Flakka Drug: Symptoms, Effects, & Overdose

Flakka is a dangerous synthetic drug that has gained a notorious reputation for its intense and unpredictable effects. Often referred to as the zombie drug, flakka drug symptoms may include severe hallucinations, violent behavior, and extreme paranoia.

The drug’s popularity has risen due to its low cost and easy availability, but the consequences of using flakka can be devastating. This page highlights the many risks and dangers of using flakka, a substance which poses a serious threat to both the person and those around them.

What Is Flakka Drug?

Flakka is a synthetic drug made in laboratories, not found naturally. It belongs to a group of drugs called synthetic cathinones, which are similar to amphetamines and known for their strong stimulant effects.

The main chemical in flakka is alpha-PVP, which is designed to create intense feelings of euphoria, energy, and alertness. However, these effects come with serious risks.

Flakka is often sold as white or pink crystals that look like the gravel you might find at the bottom of a fish tank. It can be snorted, smoked, injected, or vaped. Flakka is incredibly powerful, and even a small amount can trigger dangerous outcomes, including extreme behavior, severe health problems, and sometimes death.

Other Names for Flakka Drug

Flakka is known by many different street names, which can make it confusing for people who aren’t aware of what it is. Some of the most common names include gravel, because of its appearance, and zombie drug, due to the terrifying effects it can have on those who use the drug, making them act like zombies.

In some areas, people might refer to flakka as insanity drug because of the bizarre and often violent behavior it triggers. Like other synthetic cathinones, flakka is sometimes marketed as bath salts or labeled as plant food or glass cleaner to hide its true purpose. These misleading labels are meant to evade the law and make it harder for authorities to control its distribution.

What are the Flakka Drug Effects?

Flakka can provoke severe and dangerous effects on both the body and mind. When someone takes the drug, it can cause:

• Extreme euphoria and energy: Flakka boosts dopamine levels in the brain, leading to intense feelings of happiness and excitement, but in a way that’s far more intense and dangerous than normal.
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure: The drug causes the heart to race and blood pressure to rise, putting the person at risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems.
• Hyperthermia: Flakka can raise body temperature to dangerously high levels, sometimes over 104F. This condition, called hyperthermia, can lead to severe organ damage or even death.
• Excited delirium: People using the drug may experience extreme agitation, paranoia, and violent behavior. They might feel incredibly strong, often leading them to act recklessly and put themselves and others in danger.
• Hallucinations: Flakka can cause vivid and frightening hallucinations, where people see or hear things that aren’t real, adding to the drug’s unpredictable and dangerous nature.

These effects make flakka an extremely dangerous drug, with the potential to cause serious harm to both the person and those around them.

Flakka Drug Overdose Symptoms

Overdosing on flakka is dangerous and can happen very quickly, even with a small amount of the drug. The symptoms of a flakka overdose are severe and can be life-threatening. Some key signs to watch for include:

• Intense agitation: The person may become extremely restless, unable to stay calm, and might act aggressively or violently.
• Severe paranoia: They might believe that they are being chased or that someone is out to harm them, leading to irrational and dangerous behavior.
• Extreme hyperthermia: The person’s body temperature can spike to dangerous levels, causing them to sweat heavily, become dehydrated, and even pass out.
• Hallucinations: They might see or hear things that aren’t real, which can be terrifying and lead to further panic and confusion.
• Heart problems: Rapid heartbeat, chest pain, or irregular heartbeats are common signs, which can quickly lead to a heart attack or stroke.
• Seizures: The person may start shaking uncontrollably, which is a clear sign that their body is in serious distress.

If you notice any of these symptoms in someone who has taken flakka, seek emergency medical help immediately. An overdose can quickly turn fatal, and prompt action can make a difference in saving a life.

Addiction & Mortality Risks of Flakka Drug

Flakka is not only dangerous because of its immediate effects, but it also carries long-term risks that can be deadly.

• High risk of addiction: Flakka is highly addictive, which means that once someone starts using it, they can quickly become dependent. The intense highs make the brain crave more of the drug, leading to repeated use, even when the person knows it’s harmful.
• Severe withdrawal symptoms: People who try to stop using flakka often face intense withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and severe cravings. These symptoms can make it very hard to quit without professional help.
• Increased chance of overdose: Because flakka is so powerful, it’s easy to take too much of the drug. Overdosing on flakka can lead to severe health problems or death, especially since even small amounts can be toxic.
• Long-term health damage: Using flakka repeatedly can cause lasting damage to the body, including heart problems, kidney failure, and mental health issues like paranoia and psychosis.
• High mortality rate: The combination of addiction, severe physical effects, and the risk of overdose makes flakka a deadly drug. Many people who use it end up in life-threatening situations, and some do not survive.

While flakka may seem appealing because it’s cheap and powerful, the dangers far outweigh any temporary high. Seeking help is vital for anyone using or addicted to flakka, as professional treatment can save lives.

Get Renowned Drug Addiction Treatment at Renaissance Recovery

If you have been misusing synthetic drugs like flakka, we can help you get back on track at Renaissance Recovery. We have welcoming and inclusive rehab centers in California and Florida where you can get effective addiction treatment.

After detoxing, you can continue with outpatient treatment at one of our luxury beachside facilities. This means you can carry on at home, work, or school while getting help for drug addiction.

All addictions are different, so all Renaissance treatment plans personalized therapies. These may include:

• Talk therapies (CBT and DBT)
• Counseling
• MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Holistic treatment
• Aftercare

Begin your recovery from addiction by calling 866.330.9449.