Spice/K2 Addiction
K2/Spice is a synthetic drug made to stimulate the effects of marijuana. Often referred to as “synthetic cannabinoids” or “fake weed,” the drug’s chemical composition often contains harmful chemicals which are very different from marijuana and often more intense and addictive.
Synthetic cannabinoids are a member of the new psychoactive substances group of drugs. Due to being a newly popular drug, they are not well regulated even though they emulate the effects of illegal drugs.
When people ask “Is Spice addictive?” the resounding answer should be yes. The drug is extremely potent and Spice addiction is quite common among young adults and teenagers. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that around 11 percent of high school students in 2012 took synthetic marijuana at least once and 75 percent of emergency room visits associated to the drug in 2010 were for people ages 12 – 29.
The Recovery Village has the resources and staff to help people treat their K2 Spice addiction and teach families the signs of Spice addiction. The first step, though, is understanding what Spice/K2 is and the ingredients that make up the drug.
- Black Mamba
- Blaze
- Bliss
- Bombay blue
- Genie
- Joker
- Kronic
- Legal cannabis
- Marinol
- Mary Mack
- Moon rocks
- Red X Dawn
- Solar flare
- Skunk
- Yucatan fire
- Zohai
- 2K11
Spice continues to evolve and new chemicals are added and tinkered with to produce new variations of the drug. The Office of the National Drug Control Policy reported that 51 new synthetic cannabinoids were recognized in 2012, and in the last six years even more have been introduced.
- Aggression
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Dry mouth
- Euphoria
- Heart attack
- Increased anxiety
- Loss of control
- Numbness
- Rapid heart rate
- Red eyes
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Sweating heavily
- Tremors
- Vomiting
Which signs someone might show varies greatly depending on the person’s physical characteristics and the amount of K2/Spice taken. Additional reasons for this include the chemicals mixed with the cannabis in the drug. As misuse becomes more frequent, the number of side effects a person exhibits often increases and people are more likely to feel discombobulated.
Permanent brain damage, kidney damage, psychotic episodes and hallucinations are some of the likely side effects for people who have misused the drug over a long period of time. Other side effects that could become long-term disorders and issues for people who take K2/Spice include anxiety, depression and paranoia.
Medical experts do not recommend taking Spice due to the potential for unknown chemicals. Mixing the drug with alcohol can be even more dangerous due to potentially lethal combinations.
One of the biggest reasons people do not seek addiction treatment is finances. Some people don’t have insurance while others have an insurance plan that does not cover drug rehabilitation. With The Recovery Village, paying for this necessary change is easy with a wide variety of ways to pay. Call us today to learn how to make this important step toward a greater quality of life.
Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
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