Many people may have heard of bath salts because there have been some pretty scary stories in the news about them lately. Yet, many people are not familiar with what balt salts exactly are. They are very dangerous and deadly, not to mention highly addictive. The good news is that there are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help one recover from bath salts misuse and addiction.
An Overview of Addiction as a Disease
Many people feel that they are familiar with addiction, but are slightly misinformed when it comes to what addiction really is. These people are often under the misconception that addiction is some type of choice by the individual user. This is false. Addiction is not a choice – addiction is a disease.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control. Those changes may last a long time after a person has stopped taking drugs.” Addiction is also a family disease.
Addiction: A Family Disease
The family is often the hardest hit by a loved one’s addiction. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Social Work in Public Health, “The family remains the primary source of attachment, nurturing, and socialization for humans in our current society. Therefore, the impact of substance use disorders (SUDs) on the family and individual family members merits attention. Each family and each family member is uniquely affected by the individual using substances, including but not limited to having unmet developmental needs, impaired attachment, economic hardship, legal problems, emotional distress, and sometimes violence being perpetrated against him or her.”
Now, while the family may be the most affected (besides the individual struggling), they also have a very unique opportunity to be of service. They may be able to reach a loved one who is struggling in ways that others cannot. However, they must know the signs and the symptoms of addiction to look out for.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
The following are just a few of the signs and symptoms of the disease of addiction:
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
Now, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help sooner rather than later is vital.
What Are Bath Salts?
Bath salts are the street name for synthetic cathinones. So, what exactly are bath salts? According to NIDA, “Synthetic cathinones are a class of lab-made stimulants chemically related to substances found in the khat plant… Illicit synthetic cathinones are more commonly known as ‘bath salts.’ People may ingest illicit synthetic cathinones intentionally – sometimes as cheaper or more accessible alternatives to other drugs – or unintentionally, as contaminants in other drugs.”
Bath salts are also extremely dangerous. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, “The signs and symptoms of bath salts abuse include cardiovascular abnormalities, insomnia, agitation, anxiety, delusions, hallucinations, muscle spasms, seizures, severe paranoia, and aggression. The duration of the stimulant effects of these drugs is approximately 3 to 4 hours.”
Bath salts can also be highly addictive. This is why even using bath salts infrequently and casually can lead to long-term consequences and serious injury. Relapses are also common with bath salts.
How to Best Recover From Addiction to Bath Salts
There are many effective modalities that can help one recover from addiction to bath salts. The primary treatment is via psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
There are also more experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy and art therapy. Some people also like to utilize holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation.
Working with others in recovery can also be highly beneficial. Recovery is a “We” program, not a “Me” program. 12-Step recovery is a great way to make these connections. They can keep one motivated and accountable.
The Importance of Long-Term Success at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. This includes our treatment plans for individuals recovering from addiction to bath salts.
Remember, recovery is about the journey, never the destination. That journey can start right here with us. The time to start living is now. Recovery is out there. We can help.
Many people have heard of bath salts but don’t understand what they really are. Bath salts are a form of “designer drug” stimulant that can be both dangerous and deadly. They are also highly addictive. The good news is that there are many effective means, methods, and modalities for recovery from addiction to bath salts. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about the dangers of bath salts, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
