The use, abuse and addiction to synthetic marijuana and synthetic cannabinoid products has been a problem not only in Florida, but many other parts of the country, as well. For instance, in Hillsborough County, Florida, there have been reports of people being hospitalized for consuming synthetic marijuana containing a chemical found in rat poison!
Also, there have been multiple reports of individuals that have been hospitalized for symptoms of psychosis, as well as heart attack, stroke and, most frightening – brain hemorrhage.
The use and abuse of synthetic marijuana and other synthetic cannabinoids is extremely hazardous not only to an individual’s physical health, but can be damaging to their mental health, as well.
Hillsborough Health Officials Issue Warnings
Officials in Hillsborough County, Florida, as well as the Centers For Disease Control and The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have issued multiple warnings with regard to synthetic marijuana use and abuse.
Synthetic marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids are a group of chemical substances that are manufactured in a laboratory, and are made of mostly unregulated chemical substances.
The Florida Department of Health has declared that use of synthetic marijuana can come with serious side effects and risk to an individual’s physical and mental health.
Emergency Medical Services
The Florida Health Department is working with hospitals, emergency medical services and other health care providers to identify and investigate cases of illness and injury from use of synthetic marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids.
Some of the less life threatening side effects, can include such undesirable emotional states as severe agitation brought on by extreme anxiety. And the physical hazards can include seizures, stroke, and coma, or death by heart attack or organ failure. There have also been reports of acute kidney injury requiring hospitalization and dialysis in several patients reportedly having smoked synthetic cannabinoids.
Abuse of Synthetic Marijuana
There are many reasons why people use and abuse synthetic marijuana and synthetic cannabinoid products. Some people are curious, some don’t believe the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) when they are warning people, and some want to find out for themselves how it will effect them.
However, there is one common denominator, that long term synthetic marijuana use or synthetic cannabinoid use can cause problems and many times addiction.
Synthetic Marijuana Use
Due to the availability of legal weed, the use of synthetic marijuana has declined in recent years. However, there are still some people are just trying to get temporary relief from the pain that life can bring, and synthetic cannabinoids are cheap and available.
At some point, we all face financial worries, problems at work or in relationships, or situations that are difficult or painful, and everyone deals with them differently. However, the consequences of using synthetic marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids to avoid dealing with these issues can cause even more problems, some of which can be catastrophic.
Synthetic Drugs
The people that produce products such as K2, Spice and others (Scooby Snacks, Fake Weed, Mind Trip, Black Giant, to name a few) are not obligated to state what is in their synthetic marijuana.
Synthetic marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids are packaged and marketed under brand names that hide what they actually are. Herbal incense or potpourri are common ways these products are marketed. Some other names these synthetic cannabinoids are sold as are “Blaze”, “RedX Dawn”, “Paradise”, “Demon”, “Black Magic” and “Spike”.
Availability of Synthetic Drugs at Smoke Shops and Gas Stations
Frequently, these products are sold in smoke shops and gas stations under names like: “Mr. Nice Guy”, which is anything but; “Ninja”, “Dream”, “Genie”, Smoke”, “Skunk”, “Crazy Clown” and “Serenity”.
Synthetic Cannabinoid and Synthetic Marijuana Addiction
No matter what name it is sold under, both synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic marijuana have potential for addiction. Even though most of the products listed above are labelled as, “Not For Human Consumption”, and the active ingredients can actually be poison, there are many individuals who are either curious, or may believe the hype that these products are “legal and safe”.
Laboratory Confirmation
The National Library of Medicine website published an article about addiction to synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic marijuana products stating that addiction can be an “expected consequence” of substance abuse. The reason for this is that when any substance which produces euphoric effects is used, there is a “reinforcing effect” in the brain. In some cases, even after one use, the “memory of the euphoric experience” can be strong enough that it results in compulsive cravings. And these become more severe with continued use.
Additionally, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, depression or other severe mental and physical symptoms can make it that much harder to quit. The people that study this have repeatedly found that there are a wide variety of adverse health effects which manifest both mentally and physically when use is stopped.
Health Care providers
Health care providers, doctors and nurses that staff emergency rooms in hospitals see admissions from individuals that use fake weed, and many of these individuals they see are experiencing serious side effects or withdrawal symptoms.
Hillsborough health officials have warned the public that many synthetic cannabinoids contain harmful chemicals and compounds. These products are not regulated by any government agency and therefore the manufacturers can use whatever ingredients they choose.
The Blood’s Ability to Clot
As previously stated, some of these synthetic cannabinoids contain an ingredient found in rat poison, which limits the bloods ability to clot. Individuals that have ingested synthetic cannabinoids occasionally show up at the ER with bleeding gums, or more severely, internal bleeding, which can, of course, be life threatening.
