Synthetic drugs are designed to mimic the effects of legal and controlled drugs. They have been around in the UK since around 2008 and although a ban came into place in 2016, are still sold in shops and online through loopholes.
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Synthetic / Analog drugs are also known as legal highs, designer drugs, novel psychoactive substances, research chemicals and NPS. They fall into a range of categories, with the four most common being:
Synthetic Cannabinoids (Black Mamba/ Clockwork Orange/ Spice/ Exodus Damnation)
Designed to mimic cannabis but in no way are they related to cannabis at all. Instead, it is chemicals blended into a base substance in a way that is designed to replicate the effects of Cannabis.
Synthetic Stimulants
Made to mimic the effects of stimulants like amphetamines, ecstasy, mephedrone and Benzo Fury.
Synthetic Downers
Made to mimic the effects of tranquilliser drugs like Benzodiazepine (benzos) and Etizolam.
Synthetic Hallucinogens
Made to mimic hallucinogenic drugs of all kinds in their effects, including drugs like LSD.
The effects of legal highs are different depending on the type that is used, and although various different ingredients are listed on the packets, there is no real way to know what is inside any one ‘dose’ of any one synthetic drug. One packet that is bought and used one week may also be different to what is bought and used the next from the same brand, it is completely unregulated and unpredictable. Even more scarily, the substances can often be much more potent than the drugs they mimic.
With this information, it’s easy to see how these kinds of substances are more dangerous than illegal and legal drugs. Of course you cannot know what is in an illegal drug, and some of them can be made up of all kinds of chemicals. However, the very nature of legal highs is experimental and there are no guidelines or rules to how they are made and what is in them whatsoever. They are also in brightly coloured packets and are more affordable and easy to get hold of compared to illegal drugs (like cocaine) and prescribed drugs. There can be no known studies on how they impact the body short or long term because they are all different, changeable and the concoctions are different from packet to packet, brand to brand. It is the literal Wild West of drug taking, which is why it is so very dangerous compared to prescribed, over-the-counter and illegal known drugs. What we do know about legal highs is that their effects can be/ lead to any of the following:
- Quick and intense comedowns, often leading to suicidal feelings
- Overdosing and associated symptoms
- Unpredictable behaviour
- Psychotic states
- Hospital admission
- Hallucinations
- Intense vomiting/ diarrhea
- Confusion
- Aggression
- Violence
- Internal organ damage
- Heart rate drops/ speeding up
- Temperature dropping or raising
Unfortunately, we also know that there are many deaths associated with NPS, with the substance most likely to cause it being the synthetic cannabis-type products. Often, when patients are taken to hospital for adverse reactions to legal highs there is little to no information on how to treat symptoms, making it even more likely for dangerous and potentially lethal outcomes to the use of these kinds of drugs.
Consider Rehabilitation For Legal Highs
Analog drugs are incredibly dangerous and unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from rehabilitation in the same way as any other person struggling with alcohol or substance addiction. Although the rehabilitation plan needs to be individual to your needs, the general process is the same for every person struggling with addiction. You have medical support with the physical symptoms of withdrawal, and then you work on the root cause of your addiction, helping you to then process the issues and learn healthy coping mechanisms. Using legal highs is not a barrier to rehabilitation, and it’s important to know that you can regain control of your life.
Call Infinity Addiction Solutions today to discuss options like medical detoxing, one to one therapies, group therapies and more, so that you can get the help you need.
With experts in addiction recovery like Infinity Addiction Solutions helping you connect with the best possible care plan for your needs, you can leave Analog drugs behind and lead the healthy, happy life that you deserve.
