Information on GHB Withdrawal Delirium Syndrome Boston MA

GHB, a naturally occurring metabolite of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that mediates sleep cycles, cerebral metabolism, memory and emotional control. Synthetic GHB, originally used by body builders for its putative anabolic effects, has more recently been abused for its sedative, euphoriant and aphrodisiac effects and as a “rave” and “date rape” drug.

CAB Boston Treatment Center
(617) 247-1001
784 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA
Services Provided
Detoxification, Methadone Detoxification
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less)
Special Programs/Groups
Women, Men
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Boston Public Health Commission
(617) 534-4212
723 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Pregnant/postpartum women
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Boston Alcohol and Substance
(617) 482-5292
30 Winter Street
Boston, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Polish, Spanish, Vietnamese

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Massachusetts General Hospital
(617) 726-2712
16 Blossom Street
Boston, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Dept of Veterans Affairs Medical Ctr
(617) 248-1010
251 Causeway Street
Boston, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Methadone Maintenance
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Latin American Health Institute
(617) 350-6900
95 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Men, DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Bay Cove Human Services
(617) 371-3030
66 Canal Street
Boston, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Pregnant/postpartum women, Women, Men, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Victory Programs Inc
(617) 262-5032x15
566 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Gays and Lesbians, Seniors/older adults, Men, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Creole, Portugese, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Volunteers of America
(617) 262-7142
686 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Men

Data Provided by:
Bridge Over Troubled Waters Inc
(617) 423-9575
47 West Street
Boston, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Pregnant/postpartum women

Data Provided by:
Data Provided by:

Information on GHB Withdrawal Delirium Syndrome

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is the most dangerous and well-known drug to abuse, is unfamiliar to many psychiatric professionals. Recent cases of severe GHB withdrawal delirium have occurred in psychiatric settings, making it necessary for psychiatric professionals to be informed about the management of these patients.

GHB, a naturally occurring metabolite of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that mediates sleep cycles, cerebral metabolism, memory and emotional control. Synthetic GHB, originally used by body builders for its putative anabolic effects, has more recently been abused for its sedative, euphoriant and aphrodisiac effects and as a “rave” and “date rape” drug.

GHB was previously available in health food stores and gyms, and it was marketed for its purported muscle building and fat burning effects. In 1990, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the manufacture and distribution of GHB after receiving several reports of abuse leading to coma and seizures. Precursor compounds such as gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1, 4-butanediol (BD), which can be converted by the body or simple chemical processing into GHB, remained available over the Internet. GHB is easily manufactured by illicit laboratories or by “home brew” recipes that have been published in books and on the Internet. Despite the FDA’s attempts to control distribution of these compounds, they remain widely available to body build...

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