UK's first GBL clinic

James Bell, one of our addictions consultants, set the clinic up to help people who are trying to manage their withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal can be severe and some people experience violent, psychotic or even suicidal episodes.

Since the clinic opened in 2009, he has rehabilitated 90 percent of his patients.
Gamma-butaryl lactone (GBL), while popular with London clubbers is actually a cleaning fluid. However, it is highly addictive and can have deadly side effects. Similar to an accelerated form of alcohol, some users slip into a coma and there have been several deaths caused by GBL overdoses.

Until recently, GBL was described as a 'legal high', but increasing concerns about its effects led to it being classified as a restricted substance, which means people now have to be registered as a business to buy it.