GHB / GBL
Bootleg & Methanol-Adulterated Alcohol
Street names: Bootleg liquor, Methanol poisoning, Tainted alcohol, Moonshine (unsafe)
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Same as ethanol — until the methanol hits: headache, then blindness, then organ failure
⚠Key risks
- Methanol mass-poisonings kill hundreds a year — as little as 10 ml can blind, 30 ml can kill
- Symptoms lag 12–24 h, so people keep drinking
- Fomepizole/ethanol antidote must start fast
✚Overdose signs
- Blurred or 'snowfield' vision
- Severe stomach pain, vomiting
- Rapid breathing, confusion — emergency, not a hangover
Category comparison — GHB / GBL
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bootleg & Methanol-Adulterated Alcohol | Alcohol is legal; adulterated supply is the danger | Methanol mass-poisonings kill hundreds a year — as little as 10 ml can blind, 30 ml can kill; Symptoms lag 12–24 h, so people keep drinking | Often half the price of licensed liquor |
| GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) | Schedule I/III | Dose curve is razor-thin — 1 mL too much = coma; Frequent dosing needed (90-min half-life) → dependence and brutal 24/7 withdrawal | ~$5–$20 per dose |
| GHB Liquid | Schedule I | Concentration unknown — strength varies bottle to bottle; Mixing with alcohol frequently fatal | ~$60–$150 per 100 mL |
| GHB Powder | Schedule I | Dissolving errors → misdosing; Hygroscopic powder clumps — uneven concentration | ~$40–$120 per 50 g where found |
| GBL (gamma-butyrolactone) | Schedule I | Stronger and faster than GHB; dosing even more unforgiving; Caustic — burns mouth/esophagus undiluted | ~$50–$150 per liter |
| Poppers (Alkyl Nitrites) | Legal to possess | Fatal blood-pressure crash when combined with Viagra/Cialis/Levitra (PDE5 inhibitors) — the classic killer combo; Methemoglobinemia at heavy/repeated use — blood stops carrying oxygen (blue lips, breathlessness) | ~$5–$20 per bottle |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Bootleg & Methanol-Adulterated Alcohol look like?
Cheap unbranded spirits, refill bottles, 'local gin' — common in Iran, Turkey, India, Kenya and tourist resorts
What are the signs of a Bootleg & Methanol-Adulterated Alcohol overdose?
Blurred or 'snowfield' vision; Severe stomach pain, vomiting; Rapid breathing, confusion — emergency, not a hangover Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
Methanol mass-poisonings kill hundreds a year — as little as 10 ml can blind, 30 ml can kill Withdrawal can be life-threatening — medical tapering is essential.