These are “people who are already disadvantaged in terms of chronic disease and access to health care,” he added. Flakka has gained fame due to its ability to cause erratic and dangerous behavior in users. Popularly known as Flakka, formally known as alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP), the chemical cousin of bath salts has made its way into the hands of drug users nationwide. People who are abusing Flakka will likely display some of these symptoms and their behaviour may seem bizarre or uncontrollable. Known to cause psychosis, agitation and paranoia, Flakka shuts off the part of the brain responsible for rational control and can lead to people believing they have superhuman strength. It is a Schedule 1 drug in the US, which are drugs that are classed as the most dangerous and with the highest risk for abuse and dependence.
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Users are not always poor, however, and sellers are not always ill-intentioned, or even aware, of the dangers of Flakka abuse. Professionals believe that the Flakka trend will turn over to children and teenagers next, who will begin using their five-dollar allowances to pay for a dose (or two) of the drug. You may have seen the emergence of this drug overwhelm recent news, as it traveled up the coast of South Florida to New York City, stretching to Maine, Kentucky, Illinois, and beyond over the last year. You may have seen the headlines or heard national warnings to protect your children from this new substance.
Slang terms for Flakka
Man-made in China, Flakka is a synthetic version of naturally occurring amphetamine-like drugs called cathinones. Like its close cousins “Bath Salts” and “Molly”, Flakka is popular with young clubbers who want the mind-altering effects of acid combined with the euphoric feelings of ecstasy. Excessive use has been linked with feelings of extreme anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations. Like with bath salts, people have also reported dozens of episodes of violent behavior in people on flakka.
Flakka (Alpha-PVP) Overview, Effects, Abuse, Addiction, & Treatment
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. Florida, especially Broward County, once experienced a spike in flakka-related emergencies. Reports show this synthetic drug traveling to states like Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio. Hall said that there are about three or four hospitalizations a day in Broward County in South Florida, and more on weekends.
As with other stimulants, the chronic use of α-PVP can be considered highly addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage. Various instances of “Man on Flakka” have been captured in videos on news channels and social media platforms such as YouTube. These instances highlight the profound and often alarming effects that flakka can have on behavior and mental state, emphasizing its dangers to both users and the community at large.
Substituted cathinones are derivatives of the naturally occurring substance cathinone, which is one of the psychoactive principles in khat (Catha edullis). Cathinone is composed of a phenethylamine core with an alkyl group attached to the alpha carbon, and a ketone group attached to the beta carbon. Α-PVP’s structure consists of a cathinone core with a propyl group substituted at the alpha carbon, and a pyrrolidine ring at the amino group. 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 is a dangerous drug that has many bad side effects, mostly including changes in behavior or mood. If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health or substance abuse, we can help. Our addiction specialists have expert knowledge on the latest medications and advanced therapeutic practices to make your transition into recovery as comfortable as possible. Every guest has their own ensuite room and dedicated team of medical professionals to support them every step of the way. We will start with a medically assisted drug detox and continue with a range of supportive measures to guide you on the right path.
One single dose—costing under five dollars—can give a user an intense, fleeting high. One single dose can also lead a user into severe paranoia, aggression, and hyper-stimulation. The high from Flakka can last up to several hours, much longer than that of cocaine. The year 2015 saw hundreds of deaths related to the drug Flakka—most often resulting from overdose, heart attack, and suicide. Emergency visits linking back to Flakka abuse increased tenfold in the last year.
From there it became a new synthetic drug made from α-PVP, which is a cousin of amphetamine, which is much stronger than the khat plant. A new drug that gives people superhuman strength, but leads to violent delusions, is gaining attention. It has the molecular formula of C15H21NO, a cathione that is structurally related to methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and pyrovalerone. Both chemicals have been known to affect the body’s dopamine and norepinephrine level.
Spanish for ‘pretty, skinny girl who charms all she meets’, Flakka is a highly addictive designer drug known for its ability to make people go crazy. Here, the team at Delamere wellness retreat shares more information on this dangerous drug, its origins, composition and the reason it’s so addictive. The drug, which has the street name of Flakka, is a synthetic stimulant that is chemically similar to bath salts. Flakka is fast developing a reputation for what seem to be its nasty side effects, including a tendency to give people enormous rage and strength, along with intense hallucinations.
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The expert team at Delamere is used to treating all kinds of drug addiction and has direct experience of helping people overcome their dependence on Flakka. We take a holistic approach to healing at our state-of-the-art wellness retreat in the heart of Cheshire. Guests undergo a complete transformation physically, mentally and emotionally during a tailormade drug rehab programme which includes a safe and comfortable drug detox. We help people to understand what got them here in the first place and to establish positive actions that can help them out of addiction.
- Hall said that there are about three or four hospitalizations a day in Broward County in South Florida, and more on weekends.
- And even among those who enter rehabilitation programs, relapse is common.
- It is a more potent inhibitor of DAT and NET than the classical stimulants cocaine and amphetamine.
- Each time one type of bath salt is made illegal, the drug labs change the chemical structure slightly and a new drug that is technically not illegal is created.
- Flakka works in a similar way to other amphetamine-like synthetic substances in that it increases the level of dopamine in the brain – the neurotransmitter responsible for controlling pleasure and reward.
What Is Flakka And Why Is It So Dangerous?
Authorities in the state are warning people about the dangers of the drug. In some parts of the country, it is also called “gravel” because of its white crystal chunks that have been compared to aquarium gravel. Individuals with flakka overdose were isolated to a few geographic regions of the country. The epicenter of the flakka epidemic was Broward County, Florida, which includes the city of Fort Lauderdale.
It will probably take several years to get the data necessary to put a federal ban on flakka, he added. Effective treatment typically includes a combination of medical detoxification, behavioral therapies, and ongoing support to manage cravings and prevent relapse. Researchers have not thoroughly clinically studied the long-term effects of flakka, but renal failure can occur that is irreversible. Despite the DEA’s efforts to ban flakka, the drug is still being manufactured and sold illegally, often through online vendors. The core chemical compound used to make flakka, alpha-PVP, is still legal in many parts of the world. Alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone flakka drug wikipedia is a synthetic cathinone that acts as a stimulant similar to amphetamine, the active ingredient in certain ADHD medications.
If you, or someone you know, is abusing Flakka, it’s important you get help. The clinical team at Delamere can support you through a safe clinical drug detox and have a range of holistic rehab programmes to help you through and out of addiction. Ark Behavioral Health offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs. Flakka, a street name for the inexpensive and dangerous “designer drug” Alpha-PVP, is one such newcomer. When α-PVP is cooked with other chemicals, such as acetone and amorphous, and allowed to dry it will cause the mixture to crystallize.
Flakka has been considered a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration since 2014. Combinations with the following substances can cause dangerously high serotonin levels. Serotonin syndrome requires immediate medical attention and can be fatal if left untreated. By preventing cells from reabsorbing dopamine and norepinephrine, flakka prolongs the “rush” effect. Manufacturers frequently mix α-PVP with cheap fillers such as caffeine or sugar to alter appearance and maximize profit.
This was part of an effort to curb the abuse of synthetic drugs, which were becoming increasingly popular and causing significant health issues. Flakka works in a similar way to other amphetamine-like synthetic substances in that it increases the level of dopamine in the brain – the neurotransmitter responsible for controlling pleasure and reward. Flakka reduces the reuptake of dopamine which produces a state of euphoria and elation, as well as increased alertness and often aggressive behaviour. It may, however, cause an excited delirium resulting in wild, unpredictable, and severely violent behavior in those under this drug’s influence.
