GBL Addiction

It’s hard to believe that something used in everyday items is also one of the most infamous drugs around. But that is the tragic reality of GBL. With its sneaky presence in so many products that you may be able to find in your own home, GBL flies under the radar until its devastating effects take hold. From the dangers of GBL addiction to the frightening reality of spiking, GBL has the potential to upend lives without warning. The first step in avoiding these risks is understanding the destructive nature of GBL to protect yourself and your loved ones.

GBL-addiction depression

What is GBL?

GBL (gamma-butyrolactone) may seem like an unremarkable chemical used in industrial products like solvents or paint removers, but when GBL is ingested, it becomes something far more dangerous. That is because GBL is what is known as a “prodrug” for GHB, which means it converts to GHB inside your body.

GHB is a highly potent sedative, so GBL abuse can produce a mellow high, which has made it a popular recreational drug. However, while the drug can make you feel blissfully relaxed, the line between fun and GBL overdose is shockingly thin. This medical emergency creates symptoms ranging from vomiting and dizziness to complete unconsciousness. Worse still, GBL’s ability to completely incapacitate someone, along with its relatively tasteless colourless qualities, has made it notorious in cases of spiking and sexual assault.

Part of the problem with GBL is that it is so difficult for authorities to regulate. While GBL is a Class B drug alongside GHB, it is much easier to ban GHB outright because it has no medical or industrial uses. This is not possible with GBL because it is a necessary component in so many products. Its widespread availability has, therefore, made GBL an easier alternative than GHB for both people looking to get high or to commit crimes.

What is GBL addiction?

Addiction to GBL is when your drug use shifts from occasional to constant, and stopping feels impossible even though you can see it is harming you. GBL addiction doesn’t announce itself with a bang – it sneaks up on you, slowly taking control until you are hooked without even noticing.

At first, GBL might feel like it’s helping you relax or feel more confident, but soon, you start taking it to get through the day, and any attempt to stop brings on waves of withdrawal symptoms that can make quitting feel impossible.

But GBL addiction is not just cravings and other physical responses. Drug addiction also has an emotional stranglehold as GBL becomes your crutch for dealing with everything from unresolved trauma to boredom to everyday stress. Once you become both physically and emotionally reliant on GBL, you are in the full throes of GBL addiction.

Both GHB and GBL abuse are common across the UK, and while GBL addiction facts are not easy to ascertain, there were 31 reported deaths in 2022 where the death certificate mentioned GHB. How many of these came from taking GBL is not known, but it is the most recorded fatalities from these substances ever.

How to spot GBP addiction signs

When GBL addiction takes root, it doesn’t announce itself loudly, but the signs are there if you know what to look for. Pay attention to these red flags because they could be GBL addiction symptoms:

  • Constant GBL cravings: This means always thinking about when you will next be able to take GBL or feeling anxious if you are running low.
  • Tolerance and dependency: Needing more GBL than before to feel okay or stave off cravings is a big clue that your body has become dependent on it.
  • Life interruptions: It is very common for work, friendships, and family to all be neglected with serious consequences, as all your time and energy is centred on GBL.
  • Emotional upheaval: When addicted to GBL, you will often find that your mood is all over the place, with irritability, anxiety and even full-blown depression all common.
  • Denial of the issue: Even when these problems are staring you in the face, you try to justify your GBL drug abuse to yourself and those around you.

If you notice these GBL addiction signs but keep using GBL anyway, it is a clear sign that you should seek professional help and support.

Why is GBL addictive to some people more than others?

Not everyone has the same reaction to GBL abuse – for some, it can be a passing phase, while for others, GBL addiction can take hold fast. The difference boils down to a mixture of factors, including:

Family history

Your risk of GBL addiction increases if there’s a history of substance issues in your family. This is because a predisposition to addiction can be handed down through your genes in the same way as your height or eye colour.

Mental health problems

If you are struggling with your mental health or even just a lot of stress, GBL abuse can seem like an easy way to lift your spirits. However, using GBL to mask your emotions can quickly turn into using it to survive them, and that is where GBL addiction often finds its footing.

