Author: Alex Thompson

Signs and Symptoms of Spice Abuse

These three drugs all have an inconsistent quality, and people who regularly use them often develop addictive behaviors. Synthetic marijuana products are usually sold in colorful, shiny pouches or plastic bottles emblazoned with catchy names, such as Matrix, Blue Giant, Scooby Snax and Black Mamba. Moreover, Spice may appear more attractive because it is not readily detected on standard drug tests. Ease of access and the belief that the drug is a safe alternative to marijuana are contributing factors to the drug’s popularity among this population. Symptoms of Spice abuse vary and can include physical and cognitive symptoms. Avenues Recovery is a community-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center with locations across the United States.

Though spice can be considered similar to cannabis in some ways, its effects are somewhat different from those of marijuana and are usually much stronger. Usually, someone sprays chemicals that compose ‘spice’ and lace plant materials to make them look more like marijuana. Measham wants the government to adopt a licensing regime modelled on New Zealand’s psychoactive substances act, which has yet to become law. Under the proposals, manufacturers assessed as producing low-harm psychoactive substances would be allowed to sell the drugs under licence.

K2/Spice Withdrawal Symptoms

On synthetic cannabinoid products, the label usually says, “not for human consumption.” Labels also typically claim that spice has natural material taken from an assortment of plants. Though, the only natural parts of these products are the dried plant materials. Chemical tests indicate that the mind-altering, active ingredients are cannabinoid compounds created in laboratories. For example, suppose one cannabinoid in spice products is made illegal.

1. This can lead to the user taking high drug dosages without realizing it.
2. Sutcliffe is one of the few chemists who tests spice seized by police.
3. Detox is designed to help individuals safely and comfortably withdraw from the substance while managing withdrawal symptoms and preparing for further treatment.
4. The Office of the National Drug Control Policy recognized 51 synthetic cannabinoids in 2012.

Sutcliffe is one of the few chemists who tests spice seized by police. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry he examines batches of the drug to determine the best harm-reduction strategies for the health and emergency services. The way synthetic marijuana interacts with brain cells might account for why it’s so addictive.

Synthetic marijuana is addictive, and people who regularly use the drug may experience withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stopping using it. Depending on its chemical components, it can be anywhere from four to 50 times more potent than weed. When Spice and K2 first hit the market in the early to mid-2000s, many people assumed the substances were a safe, natural and legal alternative to marijuana. Once detox is completed, individuals are encouraged to continue with a comprehensive addiction treatment program, such as residential or outpatient rehabilitation.

What is Spice-K2?

The drugs can cause an array other physical effects, ranging from nausea and vomiting to bleeding, severe organ damage and even death. If you suspect that your teen is abusing this drug, take the time to talk with them about the risks and potential long-term effects of Spice. Because Spice is packaged in a juvenile manner and labeled as containing potpourri or herbal incense, one may have the impression that it is safe. However, it is highly addictive, with the potential for terrible side effects. However, manufacturers sometimes get around the law by altering the formula and selling it as incense, not for human use. A person who shows signs of Spice use may not even be able to stop using the drug despite the fact that it is causing severe harm.

“I find it frustrating that when people are dying from Ebola there’s an initiative to stop that, but when people are dying from spice the government says it’s not our job. It should commission someone to get an antidote back into the medical arena.” But this is unlikely to be made a priority any time soon. The price hike reflects the role that street dealers are now playing in the illicit spice market. “Whereas they (spice users) could go to the headshops and know what they are buying, now it’s a dealer’s paradise,” Rogers said.

Research indicates that some versions of the drug bind to the brain’s cannabinoid receptors 100 times more tightly than the THC in marijuana does. In some cases, a gradual tapering of the synthetic cannabinoid may be recommended to minimize withdrawal symptoms. This involves reducing the dosage of Spice over time until the individual is substance-free. Tapering should only be done under medical supervision to prevent complications. Detoxification, often referred to as “detox,” is the initial phase of treatment for substance addiction, including addiction to Spice.

