Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, commonly known as GHB, is a potent central nervous system depressant that, while produced naturally in the body in small amounts, is also synthesized for illicit use. Understanding Ghb Street Names is crucial for parents, educators, and communities to recognize and address the dangers associated with this substance. Originally developed as an anesthetic in the 1920s, synthetic GHB is now abused for its euphoric and sedative effects, and alarmingly, it’s also used as a date rape drug due to its incapacitating properties. This article will delve into what GHB and its analogs are, their dangers, and importantly, the various street names used to refer to this dangerous substance.
What are GHB and its Analogs?
GHB is a powerful depressant that slows down brain activity. It falls into a category of drugs that includes analogs, substances with similar chemical structures and effects. These analogs, such as GBL (gamma-butyrolactone), BD (1,4-butanediol), GHV (gamma-hydroxyvalerate), and GVL (gamma-valerolactone), closely mimic the effects of GHB and are frequently used as substitutes. Often, these analogs are easier to obtain as they may be found in industrial solvents or cleaners, which are then illegally converted into substances for human consumption, further complicating efforts to control their abuse.
What Does GHB Look Like?
Both GHB and its analogs are typically encountered in two forms: a white powder or a clear, odorless liquid. A distinctive characteristic, though not always easily detectable, is their salty taste. This salty flavor is often masked by users by mixing GHB into flavored drinks, making it even more surreptitious, especially when used to drug unsuspecting individuals.
Alt text: Photo of GHB drug sample in clear liquid form, seized by Coffeyville Police Department, illustrating the appearance of liquid GHB.
How is GHB Abused?
The primary method of abuse for GHB and its analogs is oral ingestion. Due to the aforementioned salty taste, these drugs are commonly mixed into beverages to make them more palatable. This method of administration is particularly insidious when GHB is used as a date rape drug. Perpetrators often discreetly slip GHB into a victim’s drink at social settings like bars or parties, taking advantage of the drug’s odorless and colorless nature in liquid form to incapacitate their victims without their knowledge or consent.
Who Uses GHB and its Analogs?
Data on the prevalence of GHB and analog use suggests that young people are disproportionately affected. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), a significant percentage, approximately 58%, of GHB-related emergency room visits involve individuals between the ages of 18 and 25. The Monitoring the Future Survey from the University of Michigan highlights the concern of GHB use among high school students, reporting that nearly 2% of high school seniors admitted to using GHB at least once in the past year. This statistic underscores the need for targeted prevention and education efforts aimed at younger demographics.
What are the Risks of GHB?
Using GHB and its analogs carries a wide range of severe health risks. Immediate effects can include nausea, vomiting, confusion, delusions, depression, dizziness, hallucinations, and seizures. More critically, users may experience respiratory distress, loss of consciousness, slowed heart rate, dangerously low blood pressure, amnesia, coma, and even death. The danger is significantly amplified when GHB is mixed with alcohol, as alcohol intensifies the depressant effects of GHB, increasing the risk of overdose and respiratory failure.
Long-term, sustained use can lead to GHB addiction. Chronic users who attempt to stop using GHB often suffer from withdrawal symptoms, which can be severe and include anxiety, insomnia, tremors, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), delirium, and agitation. Withdrawal symptoms can manifest within just one to six hours after the last dose and, in some cases, can persist for months, requiring medical supervision to manage safely.
Beyond the direct health risks, individuals using GHB or its analogs are also at heightened risk of sexual assault. Whether unknowingly given the drug or consuming it without fully understanding its potent effects, users become vulnerable to exploitation due to impaired judgment and incapacitation.
GHB Street Names: Unveiling the Slang
Understanding GHB street names is vital because these terms are frequently used in conversations, online communications, and social settings where drug use may be discussed or occur. Being familiar with these names can help individuals recognize potential drug use and intervene or seek help when necessary. The numerous ghb street names often reflect the intended effects or perceived characteristics of the drug.
Some of the common street names for GHB include:
- Georgia home boy: A geographically localized slang term.
- G: A simple, abbreviated form, widely used.
- Goop: Referring to the liquid or viscous nature of GHB.
- Grievous bodily harm: A darkly humorous and alarming name highlighting the potential dangers.
- Liquid ecstasy: A misleading name associating GHB with the stimulant effects of ecstasy, while GHB is a depressant.
- Cherry meth: A flavor-associated slang, possibly referring to flavored GHB products.
- Fantasy: Alluding to the euphoric or altered state of consciousness induced by GHB.
- G-riffic: A play on ‘terrific’ combined with ‘G’ for GHB, often used ironically or among users.
- Jib: Slang term, origin less clear, but in use within drug subcultures.
- Liquid E, Liquid X: Similar to ‘Liquid ecstasy’, further associating it (incorrectly) with ecstasy.
- Organic quaalude: Another misleading name, quaaludes are sedatives, but GHB is not ‘organic’ in the natural sense.
- Salty water: A direct reference to the distinctive salty taste of GHB.
- Scoop: Potentially referring to a dose or measurement of GHB.
- Sleep, Sleep-500: Highlighting the sedative and sleep-inducing effects of GHB.
- Soap: Slang term, possibly related to appearance or texture.
- Vita-G: A deceptive term suggesting a vitamin or health supplement, masking its true nature.
Being aware of these ghb street names is a crucial step in harm reduction and prevention efforts.
Are GHB and its Analogs Illegal?
Yes, both GHB and its analogs are illegal substances in many countries, including the United States. In the U.S., GHB is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I drugs are defined as having a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, placing GHB in the same category as heroin and MDMA (ecstasy). GHB analogs intended for human consumption are also treated as Schedule I substances, reflecting the legal and societal recognition of their dangers and potential for abuse.
Further Resources on Drug Abuse
For more information on related drugs and substance abuse, please refer to the following resources:
- Fast Facts on: Crack cocaine, Crystal methamphetamine, Heroin, Inhalants, Jimsonweed, Ketamine, Khat, LSD, Marijuana, MDMA, Methamphetamine, PCP, Powdered cocaine, Prescription drugs, Yaba.
- NDIC Publications: Huffing–The Abuse of Inhalants, Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth, Drugs, Youth, and the Internet.
- Visit www.usdoj.gov/ndic for more information on illicit drugs.
Contact Information
For further inquiries or to request NDIC products, please contact:
National Drug Intelligence Center
319 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901-1622
Telephone: 814-532-4601
FAX: 814-532-4690
NDIC Washington Liaison Office
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001
McLean, VA 22102-3840
Telephone: 703-556-8970
FAX: 703-556-7807
NDIC publications are available online at:
- ADNET http://ndicosa
- LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic
- RISS ndic.riss.net
- INTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic
Conclusion
GHB and its analogs are dangerous substances with severe health risks and are often linked to drug-facilitated sexual assault. Being informed about ghb street names, understanding the effects and dangers, and recognizing the signs of use are crucial steps in protecting individuals and communities. If you or someone you know is struggling with GHB use or substance abuse, please seek help. Resources are available to provide support and treatment. Visit streetsounds.net for further information on drug awareness and prevention.
