If you or someone you love in Washington state has lost control over their synthetic drug use, a synthetic drug addiction treatment program in Spokane, WA, can help you free yourself from the habit. Synthetic drug addiction is a growing problem among adolescents and young adults in the United States. The toxic synthetic chemicals used to make these drugs pose a serious public health risk due to their harmful mind-altering, unpredictable, and potentially lethal effects. There’s also limited information about their short- and long-term effects on the physical and mental health of those who use them.
What Is Synthetic Drug Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic relapsing brain disorder that compels a person to seek and use drugs regardless of their harmful effects. These behaviors also manifest in people addicted to synthetic drugs or substances, sometimes called “designer drugs.” The drugs are manufactured by illegal chemists who sneak them into products labeled with misleading names like “plant food,” “potpourri,” “herbal incense,” or “jewelry cleaner.” The products are often marked “not for human consumption” to avoid being regulated by the U.S. Drug and Food Administration (FDA). But they mimic the euphoric effects of controlled substances and can easily get into the hands of adolescents and teens.
Substances Commonly Involved in Synthetic Drug Abuse
Common synthetic drugs include substances that go by the names “Spice,” “bath salts,” “flakka” or “gravel,” “smiles,” “molly,” and “DMT.” We have outlined two of the more popular of these below.
Spice
Spice — also known as “K2″ — is a synthetic substance often marketed as “herbal incense.” The products contain plant-based materials laced with synthetic cannabinoids that adversely affect the central nervous system. When smoked, they give off effects similar to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), a psychoactive compound found in marijuana.
Bath Salts
Bath salts — also called “plant food” — are made from toxic chemical compounds that come from cathinones. These mimic the effects of drugs such as amphetamine, Ecstasy (MDMA), LSD, and cocaine. A few salt-sized grains can create a massive “high” and so can be very dangerous.
Signs of Synthetic Drug Addiction
A drug addiction treatment specialist can properly diagnose a substance use disorder (SUD) associated with these synthetic drugs. Abuse or addiction to these drugs can be hard to pin down by non-professionals due to the wide-ranging symptoms and unique side effects. Here are some common signs that may mean someone is addicted:
- Aggressive, bizarre, or violent behaviors
- Hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia
- Suicide attempts or homicidal tendencies
- Feeling excessively hot or overstimulated
Other signs of synthetic drug abuse include anxiety, agitation, restlessness, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, chest pain, heart attack, seizures, and coma.
Recovery at Our Synthetic Drug Addiction Treatment Program in Spokane, WA
Since addiction to synthetic drugs has become so widespread, Spokane Falls Recovery Center has introduced a specialized drug rehab program to help individuals quit these drugs in particular. New designer drugs also keep hitting the market, so we’re constantly adding to our outpatient treatment programs to cater to individuals addicted to newer drugs.
You’re welcome to enroll in our substance abuse treatment program if you’ve noticed the signs of addiction and want to end the cycle. There is a range of therapies that you can use to help you manage your addictive behaviors: They include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Individual and group therapy
- Family therapy
- Holistic therapy
Synthetic drug abuse can also start from or lead to an underlying mental health condition such as anxiety or depression. We will perform a mental health evaluation to determine if you also need co-occuring treatment for co-occurring disorders. In other words, we can treat both the addiction and underlying disorder at the same time.
Trust Spokane Falls Recovery Center to Help You Beat Addiction
Spokane Falls Recovery Center is a Joint Commission accredited addiction treatment facility in Spokane, WA. Our clinicians will provide the skills you need to bounce back from addiction and live a more meaningful life. Call 844.962.2775 or reach out to us online today for more information on our programs and admissions.
