Flakka Addiction

Designer drugs like flakka are created to mimic the effects of illegal stimulants, but they are easier to trade.

When it first hit the streets, it wasn’t technically illegal to sell flakka because it was an unknown and uncontrolled substance. Still, it’s illegal to sell unregulated recreational drugs for human consumption, so dealers would sell it as other products like plant food. They would mark packages with labels that said, “not for human consumption.” This deceptive practice is often referred to as the gray market. Buying and selling that breaks the spirit of the law without actually breaking any specific legislation.

Flakka use has declined as other drugs have taken its place, and the manufacturing of certain synthetic drugs like flakka was outlawed in China, a chief supplier. Still, it may be possible to get flakka or other synthetic cathinones, and they remain a threat to illicit drug users.

Learn more about flakka, its effects, and how a substance use disorder can be treated.

How Does Flakka Work?

Flakka is the street name for a stimulant drug called α-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone which is a synthetic cathinone. It can be used as a recreational drug that replaces MDMA (ecstasy), cocaine, or meth. The drug causes an intense stimulant high with feelings of excitement, power, and energy. Unlike cocaine, however, it commonly causes hallucinations, which can turn into frightening psychedelic experiences referred to as, “bad trips.” In some cases, users can experience extreme symptoms like excited delirium, which is marked by agitation, aggression, and violent behavior.

As a cathinone, flakka works in a way that’s similar to other stimulants like cocaine and meth. It blocks the reuptake of dopamine, a naturally occurring chemical that’s involved in reward and motivation in the brain. Reuptake is a process of recycling the chemical after it’s no longer needed. Flakka blocks this process and allows more dopamine to bind to receptors, activating more powerful effects.

As a constantly changing designer drug, it’s difficult to know the appropriate dose of flakka for you to take without causing an overdose. Small differences in the size of the dose and the exact chemical makeup of the drug you are consuming can mean the difference between a stimulant high and a deadly overdose.

What Are the Signs of Flakka Addiction?

Substance use problems can be difficult to notice when they first start, especially if you are worried about someone else. However, addiction is difficult to keep hidden and will most likely start to bleed into other aspects of your life. Flakka is a powerful drug, and it can cause a number of signs and symptoms that you may notice in yourself or others. Flakka use can cause some short-term symptoms like hyperactivity, increased energy, agitation, aggression, dilated pupils, confusion, and paranoia.

As drug use starts to turn into addiction, the addicted person may start to show some other behavioral signs and symptoms, including:

If you’ve recently used cathinones and you’re worried that you might be developing an addiction, there are a few telltale signs. If you’ve become more tolerant of the drug or developed a dependency, your brain may be getting used to the chemical. If you stop using and feel uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms like fatigue and depression, you may be chemically dependent. Addiction occurs when you continue using a drug, even after it causes serious consequences. If you feel like you are becoming addicted, then seek help as soon as possible.

How Dangerous Is Flakka Addiction?

Flakka can be considered an extremely dangerous drug. Though the media hype around flakka, bath salts, and other synthetic cathinones has overstated the drug’s ability to turn users into monsters, it does have a number of alarming adverse effects. The paranoia, panic, and aggression can sometimes cause lasting effects. Extremely bad trips and excited delirium can lead to psychosis.

Because it’s powerful and unpredictable, flakka can easily lead to an accidental overdose, even in experienced drug users. Designer drugs may also include a mixture of chemical substances with unknown and possibly dangerous effects. Flakka’s overdose risk is increased when it’s mixed with other drugs, especially other stimulants.

Overdose symptoms can include:

The erratic behavior that is sometimes caused when a person takes flakka can also put you in harm’s way. Hallucinations and stimulation can cause you to get up, move around, and even run, sometimes activating your fight or flight response. This can lead to injuries and accidents, especially behind the wheel of a car.

After detox, you will go through the continuum of care, which involves multiple levels of care depending on your specific needs. In treatment, you will create an addiction plan with the help of your therapist, which can include a variety of therapy options. Behavioral therapies are the most common, especially cognitive behavioral therapy. Through this process, you will learn to cope with stress without drug use, develop a relapse prevention plan, and address any underlying mental health issues.

Flakka Abuse Statistics

• Florida is the No. 1 state for flakka cases with 870 cases in 2015 alone.
• There were 150 new forms of synthetic cathinones recorded in 2012.
• There were 23,000 emergency room visits caused by synthetic stimulants like flakka in 2011.

Start Your Flakka Addiction Treatment Today

If you or a loved one has struggled with a substance use disorder involving a synthetic stimulant like flakka, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Each use of unknown designer drugs is a gamble, can lead to medical complications, overdose, or an accident. Substance use disorders, especially addiction, is a difficult disease to overcome, but there is help available.