GHB Drug Test (Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid Drug Test)
What is Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid or GHB? A GHB drug test might be important when date rape is suspected. GHB is associated with date rape due to its severe hypnotic and sedative effects at higher dosages. A powder is added discreetly to a beverage, and an individual is now drugged without knowing it. This is a psychoactive drug, a depressant that acts on the central nervous system.
GHB can be used in a medical setting as a general anesthetic. GHB is the active ingredient in the prescription medication sodium oxybate (Xyrem) and used for the treatment of cataplexy associated with narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness. Also, GHB affects several nerve pathways in the brain. GHB products such as Xyrem are classified as a Schedule III controlled substance.
Street names for Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid or GHB include Grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid X, Scoop, Georgia Home Boy, GHB, Goop, and Easy Lay. It is sold as a pill, liquid or a white powder. As a liquid, it is clear and colorless and slightly salty in taste. GHB is popular among bodybuilders and party attendees. GHB sold on the street is typically in liquid form and sold by the cap full at $5.00 to $25.00 per swig or cap full. The drug GHB is widely available through illicit sales, home manufacture, and recipes that are easily obtainable on Internet Web sites.
GHB Effects
For recreational users, GHB is taken for the high and euphoria. It is often combined with other drugs or alcohol. Taking GHB with alcohol can lead to a bad experience. Extremely popular in the 90’s at nightclubs and all-night rave parties, GHB users were often seen passed out both inside and outside of clubs. It is quite easy for these users to experience an overdose requiring a hospital visit if the users aren’t extremely careful about dosage and mixing with other substances.
GHB can cause amnesia with no memory of events while under the influence of the substance. Other effects include loss of motor control, slurred speech, and loss of consciousness and/or inhibitions. The drug takes effect in 15 to 30 minutes and can last 3 to 6 hours. Low doses will cause nausea and high doses will cause unconsciousness, seizures, slowed heart rate, slowed breathing, lower body temperature, vomiting, nausea, coma, and death.
Regular use can lead to addiction and often withdrawal symptoms occur when one stops using the drug. The GHB withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, tremors, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and occasional psychotic thoughts. Additional side effects may become present including respiratory depression, liver damage, kidney failure, topical irritation to the skin and eyes, nausea, vomiting, incontinence, loss of consciousness, seizures, and death.
Understanding the GHB Drug Test
Since the early 1980’s, drug testing programs have expanded across the United States. A drug test for GHB is not included in the standard 5-panel drug test primarily used by employers. This 5-panel drug test includes marijuana, cocaine, amphetamine/methamphetamine, opiates, and PCP. The typical standard 5-panel drug test does not include a test for GHB. Another common drug test utilized is the 10-panel drug test with expanded opiates, which includes: AMP-Amphetamines (MAMP-Methamphetamine, MDMA-Ecstasy), COC-Cocaine, PCP-Phencyclidine, THC-Marijuana, BZO-Benzodiazepines, BAR-Benzodiazepines, MTD-Methadone, PPX-Propoxyphene, Meth-Methaqualone, OPI-Opiates (including heroin, codeine, and morphine) and expanded Opiates, which adds Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone and Oxymorphone. The standard 10-panel drug test with expanded opiates does not provide for a GHB drug test.
A drug test for GHB should be performed by a professional service using a laboratory certified by the Federal government. Initial screening and confirmation testing should be included. We do not see GHB testing being available with oral fluid or saliva drug tests. Instant, rapid or point of collection (POCT) test products that are on the market today are not available for GHB testing, and lab testing is always a best practice.
How long GHB stays in one’s system is not the same for each user. Body weight, the frequency of use, and potency of the drug are all factors. With a urine test, the urine collection should occur no later than 24 to 48 hours after ingestion. A hair test for GHB might be a better option. Hair should not be collected until 7-14 days after the incident.
The hair drug test for GHB is used to show use going back up to 90 days. If you want to know how to pass a GHB drug test, it is best to stop using the drug. You can then always get a GHB drug test to make sure you are now clean.
Often individuals awake after a night out with little memory of the events of the night before. Many times a date rape drug testing might be ordered to find out if you were drugged the night before. GHB, known as “the date rape drug,” has effects of putting users into a deep unconscious state and disrupting memories.
If you need to order a hair GHB drug test or a Date Rape drug test, call for 800-713-5971 for immediate service. A comprehensive date rape drug test with urine or hair can also be ordered online. This comprehensive test is best when date rape is suspected, and the test includes Ketamine, Zolpidem, Zopiclone, GHB, Rohypnol, MDMA, Ecstasy, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, opiates, and more.
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