Designer Drugs

Spice

Alternative Treatment, Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Testimonials, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Designer drugs are created to circumvent legal standards and avoid prosecution, but some of these drugs are proving to be extremely harmful and overly addictive. One such synthetic drug is:

Spice AKA K2:

This synthetic chemical is designed to mimic marijuana, but goes much further. In the USA, designer drugs like K2, have already been branded Schedule 1 drugs by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency). The designers though, are determined to stay ahead of such laws by constantly changing the ingredients that go to make up Spice.

This constant tinkering is what makes the drug so potentially dangerous and provides such a large range of variation in the finished product. While this may not concern the producers, it should certainly concern those considering use.

Spice addiction symptoms:

It is important for those who use K2 to understand that what they are using may not be classified as illegal but it is certainly classified as addictive.

Harmful and frightening symptoms beset many who use this drug and include:

  • Panic attacks: These can occur at any time and often build to leave the person in a state of distress
  • Hallucinations: Unwanted thoughts, images and feelings overcome the user
  • Heart rate and blood pressure: A user’s heart rate and blood pressure increases to worrying levels
  • Anxiety: Spice users are subject to anxiety attacks that distress
  • Paranoia: Feelings that everyone and everything are plotting against them are a common reaction to this drug

Physical and psychological addiction:

The big difference between Spice and natural marijuana is that Spice saturates brain receptors that marijuana only partially stimulates. In chemical terms this makes synthetic cannabinoids “full agonists”. The chemical compound found in marijuana; THC is only a “partial agonist”.

Because of the way Spice affects the mind and body it becomes more dangerous each time it is taken. This means higher doses have a two-pronged effect. These designer drugs will create increasingly serious physical reactions that include seizures, increased blood pressure and immense feelings of nausea and back this up with stronger psychological feelings already mentioned; hallucinations and paranoia but with a nasty addition. Many users also find they are subject to increasingly aggressive or violent acts.

Spice addiction treatment:

Those who find their use of Spice increasing need to seek professional assistance far sooner than later. This is because the physical and psychological reactions they receive increase each time the drug is used.

While the withdrawal process will be intense it is usually of short duration. When a person is coming off Spice they should receive professional detoxification assistance. From last use of the drug and the beginning of withdrawal symptoms anyone coming off the drug should expect peak withdrawal symptoms between 4 and 7 days from last use and gradually lessening effects over the following week.

Designer Drugs – Two forms of treatment:

It is possible for those addicted to Spice to opt for either outpatient treatment or the more focussed inpatient treatment option. The latter is seen as being far more effective due to the attention received. Although it must be stated that both forms of treatment can be successful, but what must be accepted is that addiction to Spice cannot be ignored.

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Magpie’s Story

Articles, Education, International, Testimonials, Treatment

(Dealing with Addiction on Golden Pond)

#6: The Heartfelt Reality of Being Functional

I’m still 28 days out from checking into DARA. I’m struggling to stay afloat. I would
love to take off for Thailand tomorrow. I pray I can make it another 28 days. The
reasons for the delay are complicated, focusing primarily on financial issues.

Another reason might possibly be my cursed blessing of being functionality. I am
100% Irish and have addiction on both sides of my family. There is no doubt that I am
genetically predisposed. And, may I dare say, that as a culture we Irish have, over
time, developed an amazing tolerance for alcohol. Personally, my climb to the top of
the addiction pyramid happened very gradually….over 40 years. I have no trouble
admitting publicly that I have reached the top that pyramid and that there is no place
for me to go at this point but down.

The problem with my being functional is that everyone expects that of me. And, I
don’t want to ever let myself or anyone else down. I will do as much as others ask of
me or I ask of myself within the limits of my current state of health.

Today, I was asked to run an errand by a contractor I’m employing. I ran the errand
successfully, but with two very close calls driving on the highway. If it weren’t for
those two other drivers’ quick reactions, we’d all be dead.

Another essential aspect of functionality is that, even when I gently tell loved ones
how poorly I’m feeling, either they don’t believe me or they don’t know what to do
about it or they don’t care.

In journal/diary fashion, let me just conclude by saying that I have a 9:00 a.m.
appointment with an Addiction Psychiatrist tomorrow. The part of my brain that can
still think, tells me to call a cab. That will be costly, very costly. The other part of my
brain tells me that I can make it to 9:00 a.m. without a drink. And, I probably can.

But, I also have severe chronic sinusitis which also wreaks havoc on my frontal cortex
and my inner ear throwing off my balance, judgement and even my eyesight (dry eye).
I wish I had a support system that could really hear, empathize and help out.

I hope that in writing this I did not offend anybody, but those are my heartfelt
thoughts in this moment in time.

As always, look foreword to your thoughts.

With compassionate understanding,

Magpie

Nicole ex drug user

Mother reveals her story when she realized her addiction

Articles, Australia, Testimonials, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

Below is the story of Nicole, 36, who started using drugs from the age of 19. After spending time rehabilitaing at the Dara Rehab Clinic in Thailand, Nicole has now beaten her addiction.

  • Today she has been sober for one year and two months
  • By sharing her story she hopes to show others you can control addiction

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3425658/Mother-two-reveals-moment-realised-drug-use-control-claimed-life-back.html#ixzz3zXiXGPt3
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Damian's Testimonial

Testimonials

DARA provided me with an opportunity to pause and reflect on my life, which was invaluable in enabling personal improvement and self development. Set in a luxurious setting, DARA also focuses on stress management, physical well-being and spiritual growth. Complimented by excellent staff, 5-star accommodation and great food, DARA accomplished its goal by providing me with a platform for self improvement, awareness and understanding. I would not hesitate to recommend DARA to people considering some time-out to deal with negative elements in their lives.

— Damian