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A frightening new drug panic is hitting the nation, and hitting it hard.  Teenagers all over the country are discovering that alcohol based hand sanitizer can be used to achieve a high, and can even be mixed with other substances like mouth washes to increase the alcohol content.  Even more distressing is the appearance of instructions online for cutting the hand sanitizer with salt to increase the potency to even higher and more dangerous levels.  

For more information and a video see our drinking hand sanitizer page.  

Why are teenagers drinking hand sanitizer? 

Many teenagers experiment with drugs and alcohol throughout the course of their junior and high school years, and sometimes experimentation leads to addiction.  In the past obtaining illegal drugs or alcohol was more difficult for teens, but as the rise in addiction and the market to meet it is has increased, so too has the availability of these substances.  The frightening thing about hand sanitizer is it's almost universal availability, from homes to stores and even the very centers and hospitals where addicts seek treatment for their disease.  

Why is drinking hand sanitizer so dangerous? 

The first and most obvious factor is the availability, hand sanitizer is everywhere.  It's hard to go through a day without seeing a bottle of it somewhere.  Teenagers often face a shortage of money or access to alcohol and other drugs, but in this case it's something that's available almost anywhere.  

The health risks are high with abuse of hand sanitizer, and emergency rooms across the nation are reporting a large increase in the amount of cases seen, and the numbers just continue to rise.  Physicians warn that side effects like organ damage, diarrhea and mental impairment or blindness can result from a strong enough dose, and that in many cases this damage is irreparable.  In addition, a startling number of crimes are being reported involving assailants who are high on hand sanitizer.  At least two homicides have been attributed to it's use.  

What can i do about abuse by teens drinking hand sanitizer? 

As with any dangerous substance, control and monitoring are the key!  If possible, switch to a non-alcohol based hand sanitizer or other antibacterial cleansing agent, and any remaining supplies of the dangerous alcohol based hand sanitizer can then be disposed of properly.  

Talk to your teens, or anyone else you fear might be using hand sanitizer as a drug and explain to them the risks involved.  As this problem becomes more widely known it will unfortunately also mean that more and more teens and addicts will become aware of the potential for a high.  The low price and easy availability make this a highly dangerous substance that needs to be monitored by homes, employers, schools and other agencies to help halt the spread.  

For more information please contact us by email, or call: 1-800-515-3277

Typically missold as being a research chemical in '08, Bath Salt was in fact reported to have recently been sold inorder to give a narcotic replacement in the United States in 2010 even though it was not clearly mentioned as lawful or against the law. In a few European countries similar to Spain and Italy, bath salts have always been accessible otc but reduced when the risk of incorrect use and dependency were realized. Before 2010, Bath salts ended up "classified as a Class B drug within the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which makes it against the law to market, buy, or have without licence."

Bath Salts surely are a off colored, thinly grained, odorless supplement believed to have the same problems with cocaine and amphetamines, sticking around to 3 to 8 hrs based on the consumed dosage. It is usually used by mouth or by a shot, puffing, or snorting. Data show youngsters and 40-year old women and men messing around with this drug.

The unsightly effects of MDPV include increased blood pressure level, restlessness, tremors, perspiring and elevated alertness and attentiveness. However, not much information have been presented about long-term utilization of this illegal drug, many individuals are reported to experience been through nausea, stomach cramping pains, elevated body temperature, bloating of the brain, kidney failure, cerebral vascular mishaps or cerebral vascular accidents, extreme anxiety attacks, anxiety, frustration, visual and oral hallucinations, intense weird ideas and thoughts of suicide. There have been also studies of coma and loss of life.

A lot of claim bath salts to offer sex-related excitement or sublime effects. But contrary to what's been stated, this drug doesn't differ from other substances. Its status as a sex stimulating drug remains to be a fantasy.

Addiitional Information:

Details about Bath Salts

Bath Salts Addiction Treatment

What the heck is MDPV and exactly what are Bath Salts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue-zCF1mi58&feature=player_embedded

Drug and Alcohol Rehab Services - DARS aka Outreach Services celebrates more than 7 years this May 2010.  We have served over 40 thousand callers in need of addiction services.  We are very proud to be of service to those in need and to you.  Thank you for your continued support.