The reason for this is that makers of synthetic marijuana products have found that the anticoagulant ingredient found in rodenticides may increase the potential of the psychoactive effects of these drugs in users.
Florida Poison Information Center
The goal of the Florida Poison Control Center is to prevent illness and death from poisoning.
People use synthetic cannabis and some of these other synthetic cannabinoids for a variety of different reasons. Either they are easily accessible, or they are cheaper. The individual may be curious and also a “risk taker”; or they may not believe that they will be adversely affected by the use of synthetic cannabinoids.
Friends or family members will be able to assist an individual that is experiencing a life threatening side effect from using a synthetic cannabinoid much more quickly than the individual that is acutely suffering from the side effects. If you or someone you now is having a serious reaction to one of these drugs, do not hesitate to call Poison Control for help, and seek medical attention, immediately.
Warning People about Synthetic Marijuana
Warning people about some of the hazardous side effects of synthetic marijuana is important. health care providers suggest use of synthetic marijuana or synthetic cannabis is dangerous. Causing severe illness such as kidney damage from hypertension or elevated blood pressure, bleeding gums, nose bleeds, or psychosis.
There have been multiple reports from Hillsborough Health Officials, The Florida Department of Health, as well as the health department of most major cities that have experienced these types of admissions.
Also, please call local law enforcement to report a business selling synthetic marijuana. These products are usually sold in gas stations, convenience stores or so called smoke shops. Synthetic marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids are illegal in Florida, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find some unscrupulous individuals still trying to sell them.
The Recovery Process
There are a variety of treatment options available to individuals that find themselves suffering from the effects of synthetic marijuana, or any other addiction. Treatment that can heal relationship problems, or reclaim desire to engage in social activities or recreational activities that you once enjoyed. Don’t allow drug use and specifically, spice addiction to limit your life.
Individuals can often find themselves in unfamiliar territory after years of addiction, with regard to close relationships, jobs and physical health. Unfortunately there are no easy answers to this dilemma.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The good news in all this is that there is hope; there is a solution to addiction and hopelessness. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective way to begin identifying the underlying issues that can lead to an individual to seek relief through addiction. CBT enables the individual to discover underlying emotional issues, such as trauma, grief or guilt that may be the root cause of depression, anxiety and other maladaptive behaviors and thinking patterns.
Simply put, CBT is 1:1 talk therapy with a mental health professional that preferably has knowledge about the addictive process and it’s possible causes. It should also be someone who is familiar with controlled substance use issues and is able to identify beliefs or thought patterns that may be problematic for the individual. The rewards of such work are worth it.
Health Care Providers
If you or someone you know is using synthetic marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid products, one of the first stops along the road to recovery a visit to a physician. Drug use of any kind takes a toll on the body, and many individuals who use drugs, even recreationally, have not been assessed by a physician in some time.
If you are honest with your doctor about you mental and physical condition, he or she can be a great help in determining your next steps. It can be especially important to take this step if you have been using any of the so-called designer drug products. It can be even more important to take this step if you have a family history of addiction or self harm of any kind.
Addiction Treatment in Hillsborough County
There are a variety of treatment options in Hillsborough County, Florida. One of the best options, is Turning Point of Tampa. The people in the admissions department there can do an assessment free of charge, with no obligation. Even if you choose not to go to Turning Point, they can also assist you in finding help.
How to Know When It’s Time for Treatment
If you find that the problems and issues that you are trying to avoid seem to be piling up in an alarming way; if it seems that your life is becoming more and more unmanageable, it may be time to look for treatment options. Multiple court dates and visits to the ER, losing a job or relationship problems can be signs or signals that it’s time to consider possibly altering the direction your life is taking.
Assessing your relationships – with co-workers, close friends and family members – is another way to determine if it is time to make a change. Remember, it is never too late. When those around you are expressing frustration with your lifestyle, it may be time to listen.
Treatment Options
If, after reading this article, your thinking has shifted and find that you may actually consider seeking some form of therapy or addiction treatment, take heart. There are many options out there for those who seek to improve themselves and their lives.
As previously mentioned, talk therapy with a mental health professional that has no other agenda, other than helping you get perspective on your situation can be a very good place to begin. The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates once said, “the unexamined life is not worth living”. This statement is generally understood to mean that we can learn a great deal about ourselves and the world we inhabit by thinking and questioning. A good therapist can greatly enhance this process.
Support Groups
Most likely, there are a multitude of support type groups in your community. These groups welcome newcomers and can be a great source of information and a way to overcome and deal with the issues that may have contributed to he need to resort to using or abusing substances in the first place. Because that’s really at the heart of any addiction. Most individuals with an addiction, whether it is to food, sex, shopping or substances, have at first tried to numb the pain, or fill the hole with a compulsive behavior or have developed a dependence on a mood altering chemical.
