GHB is especially common in Southern California. Popular in Hollywood clubs and parties since the 1990s1, many people know GHB by only its first initial. When someone takes “G,” they can become sleepy, high, and often incapacitated. Unlike other depressants, GHB also increases muscle mass and leads to weight loss making it a popular alternative to the high-calorie option of alcohol. Today, GHB use disproportionately affects the LGBTQ community, making queer GHB treatment in Hollywood, California essential for the larger community.
If you or someone you love in the LGBTQ community is using GHB, don’t quit cold turkey. Our Hollywood, California GHB addiction treatment center is here to help. Specializing in cutting-edge, evidence-based treatment for party drugs, alcohol, and mental health, our team provides inclusive treatment in Hollywood. Call us now at 888.903.9898 to learn more about the benefits of our GHB treatment center.
What Is GHB?
Gamma hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, was once sold as a weight loss supplement in health food stores. In the 1990s, doctors saw a rise in GHB-related health problems and deaths. Like benzos, GHB releases GABA and causes memory loss, tiredness, and can even lead to a coma. While taking GHB can cause calorie-free euphoria, it’s a common date rape drug, leaving people incapacitated and with no memory of their high. Today, the DEA regulates GHB as a Schedule 1 drug. This means it’s both dangerous and illegal.
Benefits of GHB Treatment
While the symptoms of GHB use can be dangerous and deadly, GHB withdrawal can be hard to endure without professional help. When the brain becomes dependent on GHB for excessive GABA levels, a person will experience withdrawal every time the drug leaves their system. Most times, the brain will stop making GABA altogether. This can cause scary side effects like trouble understanding the world around you and difficulty with language.
For some, GHB use can lead to other addictions like disordered eating, obsessive exercise, or self-medicating for insomnia and depression. For anyone with mental health issues, the effects and withdrawal from GHB can be more dangerous, making professional treatment essential to long-term recovery.
Common side effects of GHB withdrawal include:
- Insomnia
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Psychotic thoughts
- Confusion
- High blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Physical tremors
- Delirium
- Changes in mood
- Aggression
Unfortunately, without professional treatment, GHB withdrawal can lead to relapse, long-term health problems, and drug-related death. Overdose is common during withdrawal. People who overdose on GHB become incapacitated and cannot call for help. For many, this can result in a coma or death.
Working with a treatment center is the safest, most effective way to stop taking GHB and heal the root causes of insomnia, body dysmorphia, and other co-occurring disorders. A treatment program can provide medically-assisted detox to help the brain safely transition off GHB.
Why GHB Treatment in Hollywood, California?
Because GHB is central to the Southern California LGBTQ scene, Hollywood, and clubs, our treatment centers understand GHB recovery. At La Fuente Hollywood, we believe in treating our community for a healthier Southern California. Whether you’re a local or looking to recover in California, our team can help.
Our staff at La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center understands GHB and addiction recovery first-hand. Many of our clinicians are in recovery themselves and understand treatment as highly individualized and non-linear. Whether you’re looking for medically-assisted detox, alumni programs, relapse prevention, or sober living homes, we have the program for you.
Call our Hollywood, California GHB Addiction Treatment Center Now
Don’t become a casualty of GHB. Call us now at 888.903.9898 or reach out online to learn more about our treatment programs and enroll today.
Footnotes
1USA Today – “People are taking GHB in clubs. Experts say we’re not paying enough attention.”
