Spice is a designer drug that is a synthetic form of cannabis, or marijuana. Although it was once believed to be a legal and “safe” alternative to marijuana, studies have recently shown that this may not be the case. Synthetic cannabis dangers include heart problems, vivid hallucinations, and even death. In fact, physical Spice dependence can be dangerous and cause withdrawal syndrome in some users. Plus, Spice can be addictive.
So what happens during withdrawal from Spice? We review here. And invite your questions about getting Spice addiction help at the end.
What is Spice Withdrawal Syndrome?
Spice withdrawal syndrome refers to a set of physical symptoms that a person experiences after they quit using Spice, a synthetic cannabis. When a person becomes physically dependent on Spice, their brain alters some of its functions to adjust for the effects of the drug and maintain homeostasis. Once the drug is no longer available, the brain still functions at this adjusted level, which can cause the physical and psychological symptoms that some experience.
What is withdrawal From Spice like?
Because it is a synthetic cannabis, withdrawal from Spice is very stronger than withdrawal from cannabis, or marijuana. Individuals experiencing Spice withdrawal may feel very anxious and suffer from gastrointestinal problems. However, the manifestation of Spice withdrawal symptoms typically depends on the frequency of use. Some users may not experience withdrawal symptoms from Spice at all.
What does Spice withdrawal feel like?
Withdrawal from Spice feels like intense anxiety. The first symptoms will usually include an intense craving for the drug and irritability. Other symptoms include anxiety, elevated blood pressure, insomnia, nightmares, headaches, trembling, sweating, and nausea. Depending on the severity of the physical addiction, these symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, although they are usually the worst a few days after last use and begin to subside after this peak.
What helps Spice withdrawal?
One of the best ways to minimize Spice withdrawal symptoms is by tapering usage, or gradually reducing the amount taken each day. This allows a person’s body to get used to functioning without the drug slowly, and does not cause a shock to the system.
Individuals that are trying to quit using Spice on their own can minimize withdrawal symptoms and reduce the chances of a relapse. For instance, staying occupied with activities that don’t involve using the drug can help keep your mind off of it. It may also help to talk to a trusted friend or family member about what you’re going through, so they can be there to help you through strong cravings. Over-the-counter medications can also be used to help relieve some Spice withdrawal symptoms.
Although it’s usually not necessary, individuals withdrawing from Spice may also want to consider doing so under medical supervision. Drug detox centers allow allow individuals to withdraw and detox from drugs like Spice. The qualified professionals in detox facilities are able to help individuals deal with their physical withdrawal symptoms and work through craving. Doctors can also prescribe short acting benzodiazepines in cases of extreme anxiety, or antidepressants for those with underlying mood disorder issues. Seek professional help anytime you have a history of mental health disorders and want to get off Spice.
Questions About Spice withdrawal
It can be frustrating and scary to go through Spice withdrawal. We’re here to help answer any questions you may have and try to help you through this ordeal. If you’re looking for a little advice or just want to share your own experience, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Research into Spice and its ingredients is only beginning. However, we do know it’s a heavily addictive drug with both short and long term effects to your health. Withdrawal can also occur. This article gives you background into the physical and mental effects of Spice, and offers suggestions for where to seek help.
The herbal mixture “Spice” is a blend of both naturally dried plant material and synthetic sprayed cannabinoids. It’s advertised as a “healthy” marijuana substitute, which is anything but the truth. In fact, the chemicals found in Spice mixes have become a great concern in the medical field.
According to NIDA for Teens, people who have had bad reactions to Spice report symptoms like:
fast heart rate
feeling anxious or nervous
feeling confused
hallucinations
increased blood pressure
lowered blood flow to the heart
paranoia
suicidal thoughts
throwing up
violent behavior
In a few cases, smoking Spice has caused heart attacks and death. You can find more facts about the effects of Spice on the National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA website. The unpredictable dangers of Spice use have been outlined by NIDA here and in the following infographic.
What Addiction Really Is
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is a state when you no longer are taking a drug for the sake of feeling good. Rather, you’re taking it as a means of feeling normal. Further, addiction occurs when:
You continue to use a drug despite several negative consequences in your life.
But how does one make such a transition?
It begins the first time you take Spice. For a good amount of people, the high it gives you is a good feeling. Therefore, you want more of it. But, the more you take, the more your body adapts itself to the chemical compounds found within synthetic cannabis. This is known as a drug dependence. When you become dependent on Spice, you experience withdrawal when you lower doses or quit.
