Benzo Fury Addiction and Abuse

Benzo Fury is a common name for 6-APM (and related chemical compounds),a drug currently illegal in the UK with a chemical structure quite similar to that of MDMA – ‘ecstasy’ -which is frequently consumed in similar circumstances (i.e within the club scene). Even though Benzo Fury was until relatively recently a ‘legal high’ and is yet to be classified as illegal in many countries, it can be a very harmful drug, whose abuse can lead to a variety of side effects, including addiction and even death.

What is Benzo Fury?

Benzo Fury is a ‘party drug’which can induce psychoactive effects that are similar to those obtained when MDMA is consumed. However, certain studies indicate that Benzo Fury is actually more potent than methamphetamine and MDMA, especially with regards to its hallucinogenic properties. This potentially makes the drug very risky for human consumption – more so when abused over a long period of time.

As with many party drugs, Benzo Furycan be a white or tan-coloured powder, or a gel capsule, tablet or pellet. The powder form can be snorted (which can be painful and damaging to the nasal cavity and throat) or ingested (either directly or by mixing it with a liquid). Meanwhile, the pills can be swallowed whole.

What You Need to Know about Benzo Fury

The psychoactive substance Benzo Furybecame popular in the UK around 2010, but the drug was banned in 2014. It was (and still is) sold legally in the US, but its distribution or sale has been restricted in certain states.

Benzo Fury is a synthetic drug, also referred to as a ‘designer’ drug, which can be easily purchased via the web in many countries. Because its production isn’t regulated by any law, manufacturers are constantly changing aspects of the recipe, leading to different variations of the drug, with unpredictable effects. These tweaks to the formula are also applied to stay ahead of legislative changes concerning the sale of Benzo Fury.

Due to the chemical composition of the drug and its effect on the human system, Benzo Furycan easily lead to dependency, addiction, and even a possibly fatal overdose: in 2014, a University of California student in San Diego died of an accidental drug overdose, and the toxicology report following his death indicated that there was Benzo Fury in his bloodstream.

Many of the people who abuse Benzo Furyare not aware of the dangers, especially when it comes to how addictive the substance is.

Benzo Fury and the Law

Benzo Fury is a ‘legal high’ in many countries, because its sale and purchase is yet to be regulated by law. On the 5thMarch, 2014, the UK Home Office declared Benzo Furywould be considered a Class B drug– the second most serious of three classifications – as from 10thJune, 2014. The Class B classification would also cover all other benzofuran entactogen substances, as well as a host of other structurally similar drugs.

Benzo Fury Abuse Causes

People who abuse Benzo Fury often do so at a party or nightclub setting for the drug’s stimulant and hallucinogenic effects, which have been described as what one can expect from combining amphetamines and ecstasy. Because Benzo Fury can be legally obtained in a range of countries – and partly because some users began taking the drug prior to its reclassification as a prohibited substance in the UK – many of its abusers consider it a comparatively safe alternative to otherparty drugs that are bannedoutright.

Addictive Properties of Benzo Fury

Typically, pure hallucinogens are not considered to be addictive. This is because such substances do not influence the chemical structure of the brain in a manner that can lead to addiction – such as by increasing dopamine release. However, with a drug likeBenzo Fury(which is made up of a variety of substances, including hallucinogens), addiction can occur. The mixed properties of the drug can lead to addiction and dependence, especially considering that users are usually not aware of the other contents of the drug, such as stimulants.

As a stimulant and a hallucinogen, Benzo Fury’s effects can last for about 14 hours, depending on the particular batch. However, the drug’s peak effects often occur within two to three hours after intake.

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Methods of Use

Benzo Fury can be found in either tablet or capsule form. The drug can also be found as a white or brown powder. The makes the drug suitable for oral ingestion. The powder form can also be snorted for quicker action, although sniffing Benzo Fury can be quite painful.

Benzo Fury: Abuse, Addiction, Signs and Effects

As with any drug, it is important to be able to identify when abuse is beginning to turn to addiction. By catching addiction in its early stages, users can prevent it from spiralling out of control.

