Understanding the Synthetic Marijuana Withdrawal Timeline
“K2” or “Spice,” technically known as synthetic marijuana, is mistakenly believed to be a safer option compared to cannabis. The reality is that K2 is anything but safe. While it targets the same areas of your brain, it is made using chemical compounds created in a lab.
The high is much different from marijuana, and there is a much greater risk of negative side effects.
The best words to describe the effects of synthetic cannabinoids are “unpredictable” and “dangerous.” Spice can have a devastating effect on your body and mind. Rapid addiction is possible, and as you build tolerance, there’s an increased risk of going through a difficult withdrawal process when you quit. And your friends likely won’t tell you this when you begin experimenting with spice!
If you or a loved one is trying to quit, being familiar with synthetic marijuana withdrawal symptoms and how to manage them offers solace through the process. Keep reading to learn more about synthetic cannabis withdrawal and when to reach out to South Shores for help.
Knowing the Signs and Symptoms of Synthetic Marijuana Withdrawal
Alcohol and drug abuse often produce physical and mental symptoms when you suddenly quit. By contrast, spice withdrawal involves milder physical symptoms. That being said, the psychological symptoms are so severe that you may need help during withdrawal. Many of the mental health issues are dangerous!
Physically, you are most likely to experience headaches, fatigue, nausea, or vomiting during synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal. At most, these last the first few days. Intense cravings are also common.
Mentally, there’s a chance of experiencing symptoms including mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, insomnia, trouble concentrating, depression, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, psychosis, and/or hallucinations. Having an existing mental illness can make this process much worse. It’s possible to lash out, have angry outbursts, or experience other behavioral symptoms.
Physical symptoms start early, and mental symptoms might last a month or longer. Of course, factors like how long you’ve been using synthetic marijuana, existing mental health conditions, family history, other alcohol and drug abuse, and overall health affect the recovery timeline.
A Sample of the Synthetic Marijuana Withdrawal Timeline
I won’t beat around the bush – withdrawal of any kind is going to be unpleasant to some degree. However, it’s a necessary hurdle after you decide to get clean. By being familiar with the recovery timeline, find reassurance in the healing that is to come.
You’ll notice the first symptoms not long after your final dose. Sweating, nausea, anxiety, and agitation are most common during days 1-3. Mental side effects like extreme mood swings, psychosis, and intense cravings can also make it hard to commit to recovery.
Physically, withdrawal gets easier by days 4-7. Unfortunately, intense cravings are still an issue, and many people experience depression, paranoia, and problems sleeping.
Most people notice a considerable difference by the second week of being clean from synthetic marijuana. Even though you won’t feel completely back to your old self, sleeping gets easier. Anxiety and mood swings also decrease.
Withdrawal typically ends in 3-4 weeks. If there are lingering symptoms of anxiety or depression, following up with someone for mental health can be an important tool for preventing relapse.
Abusing Synthetic Marijuana: When to Get Treatment
Any time that you notice yourself seeking K2 for regular use, take it seriously. It is very easy to spiral into synthetic marijuana addiction because of its effects on the brain.
Professional treatment is for anyone – not just people struggling with cocaine, alcohol, or opioids. If you are struggling to quit after knowing the negative effects of spice, reach out for help.
You’ll feel comfortable during medical detox at our facility. If there is a medical emergency, our staff is right there to help.
Treatment is also a good choice if you or a loved one are experiencing extreme paranoia or hallucinations. It benefits people with co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder that may be made worse by withdrawal when you quit using spice.
The Risks of Synthetic Marijuana Overdose
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, one of the struggles of getting synthetic marijuana off the streets is that people often sell it as “incense” or “potpourri.” This means anyone can buy these products and they are hard to track.
As an unregulated product, it’s impossible to know how K2 drugs will affect you. There are risks even if you’re an experienced user because the effects of synthetic cannabinoids vary so much.
Some people experience bad reactions to spice. You might have a rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and tremors. It’s possible to experience memory loss, hallucinations, or delusions. Sometimes, you become dangerous to yourself or the people around you.