Your social group

Hanging out with people already using GBL can make it much easier to start using it yourself. The more GBL is around, the more you might feel like GBL abuse is not a big deal – until it becomes part of your routine.

Availability

The more accessible GBL is, the more tempting it becomes. As GBL is found in so many seemingly innocuous products, it can be very easy to obtain, abuse and become addicted to.

The dangers and side effects of GBL addiction

GHB addiction can grab hold and drag you down fast, devastating your health and ripping the foundations of your life. Here are some of the biggest dangers and side effects of GBL addiction:

GBL overdose

The line between a “fun night” and a deadly one is razor-thin with GBL, and it doesn’t take much at all to go from feeling high to blacking out or even stopping breathing. When mixed with alcohol, GBL overdose becomes even more likely, which is one of many dangers that people whose drinks are spiked with GBL face.

Mental health impacts

Addiction to GBL can have just as big an impact on your mental health as it does on your physical health. You might start feeling anxious, paranoid or deeply depressed, and as GBL addiction takes over and your relationships and life begin to unravel, this can leave you in even more distress, which often exacerbates GBL drug abuse.

Legal trouble

Getting caught with GBL can land you in serious hot water as it is a Class B drug in the UK. Just having GBL on you could land you in prison for five years, and if you’re involved in distribution or production, you could be looking at a sentence of up to fourteen years behind bars.

How is GBL addiction treated?

Because of the complex nature of GBL addiction, effective GBL addiction treatment requires a few different phases. Drug detox is usually the first, as it resolves physical dependence and helps you through the withdrawal symptoms explained on this page. At the same time, drug rehab enables you to understand your past history with GBL better so you can plan a future that doesn’t involve it. Once these phases are complete, aftercare services help prevent you from relapsing following your return to everyday life.

Get help for GBL addiction today

Freedom from GBL is possible, and it starts here. With our dedicated team by your side, Recovery Lighthouse offers everything you need to break free from GBL addiction and regain control of your life. Contact us now and start living the life you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between GBL and GHB?
GBL is a prodrug to GHB, which means it chemically converts into GHB once it’s in your body. Because GBL is found in industrial solvents, so it is not banned outright like GHB. This means some people misuse GBL when they can’t get their hands on GHB, which adds extra risks because of the other chemicals mixed in.
Is it possible to overdose on GBL?
Absolutely, GBL overdose is always a real danger of taking this drug. It doesn’t take much to go from taking a dose that feels nice to slipping into unconsciousness or respiratory failure. Mixing alcohol and GBL can massively increase the chances of GBL overdose, which is just one reason why spiking is such a dangerous and appalling crime.
Does GBL have a street name?
Yes, GBL has a number of street names, including “G,” “Geeb” and “Liquid Gold.” While these names might sound innocent or flashy, GBL is a highly dangerous drug with a serious risk of overdose and severe health consequences.

(Click here to see works cited)

  • Office for National Statistics. “Dataset Deaths related to drug poisoning by selected substances, England and Wales.” Office for National Statistics, https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoningbyselectedsubstances. Accessed 23 October 2024.
  • GOV.UK. “Circular 001/2022: Reclassification of GHB and related substances.” GOV.UK, 13 April 2022, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0012022-reclassification-of-ghb-and-related-substances/circular-0012022-reclassification-of-ghb-and-related-substances. Accessed 23 October 2024.
  • PubMed. “GHB, GBL and 1,4-BD addiction.” PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24001290/. Accessed 18 August 2024.
  • UK-Rehab. “Treatment For GHB Addiction | UK Rehab.” UK-Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/treatment-rehab/ghb-addiction/. Accessed 23 October 2024.
  • UK Rehab. “GBL Addiction | Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/drug-addiction/gbl/. Accessed 18 August 2024.
  • WebMD. “GAMMA BUTYROLACTONE (GBL): Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews.” WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-820/gamma-butyrolactone-gbl. Accessed 23 October 2024.