What is GHB?
GHB - or to give it its full name Gammahydroxybutyrate (Hydroxy-n-butyric acid) - is a synthetic drug used as an anaesthetic. It has also been used by body builders because GHB is supposed to promote the kind of sleep that is best for protein (and therefore muscle) build-up. Around 1994 it began to appear on the UK club scene. It is sold as liquid ecstasy, although it is in no way related to ecstasy.
GHB is a colourless, odourless liquid with a slightly salty taste and is usually sold in bottles for up to £15 but sometimes comes as tablets.
UK Situation
In July 2003 GHB became controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, after the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) recognised that it was being widely misused and has harmful effects.
Drugs Minister, Caroline Flint, said:
“GHB has been used in numerous drug assisted rapes and sexual assaults. By introducing jail terms for its possession and increasing them for supply we hope to help prevent the most despicable of crimes.It’s very important that we get the message across to club goers that this is a dangerous drug. People can pass out after just a few drops in an alcoholic drink, and an overdose could result in a coma. The strength of the liquid varies, so a user is often unaware how much they are taking. It’s known as liquid ecstasy because it has similar effects to the class A version - and also similar dangers"
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GHB
| GHB is a class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The maximum penalty for possession is 2 years in prison. The maximum penalty for possession with intent to supply is 14 years in prison. Unauthorised manufacture or distribution is also an offence. GHB is a depressant drug which slows down body actions. Small doses (possibly one capful) will feel like having a few drinks of alcohol. Inhibitions are lowered and libido increased. |
At higher doses (possibly a whole bottle) it may cause sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, muscle stiffness and confusion. Really high doses can lead to convulsions, coma and respiratory collapse.
The strength of GHB can vary greatly from bottle to bottle so it may be very difficult to know how much is being taken A number of people have been rushed to hospital after taking GHB and recently a few deaths have been associated with consuming large amounts or with alcohol.
Some people take it while on other drugs with unpredictable and possibly dangerous results, especially if the other drugs are depressants like alcohol.
Not a lot is known about the effects of long term use of GHB. However, it is possible that tolerance, physical dependence and psychological dependence could result.
Updated February 2004
