Are Bath Salts Addictive?

Are Bath Salts Addictive?

Most drugs seem scary. Not only are you putting something in your body that you were never meant to inhale, inject or ingest, but there is always the fear that you will get hooked, even after only trying a substance once. It is common knowledge that drugs like cocaine or meth are very addictive, but less is known about "newer" drugs, such as bath salts. After all, the name "bath salts" seems fairly harmless. One question many people have about this drug is whether bath salts are addictive—would you be able to quit using once you start?

What are Bath Salts?

"Bath salt" is the street name for a category of drugs called Synthetic Cathinones. These drugs contain synthetic chemicals designed to provide the same reaction as the naturally occurring Cathinones found in the Khat plant. The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes them as being 10 times more potent as cocaine. These substances have not been studied as much as other forms of illegal drugs, but they have caused violence, criminal behavior, mental disorders and even death.

Are The Addictive?

The reason many people try a drug like this in the first places is that they feel like it will be easier to stop using when they want to—especially when compared to other addictive drugs. However, when it comes to bath salts, this is far from the truth. They are extremely addictive and many find that it is nearly impossible to quit once they start. The withdrawal symptoms are very severe, meaning rehab may be necessary for those who want to end their dependence.

Bath salts are something to take very seriously. If you have started, finding a way to end is vital—even if it means a trip to rehab or working with a substance abuse counselor. If you have not yet taken this drug, keep in mind how hard it will be to quit. This drug is not a trendy alternative to hard drugs—they are dangerous and addictive.