The Hills Treatment Center

A Parent's Guide to the Drug "Spice"

One of the biggest challenges parents face when trying to keep their kids sober and off drugs is the ever-changing nature of drug culture. Thanks to the boom in synthetic drugs, there is always something new out on the market that parents may not know exists. The somewhat restricted availability of controlled substances is something that parents have traditionally had on their side in the fight to make their kids embrace sober living, but thanks to a new and potent drug, that has changed. Your kids can buy Spice anywhere, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Familiarize yourself with this new, dangerous type of high with this information:

What Is Spice?

Spice is touted as an alternative to marijuana. It is made from a combination of natural ingredients, like BayBean and vanilla, and a manmade compound called cannabinoid. It looks similar to marijuana and was sold legally in shops across the United States until July 10, 2012. On the streets, Spice is sometimes called K2, Spice Gold, Spice Diamond, and Spice Silver.

Is It Dangerous?

Spice has a reputation for being safe, particularly because of its natural ingredients, but it can be extremely dangerous. One of the biggest risks of Spice use is the fact that there is no way of knowing how much cannabinoid chemical has been used in a batch. Spice is linked with panic attacks, impaired coordination, memory loss, hallucinations, and vomiting. It is also physically and psychologically addictive.

How Can I Protect My Child from Spice?

Spice does not show up on drug tests, so the best way to make sure your child is not using Spice is to watch for the symptoms of drug abuse. Changes in behavior and grades or changes in their physical or mental health can all be signs. Educating them about the dangers of Spice will also help.

If your child has started using Spice, it’s important to get him or her treatment as early as possible. At The Hills Treatment Center in Los Angeles, we have sober living programs geared towards teens and young adults. We can also help them with transitional living support after they complete rehab. Call us now at (800) 724-8207 to see how we can help your child beat addiction.

The Rise in Spice [INFOGRAPHIC]

More than ten years ago, Spice wasn’t popularized. It was made and sold commercially beginning in 2004. Just this year, Obama signed legislation that banned any sort of synthetic drug on the market to be sold or consumed. Although it looks a lot like marijuana, the chemicals that make up Spice are very dangerous and potentially deadly. Today, teenagers are becoming addicted to Spice and are in need of drug treatment.

Spice is found to be 100-800 times more potent than THC and 10 times more addictive. Not only can it cause anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations, Spice has been linked to kidney failure and death. The number of emergency calls has more than doubled over the years related to synthetic marijuana. For example, in 2010, there were 2,906 calls made, and by the end of 2011, there were 6,959 calls made to 911.

If you or a friend are struggling with addiction to Spice, read and share this Infographic to learn more about how Spice has affected this generation. 

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While marijuana is still viewed as a "Gateway" drug, the legalization of "pot" makes it more attractive to individuals. Unfortunately, marijuana addiction is often overlooked and the long-term damage it causes and needs to be explained before one tries it. Featured on CNN's Jane Velez Mitchell, Dr. Howard C. Samuels was interviewed to provide his insight on Colorado and Washington where marijuana was recently legalized. Your thoughts....

"We are so grateful for everything we experienced and learned at The Hills"

Dr. Howard Samuels on Addiction in America

The Hills Treatment Center is a safe haven in a world of chaos for addicts. The reason we’re a comfortable choice for addicts seeking treatment is simple: we’ve been there. Our founder, Dr. Howard Samuels, battled heroin and cocaine addiction for 15 years. He knows the struggle of recovery and has made it his life’s mission to extend a hand to others in the same position.

In this video, hear Dr. Samuels discuss addiction in America during some of his many media appearances. Dr. Samuels sees an addiction epidemic in the U.S., from the highest rungs of celebrity culture to small-town America. He urges education as a remedy for addiction culture and uses his own experiences to demonstrate that life after addiction is still possible.

When you’re ready to get treatment, let The Hills Treatment Center help you succeed. Call us at (800) 724-8207 to find out more.