Flakka is a man-made stimulant that is typically derived from a synthesised version of Alpha-PVP, an Amphetamine-like Stimulant from the Cathinone class. Synthetic Cathinones are chemically similar stimulants to Cathinone, a compound found in the Khat plant. The plant is grown in Arabia and East Africa, and some people chew the leaves for mild stimulant effects. Flakka is a street drug comparable to Bath Salts. Snorted, injected, eaten, smoked, or vaporised via e-cigarettes are standard ways to consume the substance.
Because of its appearance, Flakka (which is itself a street word for Alpha-PVP) is known as “Gravel.” The substance is usually seen in white or pink crystal form. Flakka addicts are in great danger of either getting injured or dying.
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Young clubbers choose Flakka because it combines the mind-altering effects of acid with the euphoric pleasures of ecstasy. The genuine origins of Flakka, however, are far older. Flakka is a synthetic version of the psychotic properties of the khat bush, which has been chewed for thousands of years throughout North Africa and the Middle East for its delirium-inducing effects. Even though khat was made illegal in the United Kingdom in 2014, it is still commonly used in its originating countries. Khat is chewed by an estimated 10 million people globally, with up to 80% of adults in Somalia and Yemen using it.
Flakka and other synthetic cathinones are part of a class of drugs known as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). They first appeared on the drug market in the mid-2000s, and they were created to seem like other illegal narcotics, including cocaine, ecstasy, and LSD. Cathinones include Mephedrone, Methylone, Methcathinone, Bupropion, and Buphedrone.
The Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant Alpha-PVP was initially discovered in 1963 and patented in 1967. Patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy are commonly treated with these stimulants.
Alpha-PVP was released as a tablet in 2013, and by 2014, it had gained popularity under the name Flakka. It was quickly designated as Schedule I, indicating that it has no medicinal benefit and a significant risk of abuse.
Flakka’s fast popularity alarmed communities because of the violent crimes perpetrated by its members. Flakka is claimed to have first gained popularity in South Florida, where a 19-year-old college student stabbed a couple to death before nibbling on the male victim’s face. The offender was thought to be high on Flakka, according to the police.
Flakka is incredibly harmful, and several users have killed themselves as a result of it. Feelings of pleasure, focus, arousal, enhanced sex drive, and sociability are the first effects of Flakka use. When the high wears off, however, users will need to increase their drug intake, which might result in adverse side effects.
Flakka induces “excited delirium,” a state characterised by hyperstimulation, hallucinations, increased vigour, and paranoia. These symptoms can lead to self-harm and aggressive violence, and a psychotic episode in certain users.
Flakka also affects the body, elevating body temperature to 40 degrees Celsius (hyperthermia). Liver and kidney failure, hypertension, blood vessel narrowing, irregular pulse, heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, and death are all possible side effects.
Flakka is known as ‘gravel’ on the street because it resembles the white crystalline gravel found at the bottom of aquariums. Synthetic cathinones, such as Flakka, are frequently marketed as ‘bath salts,”research chemicals,’ ‘plant food,’ and ‘glass cleaner,’ and are labelled as ‘not for human consumption,’ in order to avoid the law and conceal the substance’s true purpose of distribution.
Ivory Wave, Meow Meow, Snow Leopard, Pure Ivory, and White Lightning are some of the designer cathinones’ street names. Flakka has been termed the “insanity drug” and the “Zombie drug” as a result of an increasing number of reports of abusers’ crazy behaviour.
Flakka is a pink or white crystal or powder that can be smoked, snorted, eaten, dissolved in a solution, injected, or vaped in e-cigarettes. When synthetic medications are heated during the vaporisation process, they enter the bloodstream considerably faster, increasing the risk of an overdose. Flakka is frequently combined with other substances such as methamphetamine, ketamine, marijuana, and GHB. Flakka was found to be used in combination with other drugs by more than half of high school students in one study. There is a substantial risk of overdosing with Flakka, regardless of how it is administered.
According to reports, vaping Flakka is one of the fastest ways to overdose since users who vape Flakka are unable to assess how much of the material they are ingesting. In some circumstances, the medicine reaches the bloodstream too quickly, overwhelming the body’s processes. Heart problems, agitation, violent conduct, and psychosis are all indications of a Flakka overdose.
Flakka, like all cathinone stimulants, is extremely addictive. Even under the guidance of a physician, it is unable to be taken safely and is likely to cause physical or psychological dependence. According to some sources, Flakka is at least ten times stronger than cocaine, with doses greater than 0.1 gramme causing an overdose.
Flakka can provide users with an immediate sense of pleasure, raise confidence, reduce inhibitions, and stimulate libido in tiny doses. When the brain becomes accustomed to these pleasurable experiences, it is hardwired to need more, resulting in increased tolerance, dependency, and potentially fatal addiction. High doses produce a high akin to cocaine or methamphetamine, which can lead to hallucinations and involuntary muscular jerks.
Flakka, sometimes known as “poor man’s cocaine,” is both inexpensive and easy to obtain, raising the risk of abuse, particularly among young people.
Flakka and Bath Salts are chemically very similar, and their effects on users are practically identical. Bath Salts contain the active substance methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). Flakka differs from Bath Salts in that it lacks a cluster of atoms known as the 3,4-methylenedioxy motif.
Researchers showed that the propensity for addiction with Flakka and Bath Salts was nearly comparable in a Scripps Research study.
Flakka and Bath Salts are packaged and sold in the same way, with warning labels that say “not for human consumption” and names like “plant food” or “jewellery cleanser.” bath Salts have the same side effects as Flakka, including increased sex drive, hallucinations, panic attacks, paranoia, and sociability. Smoking, snorting, injecting, or swallowing Bath Salts or Flakka can result in overdose and death.
