Written by:

Lee Spinks

Last Updated:

December 2nd, 2024

Spice Addiction Treatment

A huge step towards recovery is identifying the need for intervention. One of the key characteristics of an addiction is continuing to engage in specific behaviour when we know it is causing us harm.  This is because cessation of use can be very difficult to achieve independently. This is not a personal failure. Addiction is complex and multifaceted, and like many other conditions, it often requires specific treatment and support. A spice addiction can often lead to what feels like a deterioration in wellbeing. The goal of treatment for spice addiction is to quell cravings, restore quality of life and help you establish tools to move forward to an addiction-free future.

Spice

Quick info

Spice is a slang term for a group of drugs known as synthetic cannabinoids. These are engineered substances designed to act in a manner like a cannabis high. Synthetic cannabinoids can achieve this because they have been created to mimic a specific compound called THC. THC (known also by its full name, tetrahydrocannabinol) is the ‘principal psychoactive compound’ found in cannabis. This means the specific high you feel after using cannabis is mainly due to its THC content.

Spice is known by a range of street names such as black mamba, meow meow and K2. Rather than being a specific drug, spice is more of an umbrella term for a class of drugs that have a similar mechanism to THC. This means that each use of spice could have varying effects on the user.

Addiction risk

A study conducted by the University of Bath suggests that the process of withdrawing from spice was significantly harder than withdrawing from cannabis. This suggests that spice has a higher addictive quality than its organic counterpart. It also indicates that the process of detoxing from spice may be more intense than a cannabis detox.

The synthetic cannabinoids that are found in spice work by binding with the cannabinoid receptors in our brains.This stimulates the psychoactive effects of the drug. Over time, stimulation can become addictive, even altering the functional anatomy of the brain. This can be especially dangerous for younger users of spice, as, as we have seen through heavy cannabis use, the cognitive impacts of addiction can be more extreme and longer-term.

Spice Addiction Treatment

Support for a spice addiction will often take place in a two-stage treatment model:

1. Detox
2. Rehab

Clinical research has suggested that pairing therapy with abstinence from the addictive substance is the most effective mode of treatment.

Spice detox

The first step towards recovery is the physical act of withdrawing from spice. This involves the cessation of spice (and any other substances). During this period the body will need time to adjust to the absence of the drug. This means that you are likely to experience a range of withdrawal symptoms for a short period of time.

Spice withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms can be both physical and psychological.

Common physical symptoms include:

• Cravings
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Reduced hunger cues
• Weight loss
• Insomnia

You may also experience the following psychological effects:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Low mood
• Paranoia
• Conflicting feelings about continuing with treatment

While this may be a difficult phase, it is an essential component of successful treatment as it acts to stop the cycle of cravings.

How long does it take to detox from spice?

Withdrawing from spice can take up to 2 weeks. Symptoms can start as early as several hours after ‘coming down’ from your last use. A spice high can last anywhere between 1 and 6 hours, depending on how (and how much of it) you take.

Is it dangerous to detox from spice at home?

It is possible to detox from home – but it is not advised that you do so without first seeking medical advice. This will improve your safety during the process. Having contact with a professional during detox can also provide accountability. The difficulty with withdrawal symptoms is that it often leads people ‘to use more of the drug to provide relief.’ But doing so can restart the cycle. For this reason, detoxing in a rehab setting can be appealing for many as it acts as an early type of relapse prevention.

Spice rehab

Therapeutic approaches underpin all addiction treatment practices, including spice rehab. Emphasising the psychological aspects of addiction allows us to reflect, introspect and actively work towards making significant changes in our lives. These changes can be external as well as internal.

What can I expect from spice rehab at Banbury Lodge?

During a residential spice rehab programme, you will have access to up to 2 therapy sessions per day. These sessions may take different shapes depending on your needs and the specialities of on-site clinicians.

Therapies offered at Banbury Lodge include:

• 12- Step Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Individual Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Trauma Therapy
• Sound Therapy
• Meditation
• Mindfulness

A standard day during treatment may include one group session and one individual. This aims to create a blend of intensive person-centred support and the nurturing of a positive, peer-support style environment. Treatment often blends psychotherapies (talking therapies such as CBT and DBT) with holistic approaches (like sound and at therapy) with specialist, targeted courses of trauma or family therapy when and where needed.

The goal of therapy is to provide an all-encompassing approach. This may mean focusing on some of the following concerns during spice rehab:

• Distress tolerance
• Impulsivity
• Anger management
• Maladaptive behaviours
• Developing coping strategies
• Building communication skills
• Learning about mental health
• Learning about the psychology of addiction
• Addressing trauma
• Addressing the emotional effects of addiction
• Reestablishing healthy control

If you are dealing with a dual diagnosis (a mental health condition alongside your addiction), you may find that treatment aims to consider how these interact. This could focus on symptom management, identifying triggers and learning chronic stress cycles. You may also be prescribed medications that aim to ease difficult mental health symptoms pharmaceutically. This blend of medicine (where appropriate) and therapy can help you to move towards a new, improved baseline of general wellbeing. This can minimise the risk of returning to spice as a method of coping later down the line.

How much does spice addiction treatment cost?

The cost of spice addiction treatment will vary depending on several factors:

• The mode of treatment you choose (residential or outpatient)
• How long your treatment lasts for

For more specific information on the financial side of things, you can contact one of our team members during an initial consultation to assess your options.

Seek support

Here at Banbury Lodge, we can help you take the steps to move towards an addiction-free future. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with a member of our team. We are here to lend a listening, non-judgmental ear and guide you through potential options for your next steps towards sobriety. Addiction is a heavy weight to carry, but you do not need to bear it alone. We are available to talk you through the bespoke rehab packages we offer to help you find the most appropriate treatment for your current needs.

Frequently Asked Questions