What Is Flakka?
Flakka, commonly known by its street name ‘gravel’, is a highly addictive drug that looks a bit like the white crystalline gravel seen at the bottom of aquariums. This crystal-like substance is commonly compared to bath salts that can be snorted, swallowed, or smoked. Its unpredictable effects and potential for overdose make it a significant health concern to all even LGBTQ+ people. Knowing more about the dangers of flakka can help you or an LGBTQ+ loved one stay safe.
What To Know About Flakka
Flakka is a type of cathinone, which is chemically related to amphetamines and shares a similar structure with popular drugs like methamphetamine. The drug’s easily accessible nature makes it popular among individuals looking for a cheaper high than cocaine or other drugs.
Flakka is typically sold in crystal form and produces an intense high known for its stimulating effects on the body, lasting from several hours to several days. However, this substance is also notoriously dangerous, and its use has resulted in numerous cases of addiction, overdose, and even death.
How Is Flakka Taken?
Usually pink or white in the form of crystals or powder, this substance can be smoked, snorted, swallowed, put into a solution and injected or even vaped in e-cigarettes. When synthetic drugs are heated during vaporisation, they enter the bloodstream much more quickly resulting in a higher risk of an overdose. Some people also choose to mix Flakka with other substances such as methamphetamine, ketamine, marijuana and GHB.
Dangers Of Flakka
While flakka may produce an intense high, it can be very dangerous. The drug has been linked to various overdose cases, overdose-related deaths, and violent behavior. Some of the most significant dangers of flakka include:
- Severe paranoia – This drug can cause intense paranoia and hallucinations, resulting in violent and erratic behavior, including self-harm and suicide.
- Overdose – Flakka is incredibly potent and can easily result in an overdose. This can lead to death or severe health consequences, including seizures, renal failure, and even death.
- Addiction – Flakka is highly addictive and can quickly result in dependence and addiction. Withdrawal from flakka can also be difficult and is often associated with significant depression, anxiety, and other negative symptoms.
- Adverse health effects – Flakka can cause significant damage to the body, including heart attacks, brain damage, psychosis and severe depression. People who use flakka may also engage in hazardous behavior, such as driving while intoxicated or engaging in risky sexual behavior.
Health Risks Associated With Flakka Use
Long-term use can cause permanent brain damage, leading to cognitive impairments such as difficulty concentrating or memory loss. Other psychological side effects include depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, or schizophrenia-like symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, which may persist even after quitting using flakka permanently. Flakka’s impact on the individual's physical health can be devastating. One of the most alarming risks is hyperthermia, a condition where the body temperature becomes dangerously elevated. This can result in dehydration caused by sweating profusely further resulting in severe complications, including organ failure.
Additionally, chronic use of flakka can lead to liver damage, and even death from cardiovascular collapse due to extremely high body temperatures. For the kidneys, the toxic effects of Flakka can cause significant stress on them, resulting in long-term health conditions such as kidney damage or complete renal failure.
The potential for life-threatening emergencies such as excited delirium is high among people who use flakka. This condition involves extreme agitation, confusion, and aggressive behavior, usually requiring immediate medical intervention. Excited delirium can rapidly escalate to life-threatening levels, making it one of the most critical dangers associated with Flakka use.
Find Hope And Healing at Pride Detox Today
Flakka is a dangerous synthetic drug that can cause severe complications. If you or someone you know is struggling with flakka addiction, Pride Detox can help. We offer individual and group therapy, medication assisted treatment, and other addiction recovery services to help you or your LGBTQ+ loved one overcome your addiction. Our addiction treatment center is open, making accessing the care you need easy.
Our addiction specialists will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs. From medication management to peer recovery support, we offer many services to help you overcome your addiction. Contact Pride Detox today at 1-562-525-5121 to take the first step toward recovery.
Flakka can be ingested in various ways, including smoking, snorting, swallowing, injecting, or vaping. However, each method carries its own risk. For instance, vaping Flakka can lead to rapid absorption into the bloodstream, increasing the likelihood of overdose. Mixing Flakka with other substances can also amplify its effects, making it more difficult to predict and control. Furthermore, the unpredictable nature of Flakka's effects can lead to erratic behavior, posing a significant risk to individuals and those around them.
Long-term use of Flakka can lead to permanent brain damage, cognitive impairments, and severe psychological issues such as depression and anxiety disorders. The drug's impact on physical health includes risks of hyperthermia, liver damage, and kidney failure. Chronic use can also result in cardiovascular collapse and other life-threatening conditions.
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