With all of the risks associated with using Flakka, it’s difficult to understand why anyone would choose this drug. One of the most critical factors is affordability. Cocaine can cost up to £80 per gramme, and many people, particularly college students, the homeless, and low-income people, cannot afford such a costly drug habit. Flakka costs £3 to £5 on average per hit. The substance is inexpensive and readily available, and the high is long and powerful. The high from snorting Cocaine lasts up to 30 minutes, whereas the high from smoking lasts up to 10 minutes. Flakka’s high can last for up to 5 hours.
Flakka is said to be ten times more powerful than cocaine. Flakka’s effects are unpredictable because its ingredients can include several harmful substances. Flakka can cause dissociative symptoms similar to those found with Ketamine or other sedatives like Benzodiazepines.
When used in small dosages, Flakka serves as a stimulant, making users feel euphoric and alert. Some users may have hallucinogenic symptoms as a result of using it. Flakka can imitate the effects of cocaine and methamphetamine, causing twitching, delusions, and even seizures in high doses.
Flakka is a dangerous and addictive substance, and anyone who has used it should get professional help. Synthetic cathinones are addictive and can induce withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, tremors, paranoia, depression, and sleep disturbances. In animal trials, researchers discovered that rats got hooked on Flakka and would repeatedly press a lever to release the drug. Synthetic Cathinones were also more addictive to rats than Crystal Meth. “Animals will self-administer MDPV like no drug I have ever seen,” stated Scripps Research Associate Professor Tobin J. Dickerson, a co-senior author of the paper.
Flakka works similarly to other amphetamine-like synthetic compounds in that it raises dopamine levels in the brain, which is the neurotransmitter that regulates pleasure and reward. Flakka inhibits dopamine reuptake, resulting in feelings of pleasure and ecstasy and heightened alertness and, in some cases, violent behaviour.
People may take Flakka to improve their mental health, but too much can swiftly lead to horrible delusions, paranoid psychosis, severe agitation, and various other altered mental states.
This is due to its chemical composition, which causes agitated delirium, a mental state change characterised by erratic behaviour, anxiety, agitation, aggressiveness, disorientation, involuntary muscular spasms, and seizures.
Symptoms of agitated delirium include:
Abusers of Flakka are likely to exhibit some of these symptoms, and their behaviour may appear strange or uncontrollable. Flakka, which is known to produce psychosis, agitation, and paranoia, works by turning off the region of the brain that controls rational thought, leading people to believe they have superhuman strength.
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If a person takes Flakka in high doses, stopping suddenly can be extremely dangerous. Without proper medical supervision, the side effects of Flakka withdrawal can be deadly. Identifying these withdrawal signs in someone you know who has been abusing Flakka could save their life:
Flakka’s long-term consequences haven’t been well investigated because it’s such a novel drug. Still, all psychoactive substances are known to cause cardiovascular problems, respiratory problems, and kidney and liver damage. If you’re addicted to Flakka, it’s critical to seek help from a medical professional who can guide you through a comprehensive drug rehab programme. Call us on 0800 999 1083 for confidential help and to discuss treatment options.
Despite Flakka’s uniqueness, there are various treatment options available to help someone addicted to this substance become sober and start creating a life of recovery.
Flakka is one of the rare chemicals that hasn’t been well researched. Outside of what is being gathered through Flakka users, little information on this chemical is known at this time. On the other hand, traditional addiction treatment can have a positive impact on a Flakka user’s life.
Detoxification, sometimes known as “detox,” is the first stage for someone addicted to Flakka. Detox is the process of removing these and other harmful chemicals from the body to improve one’s physical and mental health. When someone is detoxing from this chemical, they may experience the following symptoms:
Because so little is known about Flakka and the short and long-term impacts it can have on people, it’s best to detox under the supervision of doctors. Individuals in Flakka addiction treatment will receive round-the-clock care to safeguard their health and well-being while detoxing.
One thing is certain about addiction: no matter what kind of substance is abused, it is a challenging disease that affects one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. After detoxing off Flakka, a person might begin to participate in various forms of therapy to assist them in dealing with the difficulties that have arisen as a result of the drug’s abuse and those that have led to the addiction. The following are some of the most effective therapies for Flakka addiction treatment:
Flakka addiction treatment requires dedication and hard work on the part of the person getting treatment. When the programme is finished, they will either be given an aftercare plan to help them sustain their recovery or will be referred to a longer-term treatment facility.
There are currently no medications available to treat Flakka addiction. Treatment professionals will be able to assess for any co-occurring mental health disorders and offer behavioural therapy to address a Flakka addiction. If you or someone you know is suffering from a Flakka addiction, seek treatment as soon as possible. Flakka is a dangerous drug and may result in users hurting themselves and hurting others as well.
The Rehab Clinics we can refer you to are used to treating all kinds of drug addiction and has direct experience in helping people overcome their dependence on stimulants like Flakka. They take a holistic approach to recovery.
During a custom drug rehab programme that includes a safe and medically supervised drug detox, patients undergo a complete physical, mental, and emotional transformation. They help people gain a better understanding of what brought them to this point in the first place and promote positive actions that can help them out of addiction.
Recognising that you have a problem is the first step toward recovery. If your substance abuse has gotten out of hand, or you fear a loved one is suffering from Flakka addiction, contact Compare Rehab UK.
0800 999 1083 for confidential help and to discuss treatment options.
BACP accredited psychotherapist with 16 years experience working in mental health specialising in psychodynamic person-centred therapies treating those with a range of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and Addiction.
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