Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, more commonly referred to as GHB, is a substance often used to treat insomnia, clinical depression, narcolepsy and alcoholism. Over the past few years, it has increased in popularity with partygoers and ravers as an enhancer for the party scene. Due to this increase in use, police officers, drug enforcement agents and other law enforcement officials have been working to fight the increasing popularity of GHB by increasing prosecution of associated drug crimes.
In addition to use in the party scene, GHB is often used for muscle enhancement. Specifically, the drug used as a protein synthesis stimulator that creates an anabolic steroid effect, which can aid in muscle building and fat reduction.
The synthetic or designer drug is typically combined with other drugs, like alcohol or Ecstasy. GHB is can be produced from an electrical circuit board cleaning chemical, and is obtainable as a white powder, clear liquid, capsule, or tablet form. GHB is also known by numerous street names including: Liquid Ecstasy, G, Gamma G, Georgia Home Boy and many others.
GHB is a tasteless, colorless and odorless compound. The drug is often used to aid in sexual assault crimes, such as drug rape or date rape. The drug is known to lower user inhibitions, sedate and incapacitate, preventing their ability to resist sexual attack. According to users, GHB induces an aphrodisiac-like response and a state of euphoria. After ingestion, the effects often take effect within five minutes and induce a high lasting approximately four hours.
Our New York GHB Possession Lawyer staff states that there are many negative physical effects can arise from GHB usage, including vomiting, decreased heart rate, decreased mental acuity, liver failure, tremors and seizures, which can also lead to a coma. GHB use can also result in respiratory arrest and death. According to our New York GHB Possession Lawyer staff, in elevated doses, the sedative effects of GHB can quickly cause coma and wrongful death. Unfortunately, emergency rooms do not have a GHB detection test available to them and many times, GHB-induced illnesses go undetected and untreated.
Repetitious use of GHB can result in addiction and withdrawal effects, such as anxiety, sweating, insomnia and tremors. The severity of the withdrawal effects increase with GHB overdose, especially if combined with alcohol or other drugs. The addictive tendencies and withdrawal problems make the drug prominent in the illegal drug market. Our New York GHB Lawyer Possession staff emphasizes that drug selling and possession of GHB can result in a drug arrest and drug charges.
GHB was banned in 1990, by The Food and Drug Administration, following the report of 57 GHB-induced illness cases (varying in severity from vomiting and nausea to seizures and comas) appearing in emergency rooms and poison control centers. Since that time, GHB has been linked to several deaths and subsequently has been attached to the list of Schedule I drugs contained within the Controlled Substance Act. Possession of GHB is a federal drug crime and the severity of punishments range with specific circumstances. Anyone charged with GHB drug manufacturing, possession of GHB, drug selling, or distribution GHB may receive a prison sentence as long as 20 years.
If you have been charged with the possession of GHB or arrested for possession with the intent to sell GHB, contact our New York Drug Crime Lawyer staff with Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC to schedule a free consultation. Please call us at 800.696.9529 or contact one of our New York City offices serving Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx or Brooklyn, our office in Westchester County or one of our Long Island offices in Nassau County or Suffolk County.