Over time, you need to smoke more Spice to get high. This is known as “tolerance”. When you’ve built a tolerance, you need more of Spice in order to feel its effects. This leads you to taking more and your body adapting further. Combined, this cycle eventually leads to compulsive behavior. It looks like this:
An addiction is when drug use becomes compulsive even when it’s brought upon harmful consequences. People who are addicted to Spice have the inability to stop using it, despite negative effects to health, home, work, or school obligations.
Drug dependence can reinforce addiction. This is when the body adapts to the drug because chemicals are often present in the system. If Spice were suddenly taken away, withdrawal occurs.
So, how can you tell whether you dependent or addicted to Spice?
Have you ever tried to quit Spice without having success?
Do you find yourself craving to use Spice?
Are your responsibilities at risk due to your Spice use?
Have you continued to use Spice despite it causing problems in your relationships (i.e. significant other, family, friends)?
Do you find yourself in risky behavior due to the fact that you use Spice?
Has your use of Spice affected previous activities you used to enjoy?
Do you spend a large amount of time thinking about, obtaining, or using Spice?
If you’ve answered yes to one or more of the above questions, we suggest that you seek a professional diagnosis. It’s possible that you’re facing an addiction. And professional intervention can help!
Denial
Denial is a defense mechanism. People struggling with Spice often deny that they have a problem as a way of rationalizing their use and to avoid change. Denial is actually an inability to look at what’s really going on…seeing yourself as a “failure” is a difficult step to take.
So, how can you help a loved one break through denial?
First, understand a little bit more about where denial comes from. It’s common for people facing addiction to feel a deep shame of themselves. Both young people and adults don’t like to admit they’ve failed at self-control. Furthermore, many of us who deal with a drug problem want a good life…and have a difficult time when we don’t achieve it. This is why humans often use denial as a means of justifying behaviors.
When you’re in the early steps of helping anyone addicted to Spice, the first thing you’ll want to do is show support. Though it may not break through denial, it’ll lay the foundation of you showing care and acceptance for the person you care about. Here is a list of tips when it comes to helping someone look at denial:
Attempt not to approach when they’re high on Spice.
Be specific about what you talk about – bring up specific incidents which they’re aware of as a means of triggering memory.
Discuss areas in which their drug use is having negative effects on other loved ones and, more specifically, their aspirations (careers, commitments, etc.)
Keep in touch regular on the issues and any new issues to arise.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise if your loved one continues to deny their addiction. This is common when it comes to compulsive drug use. It’s important to have a level of patience when dealing with these matters. And sometimes, in order to really break denial, you must go to further lengths.
Intervention Basics
Addicts generally don’t reach out until they’ve hit a point of despair through an incident or accident related to their addiction. As a family member, you want to do all you can as a means of avoiding this. The most efficient way to do so is through an intervention.
An intervention is considered to be one of the following:
1. A clinical or professionally arranged sit down discussion.
2. A close friend opening up for the first time about previously undiscussed behavior.
3. Work colleagues sitting together to talk for the first time about their concerns.
There is a risk involved in confronting an addict through such means. If you poorly plan or manage the intervention, it can result in:
1. Carefully Choose Who Will Attend. Spice has many psychological and emotional side effects. Therefore, you’ll want to be keen on who is present during the intervention period. You want to create the right dynamic. Not everyone is capable of this.
2. Get Some Advice Before You Begin. Go to an addiction counselor or professional who has experience in conducting interventions before you attempt to talk about the problem with your loved one. These professionals can inform you of the important points to cover and how to go about conversation throughout the intervention.
3. Plan Communication in Advance. Accusations don’t work. Rather, you want to help a loved one understand their problem and give them aid in recovery. Therefore, the way you communicate is vital. Some people have difficulty with this as they might’ve been harmed through the individual’s addiction. It’s important to keep specific in why you’re holding the intervention, emphasize on your love and support, and don’t exaggerate your emotions.
4. Be Prepared for Anything. There’s no telling how a person will react to an intervention. Some individuals will understand while others will retaliate. Consider the mindset of the person struggling with addiction and the time in which you choose to conduct the intervention. You should prepare yourself as much as possible for any reaction they may give and develop a comprehension of how to handle it properly.
5. Follow Through. The intervention is only the first step towards recovery. Make you follow through, go through intake with a rehab clinic, and become a part of the recovery process. Family counseling can be incredible helpful and can change your family dynamic for the better!
