What is Sherm Stick? Understanding This Intriguing Trend
A Sherm stick is a street term for a marijuana cigarette or tobacco cigarette dipped in embalming fluid or PCP (phencyclidine), a dissociative drug with mind-altering effects. This dangerous drug produces hallucinogenic effects and can lead to severe health effects, including memory loss, lung damage, kidney damage, and organ failure.
Definition of Sherm Stick
Sherm sticks, also known as fry sticks, peace pills, wet drugs, or happy sticks, are illicit drugs that contain toxic chemicals like actual embalming fluid or PCP, also called angel dust. Users smoke them for their psychoactive effects, but these dangerous effects come with severe risks, including aggressive behavior, delusional thinking, and respiratory distress.
Composition of Sherm Sticks
Sherm sticks contain highly toxic substances that cause harmful effects on the body and brain.
Marijuana Joint or Marijuana Cigarettes
Sherm sticks may use a marijuana joint or marijuana sticks instead of tobacco. When laced with toxic substances like embalming fluid or PCP, drug effects become more intense and unpredictable.
Embalming Fluid
Sherm sticks are often dipped in actual embalming fluid, which contains toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde. This leads to respiratory failure, metabolic acidosis, and destruction of body tissue. Smoking Sherm can cause persistent speech difficulties, slurred speech, and difficulty with speech.
PCP (Phencyclidine)
PCP is an addictive drug originally used as an intravenous anesthetic for surgery. It comes in powder form or liquid form and is known by street names like rocket fuel, Black Dust, and Purple Rain. Long-term use can cause Cognitive Impairment, Schizophrenic-like symptoms, and physical dependence.
Physical Effects of Sherm Stick Use
The physical side effects of Sherm sticks can be severe and life-threatening.
Short-Term Effects
- Elevated heart rate and racing heart
- Loss of coordination and impaired coordination
- Respiratory depression and irregular heartbeat
- Acute effects like social withdrawal and metabolic acidosis
- Superhuman strength leading to horrific crimes
Long-Term Effects
- Severe organ damage, including kidney damage and organ failure
- Long-term damage to the respiratory tract
- Memory gaps, memory loss, and cognitive impairment
- Severe depression and psychological dependence
Mental Effects of Sherm Stick Use
Sherm sticks alter brain chemistry, leading to dangerous psychological effects.
Hallucinations and Delusional Thinking
PCP causes severe hallucinogenic effects, making users see or hear things that aren’t real. This can result in paranoia, catatonic posturing, and violent behavior.
Cognitive Impairment and Mental Illness
Long-term organ damage extends to the brain, causing Schizophrenic-like symptoms and difficulty with speech. Users may experience psychological dependence and substance use disorder, requiring professional treatment at a treatment center.
Growing Popularity of Sherm Sticks
Sherm sticks have been a popular street drug for decades.
Historical Context
Sherm sticks became widely used in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in urban areas. PCP, also known as angel dust, was originally developed as an anesthetic for surgery but was later classified as an illegal drug due to its severe side effects.
Current Trends
Today, Sherm sticks remain a substance of choice for some drug users, particularly school students and those seeking an adrenaline rush. However, the potential for abuse has led to increased awareness about addiction treatment programs and behavioral therapy.
Dangers Associated with Sherm Stick Use
Sherm sticks pose serious health risks due to their unpredictable effects.
Health Risks of PCP and Embalming Fluid
- Respiratory distress and respiratory failure
- Kidney failure due to toxic substances
- Long-term damage to body tissue and destruction of body tissue
Addiction and Dependency
Sherm sticks cause both psychological dependence and physical dependence.
Understanding Addiction
PCP use leads to withdrawal symptoms like severe depression, social withdrawal, and difficulty maintaining normal growth.
Signs of Sherm Stick Abuse
- Slurred speech and impaired coordination
- Unpredictable effects and severe behavioral effects
- Extreme aggression, leading to horrific crimes
- Weight loss and elevated temperature
Treatment Options for Sherm Stick Addiction
Recovering from wet drug abuse requires professional treatment at a treatment facility.
Inpatient Rehabilitation
Facilities like White Oak Recovery Center, Virtue Recovery Center, and Blue Hills Recovery offer structured addiction treatment programs for individuals struggling with sherm sticks and illicit drugs.
Outpatient Programs
Outpatient care provides behavioral therapy and accountability after treatment, helping individuals manage long-term effects of addiction.
Resources for Recovery and Support
If you or someone you know is struggling with wet drug abuse, help is available.
Hotlines and Counseling
- National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) Washington Liaison Office: 814-532-4690
- Virtue Recovery Killeen: 703-556-7807
- Addiction treatment hotlines: 703-556-8970 FAX, 814-532-4601 FAX
Support Groups
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- Access Therapy for addiction support
FAQs About Sherm Sticks
Common Queries
Is smoking Sherm sticks illegal?
Yes. PCP and embalming fluid are controlled substances, making Sherm sticks illegal drugs.
How long do the drug effects last?
The actual dose determines the duration, but moderate doses can cause mind-altering effects lasting hours or even days.
Are there any prescription drugs similar to PCP?
No. PCP is an illegal drug, but some anticholinergic effects are found in certain prescription drugs.
Conclusion
Sherm sticks are a dangerous and addictive drug that cause severe health effects. Long-term use leads to brain damage, organ failure, and violent behavior. If you or someone you know is struggling with wet drug abuse, seek professional treatment at a treatment facility.
FAQ's
Sherm sticks cause severe short-term and long-term effects on both the mind and body. Short-term effects include elevated heart rate, loss of coordination, hallucinations, and aggressive behavior. Some users experience delusional thinking, impaired coordination, and severe mood swings, leading to violent behavior. Long-term use can result in memory loss, cognitive impairment, respiratory failure, kidney damage, and organ failure.
People use Sherm sticks for their psychoactive effects, seeking an adrenaline rush, hallucinogenic effects, and mind-altering experiences. Some believe the street term “wet drugs” suggests a stronger high than regular marijuana cigarettes. However, the dangerous effects far outweigh any short-lived euphoria, as users face severe health effects, substance use disorder, and addiction.
Signs of Sherm stick abuse include persistent speech difficulties, slurred speech, lack of coordination, and extreme behavioral effects. Users may also show severe depression, social withdrawal, impaired judgment, and erratic mood swings. Physical signs include weight loss, elevated temperature, and racing heart. If someone is experiencing respiratory distress or metabolic acidosis, seek medical help immediately.
Overcoming Sherm stick addiction requires professional treatment at a treatment facility. Inpatient rehabilitation offers structured addiction treatment, medical detox, and behavioral therapy to address physical dependence and psychological dependence. Outpatient programs provide support groups, accountability after treatment, and access to therapy while allowing individuals to maintain daily responsibilities. Facilities like Adolescent Mental Health offer specialized programs to help individuals recover safely.
