A designer drug might sound fancy, but it’s still a dangerous type of drug that can be illegal and addictive. Unfortunately, more and more people across the country are using designer substances. To end addiction to these drugs, awareness and treatment are necessary. Take a closer look at designer drugs, why they’re so dangerous and how to treat a designer drug addiction.
Do you need to know more about substance abuse treatment? Call us today at 866.262.0531.
What are Designer Drugs?
If a drug is designer, it simply means that it’s synthetic or man-made. This makes it different from natural drugs, like opium or marijuana, which occur naturally. It can also be a prescription or street drug that has been chemically altered to change its effect on the user.
Designer drugs come in many forms. Acid is a designer drug, and so is methamphetamine. Ecstasy and ketamine are two more examples. These drugs are often tablets or pills, but they can also be liquids or powders.
Designer drugs are created to mimic the effects of other substances, but they’re often more potent and can be more dangerous. They’re also produced in clandestine laboratories, so it’s hard to know what’s in them or how they might affect you.
If you take a designer drug, you may not know what you’re taking or how it will affect you. This is because these drugs are created in illegal laboratories and they may be laced with other substances, such as fentanyl, which can be deadly.
Why Are These Drugs so Dangerous?
All drugs have the potential to be dangerous. Even prescription drugs, which can be safe when people use them as their doctors prescribe, can lead to addiction. A designer drug is no different. It can become addictive, lead to a fatal overdose or cause financial, health and relationship problems.
What makes designer or synthetic drugs even worse is that their potency is different with every batch. Nobody regulates them like prescription drugs, and their ingredients are often unknown and constantly changing. Some dangerous ingredients can include drain cleaner or battery acid.
Party or rave drugs are often synthetic. This means that some users equate them with alcohol, or view them as fine for occasional use. As with any other type of drug, however, a designer drug can have lasting consequences.
Can a Designer Drug be Addictive?
A designer drug can be as addictive as any other type of drug. In fact, they’re often more addictive. This is because people chemically manipulate synthetic drugs to have a strong effect on users. The stronger the effect, the more likely users are to become dependent on the drug.
Whether you’re using meth or ecstasy, the brain will start to adjust to the dosage. Over time, that turns into a tolerance. An addiction to drugs of any kind can cause serious physical and psychological damage, and overdoses are possible.
Overcoming an Addiction to Designer Drugs
Fortunately, it’s possible to overcome an addiction to designer drugs. If you’re searching for Portland drug rehabilitation, consider Crestview Recovery. Our comprehensive treatment plans help clients find an approach to recovery that lasts a lifetime. Some common methods used in treatment are:
12-Step Recovery Programs
12-step recovery programs are groups that help people recover from addiction. They use a 12-step program to guide people through the process of recovery. The 12 steps include admitting that you have a problem, finding a higher power, making amends, and more. These programs can be very helpful for people who are struggling with addiction.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps people change their addictive behaviors. It is based on the principle that addiction is a learned behavior and that it can be changed. Behavioral therapy typically involves four components: education, skills training, support, and motivation.
Family Therapy
Family therapy for addiction is a type of therapy that helps people with addiction disorders to identify and change the behaviors that contribute to their addiction. It can also help family members to learn how to support their loved one in recovery. Family therapy typically involves weekly sessions with a therapist, but may also include group therapy or other types of counseling.
Holistic Rehab
Holistic rehabilitation is an approach to addiction treatment that focuses on the mind, body, and spirit. It is based on the belief that addiction is a disease that affects all aspects of a person’s life, not just their drug use. Holistic rehab programs typically include activities such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture in addition to more traditional methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and 12-step programs. The goal of holistic rehab is to treat the whole person, not just their addiction.
Get Help With Designer Drug Addiction
Knowing more about designer drugs shows just how dangerous these substances can be. At Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, you’ll be able to fight back against drug addiction. Learn more about recovery by calling 866.262.0531.