Is Contingency Management Used for Spice Addiction Recovery?

A person using Spice is at risk of the most serious symptoms of use like coma and seizures. If a family can’t get a person using Spice to stop abusing this drug, it is vital that the drug abuser be gotten into drug rehab as soon as possible. The military has caught up to abuse of this drug in its ranks, dismissing more than 1,500 personnel in the last couple of years. If someone you know is struggling with Spice drug addiction, it is important to provide help to encourage treatment and support them throughout the recovery process. Below are some tips that can help you provide effective K2 withdrawal help for your loved ones.

Detox is designed to help individuals safely and comfortably withdraw from the substance while managing withdrawal symptoms and preparing for further treatment. Due to the high potency of some synthetic cannabinoids, the amount needed for each “hit” can be as little as a few tens of milligrams (about the size of a match head). The intoxicating effects of more potent brands – such as Clockwork Orange, Pandora’s Box and Annihilation – can be quite overpowering. Some people experience difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, and shakes and sweats, all of which can lead to a severe panic attacks. At higher doses, balance and coordination can be severely affected.

Spice and K2 belong to a group of drugs known as synthetic cannabinoids. They can be made with a wide range of man-made chemicals engineered to mimic the effects of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in pot. And a 2016 study published in the journal Current Psychiatry Reports found that benzodiazepines and the antipsychotic drug quetiapine quelled some of the withdrawal symptoms of synthetic cannabinoids. However, the author stressed a need for more research into effective treatment options for addiction given the increasing popularity of the drug. Because of the substantial risks of synthetic cannabinoids, many countries have already outlawed their production, possession and distribution. But it is unlikely that the “war on drugs” will show any sign of relenting, given the rapidly evolving nature of the recreational drugs market and the lack of globalised drug-control legislation.

The process of detecting the warning signs of Spice or K2 starts with understanding what exactly K2 is. My diverse experience encompasses positions at Nurse on Call Home Healthcare, Trilogy Home Healthcare, Jupiter Medical Center, and Lawnwood Regional Medical Center. I’ve specialized in pain management, pediatrics, and cardiovascular care, ensuring that each patient receives the best possible care. Martin Powell, campaigns manager at Transform, a thinktank that pushes for drugs liberalisation, suggested that what was happening in Wrexham would, in time, spread to other regions. Nutt said that the history of drug control over the last century proves that prohibition does not work. Since the ban, prices have gone up, doubling or quadrupling in some areas.

Is Spice Addictive?

But, despite well-known issues, these drugs are still in demand and homeless people, particularly, are at risk of mental health issues from their use. So what exactly are these drugs made of and why do they cause such violent reactions. In just two years, there were more than 4,000 Poison Control Center calls asking for help with Spice abuse. The most common method of abusing K2 drugs is by smoking it—rolling the substance in a paper just like marijuana or a handmade tobacco cigarette. Other means of K2 abuse include making it into an herbal tea for drinking and inhaling Spice liquid K2 products as a vapor via e-cigarettes. Impaired control – a desire to take spice in gradually higher doses.

Since Spice appeared on the market at the beginning of the century, it has become quite popular. Many people mistakenly think that products like Spice and K2 are safe, harmless, and legal alternatives to marijuana. Spice addiction is a serious problem that can have devastating effects. However, recovery is possible with the help of professional treatment options, support from loved ones, and preventative measures. Learning the risks of Spice is the first step in making safer choices for yourself.

Police in Lancashire tackle surge of spice-related incidents

However, recovery is possible with the support of professionals, peers, group therapy, and a conducive environment. If you’re looking to seek help for Spice addiction, Boardwalk Recovery is the perfect place for you. Although the U.S government banned K2 in 2002, manufacturers have discovered ways to circumvent the regulation on the drug by altering its chemical content.