Benzo Fury Addiction

Because Benzo Fury is a comparatively new substance, the only scientifically recorded negative effects of the drug are overdose, hospitalisation, and death. Whether or not the drug is truly addictive is yet to be scientifically ascertained (unlike other substances such as cocaine or benzodiazepines, whose addictiveness has been verified). However, many medical researchers are of the firm impression that Benzo Fury is addictive if used for long enough and in suitably high doses: while other hallucinogens such as psilocybin and LSD are not believed to be addictive, it is clear that some other components of Benzo Fury are capable of stimulating the reward centres of the brain,which can ultimately lead to addiction.

Benzo Fury Abuse

Because Benzo Furyis typically used at nightclubs or raves (or similar social settings), many users partake in the drug without even knowing what it is, or perhaps mistaking it for other substances with similar appearances (for example ecstasy). Because of thesetting within which it is normally used, Benzo Fury is often abused alongside other substances (which is known as ‘polydrug abuse’) such as alcohol or marijuana, amongst others. Abusing Benzo Fury alongside other drugs greatly increases the risk ofaccidental overdose.

Signs and Symptoms of Benzo Fury Abuse

Because the manufacture of Benzo Fury is unregulated, each batch may contain a different combination of ingredients. This uncertainty with regards to the specific contents of the drug can lead to different individuals experiencing varying symptoms when abusing the drug.

Nonetheless, there are classic symptoms of Benzo Fury abuse that are often generally evident amongst all abusers. These symptoms include:

  • Euphoria
  • Increased capacity for empathy
  • Unusual feelings and expressions of love
  • The need to touch and be touched
  • Teeth clenching
  • Increased thirst
  • Talkativeness
  • Tightening of the jaw muscles
  • Increased temperature

Another sign of Benzo Fury abuse is a ‘comedown’ that can last for days and is often signified by expressions of depression or lethargy.

Effects of Benzo Fury Abuse

People abusing Benzo Fury may experience the following negative effects: anxiety; agitation;aggression; paranoid feelings; panic attacks; confused states; and even psychosis. An increased tolerance to the drug may also be experienced if it is abused frequently and in large doses.

Long-Term Benzo Fury Abuse

Abusing Benzo Fury frequently – even for just a short period of time -can lead to some serious health complications. Some can be long-term and might include:

  • Liver damage
  • Stroke
  • Heart attack and other cardiovascular damage
  • Memory loss
  • Poor concentration
  • Kidney pain
  • Cognitive deficiencies
  • Damage to teeth and jaws

Short-Term Benzo Fury Abuse

The short-term and immediate effects of abusing Benzo Fury(which users look forward to experiencing when taking the drug) include:

  • Excitement
  • Euphoria
  • Empathy with others
  • Stimulation
  • Increased physical energy

Users could also experience the following negative short-term effects:

  • Increased blood pressure
  • Rising body temperature
  • Jaw-clenching and teeth-grinding
  • Visual or auditory hallucinations
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Trouble sleeping and insomnia
  • Quickened breathing
  • Dilated pupils
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Eye jitters
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Addiction Treatment

The most crucial step in getting treatment for addiction is actually admitting that you need help and then seeking it. There are a number of confidential helplines you can contact to find the care you need. Most of these helplinesoffer a free assessment to help determine the nature of the help you need and how best to get it.

If your addiction is severe, residential treatment at an inpatient facility may be required. Professional treatment will likely begin with a medically supervised detox, followed by rehab.

Please understand that overcoming an addiction is a gradual process, which doesn’t happen overnight. With professional assistance from a specialist, the recovery process can be much smoother and you can make a full recovery with no long-term complications.

Detoxing from Benzo Fury

If your addiction has reached a severe level before you seek help, withdrawal symptoms when you choose to quit can prove to be quite uncomfortable.

For safety reasons – and in order to ensure positive results from detox – it’s best to have the entire process managed by a medical professional. This is because a competently monitored detox process offers you greater protection against any complications. An expert will closely monitor essentials such as your hydration level, heart rate, temperature, reflexes, and changes in your pupils’ responsiveness.

Currently, there is no approved medication for Benzo Fury detox. Also, how long and how trying the detoxification period will prove to be is usually dependent on the severity of addiction, and whether other substances were being used at the same time.

Treatment and Therapy Options for Benzo Fury Abuse

The type of treatment that’s best suited to your physical and mental condition after drugaddiction will be dependent on a number of factors including your age, the presence of any other health issues, and how bad your addiction was prior to seeking help.

