One woman dead and two others in critical condition in Venice, CA
Emergency workers were called to a home in Venice Beach, California, early on Sunday morning, July 12, 2015, to find three people in cardiac arrest. Paramedics were able to restore the pulses of two of the people, but the third, a 44-year-old woman, died after they reached the hospital. The others remain in critical condition.
The call was made by a fourth person who said that two women and one man had overdosed on GHB, an illegal “party drug” also known as the date rape drug.
“Right now it looks like it’s accidental death because it does appear everyone used this drug voluntarily,” L.A.P.D. Lt. John Radtke told reporters at the scene. Toxicology tests, which take as long as six weeks, will help determine if GHB is officially to blame.
Effects of GHB Abuse
GHB, or Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, is a hypnotic depressant known on the street by many names, but is perhaps most commonly known as the date-rape drug. Effects of the drug, which can include hallucinations, amnesia and loss of consciousness, begin 15-60 minutes after use and typically last up to six hours. Respiratory depression can be severe enough to require life support on a ventilator or breathing machine until the drug’s effects wear off.
The substance’s euphoric effects are revered by some users in the club and rave scenes, but experts say its use can result in sleep, coma and death. It is called the date rape drug because victims become incapacitated due to the sedative effects of GHB, and they are unable to resist sexual assault. Once legal as a prescription drug, it was outlawed completely following the Date-Rape Drug Prohibition Act of 1999.
GHB can have an addictive potential if used repeatedly. Withdrawal effects may include insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and sweating. Withdrawal can be severe and incapacitating.
Treating GHB addiction
“The Discovery House has treated clients who reported GHB as their primary addiction,” notes David Dequa, Program Director of the Southern California residential drug treatment center. “They had gotten to the point where they could not sleep without a high dose of the very drug that almost killed them. It was a particularly long road to get these clients well again.”
The Discovery House, located in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, utilizes a variety of treatment programs that allow each client to receive the individualized care they deserve. The pet friendly Southern California rehab center offers a variety of inpatient and outpatient drug treatment programs to help drug addicts and alcoholics achieve and maintain sobriety.
Each client at The Discovery House receives customized care to end their dependence on GHB and other club drugs, prescription drugs, heroin and other opiates and/or alcohol in order to live a clean and sober life. To learn more about The Discovery House, visit TheDiscoveryHouse.com or call (855) 203-7930.
Do you have any experience with GHB or other party drugs? If so, how has it affected your life? Please share with us on Facebook or Twitter #HelpWithAddiction