Synthetic Drug Addiction Treatment
Do I Need Treatment for Addiction to Synthetic Drugs?
Synthetic drugs are potent, harmful substances that mimic the effects of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. Often made from damaging chemicals, they cause severe long-term damage to people’s health and wellbeing. If synthetic drug abuse is wreaking havoc on your life or the life of someone you love, don’t wait until it is too late to ask for help.
At NP Addiction Clinic, we offer a comprehensive residential substance abuse treatment program to tackle synthetic drug addiction head-on.
What Are Synthetic Drugs?
Created from various chemicals, synthetic drugs are often labeled as ‘legal’ ways to get high. Marketed as innocent objects such as plant fertilizer and herbal incense, they include warnings that they are not fit for consumption to avoid trouble with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Though the substances that synthetic drugs are made from are not illegal, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has recently identified and banned some of these substances. However, as synthetic drugs are easy to manufacture, they continue to make their way onto the market every year.
Types of Synthetic Drugs
“There are many types of synthetic drugs. However, bath salts and synthetic cannabinoids are particularly prevalent in the United States.
Bath salts may not sound dangerous, but they are among the most hazardous synthetic drugs in the United States. They appear as small white crystals and can be snorted, swallowed, or injected intravenously.
Another term for bath salts is ‘synthetic cathinones’. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, they can affect the brain similarly to cocaine; however, they are ten times more powerful.”
There can sometimes be a misconception that designer drugs such as bath salts are not addictive. However, research has found that one of the active ingredients in bath salts, MDPV, is more addictive than meth.
Some of the damaging side effects of bath salts can include:
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Headaches
Dizziness
Nausea
Muscle tremors
There are also many harmful long-term side effects to bath salts, including:
Organ damage or failure
Psychosis
Brain damage
Although bath salts are illegal in the United States, manufacturers often change their formulas and label packets as phone screen cleaners or jewelry cleaners. As it has a similar half-life to cocaine, bath salt withdrawal symptoms can appear as soon as ninety minutes after the last use.
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Also known as synthetic weed, synthetic cannabinoids contain an active ingredient that can be up to one hundred times more potent than marijuana. These particular drugs are made by spraying plant material with a chemical substance, which is then smoked.
Synthetic cannabinoids are sold under many names, such as Spice and K2. They are often labeled as containing ‘natural’ materials, but tests have shown that the active ingredients are lab-made.
The temptation to use synthetic cannabinoids has increased as they are cheaper and more readily available than marijuana. Young adults are among those affected the most by synthetic drugs, as they are easier to find and are available in gas stations and online.
Side effects of synthetic cannabinoids can be extreme and highly dangerous.
They can include:
Vomiting
Anxiety
Agitation
Confusion
Aggressive behavior
Hallucinations
There can also be dangerous long term side effects of synthetic cannabinoids, including:
Respiratory problems
Kidney failure
Forgetfulness
Brain damage
Although synthetic cannabis is banned, manufacturers find their way around this by changing formulas continuously. Even if you consistently use the same brand of spice or K2, you may not feel the same effects every time.
Other Types Of Synthetic Drugs
Other types of synthetic drugs include:
NBOMEs – AKA “designer drugs” are designed to produce similar effects to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). “Smiles”, 2-CI, 2-C, 2-Ce, 2C-b are all hallucinogenic substances. There has been far less research done on these compounds than LSD over the years so the short and long term effects are largely unknown.
Molly – Slang for the allegedly pure version of MDMA or ecstasy. However “molly” just like everything else that purports to be ecstasy (MDMA) these days can be just about anything. Often it contains crystal methamphetamine and increasingly, fentanyl and often there is little or no actual MDMA present. “Molly” can also be a source of harmful synthetic cathinones.
All synthetic drugs can be highly addictive and damaging to the body and brain.
Why Are Synthetic Drugs So Addictive?
These types of synthetic drugs can be highly addictive because of their potency. Created in a lab, the compounds added can be much stronger than non-synthetic drugs and lead to physical and psychological dependence.
As touched on above, synthetic drugs pose a major problem, with many young adults becoming addicted to them because they are cheap and easy to find. A 2018 study also found that young adults underestimated the harm that synthetic drugs could cause.
As dangers of these drugs are sometimes overlooked, young adults may try them once or twice before becoming addicted.
Designer drugs are incredibly dangerous because it is nearly impossible to know what chemicals they contain. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regularly bans formulas, but the market changes them quickly.
Synthetic drugs are also extremely powerful and can lead to an unintentional overdose. As they are not regulated or labeled, people do not know how strong they are and may take too much, or mix them with other substances, leading to an overdose.
Treatment for Synthetic Drug Addiction
Although the effects of synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids are scary, treatment programs are available to help people through addiction and withdrawal. Taking the first step in receiving substance abuse treatment can seem daunting, but at NP Addiction Clinic, you’ll have constant support on your journey to recovery.
To begin treatment, you’ll undergo a complete detox to remove the substances from your system.
You may experience some symptoms of withdrawal, such as:
Tremors
Cravings
Anxiety
Restlessness
Lethargy
Headaches
Muscle aches
The timeline of withdrawal can vary depending on the severity of the drug addiction and the substance used. During detox, withdrawal symptoms can last for a week or longer. Though many attempt to withdraw from drugs independently, treatment programs are the safest way to detox, as medical assistance is available should severe, life-threatening symptoms arise.
Although the thought of completing treatment may be daunting, it is highly recommended. At NP Addiction Clinic, our residential substance abuse treatment treats both symptoms of addiction and the root causes. Working with our mental health specialists, you’ll have access to counseling, support groups, and therapy to identify the potential causes of addiction and reduce the chances of relapse after treatment.
Why Choose NP Addiction Clinic?
Why our St. Lucie County rehab and mental health center is right for you and your loved ones.
24-Hour Support
We are dedicated to helping people heal, recover and live better lives, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Count on us to be there when you need us most.
On-Site Detox
Mental Health Treatment Pros
Aftercare and Alumni Support
Our aftercare, alumni support and MAT programs are second to none. We’re invested in your recovery and wellness for the long haul.
Synthetic Drug Addiction Treatment
The Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic is committed to delivering the best addiction treatment available. We can help you or the one you love too, but you need to make the first move. Call us now at (888) 574-3506 or send us a message using this form.