The best treatment to deliver optimal results when treating addiction can be a combination of inpatient and outpatient therapy, partial hospitalisation, or residential treatment. After assessing your needs, any of the following therapies (or a combination of them) are recommended to help you with your addiction:

  • Individual therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Group therapy
  • 12-Step rehabilitation programme
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
  • Medication management
  • Relapse-prevention instruction
  • Hypnotherapy

Withdrawal

Withdrawal can occur when you try to suddenly quit using a drug after your body has developed a dependence on it. Dependence will come about as a result of abusing the drug for an extended period of time. The withdrawal symptoms can be either mildly uncomfortable or painfully intense, depending on how severe your physical dependence is.

Effects of Withdrawal

During withdrawal, you could experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Fatigue
  • Hallucinations

If not properly cared for, withdrawal symptoms can lead to long-term physical or mental complications.

Getting Through Withdrawal

Attempting to overcome withdrawal on your ownis not advisable. Doing so can be quite dangerous and may even prove fatal if you don’t have access to immediate medical assistance,should you need it. An inpatient treatment facility is the best choice for getting through withdrawal, as you’ll have access to comprehensive round-the-clock medical treatment as well as professional support until you’ve made a full recovery.

Facts and Figures about Benzo Fury Abuse

Statistics from Public Health England indicate that the population of individuals under the age of 18 who are abusing formerly ‘legal high’ substances like Benzo Fury rose in number by roughly176% in 2015. Individuals over the age of 18 are also abusing such drugs in disturbingly higher numbers. This has in turn led to more people being admitted to rehabs for treatment.

Moreover, deaths from abusingformer ‘legal highs’ have tripled in number between 2011 and 2013. In recent years, the numbers have not reduced, with young adults and adolescents still using(and dying from) abusing drugs like Benzo Fury.

Benzo Fury in Britain

On March 5th 2014, the UK Home Office officially reclassified Benzo Furyfollowing an ACMD recommendation. The implication of this is that sales and imports of Benzo Fury became a criminal offence in the UK and the substance was henceforth treated as a Class B drug.

A UK survey showed that there were 10 Benzo Fury-related deaths between 2011 and 2012. Benzo Fury was considered the primary cause of eight of these deaths. The average age of those who died from Benzo Fury during that period was 24 years old.


FAQs

What Is Benzo Fury?

Benzo Fury is a common name for 6-APM (and related chemical compounds), a drug currently illegal in the UK with a chemical structure quite similar to that of MDMA – ‘ecstasy’ – which is frequently consumed in similar circumstances (ie, within the club scene). Certain studies indicate that Benzo Fury is actually more potent than methamphetamine and MDMA – especially when it comes to its hallucinogenic properties. This makes the drug very risky for human consumption, especially when abused over a long period of time.

Why do people use former‘legal highs’?

Most individuals opt for drugs which were until recently known as ‘legal highs’ because they have historically been much easier to obtain than other party drugs and similar substances that were more strictly controlled by legislation. Such drugs are often consumed to enjoy the following effects:

  • Euphoria
  • Increased capacity for empathy
  • Unusual feelings and expressions of love
  • The need to touch and be touched

What does the law say?

While in many countries and territories Benzo Fury remains legally available, in the UK the drug has been classified as a Class B substance, which makes its distribution or use illegal.

When should I Seek Medical Care?

If you no longer have any control over your use of Benzo Fury and are experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to avoid using the drug, it’s best to promptly sign up for addiction treatment. You should also seek medical care if you are experiencing serious side effects. The best way to use Benzo Fury is not to use it at all. Quit now before your use of the drug spirals out of control.

Is Benzo Fury Addictive?

While there is yet no empirical evidence proving Benzo Fury’s addictiveness, a number of experts have concluded that the drug can be addictive if abused over an extended period of time. This belief stems from how the drug affects the release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain.

Will My Insurance Pay for Rehab?

Whether or not your insurance will cover rehab is dependent on the details of your policy, as well as if the rehab facility you opt for accepts insurance as way of payment. You can verify if your policy can cover treatment by consulting your insurer for clarification.

If you or a loved one have been abusing Benzo Fury, get help today by visiting a rehab centre, or call a confidential helpline for professional guidance with regards to your treatment options.

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Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.