Importance of GBL Drug Test and GBL Addiction Treatment

What is GBL Drug Used For? 

There are GHB receptors in the CNS, but GHB also acts as an agonist at the gamma-aminobutyric acid B (GABAB) receptor. At low doses, it has a euphoric effect, promoting confidence and reducing inhibition. Higher doses produce sleep. Even at low doses, most users will also experience somnolence and confusion, and as the dose-response curve is steep, many regular users have experienced toxicity, with symptoms including nystagmus, aggression, urinary incontinence, and nausea.

Dependent users may experience a severe withdrawal reaction when the drug is stopped. The elimination half-life of GHB is about 20 minutes, and GHB intoxication has the unusual property that people can progress from deep coma to wakefulness over about 30 minutes. While a small proportion of GBL drug overdose cases require ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU), the great majority present in a coma, and after a few hours, waken rapidly and are discharged. Dependent patients who present with an overdose may transition rapidly from intoxication to withdrawal.

How Long Does GBL Stay in Your System? 

GBL is classed as a sedative and a depressant. Once GBL enters your body, enzymes in the liver convert it into GHB. GHB affects users by slowing down the central nervous system in a similar way to alcohol use. GBL is two to three times as potent as GHB, and its effects are felt faster. This makes it a far greater risk for overdose than GHB, but both drugs can have serious downsides from overconsumption.

Although GHB is listed as a controlled substance in many countries, abuse still continues, owing to the availability of precursor drugs, γ-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BD), which are not regulated. are used as alternative sources of GHB. Both drugs GBL and BD have cosmetic and industrial applications and are therefore not easy to classify as controlled substances. 

These “prodrugs” are rapidly converted in-vivo into GHB with an absorption half-life of about 1 min. The pharmacological and behavioral effects of drugs GBL and BD stem from their rapid conversion into GHB and the latter drug is the main analytical target in forensic toxicology. Drugs GBL and GHB are common “date-rape” drugs, probably because they make people less inhibited and more likely to take risks and after high doses, they become drowsy and fall asleep. The victims of both drugs GBL and GBH intoxication tend to suffer from anterograde amnesia, making it difficult to recall events that precipitated the alleged sexual humiliation and abuse.

GBL Half-Life 

As mentioned above, converting drugs GBL into GHB is redundant because the body will rapidly metabolize the GBL into GHB after ingestion. Once that happens, the effects and risks of both drugs GBL and GHB are identical. But because the onset of action of GBL is faster, its potency much greater, and the duration of action longer, GBL may have a greater potential for misuse than GHB.

Does GBL Show Up in a Drug Test?

GHB and GBL drug test is not included in the standard 5-panel drug test primarily used by employers. This 5-panel drug test includes opiates, cocaine, marijuana, amphetamine/methamphetamine, and PCP.

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 and GBL drug test. GBL drug tests should be performed by a professional laboratory with appropriate licensing and experience with both drugs GBL and GHB testing. Most standard drug tests do not test for the presence of GBL in your system, and few people test positive for GBL, even when they have used it. Nonetheless, urine, blood, saliva, and hair tests have been developed to test for drugs GBL as GHB. 

In general, both drugs GBL and GHB are difficult to detect on drug tests because of the short detection windows and lack of accuracy of their showing up on each type of test. In addition, in situations of overdose, medical professionals are often unaware that GBL has been ingested and don’t even think to test for it, as the use of other drugs that were also consumed, such as alcohol, is usually more obvious.

GBL Urine Tests

GBL urine tests are noninvasive and relatively affordable ways to test for GHB use. The detection window is short, however, only being able to detect a small amount of metabolized GBL in urine up to 12 hours after last use.

GBL Blood Tests

GBL blood tests, while invasive, are the most common way to test for GBL use because they are highly accurate. GBL blood tests will only detect the metabolized GBL as GHB use for up to eight hours after last use.

GBL Saliva Tests

GBL Saliva tests are often used as a secondary test to confirm the accuracy of a GBL urine test. Inexpensive and noninvasive, GBL saliva tests are convenient ways to confirm GBL use for up to six hours after last use.

GBL Hair Test 

GBL Drug Addiction

GBL currently represents a growing public health issue since the substance is relatively cheaper and easier to obtain than GHB. Studies on rodents have shown that GBL has low acute toxicity and only central nervous system depression has been highlighted. GBL abuse potential broadly mimics that of GHB, taking into account that it exerts its effects only after conversion into GHB. GBL can be addictive, especially if the drug is used regularly for a period of weeks or months.

Even a couple of weeks of daily use can lead to dependence. Everyday use can result in a heightened tolerance to, and dependence on, the drug. When dependence begins, it tends to result in strong cravings, depressed moods, insomnia, and anxiety unless the user takes a dose every few hours. If you have taken GBL for more than seven days in a row, Do not attempt to stop by yourself. 

It is crucial to remember that, once dependence on GBL is established, quitting “cold turkey” can lead to serious health risks and even death. Withdrawal should be a tapered process with medical supervision. Users are cautioned if they feel sweaty, shaky, or anxious when they stop using this substance. Other symptoms of withdrawal include confusion, insomnia, delirium, and hallucinations. The onset of withdrawal can begin 1-2 hours after the last dose and can progress rapidly. Withdrawal can last up to 12 days.

GBL Drug Addiction Treatment

Now we learned what is GBL drug, is, and how GBL drug is converted (metabolized) into GHB in the body. It is important to ask “How long does GHB stay in your system?” and understand how the GBL drug test works. Since many individuals who experience symptoms of GHB overdose are abusing the drug or other substances, it is recommended that recovering users seek help at an addiction treatment program. A wide variety of options are available to help the person stop using drugs or alcohol and avoid serious side effects from substance abuse. Many GBL users respond well to residential rehab programs. 

If you are experiencing withdrawal GHB, it’s crucial to first get an accurate assessment of all the symptoms. When the symptoms have been evaluated by a mental health professional, it may be determined that another form of mental condition is present and needs a particular type of treatment. Very often, some combination of psychotherapy, medication, and/or lifestyle changes are effective for coping with functional. 

Medically-Assisted Detox

Medical detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated process of GHB withdrawal, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete detox.

Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient drug rehab helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can provide necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of GHB withdrawals.

Psychotherapy 

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is an effective treatment that involves making changes in both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
• Person-Centered Therapy – is a strategy that allows and encourages clients to understand and resolve their concerns in a safe, supportive environment.
• Solution Focused Therapy – is an approach interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.