What is flakka and why is it so dangerous?

These patients are a threat to themselves, the people around them, and the first responders (police, EMS) who are there to help them. It is common to hear reports that it takes multiple people to restrain and sedate these patients. Rescue crews and emergency department staff need to give sedatives to these patients to calm them and make them safe. Various instances of “Man on Flakka” have been captured in videos on news channels and social media platforms such as YouTube.

The drug can cause muscles to break down, as a result of hyperthermia, taking a toll on kidneys. Experts worry that some survivors of flakka overdoses may be on dialysis for the rest of their life. Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of a-PVP. Due to its potent psychostimulant effects and unknown toxicity profile, it is highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using with this substance. Accepts most major insurance providers and private healthcare policies.

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• Flakka is the street name for the synthetic cathinone called alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (Alpha-PVP).
• Some say the name could be a variation of the Spanish slang word “la flaca” which means “skinny girl”.
• It is often mixed with ecstasy, a party drug not to access the drug components.
• Despite the detrimental effects due to the use of flakka, the big question arises on why one would dare use this highly risky drug.
• In Los Angeles, California we treat drug and alcohol addiction, prescription drugs addiction, and co-occurring disorders.
• This new designer drug called alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP) is a tweaked version of bath salts.
• In high doses, it induces “excited delirium” in which users’ body temperature can rise to up to 42 C, which might explain why so many users end up naked while hallucinating.

The designer drug is still classified by the DEA as a Schedule I Controlled Substance as of May of this year. At least 20 other countries have banned or regulated a-PVP in some way. The Chinese government banned flakka and 115 other synthetic drugs as of October 1st – just weeks before the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Bo Peng, one of China’s biggest flakka traffickers. Flakka is a highly addictive and dangerous drug, otherwise known as alpha-PVP (alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone.) It is an amphetamine-like stimulant that belongs to the cathinone drug class.

• Flakka was also very inexpensive, costing as little as $5 for a dose.
• This inhibition causes an increase in the hormones that elevate mood.
• According to a survey from February 2019, 1% of the teens in America have used flakka knowingly, and more have used it unknowingly.
• The cathinones also inhibit the reuptake of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the central nervous system.
• When heated up, it gives off a foul-smelling smoke characterized as smelling like dirty socks.
• If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health or substance abuse, we can help.

Dubbed the “Devil’s Drug,” flakka’s full name is alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone, and is a cathinone, which is similar to bath salts, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported in April. In other words, users might suffer from a loss of reality and scary-high body temperatures and pressure, Forbes reported. Flakka, which is also called gravel in some parts of the country, is the street name for a chemical called alpha-PVP, or alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone.

Flakka Effects and Dangers

The first step in treating Flakka addiction is often drug detox treatment. This process involves the supervised withdrawal from the drug in a safe and controlled environment. Medical professionals can provide medications and monitoring to manage withdrawal symptoms, which can be severe and include anxiety, depression, paranoia, and intense cravings. Flakka addiction rarely occurs in isolation since it is often part of poly-substance abuse.

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He was naked and shouting that he was hallucinating, according to the Broward Palm Beach New Times. Broward County told Health Day the drug has been tied to 10 deaths. There are as many as 20 “excited delirium” cases per day in local emergency rooms there. Some people deal with heart problems, muscle breakdown or even kidney failure. The NIH says its been linked to deaths by suicide and heart attack. Alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone is a what is flakka drug wikipedia synthetic cathinone that acts as a stimulant similar to amphetamine, the active ingredient in certain ADHD medications.

Cocaine and methamphetamine have similar modes of action in the brain, but the chemicals in flakka have longer-lasting effects, Hall said. Effective treatment typically includes a combination of medical detoxification, behavioral therapies, and ongoing support to manage cravings and prevent relapse. Law enforcement and community activists were instrumental in limiting the damage done by the drug’s dangerous effects. Most reports of flakka after 2016 turned out to be other similar chemicals in the bath salt family. Effective addiction treatment programs are tailored to each individual.

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For those unfamiliar with flakka, here’s what you should know about the designer drug, its make-up and what it can do to a person. We also accept private payment methods and accept multiple financing options. If you need FREE help please contact the National Helpline about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, treatment, and recovery in English and Spanish. On the other hand, flakka costs $5, whereas one gram of cocaine can approximately cost up to $80, and most Individuals like the homeless, some college students cannot afford cocaine.

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The designer drug is typically sold online or in the streets for $3 to $5 a hit, whereas a gram of cocaine in the states can cost anywhere from $62 to $80 on average. Many young adults can’t afford to drop that kind of cash, said Cidambi. Flakka also doesn’t carry the stigma cocaine does – at least that’s what some of Cidambi’s college-aged patients told her. Some young addicts believe flakka is just “not as bad as cocaine,” she said. Flakka is a synthetic street drug with the chemical name alpha PVP (Pyrolinopentiophenome), which triggers a hyperstimulation state, and a high likened to that of cocaine. Its street name is derived from a Spanish slang ‘la flaca,’ which means a beautiful woman.

Comedown Effects

Because one can buy Flakka for as little as three dollars a dose, the target market is typically young, poor people looking for an easy high. 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. To educate your teen, to spread awareness about this drug, however, you must first understand what it is and how it works.