Effects of Bath Salts Use: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment

Are Bath Salts Harmful?

The term “bath salts” refers to a family of designer recreational drugs that contain one or more synthetic chemicals related to cathinone—a stimulant found in the khat plant with effects similar to those of amphetamine.

The name “bath salts” and their ubiquitous, intentionally misleading warning that these products are “not for human consumption” arose out of efforts by illicit manufacturers and sellers to sidestep drug laws. Other labels for these drugs include:

• “Plant food.”
• “Jewelry cleaner.”
• “Phone screen cleaner.”

Bath salts have been called a variant of cocaine, methamphetamine, or ecstasy (MDMA)—as their stimulant features are quite similar in nature. Additionally, like cocaine, bath salts are frequently crystalline in appearance and can be purchased on the street. They can be injected, snorted, or taken as tablets.

What Are the Dangers of Bath Salts Use?

The most common cathinone-like chemicals found in bath salts are mephedrone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), and methylone, but exact compositions of the different products sold as bath salts vary extensively. This variation presents one significant danger of bath salts, since a user can never be sure of what combination of chemicals, nor what drug dose is being ingested.

Bath salts have been known to be harmful to users and those around the users for several reasons. These drugs can produce side effects like:

• Psychosis (which can lead to a person causing himself or others serious harm).
• Dizziness.
• Heart problems.
• Ulcers.
• Loss of coordination.
• Malnutrition.

Arguably, the most dangerous side effect of these drugs is the risk of addiction. Addiction causes a user to lose self-control and potentially to lose touch with reality. This can lead to taking more of a drug over time and additional dangerous side effects.

Short-Term Effects of Bath Salts Use

The effects of bath salts are diverse and inconsistent between different batches due to the variable nature of substances labeled as “bath salts.”

Nonetheless, the effects caused by the same type of bath salts may vary between different users, and the effects may also depend on the dose taken and the method of ingestion. The common “positive” short-term bath salts effects sought by most abusers are similar to those of other stimulants like cocaine and can include:

• Euphoria.
• Increased alertness and energy.
• Enhanced empathy and ability to interact socially.
• Intensified sensory experiences.
• Increased libido.
• Reduced appetite.

Bath Salts Side Effects

In addition to the effects desired by abusers, there are many serious side effects associated with the use of bath salts. These can impact a person starting the first time they take the drug, and bath salts do not need to be used for a long period of time or in high doses before negative side effects occur. Some adverse effects are dangerous and may result in death if they are not treated.

Physical Bath Salts Side Effects

Psychiatric Bath Salts Side Effects

There are also many other symptoms of bath salts use that can occur. The precise effects of bath salts on the brain are unknown. However, these chemicals work similarly to other psychostimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, which makes it likely that the effects of bath salts on neural pathways is similar. This results in overlapping addiction profiles for bath salts and other stimulants.

Long-Term Effects of Bath Salts Use

The long-term effects of bath salts include many serious side effects that can result in serious injury or death. In addition to being addictive, bath salts—like many stimulant drugs—can cause dangerously erratic behavior and, over time, contribute to the development of psychoses and mood disorders.

One of the most serious side effects of bath salts use is the development of mood disorders, since these can result in profoundly depressed states and potential suicide attempts. Self-mutilation and delirium are both common with use of this drug over time. Death is also not uncommon with long-term use of bath salts.

Potential Side Effects

• Liver failure.
• Kidney damage.
• Bone pain.
• Severe depression.
• Psychosis.
• Loss of coordination.
• Heart problems.
• Dizziness.
• Psychosis.
• Mood disorders.
• Ulcers.
• Malnutrition.
• Tolerance.
• Addiction.

Injecting Bath Salts Side Effects

In addition to the negative effects of the drug itself, abusers who inject bath salts face additional, and possibly lethal, toxic side effects including:

• Vein blockage.
• Skin erosion.
• Infection at the injection sites.
• Abscesses.
• Gangrene.
• Blood clots.
• Increased risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other blood-borne illnesses.

Bath Salts Dependency

A bath salts dependency can be very serious, especially since this drug has so many inherently dangerous health effects. Dependency is usually preceded by tolerance. As the body adapts to the repeated use of bath salts, tolerance will develop and the user will need to take progressively larger doses in order to achieve the same effects.

This can increase the likelihood of dangerous side effects or a potentially fatal overdose.

Dependency occurs when a user can’t stop taking the drug without experiencing negative physical or psychological bath salts withdrawal symptoms. In cases of substance dependency, the body needs the drug and has become reliant on it.

Bath Salts Addiction

Dependency is sometimes considered a precursor to addiction. Addiction is further characterized by an inability to deal with everyday life without a substance and a compulsion to continue taking a drug despite negative life consequences, such as serious health problems, financial stresses, family conflicts, etc.

A person addicted to bath salts may:

• Crave the drug intensely.
• Experience intense anxiety at the prospect of quitting the drug.
• Lose touch with reality.

Bath Salts Addiction Treatment Programs

Bath Salts Withdrawal and Detoxification

The clinical picture of bath salts withdrawal can be virtually indistinguishable from that of other stimulants, such as methamphetamine and cocaine.

Medically supervised detox can help streamline this uncomfortable process and encourage the patient to continue on to a long-term program of recovery.

The treatment of bath salts abuse comes in many different steps. Medical monitoring is often necessary, and doctors and nurses are usually present to give attention to a patient as new needs and withdrawal symptoms arise. Sedatives and anti-anxiety medications may be used to help alleviate emotional and physical bath salts withdrawal symptoms.

Psychiatric or other qualified mental health staff will remain vigilant throughout the period of bath salts detoxification and withdrawal, as anxiety and depression are frequent stimulant withdrawal manifestations.

Bath Salts Addiction Treatment Types

After detoxification, patients may attend an inpatient or outpatient drug rehabilitation program, depending on their individual needs.

These facilities provide support and counseling with the goal of helping patients through the emotional and mental health issues caused by addiction. Both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs aim to:

• Reduce the likelihood of relapse.
• Prepare patients for the outside world once they leave rehabilitation.

Finally, during recovery, recovering addicts may enter a supportive facility, such as a sober living house or return home. Sober living homes give people recovering from addiction time to adjust to the world before returning to their previous situations.

There are also many peer-support groups, such as 12-step programs, which can provide support and encouragement to those in recovery. The end goal of any treatment plan is to help patients return to a satisfying and productive life while avoiding relapse and a return to addiction.

Find Bath Salts Treatment Programs

If you or a loved one is struggling with bath salts misuse, help is available and recovery is possible. Professional treatment can start anyone battling addiction on the path to a healthier and happier life. Rehab programs are located throughout the U.S., and a variety of treatment types is available. You can use SAMHSA’s Find Treatment tool to search for facilities. Many state government websites will also provide local drug and alcohol resources to those in need. To find your state government’s website, do a web search for your state name and ‘.gov.’

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading treatment provider and has trusted rehab facilities across the country. To learn more about rehab programs and treatment options with AAC, please contact one of our caring admissions navigators free at .