Flakka Drug: Symptoms, Side Effects & Complications

Rescue crews and emergency department staff need to give sedatives to these patients to calm them and make them safe. Law enforcement agencies and health care providers have expressed significant concerns about the widespread use of flakka, particularly among younger demographics and in clubbing scenes where synthetic drugs are more prevalent. Flakka is a dangerous drug, and seeking help is crucial if you suspect someone is using it. If you or someone you know needs assistance, consider reaching out to a professional or a helpline. In situations like acute agitation, psychosis, or overdose, call 911 immediately. First responders can deliver proper medical intervention, crucial for saving lives.

Why Do People Use Flakka Despite Its Risks?

Cathinone is a naturally occurring compound called phenylalkylamine, found in the leaves of khat – a shrub or small tree indigenous to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Historical references to the chewing of khat leaves for their euphoric and stimulant effects date back many centuries, and today, this tradition remains widespread in countries such as Somalia, Yemen, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Synthetic cathinones are a class of lab-made stimulants that are designed to mimic the chemical properties of khat.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Flakka Abuse?

The risk of untreated Flakka addiction includes severe health complications, such as permanent damage to the heart, brain, and other vital organs, along with an increased likelihood of overdose. Furthermore, without treatment, individuals are at a higher risk of developing long-term psychiatric disorders. Once detoxification is complete, residential or intensive outpatient programs offer support during early recovery. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown effectiveness in treating stimulant use disorders, addressing underlying issues and equipping individuals with coping strategies for cravings and triggers.

Is Weed a Depressant, Stimulant, or Hallucinogen?

In the case of flakka, the new chemical is called alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone or alpha-PVP. Drug users take flakka to get a feeling of euphoria, a heightened sense of awareness, stimulation, and energy. In the United States, flakka is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I drugs are defined as substances with a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.

Flakka (Alpha-PVP) Addiction: Symptoms, Risks, Effects, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Psychologically, flakka can induce feelings of euphoria that quickly devolve into paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions, often resulting in violent behavior or self-harm. For instance, back in 2016, there was a notable news report about an individual high on flakka who exhibited violent behavior. Scientific studies have documented similar cases, showcasing the bizarre behaviors that flakka can elicit.

Excess dopamine floods the brain’s reward circuits, triggering intense euphoria. The norepinephrine buildup also drives rapid heart rate and elevated blood pressure, causing dangerous overstimulation. Flakka stays in your system for varying periods depending on the method of consumption, metabolism, and frequency of use. On average, it is detected in blood for up to 48 hours and in urine for up to 3-5 days. Factors like age, body fat percentage, and hydration levels also influence the elimination time.

This widespread social disruption underscores the dangerous impact Flakka has beyond individual users, affecting entire communities and public safety. Flakka presents effects that are similar to other stimulants, such as cocaine or methamphetamine. However, it is more potent and unpredictable, making it considerably more dangerous than these traditional substances. A dangerous condition called “excited delirium” can develop, marked by overwhelming physical strength and agitation, sometimes leading to organ failure. Flakka induces a surge of dopamine and norepinephrine, resulting in powerful but dangerous feelings of energy and euphoria. If you or a loved one are struggling with Flakka addiction or any other substance use disorder, contact us at Avenues Recovery, where we will walk you through the different treatment options available.

The unpredictability of Flakka’s effects and its ability to cause severe physical and psychological harm makes it highly dangerous (Palamar, 2018). The first step in treating Flakka addiction is often drug detox treatment. This process involves the supervised withdrawal from the drug in a safe and controlled environment. Medical professionals can provide medications and monitoring to manage withdrawal symptoms, which can be severe and include anxiety, depression, paranoia, and intense cravings.

Bath salts is a colloquial term used to refer to a variety of synthetic cathinones. The chemical composition of bath salts can vary widely, as it includes numerous different compounds, such as mephedrone, methylone, and MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone), among others. Flakka, on the other hand, typically refers to a specific synthetic cathinone known as alpha-PVP. It is distinct from other synthetic cathinones, including those found in bath salts.

• Flakka drugs are man-made, typically from a manufactured version of an Amphetamine-like Stimulant in the Cathinone class called Alpha-PVP.
• Flakka has gained fame due to its ability to cause erratic and dangerous behavior in users.
• It is difficult to know exactly how popular Flakka use is because when surveying individuals on Flakka use, the results are likely to be inaccurate.
• It is common to hear reports that it takes multiple people to restrain and sedate these patients.
• Many flakka users become agitated or panicked, sometimes exhibiting violent outbursts.
• Flakka and bath salts share similar chemical properties as they are both synthetic derivatives of cathinones.

Flakka is a dangerous drug that has many bad side effects, mostly including changes in behavior or mood. Contact us today to schedule an initial assessment or to learn more about our services. Whether you are seeking intensive outpatient care or simply need guidance on your mental health journey, we are here to help. Flakka, though not as widespread as often portrayed in sensationalized media reports, poses real dangers to users and communities. By staying informed and advocating for empathetic responses, we can help reduce the harm caused by flakka.

• The immediate impacts on both the body and mind can be severe and hazardous.
• However, extended urine drug tests may show negative results for methamphetamine, and standard tests do not typically identify flakka.
• Flakka is the street name for the synthetic cathinone called alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (Alpha-PVP).
• By mid-2015, α-PVP had already caused 105 fatal intoxications in Europe alone.

Flakka addiction is characterized by compulsive drug use that leads to dangerous physical and psychological effects, disrupting daily life and decision-making. Flakka, or Alpha-PVP, is a synthetic stimulant known for its extreme impact on both the body and mind, often causing rapid heart rate, agitation, hallucinations, and paranoia. These effects lead to dangerous behaviors, including violent outbursts, self-harm, and even life-threatening medical conditions like hyperthermia and kidney failure.

Legal status

The chemical similarity between flakka and bath salts means they have many shared risks, raising public health concerns. In some of the documented delusions, individuals’ experiences are of a typical paranoia, where the drug users feel they are being chased by a large group of people trying to kill them. 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.

When addressing someone about their flakka use, choose a calm moment when they are sober. Express your concern without judgment, highlighting specific behaviors instead of making accusations. Offer assistance in finding treatment resources rather than demanding they stop using. Research on the long-term effects of flakka continues to evolve, but emerging evidence suggests that chronic use can cause lasting physical and mental damage. The flakka zombie drug info danger of Flakka addiction is significant due to its cheap price, availability, and the intense high that users experience.