Help During Detox
Luckily, when it comes to Spice, detoxing generally isn’t as painful as it is when it comes to other drugs, such as opioids or alcohol. This is because there’s less of a physical dependence in comparison to a psychological one.
Still, Spice withdrawal can present a similar pattern. Common physical symptoms brought upon by Spice detox include:
Although withdrawal from Spice has not been fully defined, some symptom relief has been reported with benzodiazepines and the atypical antipsychotic, quetiapin. Further, when looking to help someone who’s going through the detox process, you’ll want to be keen on the danger of dehydration. Make sure the person recovering gets plenty of water taken in small amounts. This will ensure the body to stabilize back to its normal chemical functioning.
However, a bigger concern loved ones will have when handling Spice withdrawals is that of mental health. Since Spice is primarily a psychological substance, the biggest issues with it pertain to that of the mind. Though these are apparent throughout detox, they truly peak during treatment.
Help During Treatment
Addiction treatment is most effective when it’s a combination of medications and talk therapy. In fact, a variety of psychotherapy options are available. The purpose of talk therapy is to help former drug users to adjust back to day-to-day functions without the need for their drug-of-choice. This is done through teaching people how to handle emotions and behaviors while attempting to reduce cravings. On top of this, medications help people stable mood. This is why antidepressants may be prescribed in the first 3-6 months of treatment.
Psychotherapies generally last anywhere from three to six months and sometimes upwards to a year, depending on the level of addiction. There are a variety of things you can do in order to ensure your loved one gets the best out of treatment.
Be Present at Family Therapy Sessions. People facing addiction usually go through group therapy and individual counseling on their own in rehab. However, when it comes to the participation of loved one, family therapy is the most efficient. The goal of these therapies is to figure out the underlying cause of the drug addiction while working towards rebuilding relationships. This is also a good moment to work out any personal complications that may have arose during your loved one’s addiction.
Promote General Good Healt. Besides therapies and medications, many family and friends look into healthy living as a means of helping their loved one. These can be anything from exercise and yoga to meditation and creating art. By influencing these hobbies, you’re showing your support through a new means.
Always Be There. Treatment is difficult and, more often than not, people going through it will feel guilt, shame, and remorse. Not only must they push through all sorts of therapies but they must also keep down the itch of cravings and focus on a new life ahead. As a person of support, it’s vital you’re always there for them. Showing this can make a huge difference and motivate your loved one.
In 2010, 11,406 people were rushed to the ER due to associations with Spice. 77.5% of them were male and 22.5% were female. 75% were between the ages of 12 and 29.
From these statistics, NIDA found that Spice is the #2 most used drug after marijuana on the illicit market for young people. And of those using it, most are young males.
Where to Find Help
You have a variety of options at your disposal when looking for help for a loved one. These include:
If you’re a friend of someone who’s addicted to Spice, you might want to read through the information about for families. Know that it’s important you help them separate from the crowd of people who are using. And you can list facts to present to your friend about your concerns. Other than that, there’s really not too much that you can do.
Once out of treatment, relapse will remain a possibility. A high percentage of people relapse due to being in the wrong environment. In this way, the most important thing for you to do is offer any motivation towards a sober lifestyle. Support good habits and you’ll be super helpful to your friend!
Your Questions
We hope to have answered your main questions about helping someone seek help. But we know that you may still have something to ask.
If you have any further questions about how to help a Spice addict, we invite you to ask them in the comments below. If you have any advice to give for people currently trying to help a Spice addict, we’d also love to hear from you. We try to provide a personal response to each comment and get back to you promptly.
ARTICLE OVERVIEW:The actual effects can be unpredictable and, in some cases, severe or cause death. We review more about Spice and how to detox from synthetic cannibinoids, including medical protocols and where to find help.
Spice is just one name of the many trade names or brands for synthetic designer drugs that are intended to mimic THC, the main active ingredient of marijuana. It’s typically a mix of herbs (shredded plant material) and manmade chemicals with mind-altering effects. These chemicals are called cannabinoids because they are similar to chemicals found in the marijuana plant. Because of this similarity, synthetic cannabinoids are sometimes misleadingly called “synthetic marijuana” or “fake weed”.
Synthetic cannibinoids found in Spice are illegal. These substances have no accepted medical use in the United States and have been reported to produce adverse health effects. Currently, 26 substances are specifically listed as Schedule I substances under the Controlled Substances Act either through legislation or regulatory action.
In fact, Spice is not safe and may affect the brain much more powerfully than marijuana; the actual effects can be unpredictable and, in some cases, more dangerous or even life-threatening. Still, Spice is most often labeled “Not for Human Consumption” and disguised as incense. Sellers of the drug try to lead people to believe they are “natural” and therefore harmless, but they are neither.
