Jim V.
In recent years, a new type of drug has entered the market: legal highs. These are new psychoactive and illicit drugs that were not originally prohibited by law – hence their reputation as “legal”. They included bath salts (cathinone), 2C-B, MCAT and synthetic stimulants, among others.
“Legal highs” are new psychoactive substances that can be easily purchased from various sources like head shops, gas stations, and online. These drugs are often called designer drugs because they are created to imitate the effects of well-known illegal substances such as cocaine, cannabis, and MDMA. The chemicals used to make these drugs are constantly changing, making them difficult to regulate and monitor.
The legal status of these substances is ambiguous because manufacturers keep modifying the chemical composition to stay ahead of the law. When one form of the drug is made illegal, they slightly alter the formula to create a technically different and “legal” substance. This constant evolution makes it challenging to understand the full range of effects and dangers associated with these drugs.
It’s important to remember that just because these drugs are sometimes called “legal,” it doesn’t mean they are safe. In fact, they can be extremely addictive and cause serious psychological and physical harm. The most popular designer drugs include MCATs (mimicking cocaine and MDMA) and Spice (a synthetic version of cannabis).
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to synthetic drugs, seeking professional help is crucial. At Cornerstone, we offer comprehensive addiction treatment plans that provide round-the-clock support from medical professionals to help you overcome substance use disorders and achieve lasting recovery.
The dangers of these new psychoactive drugs lie in the fact that their consequences are mostly unknown. Reports have been increasing about the actual effects of these substances, which can range from feelings of relaxation and detachment from reality to anxiety, paranoia, aggression, and panic attacks. However, due to insufficient testing and the unknown chemical composition of each substance, the full extent of their implications remains unclear. This lack of knowledge makes it extremely difficult for medical professionals to regulate and combat these drugs effectively.
If left untreated, addiction to psychoactive drugs can rapidly escalate and lead to severe consequences. As users become more dependent on these substances, their social life, work-life, and personal life will all deteriorate. Moreover, there are serious negative effects on the individual’s physical and mental health. These consequences may even trigger secondary addictions to other substances or harmful behaviors.
At Cornerstone, we view addictions as part of a psychological process called positive reinforcement. This means that a person is motivated to repeat a behavior when the outcome is rewarding. In the case of legal highs, the desired outcome is a state of relaxation, euphoria, confidence, and focus. If someone is unable to achieve these feelings naturally, they may continue to use these substances to experience them. The difference between occasional use and addiction often depends on how a person responds to and manages this pattern of behavior.
Research studies have identified several factors that can make a person more susceptible to this kind of addiction:
The signs and symptoms of these new psychoactive drugs are wide-ranging, and each effect will vary with every drug. To combat the early stages and address some uncertainty, we have put together a list of general signs and symptoms that would suggest you or a loved one may be suffering from addiction. These include:
New psychoactive and illicit drugs can be categorized under one of four classifications: Stimulant addictions, tranquilizers, synthetic hallucinogens or psychedelic addictions, and synthetic cannabinoid addictions. These all have different effects and consequences, so it is important to try and understand how they differentiate.
These ‘legal highs’ were designed to replicate the effects of amphetamines, cocaine, and MDMA. These include feelings of elation, confidence, energy, and focus, with the most well-known substance being mephedrone (MCAT). These initial positive sensations can soon become unpleasant and unbearable. They include:
More commonly known as ‘downers’, tranquilizer addictions are designed to mimic the effects of benzodiazepines, like Valium. These include feelings of relaxation, sleepiness, and joy. A common ‘legal high downer’ is gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), which can cause the following symptoms:
These are created as a cheaper alternative to drugs like 2C-B, LSD, and ketamine. They can cause intense hallucinations and distort surroundings, time and reality. The most common types are NBOMe, or ‘N-Bomb’ and Methoxetamine, and symptoms include:
The most well-known drugs in this category are ‘Spice’, ‘Clockwork Orange’, and ‘Black Mamba.’ These are all designed to replicate the effects of cannabis, with feelings ranging from relaxation to periods of intense energy. Other symptoms include:
These particular substances are difficult to monitor as they are often sold in ‘harmless’ packaging, or labeled as plant food. This is of course to avoid detection, but do not be fooled by harmless marketing – these are illegal and incredibly harmful.
The first steps of any addiction are usually the hardest. Coming to terms with your issue is challenging and sometimes it is difficult to know what to do next. Here are some useful suggestions that will help you through the early stages of addiction:
Like all of our cases of drug addiction, treatment usually lasts around 28-days. During this time, patients take part in an intensive residential program at our treatment center. We understand that every addiction is unique. Each person responds differently to their particular treatment program, and their specific substance. Therefore, every treatment and recovery procedure will vary, depending on that specific individual. Following assessments from our team of medical professionals, we are given a much clearer idea of how long your treatment will last.
Read more: Drug Rehab Center Orange County
At Cornerstone, new psychoactive drug addiction is built upon a 12-step addiction treatment model. This is modeled around the Alcoholics Anonymous organization’s (AA) abstinence program, but also takes into account the specific needs of each patients’ unique circumstances. At Cornerstone, our patients are always at the heart of all treatment programs. The 12-step program is a recovery plan, directed by a set of guiding values and beliefs. These all focus on challenging addictive and toxic behavior; underpinned by spiritual influences that teach both self-worth and humility.
We also offer high-quality day treatment or outpatient treatment programs, for those who do not wish to take part at our residential facilities. The ‘legal high’ drug treatment program can be used as a first admission point, or for someone who has gone through an intensive residential program, looking to reduce the quantity and intensity of treatment. How you use our ‘legal high’ treatment program, is dependent on the nature of your addiction and the support that you feel is best suited to your needs.
Our customer service team is available 24 hours a day, every day of the week. They are on hand to deliver professional support to those who find themselves in crisis. We offer immediate stabilization procedures and easy access to withdrawal detoxification.
