What is Spice?
Spice is a newer synthetic drug that has completely changed the shape of the black market and drug industry in recent years. Unfortunately, a vast amount of people are developing dependencies on this kind of drug despite the harmful effects associated with abuse. Spice addiction is sold under different names, such as K2, fake weed, moon rocks and Yucatan Fire. Although most Spice packaging is labeled “not for human consumption,” it can still be easily found on shelves of convenience stores and head shops. The most common way to consume spice is via smoking.
What are the dangers associated with spice addition?
Spice is a relatively new drug. Spice manufacturers continuously produce new strains of the drug and release it to market before the FDA can stop them. Because knowledge is so limited around spice abuse and addiction, it is important to know that several of the following factors increase the possibility of addiction to the drug:
Easy availability: For people who cannot find alcohol or other similar substances due to legal and restrictive issues, it is easy to purchase spice online and in local shops to fulfill their habit.
Spice drugs are not detected: As stated earlier, spice manufacturers constantly change the chemical makeup of their drugs making it difficult to create effective urinalysis testing for the drug.
Deceiving advertisement: Spice products are often advertised as herbal or natural products to give a false impression that they are healthy for the human body.
What are the signs, symptoms & effects?
Spice is often thought of as comparable to marijuana, however, it should be known that spice is much more potent and severe than marijuana. In its worst form, an individual can lose their sense of reality, become violent, and attack other people. The death count associated with Spice is not correctly identified due to recent increased use of the drug. Other common but dangerous signs and effects are as follows:
- Personality changes and lying about drug use
- Vomiting and tremors
- Tingling, numbness and seizures
- Headaches and inability to stand or speak
- Restlessness, anxiety and aggression
- Shockingly high blood pressure, panic attacks and unconsciousness
- Coma or death in rare cases
What are the withdrawal symptoms?
Spice is very habit forming and can pose several risks to the individual when he/she attempts to undergo the withdrawal process, some of the risks associated with spice withdrawal are as follows:
- Severe sweating
- Diarrhea or nausea
- Sleeplessness and suicidal tendencies
- Malicious behavior
- Psychotic episodes
- Loss of hunger
Treatment
Spice addiction should be taken very seriously. Once a decision has been made to combat the disease, the person in recovery should contact a local treatment provider and seek detox as well as a residential or outpatient treatment center.
