Bath Salts Abuse and Addiction

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Medical Author:

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Bath salts as drugs of abuse refer to white powder or crystalline substance that has no bathing or other cosmetic use.
• The active ingredients in bath salts tend to be similar chemically and in their effects to stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines. Some have hallucinogenic effects.
• The rate of bath salts abuse in the United States has rapidly increased over the last few years, and the substance is sold in many small stores as well as on the street.
• A number of the active ingredients in bath salts are considered to be quite addictive and dangerous. They have therefore been banned by laws in the majority of states as well as by federal law.
• There are a number of biological, psychological, and social factors (called risk factors) that can increase a person's likelihood of developing a bath salts abuse or dependency.
• The signs and symptoms of bath salts intoxication tend to include feeling euphoric ("high"), sexually stimulated, thinking one is more focused, and having a high energy level for two to four hours after taking the drug.
• Multiple severe medical and emotional complications can result from bath salts abuse, including death.
• Health-care professionals diagnose bath salts abuse and addiction by thoroughly gathering medical, family, and mental-health information.
• The treatment of bath salts intoxication involves providing intensive medical monitoring and attention to address the specific symptoms experienced by the individual.
• Treatment for the psychological symptoms of addiction likely takes a great deal longer than managing the medical problems involved.