Effects of MDPV Abuse
MDPV is one of the main chemicals found in powders sold as “bath salts”. The full name of the drug is 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone. But there are, in fact, several dozen different chemicals that may be found labeled as bath salts. MDPV is just one.
The Bath Salts Phenomenon
In 2010, there began to be new manifestations of drug abuse seen by law enforcement personnel. The people who had abused these new powders that were not yet illegal were completely delusional and hallucinating. They were often paranoid and that made them dangerous, as they might become aggressive toward a person they suspected of trying to harm them, even if that person was simply a hallucination. Several deaths were reported and the number of people contacting poison control centers began to skyrocket. From 304 calls asking for help with bath salts in 2010, they hit 6,136 in 2011. Perhaps because the word got out on how dangerous these drugs were, the calls dropped to 2,657 in 2012 and have continued to decline since to 522 in 2015.
Synthetic Stimulants
MDPV is one of a group of stimulants created in a lab. When sold as bath salts, it may be found in a small foil package or small plastic jar, labeled with a name like “Ivory Wave,” “White Dove,” “Vanilla Sky” or “Bliss.” The packaging will probably say something like “for a refreshing bath, not for human consumption.” The package will contain a white or tan powder that may be snorted, smoked, dissolved and injected or ingested.
When MDPV is not found, these packages commonly contain mephedrone or methylone, other dangerous drugs. But they could contain anything at all—in Europe, there are more than 250 synthetic drugs being monitored to determine if they present a danger and should be outlawed.
Some MPDV packages say they are plant food, glass cleaner or a substance to attract beneficial bugs to your garden. These substances are usually sold in convenience stores or head shops. This and many other chemicals are also available online. Most of these chemicals are manufactured in India, Pakistan or China.
Users taking these drugs are looking for the types of effects that often result from the use of stimulants:
- Euphoria
- Sexual arousal
- Increased sociability
- Alertness
- Ability to stay up and party without fatigue
In November 2011, the US Drug Enforcement Administration issued an emergency order making MDPV and two other synthetics illegal. This enabled federal agents to seize the drug and make prosecutions but states had to pass their own laws for local law enforcement to take action. Most US states and countries in the European Union have now outlawed this drug and a number of other synthetics.
MDPV Effects
These government agencies took this action because of these dangerous effects related to MDPV abuse:
- Extreme agitation
- Palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Nosebleeds
- Blurred vision
- Fever
- Paranoia
- Vomiting
- Excited delirium
- Addiction
- Child endangerment or murder
- Homicide
- Cardiac arrest
- Stroke
- Coma
- Suicide
- Fatal traffic accidents
- Overdose deaths
A substance sold as MPDV may contain a mixture of MDPV and other substances, mostly other synthetic and dangerous stimulants, or no MDPV at all. Some people may take an MDPV product (tablet or powder) and then follow it with another drug like Ecstasy (MDMA).
Helping Someone Who is Abusing MDPV
If someone you care about is using this drug, there is no time to waste. It is vital that this person is helped to get sober. If he (or she) can’t leave this drug alone, then the family should help this person get to a drug rehab that can help him turn his life around again.
There are specific reasons underlying the start of drug abuse for each person who finally becomes addicted. Unless those reasons are addressed and handled, it may not be possible for him to find lasting sobriety. This is the job undertaken by the Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.
This is a ten to twelve-week rehab program available internationally. It is the same program, wherever it is delivered. Each person is supported while he comes off the drugs he was taking, with plenty of nutrition helping to calm the body and special relaxation and reorientation exercises done with the staff calming the mind.
After years of addiction, a person normally loses everything of value. A new life must be built, often from the ground up. This is part of the job at a Narconon rehab facility. It’s really the only way for a person to rise up out of the cravings and guilt of the past, shedding the losses and pain and becoming a new, honest person.
The goal of the program is a drug-free individual.
Find out how Narconon can help someone you care about who may be losing everything due to MDPV or other drug abuse.
See Signs and Symptoms of MDVP Abuse
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