There is a wide variety of both legal and illegal, synthetic and naturally-derived drugs available that can be addictive. Understanding the difference between synthetic drugs and those that come from plants can help you understand the dangers that these drugs can pose. Some of the most deadly types of drugs are synthetic drugs. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug addiction, reaching out to a treatment center near you today can help you heal.
What Are Synthetic Drugs?
Also called designer or artificial drugs, synthetics are human-made substances. People use various, and often poisonous, chemicals to recreate the effects of natural drugs. For example, they might make synthetic drugs that imitate the effects of cannabis and cocaine.
Just because a drug is naturally derived from plants, however, does not mean it is safe to use. Cocaine, which is made from the coca plant, can be dangerous.
Synthetic drugs can be very addictive. In many cases, the chemicals that are used to make them are poisonous to the human body. In fact, there are cases in which people overdose after using artificial drugs only once.
Why Are So Many Synthetic Drugs Legal?
When talking about synthetic drug addiction, a major argument that comes up is the legality of certain designer drugs. Many people argue that they’re safe because they’re legal to buy. In fact, some people can visit a local gas station to buy synthetic drugs.
However, the ability to do this isn’t because the drugs aren’t dangerous. The reason is that the makers use chemicals that the government hasn’t or is unable to ban. Even when the government does ban the chemicals, the makers change the drugs. They use different chemicals so that they can legally sell them again.
Another trick that people use is to label the drugs as “not for human consumption” or “plant food.” Now the stores can sell them because they aren’t selling them for human use. Despite that, those who look for these drugs know these tricks.
Artificial Drugs Mask What They Are
What are synthetic drugs? Most of the time, people who use fake drugs don’t even know what they are using. The reason is that they don’t know for sure which chemicals are in them. These drugs can contain everything from antifreeze to drain cleaner and much more.
Also, these drugs contain different amounts of these ingredients. Just because people survive using one designer drug doesn’t mean that they’ll survive the next time that they use. After all, there’s no quality control for synthetic drugs.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Designer Drugs?
No one knows for sure the long-term effects of using artificial substances. They’re relatively new to the world of illegal drugs.
However, experts know that taking these drugs can cause many psychological problems. People who have taken them for extended periods of time might suffer from seizures and memory loss.
Turn to Serenity Light Recovery for Help
If you are struggling with synthetic drug use, find help at our treatment center. Maybe a loved one has an addiction to these drugs and you need to learn more about the cycle of addiction, the long-term effects of addiction, and what it takes to maintain recovery. Consider reaching out to the experts at Serenity Light Recovery. A few of the programs that we offer in our treatment center:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Residential rehab
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Holistic rehab
- Individual therapy
Don’t let dangerous synthetic drugs bring harm to your family. Learn more about what synthetic drugs are and why they are dangerous. Reach out to Serenity Light Recovery today at (281) 431-6700 for answers to all of your questions.
As our CEO, Heather’s main calling is to stay true to the vision of the organization, which is saving lives and striving to redefine statistics by raising the standard of care with evolving treatment methods. Heather studied psychology at LSU and both the main and Clear Lake campuses of the University of Houston, and she is a certified IASIS provider and CPI instructor. She’s been helping people in recovery since 2011. Heather’s motto to live by is “I am not what I’ve done; I am what I’ve overcome.”
