Synthetic cocaine, commonly marketed as bath salts or plant feeder, is an addictive chemical used by some to simulate the ‘high’ brought about by the use of cocaine. This primarily contains a combination of Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and Lidocaine.

Lidocaine is an anesthetic drug commonly used by dentists. It can also help people with irregular heartbeats. When Lidocaine is combined with MDPV, the result can become catastrophic. MDPV is an addictive substance that causes psychoactive effects like euphoria, anxiety, increased alertness, and decreased appetite.

Synthetic cocaine is becoming popular, especially to young people, because it can easily be bought from convenience stores, smoke shops, gas stations, or even over the internet. Some states do not regulate this chemical substance, even though it is on their watch list. Moreover, this is very affordable in comparison to real cocaine and it cannot be detected by regular drug tests. There are drug testing companies that offer drug tests for synthetic cocaine, but they can be very expensive.

Using synthetic cocaine can be very dangerous. Some of the side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, agitation, aggregation, paranoia, hallucinations, suicidal ideation, severe depression, and psychosis. Some physicians also believe that it can cause harmful cardiovascular effects. There are also reports that show people committing suicide due to severe depression after taking in synthetic cocaine.

Given the disadvantages mentioned above, it is important to stop the abuse of synthetic cocaine during the early stages of use. Proper guidance is still very important especially because this substance attract the younger crowd.

Just like other types of addiction, the first step of treatment is detoxification. Withdrawal symptoms should be carefully monitored and managed. Behavioral treatment programs are also created to help people overcome their addiction.