Our private, peaceful residential treatment center offers onsite medical detox to get you safely through withdrawal symptoms in a therapeutic, nurturing environment with 24-hour medical supervision and support. Flakka is a synthetic drug that has stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. It is made from a chemical called alpha-PVP, which is similar to the chemicals found in bath salts. Effective treatment typically includes a combination of medical detoxification, behavioral therapies, and ongoing support to manage cravings and prevent relapse. Flakka has gained fame due to its ability to cause erratic and dangerous behavior in users. Flakka use has been linked with an increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
Treating Flakka and Stimulant Abuse
The unpredictable potency between batches means that most people cannot reliably gauge how much might trigger an overdose. What might seem like a typical amount one time could prove fatal the next, making every use potentially lethal. Cathinones stimulate Dopamine release and inhibit Norepinephrine, Serotonin, and Epinephrine reuptake in the central nervous system. Cathinones are hydrophobic molecules that easily cross the blood-brain barriers and reach the synaptic cleft between neurons. Excessive Dopamine influx in the brain will cause an intense state of euphoria and an altered mental state. Cathinone metabolites like norephedrine and cathine are also central nervous system stimulants.
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Flakka can cause lasting neurological damage through its stimulant properties, overexciting neurons in the brain and altering pathways and functions permanently. This may result in impaired cognitive abilities, memory issues, and difficulties with concentration and attention. The primary mechanism of action for Flakka’s pharmacological effects is its capacity to stimulate the release and block the absorption of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain. If you’re addicted to flakka, you may need to detoxify your body to rid yourself of the drug.
Medical professionals emphasize the importance of treating both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. The powerful effects flakka has on dopamine systems and brain chemistry mean that recovery requires patience, professional support, and comprehensive care. Extended flakka use can cause devastating long-term health consequences.6 The drug’s effects on the kidneys and liver can lead to permanent organ damage. Repeated use often results in cognitive decline, persistent paranoia, and lasting changes to brain chemistry. The risk of developing chronic mental health conditions increases significantly with continued use. Unlike naturally derived substances, flakka’s potency and composition can vary dramatically from batch to batch, making it particularly unpredictable and dangerous.
Neurological Damage
From a mental perspective, they can expect severe paranoia, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, and more as a result of prolonged use. Prolonged flakka use impedes our ability to process specific transporter proteins in the brain, flooding your head with increased levels of dopamine and serotonin — the two main substances tied to our internal reward center. The term zombie drug emerged after numerous documented cases of excited delirium and extreme behavior among users. The Drug Enforcement Administration noted instances where people exhibited violent aggression, hyperthermia, and psychosis – often running naked through streets or displaying seemingly superhuman strength. These effects, combined with the drug’s impact on the central nervous system, can cause users to appear disconnected from reality and unresponsive to pain or commands from law enforcement.
While they may come from the same family, the scale of destruction is vastly different. The intense paranoia and agitation often lead to violent outbursts and self-destructive behavior.5 This commonly results in severe injuries, confrontations with law enforcement, or accidents caused by impaired judgment. Many experiencing a flakka high have been documented displaying extremely dangerous behavior, such as running into traffic or attempting to break through glass windows. Flakka and bath salts are related substances, but they are different. Flakka, also known as Alpha-PVP, is a specific synthetic cathinone, which is a type of amphetamine. On the other hand, “bath salts” is a broad term that refers to a group of synthetic drugs that often contain cathinones.
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Detox – In this process, the dangerous metabolites present in the body are cleared out to avoid further health issues. During detox, the individual will develop symptoms like mood swings, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, seizures and depression, and arrhythmia. Detoxification helps remove Flakka from the body, managing withdrawal symptoms and how does flakka affect your brain ensuring physical stabilization. However, it’s crucial to follow up with comprehensive addiction therapy. Discover professional help from We Level Up Texas Flakka drug addiction rehab and mental health therapists. For instance, the term “zombie Flakka” is a colloquial and sensationalized expression used in the media to describe the extreme and often bizarre behavior exhibited by some individuals under the influence of the drug.
The Link Between PTSD + Addiction: Understanding the Cycle + Finding Hope
Flakka (Alpha-PVP, also known as “Gravel”) is a highly addictive and dangerous drug, typically white or pink, and is found in crystal form. The drug may be eaten, snorted, injected, or vaporized in e-cigarettes. The story of Flakka is a story of a brain pushed far beyond its limits. The same brain that was hijacked by a chemical can be reclaimed through a process of dedicated healing, scientific intervention, and compassionate support.
- It is also known as “gravel” due to its white, crystal-like appearance.
- The norepinephrine buildup also drives rapid heart rate and elevated blood pressure, causing dangerous overstimulation.
- The good news is that with sustained abstinence, intensive therapy, and a healthy lifestyle, the brain can heal significantly.
Deeply committed to his patients’ long-term recovery, Dr. Scott continues to advance the field through research, education, and advocacy. Comprehending the underlying reasons for dependence and developing coping skills are crucial outcomes of both individual and group therapy. When it comes to treating the thinking patterns and behaviors connected to Flakka drug use, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly successful. Think of it as the most aggressive and unpredictable member of a very dangerous family. Flakka is the street name for a potent synthetic cathinone called alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone, or alpha-PVP. Synthetic cathinones are a class of man-made stimulants often referred to generically as “bath salts.” However, comparing Flakka to other drugs in this category is like comparing a forest fire to a lighted match.
- Law enforcement and community activists were instrumental in limiting the damage done by the drug’s dangerous effects.
- Extended flakka use can cause devastating long-term health consequences.6 The drug’s effects on the kidneys and liver can lead to permanent organ damage.
- Flakka overdose represents one of the most dangerous outcomes of using this synthetic drug, and it can happen in frighteningly small amounts.
- Excess dopamine floods the brain’s reward circuits, triggering intense euphoria.
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) Symptoms, Causes and Effective Treatments
Flakka is a man-made drug that is created from a synthetic version of a stimulant in the cathinone class known as alpha- Pyrrolidinopentiophenone. Cathinone is a chemical substance that is naturally found in khat plants, where the leaves of the plant are chewed on to produce a mildly stimulating effect. As you detox from Flakka, maintain your healthy diet and exercise practices. Your body and mind need this healthy lifestyle to overcome detox challenges. To help with your treatment and recovery, our rehab amenities provide a range of activities, rejuvenating meals, and peaceful surroundings.
Signs often include using larger amounts than intended, failed attempts to cut down or quit, spending significant time obtaining and using the drug, and continuing use despite physical and mental health problems. The condition frequently causes people to prioritize drug use over important responsibilities and activities they once enjoyed. Flakka is an artificial drug that produces stimulant effects similar to cocaine. Even in minimal doses, this drug will induce central nervous system stimulation and a state of unconsciousness similar to other drugs like cocaine and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Flakka will cause extreme effects characterized by violent behavior, extreme euphoria (intense excitement), extreme agitation, and distress. At NATC, we specialize in personalized treatment plans that address all aspects of your addiction.
Essentially, it stops the normal recycling of these neurotransmitters. Manufacturers frequently mix α-PVP with cheap fillers such as caffeine or sugar to alter appearance and maximize profit. These additives rarely affect the psychoactive strength of the drug but can further complicate health risks.
These patients are a threat to themselves, the people around them, and the first responders (police, EMS) who are there to help them. It is common to hear reports that it takes multiple people to restrain and sedate these patients. Rescue crews and emergency department staff need to give sedatives to these patients to calm them and make them safe. Because it is a relatively new street drug, the full scope of long-term effects is unclear.