How Spice is Made
Synthetic cannabinoids are part of a group of drugs called “new psychoactive substances”. They are unregulated mind-altering substances that have become newly available on the market and are intended to produce the same effects as illegal drugs. Some of these substances may have been around for years but have reentered the market in altered chemical forms, or due to renewed popularity.
Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made mind-altering chemicals that are either sprayed on dried, shredded plant material so they can be smoked. They are made in labs all over the world, and are constantly evolving. Synthetic cannabinoids were initially developed for research purposes. As such, the methods for synthesizing the compounds are published in scientific literature. Today, these formulas are used by clandestine chemists to produce compounds for commercial synthetic cannabinoids products.
Once synthesized, synthetic cannabinoids are dissolved in ethanol or acetone and sprayed on plant material, which is then sold in packets as incense, herbal blends, or potpourri, and usually labeled with a disclaimer indicating that the contents are not for human consumption.
Additionally, there are many chemicals that remain unidentified in products sold as Spice and it is therefore not clear how they may affect the user. Moreover, these chemicals are often being changed as the makers of Spice alter them to avoid the products being illegal.
What Happens To Your Brain?
Spice has only been around a few years, and research is only just beginning to measure how it affects the brain. So far, there have been few scientific studies of the effects of synthetic cannabinoids on the human brain, but researchers do know that some of them bind more strongly than marijuana to the cell receptors affected by THC, and can produce much stronger effects. The resulting health effects can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Because the chemical composition of many synthetic cannabinoid products is unknown and may change from batch to batch, these products are likely to contain substances that cause dramatically different effects than the user might expect.
The mental health consequences can be even more severe. There are reports of extreme depression with suicidal thoughts that can endanger the safety of the person abusing synthetic cannabinoids. In other recent cases, some users overdoses resemble opioid overdoses, including lethargy and suppression of breathing; in other cases they have exhibited agitated and violent behavior.
What Happens To Your Body?
We still do not know all the ways Spice may affect a person’s health or how toxic it may be, but it is possible that there may be harmful heavy metal residues in Spice mixtures. If you or someone you love experience these symptoms, seek for help right away, before is too late.
As use increases in frequency and duration, there are greater risks of ill effects of synthetic marijuana abuse including:
Death.
Heart attacks.
Injuries due to erratic or violent behaviors.
Kidney damage.
Onset or exacerbation of mental health disorders.
Respiratory issues similar to those seen in tobacco smokers.
Seizures.
Dependence
Your body adjusts to Spice over time. In fact, you can become physically dependent on it. Detox is similar to symptoms experienced during cannabis withdrawal, including lack of appetite, irritability, and sleep disruptions.
People who have used synthetic cannabinoids for long periods and abruptly stop have reported withdrawal-like symptoms, suggesting that the substances are addictive. Commonly reported symptoms from some heavy users of synthetic cannabinoids include:
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Severe anxiety
Sweating
Trouble sleeping
Some people who suddenly stop using synthetic cannabinoids after frequent use have reported severe symptoms such as:
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Palpitations
Rapid heart rate
Seizures
The severity of these withdrawal-like symptoms may be related to how much and how long someone has used synthetic cannabinoids. Spice withdrawal symptoms can be quite unpleasant and for some, even dangerous. If you stop using Spice, you may experience following symptoms:
Still, the amount of time it takes to detox from Spice varies from person to person. In fact, the time between synthetic cannabinoid use, symptom onset, and the time to recovery depends on several factors, such as the specific synthetic cannabinoid(s) used, the route of exposure (inhalation, ingestion), and the amount consumed.
Withdrawal symptoms may not begin for 1-3 days after last use when smoking reali marijuana, while synthetic marijuana withdrawal symptoms may begin just 15 minutes after last use.
Timeline
With many types of substances available and limited research in this area, exact duration and course of synthetic marijuana detoxes are currently unknown.
Dangers
Death is a rare but serious risk associated with the use of Spice. Since the chemicals found in the synthetic cannabinoid vary from one package to another, and the potency can differ even within a package, the effects are unpredictable, turning it into a dangerous Pandora’s Box.
Can You Do It Yourself?
No. We don´t recommend trying to detox from Spice on your own, it´s not safe. Detox, done in a safe and controlled way, is a great way to manage withdrawal, transition into addiction treatment, and achieve long-term abstinence.