Debra Norton, Founder of DARS & Outreach Services, article written - Guide to "Intervention."

Intervention and Intervention Services

Intervention and Family intervention is often an essential part of the recovery process. Denial is an ever-present partner with drug addiction. Just because an individual's life has become unmanageable as a result of drug addiction and/or alcoholism, no matter what the drug being abused, along with the abuse comes a lack of willingness and/or ability to confront the true nature of one's own problem with drugs and alcohol and to take any kind of action to better their lives. This is called denial, and it comes in many forms - blaming, playing the victim, anger, fear etc. Along with denial, an addict must deal with pride and ego, two of the worst enemies of addiction, as they will undoubtedly keep an addict or alcoholic using until they reach one of three inevitable ends - jails, institutions, or death. This is where a type of addiction professional called an interventionist becomes important. Drug and alcohol intervention and Interventionists play an essential role in the treatment process.

Intervention, Drug Treatment Centers, Alcohol Rehab Programs, and Interventionists

A family Intervention or drug and alcohol interventionist's job is to break down denial. Denial is a very strong defense mechanism used by addicts that enables them to justify continuing their destructive behavior. Often they blame their usage on family members, jobs, and stress, anything that allows them not to accept responsibility for their addiction and continue the substance abuse. Breaking through these barriers and gaining commitment to receive effective care is essential to begin healing, and this is the job of the interventionist and professional drug and alcohol intervention.

The sole purpose of intervention is to get the addict to an effective treatment facility immediately!

There are many phases to an intervention. The first phase is coordination with the family and with help from the interventionists or other professional selecting a treatment facility. Advance arrangements must be made as the expectation is immediate admittance upon the completion of the intervention.

The second step is to begin a dialogue with a professional interventionist. An experienced interventionist will quickly move the family from a disorganized chaotic state to a cohesive, focused group, always keeping in mind the goal of getting the addict to drug treatment or alcohol rehabilitation immediately. The intention is clear, the tone is hopeful and the resolve is unwavering. This process is born out of love and concern for the addict. Correctly executed professional interventions and interventionists are successful in 90%-95%+ of all cases.

In the event that the drug addict or alcoholic chooses not to agree to treatment, the family, friends, and employers must be prepared for the next step. This involves the total and immediate cessation of all enabling behaviors by the parties involved. Typically the only reason this process may not be effective is that in the past, consequences of the drug addict's behavior have been so minimal that the addict doesn't think that anything will change. The family must be prepared to set strong and unwavering boundaries and not waver at the time of intervention. The addict is once again told he/she is loved and that the family and interventionist are willing to get them effective drug or alcohol treatment. It must be made clear, however, that the family (with the guidance of the interventionist as a mediator) will no longer accept this behavior and watch the addict slowly kill themselves. The drug addict or alcoholic is asked to leave and expect no support of any kind until he or she asks for drug rehab or alcoholism treatment. No money, no roof over one's head, no shoulder to cry on, nothing except a request for treatment will be granted or even acknowledged. Intervention can be a very painful process, because it is a time during which a family often gets to see the true strength and resolve of the addictive mind. Intervention and interventionists are professionals in mediating this process, and comforting both the addict and the family in the strong emotions that accompany any professional drug or alcohol intervention process.

Intervention is a serious undertaking and it is imperative that it be done effectively, safely, and with confidentiality. No intervention should be undertaken without the advice and council of an experienced, trained and certified professional interventionist, preferably one who is knowledgeable in the treatment center and approach or treatment methodology that has been chosen for the drug rehabilitation or alcohol rehab of the drug addict.

Author's Bio Debra Norton has worked in the field of chemical dependency for 13+ years and has held positions from Intake Coordinator, Quality Improvement Director, Executive Director to Chief Financial Officer. Her love for people and serving those in need as well as her personal life experiences with chemical dependency has resulted in her developing DARS Drug and Alcohol Rehab Services and Outreach Services. DARS and OUTREACH SERVICES is now her passion because it affords the ability to help so many more people rather than just serving one facility. Her experience in marketing, personnel, intake, clinical management and quality improvement allows DARS and Outreach Services to continue to grow as reputable placement organizations. www.drugandalcoholrehab.net and www.outreachservices.us