12 Step Groups
Unfortunately, the only way out of that dilemma is to uncover and deal with whatever emotional trauma or painful past may have contributed. Most people that have found recovery from a seemingly hopeless condition will readily admit they could not have done it alone. As has been said before, connection is the opposite of addiction.
Fortunately there are a multitude of options for getting information about addiction recovery and getting some help along the way. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are two of the oldest, most trusted, well known and effective support group options.
Substance Abuse Treatment
Substance abuse treatment generally consists of these four approaches, which have been demonstrated to be most effective:
Support groups – Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Al-Anon are three of the mainstay support groups. These meet in person and on Zoom, there is no obligation to join and they can be a good source of information, as well as support.
Psycho educational groups – These groups are usually found in an intensive outpatient treatment setting and tend to use lecture and video to impart information about addiction and it’s negative effects on the addict as well as those close to the addict. Additionally, there is also group processing that allows the participant to hear from others about their experiences adapting to their new way of living.
Skills development groups – Many individuals that have been living a life of addiction, which mostly centers around feeding he addiction itself, have forgotten how to handle the activities of daily living. Residential treatment at Turning Point of Tampa teaches clients to work with others to keep their apartment clean, shop for and cook meals, as well as developing other social skills.
Family Support Group – These groups are intended for the families of clients that are currently involved in some form of addiction treatment, and are intended to impart information and guidance. These groups are generally moderated by a mental health professional.
Each of these methods offers something different and can also provide a therapeutic experience to anyone willing to give it a try.
Al-Anon
Founded in 1951 by Lois Wilson, the main mission of Al-Anon has been to help those impacted by a loved one’s alcoholism. Al-Anon can help most anyone who is in a relationship with an addict. Addiction is considered to be a family disease; this means that most everyone that is close to the addict has most likely been affected, either emotionally, physically or financially by the addict’s actions.
Al-Anon was founded as a support group for spouses, brothers, sisters, children, and anyone else who has been affected by a loved one’s addictions. Both Al-Anon and AlaTeen are wonderful places to get support, understanding, as well as a source of valuable information on how to protect yourself from the addict.
How To Choose a Treatment Facility
There are several options for substance use, dual diagnosis and eating disorders treatment in Hillsborough County Florida. The first thing to consider when you are choosing a facility for yourself or a loved one, is to make sure the facility has been accredited by Joint Commision, and is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
The next step is to call the facility to find out if they are in-network with your insurance plan. Also, be aware that the term “In network” with insurance carriers differs from a facility that only “works with” the insurance. The latter means there may be higher co-pays and deductibles. Ask if the facility provides the specific treatment services and level of care that you a seeking
As you can see, it is important to ask a lot of questions. Also, you may wish to schedule a site visit of the facility. This would include seeing the living quarters, group rooms and recreational options. Longevity of the facility and credentials of the staff are also important factors in making a final decision.
Additionally, the facility should also be secure, which means that it is monitored and staffed 24 hours a day. Medical personnel, therapists and behavioral health techs should also be available. The location of the facility is also important; it should be located away from undesirable areas of town.
Turning Point of Tampa Understands Treating Spice Addictions
Our staff has treated patients for Spice addictions and we are very familiar with the dangers, however, the threat of rat poisoning adds an even more dangerous element.
Turning Point of Tampa’s own Jon Jasper, LMHC, is featured in this news story from NewsChannel 8 WFLA about the warning in Hillsborough County.
Turning Point of Tampa also offers a full continuum of care with Medical Detox, Residential Treatment, Day Treatment with housing (PHP), and Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP) for alcohol and drug addiction. We also offer treatment for eating disorders and dual diagnosis.
Also, Turning Point of Tampa welcomes Veterans to the program and has dedicated some specific support groups and therapy styles for their related needs. Additionally, Turning Point of Tampa is In-Network with most major medical insurance companies.
Every admission at Turning Point of Tampa goes through a nursing assessment which is reviewed by the medical director. In order to establish an appropriate level of treatment services, it is important that we know as much as possible about our clients’ substance abuse history, as well as any medical needs they may have. We believe this knowledge will also enablethe client to be successful in their recovery efforts.
Turning Point of Tampa’s goal is to always provide a safe environment and a solid foundation in 12-Step principals, in tandem with quality individual therapy and group therapy, and has been offering Licensed Residential Treatment for Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders and Dual Diagnosis in Tampa since 1987. If you need help or know someone who does, please contact our admissions department 24 hrs per day.
Sources:
https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/synthetic-cannabinoids
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5999798/