Where To Detox?
Detox clinics share the same goal of helping you end physical dependence in a safe way. However, programs will differ in their range of services, intensity of services, and treatment setting.
Broader substance abuse rehabilitation occurs in either an inpatient or outpatient care setting; your decision to begin treatment at one or the other may depend on how severe your use is.
Inpatient/residential treatment require that the person lives at the center during treatment. These are more intense services and provide 24-hour staffing and care. Some inpatient/ residential options last just a few weeks while others are a year in length.
Outpatient treatment is reserved for people with lower needs. These programs allow you to live at home, continue working, and care for other responsibilities while attending treatment during the day. Outpatient treatment varies with some programs involving 30 hours per week (partial hospitalization programs), 9 hours per week (intensive outpatient programs), and 1-2 hours per week (standard outpatient).
Medications That Can Help
The FDA still does not approve any medication to treat dependence on synthetic cannibinoids. The medications that can help are only to treat the effects and symptoms of abstinence that Spice abuse leads to. Some possible treatments follow:
Symptom management for acute intoxication is frequently treated with supportive care and intravenous fluids to treat electrolyte and fluid disturbances.
Although not always effective, antiemetics have been administered for vomiting during Spice detox.
Chest pain has been reported in adolescents abusing Spice. Treatment options have included aspirin, nitroglycerin and benzodiazepines.
Naltrexone has been prescribed to one person and appeared to reduce Spice cravings associated with detoxification.
People who present with profuse sweating, tremors, palpitations, insomnia, headache, depression, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting; associated with intoxication or withdrawal are generally administered benzodiazepines as a first-line treatment. Quetiapine was effective in treating withdrawal symptoms in persons who failed to respond to benzodiazepines
Neuroleptics are also administered for acute psychosis and agitation and mania with psychotic symptoms.
Some persons are polysubstance users and have co-occurring psychiatric disorders. As such, symptoms that appear to be related to Spice withdrawal may in fact be due to underlying issues exacerbated by synthetic cannabinoid use and not necessarily a direct reflection of Spice withdrawal.
Facts & Statistics About Spice
FACT #1: Spice is a 21st Century Drug. It became available in the US around 2004 via internet and many “head shops.” Synthetic cannabinoids are the second-most widely used illicit drug in high school seniors in the United States. [1]
FACT #2: Teens are using it. In a 2012 national survey of 8th, 10th and 12th grade students, 4.4% of the 8th graders, 8.8% of the 10th graders and 11.3% of the 12th graders admitted using synthetic marijuana. The rise in use of Spice among younger persons is particularly alarming. [1]
A nationally representative sample of nearly 12000 high school seniors revealed 10% of students reported using synthetic cannabinoids in the previous 12 months, and 3.2% reported “frequent use” (at least 6 times). Females were significantly less likely than males to use Spice in this study. [1]
The odds of using Spice was significantly increased if the teenagers endorsed a history of using alcohol, cannabis, or cigarettes and was directly related to the number of evenings per week the teenagers went out “for fun”. [1]
In a study of college students, eight to 14% of participants in the study reported the use of synthetic cannabinoids, starting at an average age of 18 years. The attractiveness of these synthetic cannabinoids for young people include the lack of readily available methods of detection, the perception that these drugs are legal or “harmless,” and availability in shops that sell paraphernalia for marijuana and tobacco users (head shops), in gas stations or convenience stores, or sometimes over the internet. Studies have demonstrated that the motivation for use of these products were not only to “get high” but also to avoid detection. [1]
FACT #3: Spice is causing extremely serious side effects. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), there were 13 calls to poison centers in 2009 regarding exposure to synthetic cannabinoids, but in 2010 there were 2,915 documented calls. As of May 31, 2011, there were already 2,476 calls to poison centers regarding synthetic cannabinoid exposure. The widespread availability of the drug is one of the most concerning aspects in this new drug of abuse. In 2011, Spice was mentioned by persons in the emergency room 28,531 times. This is a dramatic increase over the 11,406 mentions in 2010.
FACT #4: Distributors mask the dangers of Spice through lies in labeling. Spice distributors often market Spice as natural herbs or harmless incense using colorful, attractive packaging and the allure of a safe experience. Spice also attracts teens because it is not easily detectable in urine and blood samples. This encourages both traditional marijuana users as well as those with no prior experience with illegal substances.
Do You Have Questions?
Do you have questions about Spice detox? Would you like to know more? Please ask any questions you may have here in the comments section and we will get back to you personally and promptly.
