Spice addiction rehabilitation

Spice, K2 and Black Mamba are some of the common brand names used to describe products containing chemicals known as ‘synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists’ or SCRAs. SCRAs are new psychoactive substances, and several hundred individual SCRAs have been identified. SCRAs work on the same part of the brain as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive part of herbal cannabis, and are specifically designed to mimic the effects of herbal cannabis, such as ‘skunk’.

Like cannabis, Spice is usually ingested via smoking, but the consequences are thought to be more severe. SCRAs such as Spice and other brand names are illegal to import, produce or supply for human consumption under the 2016 Psychoactive Substance Act.

Branded products such as Spice and Black Mamba are typically produced by spraying SCRAs onto inert plant material. This gives it the appearance of cannabis and allows it to be easily smoked. Products containing SCRAs can cause very serious health problems including frightening hallucinations, severe paranoia, and can cause some users to enter into a ‘zombie-like’ state. Long-term use can lead to addiction, with escalating use and intense withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, the use of SCRAs has led to death, as SCRAs can change heart rhythms or even cause the heart to suddenly stop beating.

Spice misuse is becoming an increasingly widespread problem in the UK, with large cities like Manchester, Bristol and Liverpool seeing profound increases in the number of people becoming addicted to Spice. At Priory, we understand that without professional and timely treatment for your Spice addiction, this may become gradually worse over time and can have a devastating effect on all areas of your life and functioning. It can ruin relationships and careers, and have a profoundly negative impact on your general health, wellbeing and quality of life. 

Spice addiction treatment and rehab usually takes place as part of Priory’s 28-day Addiction Treatment Programme. During this process, you will stay at one of our specialist hospitals on a residential basis, where you will be able to undergo a medically assisted withdrawal detoxification if required, before commencing with a comprehensive programme of group and individual therapy. The goal of addiction therapy is to help you to identify the source and triggers for your addiction, and learn strategies to remain abstinent in the future. Whilst 28 days is the recommended treatment length for addictions, the length of the treatment that you receive at Priory can be flexible according to your individual requirements, commitments and the nature of your addiction.

Addiction treatment at Priory is underpinned by the world renowned 12-Step addiction treatment approach. This is an abstinence-based philosophy which was first introduced by the organisation Alcoholics Anonymous (AA); it focuses upon your motivation to change your unhealthy addictive behaviours, whilst also incorporating elements of spirituality within the recovery and rehab process.

Treatment for Spice addiction consists of:

• Free, no obligation addiction assessment, allowing you to discuss your addiction in a confidential and non-judgemental environment, receive information on our treatment options, and start your journey towards rehabilitation and recovery - book your appointment today
• Medically assisted withdrawal detoxification for your Spice addiction, if this is required
• Individual 1:1 therapy and structured group therapy
• Family support group
• Access to both on and off-site 12-Step support groups, specifically tailored to your unique addiction
• Free group aftercare for 12 months following treatment (aftercare is provided for life following treatment at Priory Hospital Roehampton)
• Free family support for 12 months following treatment (family support is provided for life following treatment at Priory Hospital Roehampton)

As well as offering inpatient addiction treatment at Priory, we are also able to deliver outpatient and day care treatment for your Spice addiction, depending on the intensity of the support that you need. These treatment options can be used as an entry-point to addiction treatment and therapy, or can be used as a step-down in treatment intensity for individuals who have completed an intensive residential programme for their addiction. For more detailed information on Priory’s Spice addiction treatment, as well as the type and format of the addiction therapy that we can offer, please visit our approach to addiction treatment page.

The following may all be signs that you have developed a harmful Spice addiction:

• Experiencing intense cravings for Spice
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Spice
• Finding that you need to take Spice more frequently and in higher doses to experience the desired effects
• Loss of interest in anything other than using Spice, and feeling as though Spice has taken over your life
• Experiencing blackouts and loss of time whilst high on Spice
• Being unable to stop taking Spice, despite wanting and trying to
• Continuing to use Spice, despite the negative consequences that it causes
• Going to extreme lengths to obtain Spice e.g. begging, manipulating loved ones, stealing, or other forms of criminal activity
• Neglecting responsibilities because of your Spice use
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Change in behaviour and personality
• Being unable to perform well at work/hold down a job due to your Spice use
• Experiencing feelings of shame and guilt regarding your use of Spice
• Feelings of depression, anxiety, hopelessness and paranoia
• Being dishonest, defensive and secretive about your Spice use
• Neglecting your personal hygiene and physical appearance
• Only spending time with other Spice users, leading to social isolation

More comprehensive information on the symptoms of Spice addiction can be found on our Spice addiction symptoms page.

Addictions develop and are sustained as a result of a psychological process known as ‘positive reinforcement’. Positive reinforcement encourages a pattern of behaviour to form by offering a reward for that behaviour. In the context of Spice, this drug typically causes people to experience ‘positive’ outcomes such as relaxation and euphoria, which therefore increases the likelihood that they will seek out these feelings again by consuming Spice in a repeated manner. This continuous cycle of abuse can therefore result in the development of a harmful Spice addiction as opposed to a ‘one-off’ behaviour.

As well as positive reinforcement, research indicates that drug addictions may also develop as a result of genetic and environmental influences.

• Genetics – if you have a close relative who struggles with substance addiction, research suggests that you’ll be at greater risk for developing a similar problem
• Environment – environmental factors such as being surrounded by peers who engage in addictive behaviours may increase the chances of you developing an addiction too. Also, experiencing stressful life events such as bereavement, or a traumatic event, have also been linked to the development of addictions

In addition, if you are already struggling with an untreated mental health problem such as depression, anxiety or stress, this may increase the likelihood of you developing addictive behaviours. This is because individuals may try to self-medicate with drugs such as Spice in order to reduce their symptoms, which can ultimately have a profoundly negative effect on their wellbeing over time.

If you think that you may be addicted to Spice, it is essential that you seek specialist support as soon as possible. Below are some additional tips that you can use to help you to cope with the initial stages of Spice addiction:

• Admit that you have a problem with Spice use
• Be honest with your friends and family about your problem - support from family and friends is very important in the rehabilitation and recovery process
• Try to avoid temptations and negative influences
• Accept that the process of achieving abstinence from Spice will be challenging, and prepare yourself to make some significant changes in your life

Priory’s customer service team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that those in crisis can be signposted to the best possible support, as quickly as possible. The specialist teams at our residential facilities can help to stabilise those in need of immediate assistance, including providing access to medically assisted withdrawal detoxification for alcohol and drug addictions, where required.