Marijuana is made from the cannabis plant. Cocaine is derived from South America’s coca plant. Alcohol is made from yeast. Many of the world’s most addictive substances are made from things that can be found in nature. However, nature does not have a monopoly on addictive substances.

Many addictive substances, including prescription medication, are quite addictive in their own right, and many people can find that they struggle with the use and misuse of them.

Liberty Home is a world-class addiction treatment centre that offers care and support for substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health disorders, and process addictions.

Synthetic Drug Addiction Treatment at Liberty Home

Our two treatment facilities offer different treatment programmes that are focused on different parts of the recovery process.

Primary Treatment

Our inpatient treatment centre in Cape Town, South Africa, offers patients round-the-clock support and intensive treatment for a variety of substance use and mental health disorders.

The centre focuses exclusively on inpatient care and does not offer a detox programme. However, our staff do work closely with nearby medical facilities that do should a patient need such services for their treatment programme.

What to Expect from Synthetic Drug Addiction Treatment

The treatment we offer aims to comprehensively address the needs of all who come to us for help. Some of our treatment options include:

CBT is a dynamic form of treatment that is focused on identifying and changing negative thought patterns that contribute to unhealthy behaviours, including those associated with synthetic drug misuse. CBT can also be adapted to treat other substance use and mental health disorders.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

DBT was originally developed as a treatment for borderline personality disorder. It teaches patients skills in four modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Developing these skills can help patients find more balance in their lives and maintain their sobriety.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of treatment that is often used to treat traumatic memories. Because many people can start taking synthetic drugs to cope with trauma, processing these memories healthily can address an underlying cause of addiction.

EMDR Therapy

Some people struggling with addiction are ambivalent, if not apathetic when it comes to their recovery. MI can help patients explore and resolve these mixed feelings, enhancing their motivation for seeking treatment and helping them want to make positive changes in their lives, including overcoming addiction.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

What Are Synthetic Drugs?

Synthetic drugs are man-made substances created to mimic the effects of natural drugs. Unlike drugs derived from nature, which come from plants or animals, synthetic drugs are created in labs. They can range from synthetic cannabinoids and stimulants to designer drugs such as ecstasy. These substances are designed to produce the same effects as their natural counterparts, but their chemical structures are often slightly modified.

Many synthetic drugs are often difficult to detect and regulate, and they pose significant challenges for law enforcement and public health authorities. Because of their origins in laboratories, synthetic drugs can vary widely in strength and purity, increasing the risks associated with their use. There are many types of synthetic drugs available, such as synthetic marijuana and synthetic cathinones.

They are often marketed under misleading misnomers, sold in deceptive packaging, and can be found online or in shops. While they may be legal in some regions, they still pose serious health risks.

Signs and Symptoms of Synthetic Drug Addiction

Signs and symptoms of synthetic drug addiction can be both physical and behavioural. Individuals may experience increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and changes in weight due to changes in appetite.

People addicted to a synthetic substance may also exhibit unusual sweating, frequent nosebleeds, and dilated pupils. Those addicted to synthetic drugs may change their behaviour and often show drastic changes in mood, including increased anxiety, paranoia, and aggression.

Many individuals who have an addiction to synthetic drugs may become secretive about their activities, neglect responsibilities, and experience significant financial problems due to their drug use. Social withdrawal is common, as is a decline in performance at work or school.

Some individuals may also engage in unsafe behaviours, such as driving under the influence or participating in criminal activities in the pursuit of obtaining more drugs.

They may also exhibit noticeable changes in personal hygiene and appearance, along with erratic sleeping patterns. These signs collectively indicate that a person is struggling with addiction and needs intervention and support.

Another sign of addiction is if a person goes through synthetic drug withdrawal if they are unable to use synthetic drugs.

Effects of Synthetic Drug Use

The side effects of synthetic drugs can vary based on the drug that was taken. However, there are some common side effects that these types of drugs can produce.

Short-Term Effects of Synthetic Drug Addiction

Common effects include heightened alertness, increased energy, and a sense of euphoria, which is generally the ‘high’ that people chase when they take drugs.

However, drugs like these also cause unwanted reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

Some users may experience confusion, hallucinations, and intense paranoia depending on the substance they took and their health.

Physical symptoms can often include rapid heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, and sweating. Becoming anxious or agitated is frequent, and some individuals may display aggressive or violent behaviour.

Synthetic drugs can also impair judgement and coordination, leading to accidents and injuries. These short-term effects are often unpredictable and can be more severe than those of natural drugs, which can pose significant health risks to users.

Long-Term Effects of Synthetic Drug Addiction

Long-term addiction to synthetic drugs can lead to serious health issues. Chronic use of illicit drugs can result in chronic mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis.

Physical health can also decline, with risks including cardiovascular issues, kidney damage, and liver damage. Cognitive impairments, such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating, are also common with the chronic use of synthetic drugs.

Social and behavioural problems can also arise, including strained relationships, financial difficulties, and legal issues.

Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline for Synthetic Drug Detox

Detox is a vital part of an addiction treatment programme for anyone struggling with synthetic drug dependence. However, detoxing can cause a person to suffer withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms from synthetic drugs can be severe and vary depending on the specific substance used.

Common symptoms of withdrawal include intense cravings for the drug that the person in treatment is addicted to, as well as anxiety, agitation, depression, and mood swings as those cravings go unsatisfied. Physical symptoms often include headaches, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and muscle aches. Some individuals can struggle with tremors, insomnia, and fatigue.

The timeline for withdrawal typically can vary, but symptoms usually begin within a few hours to a few days after the last use of the drug. Acute symptoms usually reach their apex within the first 48 to 72 hours after that.

During this period, cravings and psychological symptoms are often the most intense. Physical symptoms may also be at their worst. After the peak, symptoms generally start to decline, but some can persist for several weeks.

Anxiety, depression, and mood disturbances might linger. These symptoms can sometimes require additional support. The severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms can vary based on factors like the type of synthetic drug used, the duration and intensity of use, and the individual’s overall health.

Our Addiction Treatment Centre Can Help You

Many people believe that addiction is purely a choice, that all a person has to do to recover from addiction is to say no to drug use, and that recovery is a simple matter of willpower. But there are many things that can lead to addiction and keep a person there, not just personal choice.

But regardless of how a person begins their struggle with addiction, professional treatment services can help with addiction recovery. Overcoming synthetic drug use is possible. Liberty Home’s residential rehab centre offers intensive substance abuse treatment that can help patients overcome their dependence on legal or illegal drugs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Liberty Home Clinic Offer Secondary Treatment?

Yes, we offer patients the option to attend secondary treatment (sober living) in our other centre in Cape Town.

What Amenities are Easily Reachable from Liberty Home Clinic?

Hospitals, doctors, shopping malls, the ocean, and gyms are easily reachable.

What Activities Are Available for Residents?

Activities include visiting museums, golf, yoga, acupuncture, sightseeing, and hiking.

Why has Synthetic Drug Abuse Become so Common?

There are numerous reasons as to why synthetic drugs are becoming increasingly popular and have become so common. A major reason is availability. Synthetic drugs can be purchased online if a person knows where to look. They’re also inexpensive relative to traditional drugs. Between their availability and price, they are incredibly accessible, which contributes to their surge in use.

Who is At Risk To Become Addicted to Synthetic Drugs?

Anyone is at risk of becoming addicted to synthetic drugs. Regardless of age, economic status, or background, drug addiction does not discriminate. However, drug treatment is just as universal, and while anyone can become addicted, anyone can recover from addiction.