Benzo Fury Addiction
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Last Updated:
May 7th, 2024
What is Benzo Fury?
Benzo Fury, also known as 6-APB or 6-(2-aminopropyl) benzofuran, represents a potent yet lesser-known “designer drug” often encountered in club and party scenes. Emerging in the early 2010s as a legal alternative to MDMA, it has since been classified as illegal due to its inherent dangers. One challenging aspect is Benzo Fury addiction, a condition that can wreak havoc on individuals’ lives, leading to enduring health consequences and profound personal repercussions.
While Benzo Fury may not occupy the same limelight as some other substances, comprehending its risks is paramount for safeguarding users and society at large.
Benzo Fury, essentially a synthetic compound, mimics the effects of MDMA, inducing sensations of euphoria, heightened sociability, and augmented sensory perception. Originating as a research chemical, it swiftly infiltrated recreational drug markets under the guise of a “legal high.” However, its trajectory mirrored that of numerous synthetic substances, transitioning from legal status to its current classification as a Class-B drug in the UK, emblematic of its recognised hazards.
What is Benzo Fury addiction?
Benzo Fury addiction is when you are no longer able to control your Benzo Fury use and compulsively take the drug despite the harm it is causing. As with other forms of legal high addiction, Benzo Fury addiction often starts with recreational use.
At first, it can feel like a lot of fun, but as you begin to take Benzo Fury more regularly, you may find that you need more and more of the drug to get high. This is called tolerance, and it incites increasing doses, which your body eventually becomes dependent on to function.
This physical dependence means that if you try to reduce Benzo Fury use or, worse, stop altogether, your body reacts by going into Benzo Fury withdrawal. The symptoms of withdrawal can feel awful, which often triggers relapse or a return to high doses.
While physical dependence is a serious issue, full-blown Benzo Fury addiction means you also develop psychological dependence. At this stage, your entire life can revolve around the next time you can use Benzo Fury, with everything else taking a back seat. If your usage reaches this point, it is time to step back and seek help.
How to spot Benzo Fury addiction signs
Benzo Fury addiction can be incredibly deceptive and establish itself without you even realising it. What starts as a fun addition to a night out can quickly become an ever-present in your life, something you feel like you need to function. If you are worried that your Benzo Fury use is reaching, or has already reached this point, here are some potential Benzo Fury addiction signs to look out for:
- Using more Benzo Fury than you intended to.
- Trying but failing to cut down or stop using Benzo Fury.
- Spending the majority of your time, money and energy on Benzo Fury.
- Giving up hobbies or becoming indifferent to important things because of your Benzo Fury abuse.
- Feeling withdrawal symptoms like cravings, mood swings and fatigue when you aren’t using Benzo Fury.
- Struggling at work, school or in your relationships because of your Benzo Fury abuse.
- You need larger amounts of Benzo Fury to get the same effect.
- Your use of Benzo Fury has led to problems at work, school or with family.
- Continuing to use Benzo Fury regardless of these issues.
Recognising these Benzo Fury addiction signs can provide a much-needed revelation that the drug is starting to take control of your life.
Factors that increase the risk of Benzo Fury addiction
While anyone who abuses Benzo Fury can potentially be addicted, the risk is increased by the presence of certain underlying factors. One or more of these could mean that you are more likely than someone who doesn’t have them to become addicted:
Genetic makeup is one such factor, and it has long been understood to play a role in addiction. This means that if there is a history of addiction in your family, you may have a higher chance of developing one yourself.
Psychological factors are significant, too, as people struggling with mental health issues or emotional distress might use Benzo Fury to self-medicate. This may work in the short term, with Benzo Fury’s euphoric effects masking the distress for a while, but as the consequences of addiction kick in, underlying issues are often made far worse.
Your social environment, including exposure to drug use among friends or community, also increases your risk, as do personality traits such as thrill-seeking behaviour or a high tolerance for risk.
Lastly, the perceived safety and lack of legal restrictions of Benzo Fury can lower inhibitions towards using it more frequently and in higher doses.
The dangers of Benzo Fury addiction
Benzo Fury can cause extensive damage to your physical and mental health and can also have a huge impact on every other part of your life. Some of the most harmful Benzo Fury addiction symptoms include:
- Cardiovascular stress
- Mental health problems
- Neurological damage
- Risks of polydrug use
- Relationship issues
- Legal problems
As you can see, any potential benefits of Benzo Fury as a recreational drug are dramatically overshadowed by the risks of severe and potentially life-altering Benzo Fury addiction symptoms.
What Benzo Fury addiction treatment involves
If Benzo Fury addiction is threatening your health and happiness, it is important to know that recovery is possible. Benzo Fury’s addiction treatment requires a holistic approach, which at Sanctuary Lodge is delivered in three equally important stages:
- Detox: Medical detox is the first step of all our legal high addiction treatment programmes, allowing you to clear Benzo Fury from your body under professional supervision. This will break your physical dependence on the drug and help you manage severe withdrawal symptoms safely.
- Rehab therapy: The rehab process at Sanctuary Lodge involves both individual counselling and group sessions. These are vital for addressing addiction’s roots and forging connections with others facing similar struggles.
- Relapse prevention: Our comprehensive approach then includes creating a robust relapse prevention plan tailored to your unique needs. This focuses on maintaining your progress at Sanctuary Lodge and includes one year of free aftercare.
Get help for Benzo Fury addiction
Taking back control of your life from Benzo Fury addiction always starts with effective treatment and ongoing support. Contact Sanctuary Lodge today to find out how we can help. We are committed to providing you with the tools and guidance necessary for a successful recovery and the chance of a brighter, healthier future.
FAQs
(Click here to see works cited)
- DrugWise. “Benzo Fury – DrugWise.” DrugWise, https://www.drugwise.org.uk/benzo-fury/. Accessed 29 April 2024.
- FRANK. “Benzofuran Compound | Benzos | Effects and Risks.” FRANK, https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/benzofuran-compounds. Accessed 29 April 2024.
Roque Bravo, Rita et al. “Benzo fury: A new trend in the drug misuse scene.” Journal of applied toxicology : JAT vol. 39,8 (2019): 1083-1095. doi:10.1002/jat.3774