California Drug Addiction in the Era of Synthetics
It is probably safe to say that human beings have been abusing drugs from our earliest days on this planet. There are plenty of records throughout history demonstrating that people have used mind-altering substances as a means of treating illness, preparing for war, or simply relaxing. But never before has drug abuse been as serious a problem as it is today. Never before have there been so many dangerous substances on the market. Thanks to synthetics, drug addiction is a whole new ballgame in the 21st century.
In its history of synthetic drugs, Narconon defines synthetics as any “drugs of abuse that do not come from plant products or diverted pharmaceuticals.” They are essentially man-made drugs that are designed and created in labs using a laundry list of different chemicals. The nature of how synthetics are designed and made is what makes them so dangerous.
The History of Synthetics
The cannabis substitute known as 'Spice' is believed to be one of the first synthetics ever manufactured. According to Narconon, Spice was introduced in London somewhere around 2004. It didn't take long for the drug to reach North America, where it spurred multiple competing drugs that eventually flooded the American market by 2008.
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What happened next explains why synthetics have exploded over the last eight years. Technically speaking, most synthetics are marketed as plant food or bath salts which, according to federal and most state laws, are entirely legal to sell for those purposes. Designers and manufacturers discovered that as long as they label their packaging accordingly, their drugs can be sold openly without fear of legal retribution.
Federal, state and local officials are now looking for ways to close the legal loopholes that allow synthetics to prosper. Meanwhile, designers and manufacturers continue to introduce dozens of new products every month.
The Danger of Synthetics
Part of the appeal of synthetics drugs is the common misconception that they do not lead to drug addiction. Unfortunately, consumers have been convinced that even though synthetics mimic the effects of illicit drugs such as heroin and marijuana, they do not contain the same properties and, therefore, are not addictive. But this is simply not true.
Any substance that alters brain function and delivers a certain amount of pleasure in the brain's reward center has the potential to be addictive. Like illicit drugs, some synthetics are more addictive than others. But all of them carry the risk of drug addiction.
The danger of synthetics comes from the chemicals used to create them. Unfortunately, it is only the designers and manufacturers who know what those chemicals are. They keep their recipes secret for two reasons: to stay a step ahead of the competition and to prevent government entities from being able to test and classify them as controlled substances. While this may be good for the drug trade, it is extremely dangerous for those who use synthetics.
Hospital emergency departments across the country warn of the dangers of synthetics as they continue to treat an ongoing stream of users who have been harmed by the drugs. Doctors are particularly frustrated because they have no way of knowing what drug a person has used or what chemicals that drug contained. An overdosed user can lie dying on the emergency room table while doctors and nurses are helpless to do anything about it.
If that's not bad enough, there is one additional problem that makes synthetics so dangerous. That problem is the unknown effects many of these drugs have on their users. Because the chemical composition of synthetics is altered just enough to make them distinct from their illicit counterparts, how they affect the brain remains unknown.
Synthetics have been known to cause people to do irrational and extremely dangerous things. They cause hallucinations, violent reactions, and all sorts of anti-social behaviors that would otherwise not be engaged in.
Synthetic drugs are dangerous substances despite the best attempts of manufacturers to market them as safe alternatives. They can lead to drug addiction just like the illicit drugs they are designed to replace, and they can certainly kill just as easily. Fooling yourself into believing synthetics are harmless is no different than convincing yourself you can be addicted to crack and not suffer any harm from it. Do not be a fool.
Sources:
1.Narconon – http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/synthetic-drugs-history.html
In its history of synthetic drugs, Narconon defines synthetics as any “drugs of abuse that do not come from plant products or diverted pharmaceuticals.” They are essentially man-made drugs that are designed and created in labs using a laundry list of different chemicals. The nature of how synthetics are designed and made is what makes them so dangerous.
The History of Synthetics
The cannabis substitute known as 'Spice' is believed to be one of the first synthetics ever manufactured. According to Narconon, Spice was introduced in London somewhere around 2004. It didn't take long for the drug to reach North America, where it spurred multiple competing drugs that eventually flooded the American market by 2008.
California Rehab
Treatment Center in California
Addiction Recovery in California
San Diego
San Fransisco
Los Angeles
Sacramento
San Jose
What happened next explains why synthetics have exploded over the last eight years. Technically speaking, most synthetics are marketed as plant food or bath salts which, according to federal and most state laws, are entirely legal to sell for those purposes. Designers and manufacturers discovered that as long as they label their packaging accordingly, their drugs can be sold openly without fear of legal retribution.
Federal, state and local officials are now looking for ways to close the legal loopholes that allow synthetics to prosper. Meanwhile, designers and manufacturers continue to introduce dozens of new products every month.
The Danger of Synthetics
Part of the appeal of synthetics drugs is the common misconception that they do not lead to drug addiction. Unfortunately, consumers have been convinced that even though synthetics mimic the effects of illicit drugs such as heroin and marijuana, they do not contain the same properties and, therefore, are not addictive. But this is simply not true.
Any substance that alters brain function and delivers a certain amount of pleasure in the brain's reward center has the potential to be addictive. Like illicit drugs, some synthetics are more addictive than others. But all of them carry the risk of drug addiction.
The danger of synthetics comes from the chemicals used to create them. Unfortunately, it is only the designers and manufacturers who know what those chemicals are. They keep their recipes secret for two reasons: to stay a step ahead of the competition and to prevent government entities from being able to test and classify them as controlled substances. While this may be good for the drug trade, it is extremely dangerous for those who use synthetics.
Hospital emergency departments across the country warn of the dangers of synthetics as they continue to treat an ongoing stream of users who have been harmed by the drugs. Doctors are particularly frustrated because they have no way of knowing what drug a person has used or what chemicals that drug contained. An overdosed user can lie dying on the emergency room table while doctors and nurses are helpless to do anything about it.
If that's not bad enough, there is one additional problem that makes synthetics so dangerous. That problem is the unknown effects many of these drugs have on their users. Because the chemical composition of synthetics is altered just enough to make them distinct from their illicit counterparts, how they affect the brain remains unknown.
Synthetics have been known to cause people to do irrational and extremely dangerous things. They cause hallucinations, violent reactions, and all sorts of anti-social behaviors that would otherwise not be engaged in.
Synthetic drugs are dangerous substances despite the best attempts of manufacturers to market them as safe alternatives. They can lead to drug addiction just like the illicit drugs they are designed to replace, and they can certainly kill just as easily. Fooling yourself into believing synthetics are harmless is no different than convincing yourself you can be addicted to crack and not suffer any harm from it. Do not be a fool.
Sources:
1.Narconon – http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/synthetic-drugs-history.html