If you or a loved one in Washington are struggling with synthetic drug addiction, you can seek assistance from a synthetic drug addiction treatment program in Spokane, WA. This program can aid in overcoming addiction. 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 is also limited information about their short- and long-term impact on the physical and mental health of those who use them.
Spokane Falls Recovery Center can help you or your loved one to recover from synthetic drug addiction. Our professional staff of certified clinicians and therapists specializes in substance use and the mental health issues that often accompany it. To get a better idea of all we offer, call us at 844.962.2775, and our team will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.
What Is Synthetic Drug Abuse?
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.
What Are Natural and Synthetic Drugs?
Synthetic drugs are chemicals created in an illegal lab and have the same effects as controlled substances, such as marijuana and cocaine. Natural drugs originate from plants or animals and have been used for centuries for medicinal and recreational purposes. Synthetic drug abuse is a growing problem due to the easy access these drugs have on the internet, allowing users to acquire them from unregulated sources.
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-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive compound found in marijuana.
Bath Salts
Bath salts, also called “plant food,” are made from toxic chemical compounds from cathinone. These mimic the effects of amphetamine, Ecstasy (MDMA), LSD, and cocaine. A few salt-sized grains can create a massive “high” and be dangerous.
Signs of Synthetic Drug Addiction
A drug addiction treatment specialist can properly diagnose a substance use disorder (SUD) associated with these synthetic drugs. Due to the wide-ranging symptoms and unique side effects, abuse or addiction to these drugs can be hard to pin down by non-professionals.
Here are some common signs of synthetic drug addiction:
- 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.
Why Is It Important to Understand Synthetic Drug Withdrawal Symptoms?
Synthetic drug withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the substance used, individual physiology, and the severity of use. They may include physical and psychological symptoms such as:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Changes in appetite
- Mood swings
As with any addiction treatment program in Spokane, WA, it is important to remember that synthetic drug withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable and even dangerous. It is highly advisable to seek professional help to quit these drugs. If you or someone you know is considering sobriety, a qualified drug treatment professional can help them safely and successfully manage the withdrawal process.
Get Help from Our Synthetic Drug Addiction Program
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. New designer drugs also keep hitting the market, so we are constantly adding to our outpatient treatment programs to cater to individuals addicted to newer drugs.
You are welcome to enroll in our substance abuse treatment program if you have 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: These therapies can include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- 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-occurring treatment for co-occurring disorders. In other words, we can treat both the addiction and the underlying conditions simultaneously.
Contact Spokane Falls Recovery Center to Get Help to Beat Addiction
Spokane Falls Recovery Center is a Joint Commission-accredited addiction treatment center in Spokane, WA. Our clinicians will provide the skills to bounce back from addiction and live more meaningfully. Contact us at 844.962.2775 or connect online today for more information on our programs and admissions.
