GHB Use Surges Amid Concerns Over Undetectability and Dangers
The potent sedative, often referred to as a 'date rape drug,' is reportedly gaining popularity despite its risks of blackouts, sexual assault, and fatal overdose.
The drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a potent sedative also known as 'G,' 'Gina,' or 'liquid ecstasy,' is reportedly surging in popularity, raising alarms among experts due to its undetectable nature and severe risks. GHB can induce euphoria and confidence, but its effects are difficult to control, with a narrow window between a recreational dose and a dangerous one.
Counsellor and mental health practitioner Steve Pope warns that GHB is highly unsafe because of its steep ‘dose-response curve.’ This means the margin between a dose that produces the desired effect and a dose that can cause serious harm or death is extremely small. The drug is colorles, odorless, and tasteless, making it virtually undetectable once ingested.
IMAGE2: GHB – gamma-hydroxybutyrate, sometimes dubbed ‘G’, ‘Gina’ or ‘liquid ecstasy’ – is a powerful sedative that produces a heightened feeling of euphoria and confidence. | GHB is described as a powerful sedative that can induce heightened feelings of euphoria and confidence.
According to Home Office estimates from 2022/23, approximately 18,000 individuals between the ages of 16 and 59 reported using GHB. The drug’s potential for misuse has led to its classification as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, indicating a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use in treatment.
IMAGE1: Counsellor and mental health practitioner Steve Pope says that GHB is highly unsafe due to its steep ‘dose-response curve’ – the tiny gap between a ‘safe’ dose and a dangerous one | Steve Pope highlighted the drug's steep ‘dose-response curve’ as a major safety concern.
GHB is frequently associated with cases of sexual assault due to its sedative properties, which can incapacitate victims and cause memory loss. The risks extend to severe health consequences, including respiratory depression, seizures, coma, and death, particularly when mixed with other substances like alcohol.
IMAGE4: Kim’s descent began almost innocently. She was looking to ‘let off some steam’ one evening when her boyfriend offered her some ‘GHB’ | One individual’s experience with GHB began when a boyfriend offered it to her, reportedly as a way to ‘let off some steam.’
Instances have been reported where individuals were unknowingly given GHB, leading to dangerous situations and health emergencies. The drug’s potency and the difficulty in detecting it pose significant challenges for both law enforcement and public health initiatives aimed at curbing its use and mitigating its harms.