Flakka in Florida and What to Do About It

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In conjunction with our existing infection control policies, Beaches Recovery and Tides Edge Recovery are closely monitoring CDC updates on the impact of the coronavirus as they are released. We would like to take the time to inform you of our facility’s preventative measures we have put in place at both of our facilities. Our goal is to keep our patients, their families, and our employees safe. All efforts are guided by and in adherence to the recommendations distributed by the CDC.

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A few short years ago, in 2015, authorities learned about Flakka in Florida. It was a party drug, much like Molly, that appealed to younger users. However, it didn’t take long for the catastrophic side effects to make headlines with terms like “Flakka Zombies.” Since then, this drug has traveled to several other states.

From Flakka in Florida to Ohio, Kentucky, and Elsewhere

The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids warns that there are now reports of Flakka in Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. However, South Florida, in particular, was Ground Zero for this drug epidemic. Club cooks combine a nervous system stimulant with other drugs and create highly addictive long-lasting concoctions. The cost of a hit falls between $3 and $5, which makes it cheaper than cocaine.

Users eat, smoke, or inject the drug. Some use concoctions that let them vape it in e-cigarettes. It falls into roughly the same category as bath salts, which experts know as psychoactive substances. Flakka causes exuberance, euphoria, aggression, hallucinations, violence, and the potential of death.

Difficulties of Tracking Flakka in Florida

Publishing its 2016 NDTA Summary, the DEA warns of misidentifications. Drug traffickers overcome adverse press for their products by rebranding drugs. Users may ingest bath salts that now carry the moniker Flakka in Florida but may not be the actual drug. Another possibility is the sale of Flakka as Molly, which hasn’t received as much bad press in the state.

In many cases, the drug comes mixed with a variety of other substances. It’s impossible to tell its purity or content. Frequently, two doses from the same dealer and or distributor are not necessarily of the same quality.

Overcoming an Addiction to Flakka

It’s virtually impossible to step back from stimulant abuse by yourself. It takes the assistance and intervention of skilled therapists to assist you. Typical conditions you may face include episodes of violence, hallucinations, psychosis, paranoia, and severe mood swings. Detoxing from the drug is not something you should do on your own but rather entrust to experienced staff in a medically supervised setting.

After detox, therapists work with you to overcome the craving for using Flakka again. Examples of treatment modalities include:

Various one-on-one talk therapy approaches that help you become aware of negative thoughts, feelings, or behavior patterns
Group therapy, which lets you learn from others in recovery what worked for them to attain lifelong sobriety
Primary and extended care settings that give you the time you need to get well and truly overcome your substance abuse
Dual diagnosis treatment for program participants who present with mental health concerns, in addition to drug abuse
Family therapy helps young adults, in particular, to mend relationships that may have experienced strain

Jacksonville and Tampa addiction treatment programs will assist you to get off Flakka and recover. You don’t have to worry that your next hit will be a life-threatening overdose. Stop using today with the assistance of therapists who know how to help you from detox to rehab to sober living. Call Beaches Recovery today at 866.605.0532.