Synthetic marijuana overdose is also a dangerous side effect. This looks like mental confusion and psychotic symptoms, respiratory problems, paralysis, stroke, or coma. Risk factors for synthetic marijuana addiction and its potentially dangerous consequences are why there is a federal ban.
Managing Substance Abuse Withdrawal at Home vs. Detox
You may think that detoxing at home is the most comfortable route. However, home detox from synthetic cannabinoids might not be safe or effective. It can also be dangerous if you experience withdrawal symptoms like paranoia, hallucinations, or severe depression.
When you detox at home, you don’t have 24/7 support. If it gets hard to resist temptations, nobody is there to convince you to push forward. You aren’t being monitored for dangerous medical complications. Even if someone is supporting you, they don’t have access to resources to treat hallucinations, psychosis, and depression. These symptoms can make at-home withdrawal transition from uncomfortable to dangerous.
At South Shores, you’ll have support to get through these intense withdrawal symptoms. We can prescribe medications as needed for symptom management and provide support you may be lacking at home. Furthermore, it’s easy to transition into our comprehensive residential treatment program, helping you learn skills that promote lasting recovery.
Synthetic Marijuana Abuse and Co-Occurring Disorders
Anyone who has battled mental illness knows that it’s easy to want to escape. You may turn to K2 as a means of self-medicating. It makes it easier to escape to reality (and your head), even if this “freedom” is only temporary.
People turn to K2 to escape anxiety, depression, trauma, or psychosis. Unfortunately, we all have to come back to reality eventually, and when you do, using spice makes the original mental health issue hard to manage.
Common co-occurring disorders with synthetic marijuana use include anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. A dual-diagnosis treatment program is often the most effective route for people struggling with dual diagnosis.
Common Causes and Risk Factors of Synthetic Marijuana Abuse
People try controlled substances like synthetic cannabis, despite the risk of adverse effects, for many reasons. Often, it emerges as a way to relax or it’s just something new to try.
While anyone can become addicted, certain causes and risk factors make a person more likely to develop a synthetic marijuana use disorder. Environmental factors, family history of alcohol or drug use, interpersonal relationships, and mental wellness all play a role.
K2 is commonly marketed to younger people as a low-cost, available alternative to legal cannabis. Young people might also be influenced by friends who have tried it. There’s also a risk of K2 use and other substance use disorders in people with a history of trauma or mental illness. Spice might be used as a coping mechanism or escape.
Symptoms, Signs, and Effects of Synthetic Marijuana
The risks of K2 are often underestimated, but there is a reason it’s federally banned. While it’s sold as an “herbal blend” or “incense”, its effects can be downright dangerous. Many people experience nausea and an increased heart rate. Spice can also cause vomiting or diarrhea, extreme anxiety or panic, aggression, violent behavior, confusion, delirium, and seizures.
With continued use, which is common when a person has a synthetic marijuana abuse problem, there’s a risk of developing mental health disorders and dependence. Long-term spice use can also cause chronic fatigue, memory issues, and cognitive decline.
Where Do Teens and Young Adults Learn About Synthetic Marijuana?
Many young people hear about synthetic marijuana through online forums, among groups of their peers, on social media platforms, or at local shops selling mislabeled products. They might not have the proper information, believing that spice is “safe” or “legal” because of its availability. Spice was originally marketed as a safer alternative to marijuana and there is a lot of misinformation online.
This speaks to the importance of having conversations with groups that are at risk and staying educated for teens and parents. Be aware of early-age signs of abusing substances and act if you believe that your teen is struggling.
Get Support for Synthetic Marijuana Abuse at South Shores
Struggling with synthetic marijuana abuse is no laughing matter. At South Shores Recovery, we offer medical detox, behavioral therapies, evidence-based, holistic care, and aftercare services to support you through the entire process.
Our team understands the intense emotional and physical toll that K2 can take on the body, which is why we provide mental health support and customized treatment plans for each client who visits our facility.
Call us confidentially today and we will start the road to healing, together.
877-919-8833
Recent Comments