve learned during treatment. Relapse is always an ever-present threat to people in recovery. An aftercare program can help GHB addiction patients who feel that they are in danger of relapsing.

If you’re struggling with an GHB addiction, don’t wait to seek help. Addiction can be overcome with effective GHB drug rehab treatment.

I Want to Find a Luxury GHB Drug Rehab Center

All reputable drug rehab centers will offer effective, evidence-based treatment for patients. However, many will offer this therapy in a relatively modest setting. For some individuals, having more luxurious amenities can make the entire recovery experience more relaxing and comfortable, which are qualities worth associating with treatment.

At a luxury GHB drug rehab facility, patients can enjoy the kind of amenities that they’d expect to find in any upscale hotel. If these are the kind of amenities that you’re used to, having them during rehab treatment makes perfect sense. These luxury amenities typically include things like meals prepared by gourmet chefs, fine linens, extensive gym facilities and in-house massage therapy. Obviously, these luxuries aren’t a substitute for excellent treatment. However, for some individuals it just makes sense to have what makes you happy and comfortable.

If you or a loved one suffers from GHB addiction, it’s smart to seek treatment rather than let the situation continue. It’s better to seek rehab before your life spirals out of your control.

GHB Drug Rehab Treatment Considerations

Entering rehab treatment means tackling many different issues. These considerations include the following:

How Does the Rehab Experience Begin?
It begins with an interview. During what’s called an intake interview, an addiction specialist will ask you questions so that the facility can get a better understanding of your unique circumstances. By learning about your addiction, your personal history and your medical history, a facility can craft a treatment plan that will be effective for you specifically.

How Do I Pay For Treatment?
It’s no secret that drug rehab treatment is costly. Fortunately, health insurance policies are able to help many people afford treatment. Policies vary greatly from one company to another and even within the same company. An addiction specialist from a rehab facility will be able to discuss your insurance plan with you so that you’ll know what it covers. It’s quite possible that you may owe little or nothing, depending on your policy.

If you don’t have insurance, there are definitely other options that you can pursue, including personal loans from family or friends. Many facilities will offer payment plans, or they may work with a third-party financing company that offers flexible payment options. Treatment is important. Don’t let fees scare you away from the rehab treatment you need.

What About the Possibility of Relapse?

Relapse is always a possibility for people when they leave a GHB drug rehab facility. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that as many as 40% to 60% of addiction patients relapse. But relapse is, in fact, common with many medical procedures. It doesn’t mean that all is over! It just represents an obstacle that must be overcome.

Any credible rehab center will design an aftercare program to help reduce the possibility of relapse. Aftercare might include additional outside counseling or a sober house living arrangement, depending on your situation. Relapse doesn’t have to be a given. Excellent rehab treatment and an effective aftercare program can do much to keep you on the straight and narrow.

Additional Concerns About GHB Drug Rehab Treatment

Any type of drug addiction is difficult to address. If it were easy, everyone could easily quit on their own. Some questions to put to a facility’s addiction specialist probably include the following:

Am I really addicted to GHB?
Are the withdrawal symptoms from GHB dangerous? How long do they last?
Should I stage an intervention for my loved one? Will it be successful?
Do I want holistic treatment? Should I consider faith-based treatment?
Do I want a facility close to my home or far away?

Getting answers to these questions will make it easier to go ahead with treatment. Don’t let GHB addiction take your life away from you. Get professional help today. Effective rehab treatment can give you back the life that GHB has been gradually stealing from you.