Synthetic Cannabis

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Synthetic Cannabis

03 November, 2018Articles, News

In the last few days the South African news cycle has been going crazy with the story of several teenagers who ingested an unknown drug(Synthetic Cannabis) and were subsequently sent to hospital. Alarming videos have been making the rounds on social media of children who are unresponsive or incoherent at the time of medical intervention. So far very little has been given in the way of answers as to what this mysterious drug is or what it’s doing. The best answer we have been given is that it is similar to marijuana and that it has been sent for testing. Given the images that have been shown by news outlets it is suspected that the drug that was consumed is a synthetic cannabinoid.

What are synthetic cannabinoids?

A synthetic cannabinoid is a chemical compound that activates the same neuroreceptor in the brain as organic cannabinoids, such as THC that is found in marijuana. These are not the same chemical, they simply have a similar effect on the same part of the brain. The chemical compound is added to plant matter that makes it easy to smoke. Despite some misconceptions these substances contain no actual cannabis. It can also be consumed as a tea or in some cases the drug is produced as a liquid that can be used in vapes or e-cigarettes.

What to be on the lookout for.

Synthetic cannabinoids are sold under a range of names, the common ones being: Herbal Blend, Blazing, Puff, Spice, Incense, Fake Weed, K2. It comes in small foil packets and will look like a legitimate mass-produced product. The contents resemble dried marijuana, but also Robertson’s Mixed Herbs. Many manufactures will not put any identifying information on the packaging but it will often come with warnings such as: “Harmful if swallowed”, “May cause respiratory irritation”, or even “Not for human consumption”.

Origins and Production

Synthetic cannabinoids were first produced in a lab by chemist John Huffman as part of his research into marijuana. This research was leaked and black-market producers quickly realized that since these substances contained no actual banned chemicals, it could easily be sold and marketed to vulnerable persons as an alternative to illegal drugs such as marijuana and party drugs.

The science behind synthetic cannabinoids made it very appealing to producers who wanted to skirt around the law. When a government classes or criminalizes a drug, they use its chemical structure to identify it. Because the manufactures could continually shift a few molecules around they could keep the drugs legal. But this also poses a huge danger to the persons consuming it. One synthetic cannabinoid, HU-210, was found to be 100 times more potent than THC. A person could buy the same brand, from the same vendor and receive a vastly different product. This dramatically increases the likelihood of overdose.

What are the legal implications?

For the moment, all synthetic cannabinoids are not under any type of legal restriction in South Africa. These products can be bought, sold and consumed without any fear of legal repercussions. The drug has however been criminalized in many parts of the world due to its dangerous and addictive nature. In most cases the passing of this drugs classification and the subsequent criminalizing, has been as a response to an epidemic like surge in use. The UK passed their Psychoactive Substances Act in 2016 as a response to the ‘Spice Crisis’. When considering legality, it is always important to remember that just because something is legal does not mean it is safe.

What are the side effects?

Because of the ever-changing chemical structure of synthetic marijuana, side effects are difficult to pin down. Problems may vary from batch to batch. What we do know for sure is that synthetic cannabinoids are highly addictive, has a high propensity for abuse and does cause withdrawal symptoms after sustained use.

The following is a list of documented side effects:

Hallucinations
Tremor
Vomiting
Anxiety
High Blood Pressure
Confusion and Paranoia
Rapid heart rate
Heart Attack
Renal Failure
Seizures
Loss of Consciousness
Bleeding from the eyes, nose and ears
Psychotic and Violent Behaviour
Psychosis (lasting anywhere between a few weeks to a few month)
In extreme cases death

Treatment and Detoxification

Addiction to any substance, no matter how innocuous it may seem, should always be taken seriously. Because the withdrawal symptoms of synthetic marijuana can be extremely varied there is no one shoe fits all solution in terms of detoxification. It is recommended that this process be supervised by a medical professional in a contained environment, like an inpatient facility. This is the first step and it should be followed by therapeutic intervention, the same way any other drug addiction would be treated.

In conclusion

Synthetic marijuana is not something new, it has just started gaining popularity in South Africa. Many people around the world have already seen how bad it can get. The research has been done. There are mountains of evidence to support that these substances are not something to be trifled with. Even the chemist, John Huffman, who created this class of drug has said “only an idiot would use them.” These products are advertised as a cheap, easily accessible, non-addictive high. If this sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is.

Charlie van de Erve

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Home / News / Archive by category "Articles" (Page 103)

In-patient or Out-patient?

