Get help today 888-744-0069 or sign up for 24/7 text support.
American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

Bath Salts Overdose Signs, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment

What Are Bath Salts?

Synthetic cathinones—commonly referred to as “bath salts”—belong to a group of drugs health officials call “new psychoactive substances.” These are psychoactive drugs that mimic the effects of existing illegal drugs and have only made their presence felt in the drug market in the past decade.1,2 Regulating these drugs has proven extremely difficult, as manufacturers continually change the “recipes” to evade newly implemented drug laws.

Bath salts are chemically related to cathinone, a naturally occurring stimulant found in the leaves of the Khat plant, native to East Africa.1,3 The cathinone in bath salts, however, is manmade and more potent than naturally occurring cathinone and, in some cases, consuming it may even be fatal.1

Bath salts first made their appearance in Europe in 2007, and it didn’t take long before they reached U.S. shores.4 Since then, bath salts-related calls reported to U.S. poison control centers went up from 0 in 2009 to 302 in 2010 and up to 2,237 in 2011.3 While bath salts use appears to have declined recently, many sellers have relabeled these products as “molly” or “flakka,” so many users don’t even realize they’re taking bath salts.5

What Do Bath Salts Look Like?

Bath salts usually take the form of a white or brown crystal-like powder and are sold with packaging that makes their purchase appear legal (e.g. as “jewelry cleaner” labeled “not for human consumption.”)1,3 The powder is snorted, injected, smoked, or swallowed.1 Nasal inhalation and injection use present the highest risk of overdose and death.1 These methods of administration deliver the substance to the brain more quickly than other routes such as oral ingestion.

Because synthetic cathinones are relatively new to the drug market, their effects on humans in the long term have yet to be exhaustively investigated. However, due to the chemical similarities between methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV—another cathinone stimulant) and cocaine or methamphetamine, their effects on the brain are likely to be similar.1 The effects of cathinones may be much more intense, though, as MDVP is reportedly 10 times more powerful than cocaine.1


Signs and Symptoms of Bath Salts Overdose

An article from the New England Journal of Medicine noted how easy it is for individuals to overdose on synthetic cathinones. One reason for this, the article explains, is that some packages actually contain dosing information which recommends consuming dangerously high levels of the substance with each use.6  Another reason, as explained in another article, is that not all packages of bath salts indicate purity or strength, so the same amount that may have produced a “good high” in one package may lead to overdose in another.7

Bath salts intoxication is still not fully understood, but a small sample of case studies reports severely altered thought and behavior.

Someone high on bath salts may experience or exhibit:6

  • Extreme agitation.
  • Violent behavior.
  • Panic attacks.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Paranoia.

Physical cathinone effects include:2,6


Risk Factors for Bath Salts Overdose

Due to the recent emergence of bath salts in the global drug market, there is little research on the factors that contribute to bath salts overdose. Scientists do know, however, that dose and purity are largely unknown to the user,7 meaning that any consumption of bath salts can potentially lead to overdose.

Case studies examining the short- and long-term behavioral effects of bath salts have shown that some users may develop a tolerance to the substance and, furthermore, experience cravings for the drug.6 Tolerance is the body’s need for more of a substance to experience the same effects achieved in previous uses. Continually taking more and more—especially when the purity is unknown—can significantly increase a person’s risk of overdose.


What to Do in Case of Bath Salts Overdose

As with any substance, bath salts overdose can look very different depending on a number of factors, including:

  • The amount of the substance consumed.
  • Other substances consumed.
  • Mental health status of the user.
  • Age.
  • Weight.

If the person is not overly agitated or aggressive but is displaying other signs and symptoms consistent with bath salts overdose, call 911 and monitor their condition.

Stay calm and provide emergency responders with necessary information, including:

  • The person’s age and weight.
  • The amount of bath salts consumed (if known).
  • Other substances consumed (if known).
  • The symptoms they’re displaying.

Depending on the extent of the overdose, a number of actions may be taken once the user arrives at the hospital or care facility.

Benzodiazepines may be administered to treat agitation and aggressiveness. Psychotic symptoms have been reported in up to 40% of hospitalizations from bath salts overdose.2,6 Antipsychotics are, therefore, sometimes used to address these symptoms (of which paranoia is most common), but only with caution, as these drugs can increase a person’s risk of seizures.2


Bath Salts Overdose Prevention

Although the illicit use of any substance should be avoided, there are ways to limit the risks of or prevent overdose.

In the case of synthetic cathinones, there is no greater preventive measure than abstinence. There is an inherent risk of overdose any time bath salts are consumed due to unknowns in purity on both the seller and buyer’s part. In other words, you may not be able to safely consume the same dose across different batches of bath salts, so the best way to prevent overdose is not to consume bath salts in any amount.

An additional preventive measure is avoiding polysubstance use. Using multiple substances almost always puts the user at amplified risk of overdose. Synthetic cathinones are powerful stimulants, so using other stimulants, in particular, can be very dangerous. For example, using bath salts and methamphetamine could worsen many of the unwanted symptoms of bath salts use, like agitation, paranoia, and rapid heart rate.


Bath Salts Detox Programs

If you or someone you know is addicted to bath salts, there is a number of resources and options available to you. Few detox and treatment centers will specialize specifically in treating bath salts addiction. However, most will be able to provide the care needed for someone suffering from any substance addiction. Under the care of these centers, you will be able to:

Detox centers will provide a safe environment and medical supervision. Some centers administer medications during detox to lessen the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. After detox is complete, there is the option to receive post-detox substance abuse treatment. Post-detox treatment will greatly increase a person’s chances of continued abstinence from bath salts use. Detox is the first step in a continuum of care and sets the stage for recovery. Some treatment centers have a detox center in-house, while others exist as separate facilities.


Bath Salts Addiction Treatment

Man contemplating bath salts use

Ongoing substance abuse treatment can occur in either an inpatient or outpatient setting, although some people will attend both by first completing an inpatient program and continuing their care on an outpatient basis.

Inpatient care involves living at the facility for the duration of treatment. Inpatient treatment centers provide care in the form of counseling, group and individual therapy, medication (in some cases), and, sometimes, other amenities like exercise classes and meditation. Luxury centers may provide additional amenities like massage and equine therapy.

Residential treatment centers are inpatient facilities that provide these kinds of amenities, but their approaches to treatment can vary. Some use proven treatment methods, like what you would find in hospitals, while others provide more holistic or alternative approaches. Residential treatment centers can be expensive, so check with your insurance provider to see how much coverage you’ll receive during your stay.

Outpatient treatment programs offer the same kinds of treatment as inpatient treatment facilities do. Outpatient treatment, however, only requires periodic trips to attend treatment, without any overnight stay. A typical treatment schedule might involve 8 – 10 hours a week of therapy at the center. Outpatient treatment may be appropriate for someone with an inflexible work schedule or a relatively manageable addiction.

Find Addiction Treatment Programs

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 find a program that works for you, please call AAC free at . Our confidential treatment advisors can take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. There are also free drug abuse hotline numbers you can contact.

Bath Salts Addiction Treatment Levels of Care

Recommended Bath Salts Rehab-Related Articles

Was this page helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.

Your feedback is important to us and will be used to improve the quality of our articles. Please do not use this form as a contact form or input personal information. If you are in crisis or need immediate help dial 9-1-1. Or if you are interested in entering treatment and want to know more, call us at 888-744-0069

Helpline Information
for immediate assistance.

(0/100)

While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we'll use this information to improve our content. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and need help, call us at 888-744-0069

Helpline Information
for immediate assistance.