Author: Gary Jackson

UNODC launches Synthetic Drug Strategy to prevent global crisis

Behavioral therapy can improve a person’s self-esteem and feelings of self-worth while teaching healthy stress coping mechanisms and communication tools—both of which can help prevent relapse. According to the MTF Survey, it was the second most commonly used drug behind marijuana among surveyed high school seniors, with an annual prevalence of use over 11%. When the EWS detects a new drug, the substance will be reported to EMCDDA along with any analytical data such as structures, analysts or components found pertaining to that particular drug.

What makes synthetic drugs dangerous?

These substances have no legitimate industrial or medical use and the misuse and abuse of these substances represents an emerging and ongoing public health and safety threat in the United States. Law enforcement has encountered over 300 NPS, the most prevalent being synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones. The manufacture and distribution of these dangerous substances may result in a prosecutable offense. Synthetic cannabinoids are substances that have been encountered laced on plant material and in liquid form and misused and abused for their psychoactive effects. They are often sold under names such as Joker, Green Giant, Scooby Snax, and many others.

Synthetic cannabinoids

Then, an interconnected system is established to closely monitor the development of the substance. If harm is induced, an initial report is drafted to document the adverse effects of the drug. “I used to think that everyone was just waiting for us to die” said a drug user in Europe, who fortunately received treatment in time. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information.

Synthetic drugs, also known as ‘new psychoactive substances’ (NSPs), ‘designer drugs’, or ‘chemical research drugs’, have become a significant concern due to their unpredictable effects and potential for addiction. Synthetic drugs are simply chemically-made versions of an illegal drug that was slightly altered, to avoid having it classified as illegal. Any substance used to create mind-altering effects should be treated similarly, even if it is labeled differently, and even if it is legally available. The bottom line is that these substances can induce chemical changes in the brain that are addictive, harmful, and potentially fatal. Synthetic cathinones, or synthetic stimulants, have similarly devastating side effects. Although there is great variance to the form and function of synthetic cathinones (and how they interact with our bodies), they generally affect the brain in the same way that cocaine does but much more powerfully.

Keeping Up with Synthetic and Designer Drugs: Lab-Made Marijuana, Opioids and Stimulants

But it’s 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine, and is often laced in other illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA. Sadly, synthetic opioids like fentanyl are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths in the United States. Their short-term side effects include drowsiness, nausea, constipation, confusion, troubled breathing and unconsciousness. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), suicide and self-harming behaviors, violence, aggression, psychosis, heart attacks, seizures, and damage to internal organs may also be potential side effects of synthetic drug use. The risk for overdose on a synthetic or designer drug is high as the chemicals used in making them may be unknown and result in lethal consequences. Additionally, while side effects may be short term, prolonged, regular use may cause physical and chemical changes in the brain and body.

Common synthetic drugs

Although the production and appearance of drug use may be constantly changing, the first step toward recovery is always the same. Anyone with a substance use disorder should consult an addiction and recovery professional to get a better idea of rehab options in your area. Synthetic drugs refer to substances that are artificially modified from naturally-occurring drugs and are capable of exhibiting both therapeutic and psychoactive effects.

  1. Since there are limited clinical trials and human studies, the pharmacology and drug effects of most of the synthetic drugs are not well-known.
  2. The National Institute on Drug Abuse warns us about the continuing evolution of drug use, highlighting the new and constantly changing chemical makeups and formulations of drugs.
  3. It is essentially an experiment by a chemist done to create a new drug that can be sold legally (on the Internet or in stores), allowing dealers to make money without breaking the law.
  4. The effects of synthetic drugs are often far more unpredictable than those of their natural counterparts.

Taking swift action against the synthetic drugs problem can ensure that others are not left to feel similarly abandoned. Individual products can contain a vast range of different chemical formulations and potency. Consuming these Synthetic Drugs can cause severe symptoms to include seizures, psychotic episodes, suicidal thoughts, and even death. If you or someone you love struggle with synthetic drug use, reach out to American Addiction Centers (AAC).

Synthetic Drugs and Chemical Research Drugs

The chemical known as 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), for example, is the most common Bath Salt reported in emergency hospital visits, and is at least ten times more powerful than cocaine. Long-term effects to the mind and body include addiction, the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, kidney failure, brain swelling and death. Synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl, are laboratory-created substances intended to mimic the effects of natural drugs. They encompass a broad range of chemical compounds, each with different effects and risks. They pose significant health risks due to their potency and the unpredictability of their effects.

Unlike natural drugs derived from plants or other organic sources, synthetic drugs are created in laboratories through chemical research. These drugs are designed to interact with the same receptors in the brain as their natural counterparts, causing similar physical and psychological effects. The problem is that they are not quality-controlled or regulated, so there is no way to know what is actually in them.

Treating Addiction to Synthetic Drugs

Contrary to what some may think, synthetic drug use is not a safer alternative to illicit substance use. And synthetic drug use can be especially dangerous if the synthetic substances are combined with other drugs or alcohol since potential interactions may not be fully understood and may have unintended negative consequences. For some, remaining in a dark, quiet room works; for others, medications may be helpful to counteract the symptoms of withdrawal. Typically, stabilization is the initial goal of detox, and this may be accomplished after the drug is fully and safely removed from the bloodstream. Detox is often the first step in a more comprehensive treatment plan, which may include inpatient or outpatient care. The number of new psychoactive substances emerging on illicit drug markets has increased six-fold in the past decade and reached a record high of over 1,000 unique substances in 2020.

As mentioned above, it’s impossible to fully know the chemical makeup of any synthetic drugs, and the manufacturers often tinker with a drug’s molecular structure to avoid scrutiny from governmental agencies like the Food and Drug Administration. Without any oversight, there’s no way to accurately monitor, account for or report the long list of short-term risks or long-term side effects, and certain mixtures of drugs—like those with fentanyl—can and do prove fatal. Recovery from synthetic drug addiction is a challenging journey, but it’s not impossible. Participating in an effective synthetic drug addiction treatment program is the key to successful recovery. Effective treatment involves a comprehensive approach that addresses the physical, psychological, and social aspects of addiction.