24 October, 2018Articles, News

Choosing a treatment facility

When choosing a facility, In-patient or Out-patient, for your loved one, especially if you have limited knowledge about rehabilitation and addiction, may prove to be a difficult task. The first question is always “Are they going to be okay?”. Trusting a team of people you don’t know and a program that you don’t understand is a difficult thing to do. Entrusting the well being of a person you care about to a facility is daunting, because the second question is always “are they capable of handling this?”. It is important to research and evaluate whether a facility will meet the needs required.

If it is the first time you are choosing a treatment facility, looking into what different centres and programs have to offer is a good place to start. Always remember that asking questions is a good thing, if it helps ensure your piece of mind. Many facilities may talk about treatment modalities and different types of therapies and programs and it can be so easy to get caught up and confused by the jargon. If you are unsure of what this means, researching and inquiring further is always an option before you sign on for something that you are uncertain about.

Critical Differences

Though many of the facilities you have seen look more or less the same from the outside there is always one big decision that needs to be made before entering a program. Is outpatient or inpatient the better option. This choice will help you narrow down facilities that are being considered and give you more options in terms of programs available, because often a person will consider one but not the other. Of course, each has strong selling points, but they also come with their weaknesses. The following breakdown may help in explaining the critical differences.

Out-Patient

The main appeal of an outpatient program is that for the duration of treatment, a client does not have to be a resident of the facility. They are required to attend counselling sessions and group therapy according to a schedule, but it is not a full-time commitment, giving them an opportunity to continue giving other priorities, such as work or school, the time needed. This is a large part of the appeal of an outpatient program, along with the fact that it is often the cheaper option. The recommended period of this type of treatment program is 76 days, it may however be extended depending on the progression of the client and this is usually up to the discretion of the counselors.

Although this form of treatment may seem convenient, the seriousness of the condition a person is in should be taken into consideration. A person who is at a high risk of relapse should not be considered for this type of program. Because it offers much less structure and accountability compared to an inpatient program, people who fall into this category may take advantage of the freedom an outpatient program affords them.

Convenience

This type of treatment is however very beneficial to a person who is in the beginning stages of substance abuse or for people who have spent a significant time in a treatment facility and perhaps had a small slip up. Outpatient is also a viable option for secondary care. This means that upon leaving an inpatient program they move to an outpatient program as a form of transition between rehab and the real world.

It is also important to note that for the most part a medical detox is not part of this type of program. If a person is experiencing any sort of withdrawal, medical intervention is needed before entering an outpatient program.

In-patient

An inpatient program offers much more in the way of structure compared to an outpatient program. Clients live on the premises of the facility for the duration of their treatment. This can be a period of 21 days up to a year, if the facility is geared toward long term treatment. As with outpatient the length of stay is usually advised by a counselling team involved with that patient. It has been proven that client who stay at a facility longer have a much higher chance of achieving long term sobriety.

Structure

An inpatient treatment plan involves a fair amount more counselling and groups than an outpatient program. The extra time a client spends at a facility also enables them to attend mandatory support group meeting as well as building connections and fellowship with other people undergoing the same struggles. This type of program involves much of the same elements as outpatient treatment, just more of it. Working with a one on one counselor and attending a variety of therapeutic groups should both be cornerstones of any treatment program.

At an inpatient facility the clients are closely monitored, this decreases the risk of a person relapsing while in this type of program. It also keeps them safe as drugs and alcohol are not on the premises and people who may pose a risk to them, such as friends and family members who are using drugs, are often barred from the property. Patients are not given the opportunity to put themselves at risk. This is very beneficial for people who are at a high risk of returning to their addiction.

Benefits

The other benefit, which should always be considered, is that with an inpatient program, recovery is the clients sole priority. This dedicated time gives a person the opportunity to get more work done and learn more about themselves and their disease. The same amount of time in an outpatient program may not achieve the same results.

Most inpatient facilities will also offer a medically supervised detox period. This is incredibly important as withdrawals can have serious health consequences if not handled appropriately. The value of working with a doctor and a nurse under these circumstances should not be underestimated. If a person displays withdrawal symptoms a medical detox should also be considered as a priority.

Making a choice

Given the differences in an outpatient and inpatient program the best way to assess which choice is the correct one is to be critical of just how much support a person needs. Each option is designed to address a specific need. Just because one seems easier or more convenient does not mean it is the correct choice to make. Make no mistake, these are not two solutions to the same problem. The ultimate decision should be based on which option will best meet the needs of the person in question. Most rehabilitation centers will offer an assessment prior to the admission process. If there is any uncertainty as to which option should be chosen, consulting with a professional is a great way to receive guidance and direction.

M Mojapelo (BACC)

C Van de Erve (BACC)

Johannesburg & Pretoria