What Is Synthetic Drug Detox Like?

For a person living with addiction, the thought of sobriety can feel overwhelming. Healing is a brave choice, though it involves continued commitment. With synthetic drugs, the detox and treatment process is more complex.

Recovery does not have to be scary. In the right program, individuals can safely cease the use of substances and start their new life with confidence.

Treating designer drug addiction starts with synthetic drug detox.

What Are Synthetic Drugs?

Synthetic drugs, also called designer drugs and club drugs, are created to mimic the effects of natural drugs. Many synthetic drug producers attempt to avoid legal regulations by starting with a controlled substance and altering the chemical structure. People attempt to recreate the effect of the original drug while ensuring the new one is not similar enough to be controlled. The uncertainty of illegality appeals to vulnerable communities. There are currently more than 200 synthetic drugs identified by the United States government.

The most common synthetic drugs include: 

• Ecstasy
• Synthetic weed, such as K2 or Spice
• Methamphetamine
• Bath Salts
• Fentanyl
• Smiles
• LSD
• Rohypnol
• N-Bombs

The Dangers of Synthetic Drugs

Due to the nature of synthetic drugs, they are difficult to regulate. Every time a substance becomes controlled by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration, producers start altering it again. 

A consumer never really knows which substance they are getting with synthetic drug dealers. The number of unique chemical compositions means problems understanding the long-term health impacts. There is little consistency in the mental impacts, and the potency changes from batch to batch. Side effects depend on the specific variant of the synthetic drug. That information is not always available to the purchaser. Often, synthetic drugs cause more problems than the natural drugs they are trying to imitate.

Additionally, many drug tests do not detect new synthetic drugs. We cannot effectively combat a drug overdose if we do not know which ones were taken. There is also the issue of some synthetic drugs being laced with others. Such interactions can be fatal.

Symptoms of Synthetic Drug Withdrawal

For people pursuing recovery from synthetic drug addiction, the drug detox experience is not easy. Frequently experienced symptoms of withdrawal are primarily psychological in nature. The mind will be extremely uncomfortable and distressed. These withdrawal symptoms can prove dangerous if not monitored closely. They include problems like:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Nightmares
• Vivid hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headaches
• Psychosis
• Loss of appetite
• Tremors
• Severe cravings for the substance

In addition to the general synthetic drug experience, synthetic cannabinoids possess their own dangers that cannot be combined with the others. With over 100 different forms of synthetic cannabinoids, users will never know what to expect in detox. Most strains include the following symptoms: 

• Heart palpitations
• Chest pain
• Seizures
• Difficult breathing
• Rapid pulse

With the variations in chemical composition, there is no way to know exactly how long acute withdrawal will last. For this reason, individualized plans are a crucial element of synthetic drug detox plans. People with addictions to these substances should also prepare themselves to enter another treatment program after detox. 

Treatments for Synthetic Drug Addiction

For anyone seeking recovery from synthetic drug addiction, there is hope. Many treatment elements exist that can help. Medications like antipsychotics and antidepressants can lessen psychiatric withdrawal symptoms. This eases the synthetic drug detox process.

Nutritional planning can help the body heal from long-term synthetic drug use. It can also supplement a person's immune system, previously weakened by drugs.

Individual and group therapy offer recovery support. They can help a client dissect the underlying reasons they use substances. For those that self-medicate with drugs, therapists can offer insight into possible comorbid mental disorders. Clients can treat these comorbidities. Additionally, a trained counselor can support social changes necessary to minimize relapse triggers. 

Motivational interviewing, performed by a psychologist or case manager, can help clients find the "why" for their sobriety journey. The "why" will keep a person focused. It will show them the power of their own mind. With their motivation in mind, clients will find it easier to push through the severe cravings that can happen early in recovery. 

In addition to intrinsic motivation, peer-support communities like SMART Recovery can serve as a form of self-help. SMART Recovery can empower clients, their families, and their friends. It will offer tangible changes. Plus, people in these spaces can offer compassion. They will understand what it is like to live with addiction.

These benefits can be obtained through inpatient/residential treatment, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and regular outpatient programs. The type of treatment necessary will depend on many factors. It is important that anyone seeking recovery do whatever is necessary to prioritize their health.

Their Variety Means Synthetic Drugs Pose A Higher Risk

With over 200 different known variations, synthetic drugs often pose a higher danger than their natural counterparts. If you or someone you love is struggling with synthetic drug addiction, you might hear this and feel scared. It is important to remember though that everyone has the potential to change their life.

Synthetic drug abuse is treatable. The first step is finding an effective, reputable detox center to provide synthetic drug detox. If this sounds like an overwhelming challenge, relax – with DetoxNearMe.com, it couldn’t be easier.

With thousands of listings of detox centers at your fingertips, finding a detox specialist near you, for your needs and within your budget is as easy as logging in and searching.

Start recovery from synthetic drug addiction today with DetoxNearMe.com!