GAMMA

HYDROXYBUTYRA
TE (GHB)
Trigger 1

DISCUSS THE PROPERTIES OF GHB. GIVE

THE STREET NAMES.
PROPERTIES OF GHB

PHYSICAL CHEMICAL
✢ Can form salts (eg, sodium and ✢ C4H8O3,
salts)
✢ 104.11g/mol
✢ Colorless
✢ GBL is convert to GHB in
✢ Easily mixes in aqueous solution aqueous media via hydrolysis
✢ Salty/Soapy taste ✢ Act on brain, GABA B ang GHB
✢ Small dose receptor
STREET NAMES FOR GHB

GEOGIA
HOME
BOY

LIQUID
JUICE
ECSTASY

LIQUID G FANTASY
Trigger 2
NAME OTHER DRUG THAT IS ALSO ABUSED
IN THE SAME WAY AS GHB.
 DRUGS THAT IS ABUSED SAME AS GHB

Benzodiazepines- initially used as anaesthetic MDPV@bath salts – schedule 1 controlled substance list

Ketamine – legal use anaesthetic (abused as hallucinogernic

Methamphetamines-cause high/rush
properties) schedule III under the DEA controlled substances act

LSD – schedule 1 drug (high potential for abused, illegal In US)

Cocaine-stimulant
(extremely potent hallucinogen)
Rophynol - used illegally to lessen the depression (such as
benzodiazepines. Have high amnesia effects) (called Date Rape Mephedrone@Diablo – stimulant
Drug)

Ecstasy - Sympathomimetic effects Methylphenidate – CNS stimulant

 ✢ GHB has also ✢ Roughly 95 percent of ✢ GHB can have an
been postulated GHB is metabolized in the addictive potential if
to have anabolic liver, and it’s half-life used repeatedly.
effects due to ranges from 30 to 60 Withdrawal effects may
protein synthesis, minutes. Only five percent include insomnia,
and has been of the parent drug is anxiety, tremors, and
used by body- excreted via the kidneys. sweating. Withdrawal
builders for Detection of GHB in the can be severe and
muscle building urine may be difficult after incapacitating.
and reducing fat. 24 hours due to it’s short
. half-life.
Trigger 3

DISCUSS THE SIDE EFFECTS OF ABUSE OF

THESE DRUGS.
SIDE EFFECT OF ABUSE GHB

Positive effect Negative effect

Increased in Nausea and

euphoria and
tranquillity vomiting
Decreased heart
Increased energy rate and blood
pressure

Increased sex drive Mental health

Significant
Sedation respiratory
suppression

Increased feelings
Loss of
of empathy and
consciousness
increased sociability
LONG TERM EFFECTS

DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING

RESPIRATIORY DEPRESSION

CARDIOVASCULAR COLLASPE

HALLUCINATIONS

MUSCLE PAIN

SLURRED SPEECH
 W H AT H A P P E N I F T H E G H B O V E R D O S E ?

• overdose was common among those who used the drug more frequently for a longer time but GHB
overdose can happen to anyone.

• Symptoms of a GHB overdose include vomiting, sweating, low blood pressure, irregular breathing,
slow heart rate.

• Some people have died from GHB because they appear to have gone to sleep but are actually
unconscious and have stopped breathing.

• Children have also accidentally overdosed on GHB after swallowing beads from a children’s toy
called Bindeez. In 2007, three children were hospitalized after swallowing the beads, made using an
incorrect chemical, which turned into GHB in the stomach.
 HOW TO DETECT GHB?

• In general, GHB is difficult to detect on drug tests because of the short detection
windows and lack of accuracy of it showing up on each type of test. 

• Current techniques can only detect GHB in the first few hours after ingestion.

• GHB has a half-life of about 30-60 minutes.

 URINE TESTS

While GHB is rapidly metabolized through the body, urine drug tests can detect the
substance up to 12 hours after it has been ingested.

1. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), GHB

will be most detectable in urine tests after four hours.

2. A recent medical study, published by the American Chemical Society, conducted urine

and blood tests every 30 minutes and found that GHB was most detectable up to two
hours after it was consumed. During that time, it was also still distinguishable from other
intoxicating or prescription substances.

Urine tests are noninvasive and relatively affordable ways to test for GHB use.
 Blood test
Blood tests can detect GHB up to 6-8 hours
after the drug has been consumed.
Concentrations of GHB in the blood peak
around 30 minutes after it is ingested, but
metabolites remain circulating for much
longer after the peak.
After GHB intake, concentration levels can
vary between 20 mg/L and 500 mg/L.
The most common way to test for GHB use
because they are highly accurate
Saliva test
Less reliable than urine or blood tests
because the presence of most drugs in the
saliva is very short-lived.
GHB is most detectable in saliva within 10
minutes after it is ingested. It can remain
detectable for six hours after the drug is
consumed
Saliva test often used as a secondary test to
confirm the accuracy of a urine test.
Inexpensive and noninvasive
 TREATMENT OPTION
 There are no medications dedicated specifically to
treating GHB addiction but with the mix of
medication and therapy tends to be most effective for
the treatment option.
 If not dependent of the drug, patient can be treated
and informed on an outpatient basis.
Treatment with other drug
 Withdrawal effects are reported as severe and patients
may attempt to self-detoxify using benzodiazepines or
alcohol.
 Benzodiazepine-give antipsychotics, longer-acting
benzodiazepines can help reduce symptoms of
anxiety and delirium. 
 In some cases, by using these additional substances
may worsen withdrawal that can leads to:
respiratory depression, coma and death
• Addiction treatment program for GHB
• Should be integrated with individual or group therapy
• mixed with non- addictive medications – SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors)

• Studies have shown that regular participation in support groups for addiction
significantly reduces the chance of relapse.
• Introduce new activities as a hobby
• General life changes such as:
• Avoid nightclubs, party and similar environment

• Studies have shown that regular participation in support groups for

addiction significantly reduces the chance of relapse.
• Introduce new activities as a hobby
• General life changes such as:
• Avoid nightclubs, party and similar environment
Trigger 4

IN WHAT OTHER SPORTS GHB

HAS BEEN ABUSED AND WHY?
 WHY GHB IS BEING ABUSED?

✢ IN SPORT ✢ IN NON-SPORT
 Baseball  CELEBRITIES
 Body building  CLUB KIDS
 Football  SEXUAL
 Horse racing PREDATORS
 Motor racing
THANK YOU