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Street names
GHB, GBH, liquid ecstasy
Drug effect
Anaesthetic with euphoric sedative effect. Effects noticeable within 10 minutes to 1 hour and can last up to 24 hours.
Description
Colourless liquid (purchased in small bottles), coloured capsules
Therapeutic use
Premedication to surgery and more recently in treatment of sleep disorders.
Street use
Injected (rare) and swallowed
Dependency
Yes - physical and psychological
Withdrawal
As with other types of sedative drugs, withdrawal produces an agitated state, although little has been recorded on the true nature of the withdrawal.
Long term use
The consequences of long term use are unknown.
Overdose risk
As with barbiturates, there is a fine line between the amount that is required to achieve the desired effect and that which will lead to coma. There is also high risk of overdose should GHB be mixed with similar substances such as alcohol or other central nervous system depressants.
Legal status
GHB became an illegal Class C drug in June 2003.
Maximum Penalty
Possession - 2 years; Supply - 14 years
SPECIAL NOTE
GHB is used by people on the dance and club scene