Written by:

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

September 24th, 2024

GHB Addiction | Signs, Symptoms & Effects

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, is a substance with a split personality. In the medical field, it’s recognised for its effectiveness in treating conditions like narcolepsy, offering patients much-needed relief. However, outside of this controlled environment, GHB is widely misused for its powerful high and has become infamous as a “date rape” drug. GHB addiction is just one of the many dangers of GHB abuse and requires immediate professional intervention to avoid its life-threatening consequences.

GHB

What is GHB?

GHB is a chemical that acts as a central nervous system depressant, slows down brain activity and makes you feel relaxed and sleepy. In the medical field, GHB is used to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder where people fall asleep randomly, by helping patients get enough deep, restful sleep at night.

However, GHB is often abused as a recreational drug because it can make people feel happy and euphoric. GHB is sometimes referred to as “liquid ecstasy” due to these effects and because it is usually in a clear liquid form.

Recreational GHB abuse is extremely dangerous, as taking too much GHB can cause you to pass out, stop breathing or even die. GHB is also known as a “date rape” drug because it is sometimes used to “spike” victims drinks, leaving them vulnerable to assault as it incapacitates them and causes amnesia.

In the UK, GHB is classified as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This classification means that it is illegal to possess, supply or produce GHB without a proper prescription and that you can go to prison for up to fourteen years.

What causes GHB addiction?

The path to GHB addiction can vary from person to person but usually goes something like this:

Your friend tells you that GHB feels amazing, so you decide to try something new. You take GHB, which makes you feel good, relaxed and happy. Because you enjoy this feeling, you decide to use GHB again.

Over time, you realise that you need more GHB to get that same feeling. This is called building tolerance. As you keep using more GHB to satisfy the increased need, your body then starts to depend on it, so when you try to stop, you feel anxious, shaky or unable to sleep. These are GHB addiction withdrawal symptoms, and they can make it very hard to quit.

Eventually, using GHB also becomes a way to deal with stress or emotional pain, and you may start relying on it to feel normal or to handle social situations. Once you are both emotionally reliant and physically and mentally dependent on GHB, you are considered to be in the grip of GHB addiction. At this point, you will continue to take GHB compulsively even though you can recognise it is not good for you and is affecting your health and happiness.

How can I spot GHB addiction symptoms?

Spotting GHB addiction symptoms involves looking for changes in behaviour, physical signs and emotional shifts. Here are ten key symptoms to watch for in yourself or someone you know:

When GHB use starts interfering with work, school or home duties.
Hiding GHB use or lying about it to loved ones.
Avoiding family and friends, spending a lot of time alone or only hanging out with other people who use GHB.
GHB addiction withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, shaking, sweating or trouble sleeping when not using GHB.
Frequent dizziness, nausea or vomiting without a clear cause which may be due to chronic GHB use.
Sudden weight loss, constantly looking tired or neglecting personal hygiene.
Sudden changes in mood, such as feeling very happy when using GHB and irritable or sad when not.
Feeling depressed, especially when trying to quit GHB.
Feeling overly paranoid, suspicious or fearful for no clear reason.
Spending a lot of money on GHB, getting into debt or stealing or borrowing money to buy it.

GHB drug

The dangerous side effects of GHB addiction

The side effects of GHB addiction can harm your health, relationships and your future. Some of the dangers you need to be aware of include:

Physical side effects of GHB addiction

GHB overdose: Taking too much GHB can make you pass out, stop breathing or even die, especially if mixed with alcohol or other drugs.
Withdrawal symptoms: If you stop using GHB suddenly, you might feel anxious, shaky, sweaty or even have seizures, which can be very dangerous.
Heart problems: GHB can disrupt your heartbeat and raise your blood pressure, which can cause dangerous heart issues.
Kidney and liver damage: Using GHB for a long time can harm your kidneys and liver, causing serious health problems.
Stomach issues: Chronic GHB use can make you feel nauseous, vomit a lot or have constant stomach aches.

Mental health side effects

Depression and anxiety: GHB can make you feel really down or anxious and can make existing mental health issues worse.
Paranoia and psychosis: Using GHB a lot can make you feel paranoid or see and hear things that aren’t there.
Memory problems: It can also be hard to remember things or concentrate if you use GHB a lot.

Behavioural and social side effects

Risky behaviour: GHB can make you do dangerous things like having unsafe sex or driving while you are high.
Money and legal problems: Buying GHB can be expensive, leading to money issues, while getting caught with it could see you facing a lengthy prison stay.

Who is most at risk of GHB addiction?

Some people are more likely to become addicted to GHB due to various factors. Here is an explanation of who these people are and why they are at higher risk:

Personality traits

Risk-takers: People who enjoy taking risks or seeking new experiences might be more likely to try drugs like GHB and become addicted to them.
Impulsivity: Those who act impulsively without thinking about the consequences might misuse GHB more often.

Mental health issues

Anxiety and depression: People with anxiety, depression or other mental health problems might use GHB to feel better temporarily.
Stress: High levels of stress can lead individuals to use GHB as a way to cope.

Social and environmental factors

Peer pressure: Being around friends who use GHB can make someone more likely to try and continue using it.
Environment: Growing up or living in an environment where drug use is common can increase the risk of GHB abuse and addiction.
Easy access: People who can easily get GHB, perhaps because they know someone who sells it or it’s readily available in their social circle, are at higher risk of GHB addiction.

Genetic factors

If addiction runs in the family, a person might be more genetically predisposed to becoming addicted to GHB.

Bottled GHB

How GHB addiction is treated

Effective GHB addiction treatment is a three-stage process which involves:

Drug detox: This involves medically guided GHB withdrawal with doctors monitoring you and keeping you safe and comfortable.
Drug rehab: This focuses on emotional, mental and social reasons for GHB use, helping you understand why you take drugs and find the motivation and means to change your life.
Aftercare and relapse prevention: Often includes ongoing work in therapy, attending local addiction support groups and drawing on other resources to help maintain sobriety from GHB.

Get help with GHB addiction today

If GHB addiction has taken over your life, you should know that recovery is possible! Linwood House offers comprehensive GHB addiction programmes to guide you through every stage of healing. Contact us today, and we can help you get started on the most important journey you ever take – the journey to recovery.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between GHB and GBL?

GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate) is a drug used to treat certain medical conditions, while GBL (Gamma-Butyrolactone) is a chemical found in industrial products like solvents. In terms of drug use, GHB is sometimes used directly as a recreational drug, whereas people abuse GBL because it turns into GHB inside the body.

What are GHB’s street names?

GHB is known by several street names, such as “liquid ecstasy,” “G,” “Georgia Home Boy,” “Juice” and “Gamma 10.” These names are used by people who use GHB recreationally, highlighting its effects and its liquid form.

(Click here to see works cited)

UK-Rehab. “Treatment For GHB Addiction | UK Rehab.” UK-Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/treatment-rehab/ghb-addiction/. Accessed 19 March 2024.
Drugs.com. “GHB Drug: Effects, Hazards & Methods of Abuse.” Drugs.com, https://www.drugs.com/illicit/ghb.html. Accessed 19 March 2024.
Alcohol and Drug Foundation. “GHB.” Alcohol and Drug Foundation, https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/ghb/. Accessed 19 March 2024.
FRANK. “GHB | Effects of GHB.” FRANK, https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/ghb. Accessed 19 March 2024.
Kids Health. “What Is GHB? (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth.” Kids Health, https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/drugs-ghb.html. Accessed 19 March 2024.