| GHB/GBL: Harm Reduction Advice |
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Drug Information – GHB and GBL GBL (Gamma-butyrolactone) is a clear liquid whose intended use is as an industrial solvent for cleaning metal or removing spray paint from vandalised buildings. When diluted and swallowed, your body converts it very quickly into GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutric acid). GHB is itself sold as a drug (sometimes in powder form, sometimes in solution) - the effects and dangers of GBL and GHB are similar. Both give a sense of contentment and euphoria fairly similar to alcohol. However, compared to most other drugs, there is a fine line between the desired amount and taking too much and collapsing. Measuring an accurate dose is vital to prevent possibly fatal overdose. Very regular use may result in addiction. Patterns of Use GBL is predominantly a club/dance drug although a few people use it more regularly. Its rise in use is fairly recent (in the last ten years or so) and mainly in Western countries. GHB was banned in the UK in July 2003 so the market switched to GBL which remained legal until December 2009. GBL is the more prevalent drug. Official figures on numbers of users are still quite sketchy. But there are concentrated pockets of high use in some groups in urban areas such as young gay men and students. Some more rural areas may have very low or negligible levels of use. Bodybuilders took GBL because it increases levels of human growth hormone in the body and so is reported to promote muscle growth. It is unclear to what extent this usage trend has survived the bans. Users tend to be people who have tried other drugs like cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine and are looking for a new type of high. Until 2009, GBL was easily available through internet sites and headshops. The cost was typically about £15 for a 30ml bottle of pure (99%) GBL (supplied with pipette for accurate dosing). Given that typical doses are around 1ml, this made it a very cheap drug. GBL can now only be bought through dealers. Appearance and Effects GBL is clear, with little odour, and slightly oilier than water. Taken pure, it would irritate your mouth, throat and stomach and so is diluted (e.g. 1ml put in a bottle of water/juice with a pipette). The taste has been described as stale and 'plasticky'. To reduce the chance of taking more than intended, a user could take the drug in increments of no more than 0.5ml, with enough time in between to feel the full effects. Effects should start after 10 or 15 minutes, and peak within an hour, depending on factors such as its concentration and when you last ate. GHB can come as a powder, but is usually sold already dissolved in water. The solution tastes salty. A cautious initial dose would be about 0.5g dissolved in water, with further doses no larger than this taken if desired at intervals of at least an hour, but as GHB is often sold in unknown dilution, even more caution for initial doses is sensible. The effects of GHB start after 10 or 15 minutes, and take about 20-60 minutes to peak. The user feels euphoria and disinhibition, may become very chatty initially, and may feel greater sensual appreciation of music and dancing, as well as touching and sex. Higher doses make the user slur their words and lose coordination as with alcohol. Effects last for 3-5 hours. Having taken either substance, it would be illegal and dangerous to drive no matter how in control you feel. Prolonged use increases tolerance and addiction can develop. Withdrawal can be difficult and dangerous; craving and relapse is common. Harms There is a particularly high chance of accidental overdose with these drugs, because an extra millilitre of GBL or gram of GHB on top of just a moderate dose can make you fall into a sleep where you cannot be woken, and could potentially choke on your own vomit. Knowledge of the recovery position could save lives. Because such small doses are used and the liquids are mistakable for water (especially when intoxicated) it is possible to accidentally consume several times the intended dose. This can rapidly result in coma and death by respiratory depression without swift medical attention. Combining drugs almost always adds risks, but combining GBL/GHB with alcohol makes overdoses much more likely as they both inhibit breathing and airway reflexes. A moderate dose (1-2ml) mixed with alcohol can, in the inexperienced and unsuspecting user, lead to a stupor or unconsciousness. GHB gained a reputation as a ‘date-rape drug’ because it is not easily detectable if added to drinks, or from blood tests after a few hours. Whilst there is an element of media exaggeration to these claims, and alcohol alone remains by far the most common drug used to facilitate sexual assaults, there is some evidence that GHB/GBL has been used in this way to spike drinks. GBL is a drug which disinhibits sexual behaviour so there is increased risk of pregnancy, STDs and sexual injury. GBL/GHB can be addictive, although addictions typically develop only when the drugs are used heavily for a sustained period. Like most drugs, if you take it every day, you will get increased tolerance and may become dependent on it. Those dependent on GBL usually suffer from cravings, anxiety and low mood and have trouble sleeping if they do not redose every few hours, and ending a full-blown addiction causes minor to moderate (compared to opiates) withdrawal symptoms such as tremors and sweats as well as heightening the depression and discomfort. It may be difficult to access medical services that can help beat such an addiction because there may not be specific protocols in place for the management of GHB/GBL withdrawal. There are no studies which show any long-term harms caused by consuming these drugs, aside from the ways that addiction itself can interfere with and mess up your life. Staying Safe Extreme caution should be used when measuring doses, and a pipette may be handy. GHB, when sold as a solution varies in concentration, so it is very important to know how strong the solution is and trust the source of this information. Many people have ended up coming round in hospital after swigging from the bottle directly. These drugs may be bought in quantities enough for several overdoses, so it may be safest to prepare in advance the quantity you wish to take in one session so that when intoxicated, you can only take up to an arranged limit. Avoid alcohol. Even just a few units combined with GBL can have a very powerful and negative effect. A high proportion of those who collapse after taking GBL have also been drinking. Friends should always look out for each other - if one of your group is suffering bad effects, then seek medical assistance immediately. If they cannot be roused, put them in the recovery position until you can get help. The Law GBL and GHB are both class C drugs so they are illegal to possess or supply. If you are caught in possession you may get a caution or a fine. If you put GBL in someone’s drink intending to take advantage of them sexually then you are committing a very serious offence. |