Synthetic Drug Addiction: Effects & Treatment

Synthetic drugs are chemical substances manufactured in laboratories to mimic the effects of well-known illicit drugs. They are often manufactured to resemble marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, or opioids, but with slight chemical alterations that allow producers to bypass legal restrictions. As a result, they may remain legal until specific formulations are banned, leading manufacturers to change ingredients continuously.5

Many synthetic drugs are produced in overseas labs and then distributed in the United States and elsewhere.1,5 To avoid regulation, they are frequently sold under names like “herbal incense,” “potpourri,” or labeled “not for human consumption.” Despite these disguises, the substances are intended for use as recreational drugs.1,2

Because of these loopholes, synthetic drugs often slip through regulatory cracks, making them more available and seemingly safer than they truly are.

Types of Synthetic Drugs

Some of the most common synthetic drugs include:

• Synthetic cannabinoids (K2 or spice): Designed to imitate THC, the active component in marijuana. They bind more strongly to brain receptors, making their effects unpredictable and often dangerous.2
• Synthetic cathinones (bath salts): Stimulants meant to mimic cocaine or methamphetamine. They can cause extreme paranoia, aggression, and violent behavior.2
• Synthetic opioids: Lab-created opioids that attempt to replicate morphine or heroin. They are often much more potent and associated with high overdose risks.3

The dangers of synthetic drugs stem from their unregulated production and constantly changing formulas. Unlike natural substances or even traditional illicit drugs, synthetic drugs have no consistent potency.1 A batch of synthetic cannabinoids, for instance, may be mild one time and deadly the next.

Unknown ingredients and contaminants add another layer of risk. Users cannot tell what chemicals they are ingesting, and these hidden compounds can interact in dangerous ways.1

According to the CDC, synthetic cannabinoids alone have been linked to thousands of emergency room visits each year. Similarly, fentanyl — a synthetic opioid — is associated with many overdose deaths.3 This unpredictability makes synthetic drugs more dangerous than the substances they mimic.1

Synthetic drugs can have intense physical and psychological effects that vary depending on the type of drug consumed.

Some of the effects of synthetic cannabinoids (K2, Spice ) may include:4

• Extreme anxiety and paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Elevated heart rate
• Aggressive behavior

Some of the effects of synthetic cathinones (bath salts) include:5

• Euphoria followed by paranoia
• Violent behavior and aggression
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
• Increased risk of self-harm

Some of the effects of synthetic opioids include:6

• Drowsiness and confusion
• Depressed breathing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of consciousness
• Extremely high risk of overdose

Long-Term Risks of Synthetic Drugs

Long-term use of synthetic drugs increases the risk of lasting damage to the brain and body. Chronic exposure can lead to dependency, mental health disorders, and addiction.

In addition to the risks of addiction, different types of synthetic drugs may have their own unique long term effects depending on how they’re used. 

Taking synthetic cannabinoids long-term can result in symptoms including:10

• Memory, learning, and attention problems
• Trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
• Lasting mood and emotional changes
• High risk of psychosis (hallucinations, paranoia, schizophrenia-like symptoms)
• Anxiety, confusion, and long-term changes in behavior
• Possible brain cell damage from inflammation and oxidative stress
• Heart, kidney, and liver damage

Taking synthetic cathinones long-term can cause lasting health problems, including:11,12

• Problems with memory and focus
• Trouble recognizing or remembering things
• Long-term changes in brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine
• Damage to brain areas involved in learning and memory
• Higher risk of addiction and binge use over time
• Possible brain cell damage from overheating or lack of sleep during binges
• Disrupted communication between different parts of the brain
• Increased stress on brain cells, leading to inflammation and cell death
• Overall decline in thinking and decision-making abilities

Long-term use of synthetic opioids can cause many issues, including:13,14

• Memory loss and trouble thinking clearly
• Mood changes, anxiety, or psychosis
• Brain cell and nerve damage
• Breathing problems, especially during sleep
• Heart problems and higher risk of heart attack
• Hormone changes and lower sex drive
• Weakened immune system and more infections
• Constipation and stomach issues
• Bone weakness and more fractures
• Dependence, overdose, or death

Overdosing on synthetic drugs is possible and often deadly. Many people may be under the false impression that it’s not possible to overdose on a synthetic drug, but this isn’t true.

Signs of a synthetic drug overdose depend on the type of synthetic drug but may include:

• Synthetic Cannabinoids: confusion, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, breathing problems, muscle rigidity, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, cardiac arrest or seizures.15
• Synthetic Cathinones: severe agitation, aggression, or psychosis and can progress to hyperthermia, heart problems, seizures, and multiple organ failure.16
• Synthetic Opioids: extreme drowsiness or unresponsiveness, pinpoint pupils, Cold, clammy skin, bluish skin or lips due to lack of oxygen, slowed or stopped breathing, and coma.6

If someone is experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately. Provide as much information as possible about the drug taken and the amount consumed. Never leave the person alone until medical professionals arrive.

Because synthetic drugs vary widely in their effects, addiction treatment requires a highly individualized approach. At professional synthetic drug treatment centers, patients receive assessments to determine the best course of care.

A typical synthetic drug addiction treatment program involves several steps, including:

• Assessment: Understanding the patient’s health, substance use history, and treatment needs.
• Medical detox: Safely managing withdrawal symptoms under supervision.
• Treatment: Various therapies, dual-diagnosis treatment, medications for addiction treatment (if applicable).
• Aftercare: Supporting long-term recovery with ongoing treatment and relapse prevention strategies.

Therapy for Synthetic Drug Addiction

Therapy plays a critical role in recovery from synthetic drug abuse. Because many synthetic drugs can trigger long-lasting psychological effects, treatment often incorporates:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address harmful thought patterns
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation
• Trauma-informed care for those with a history of trauma
• Dual diagnosis support for co-occurring mental health disorders

For people living with a mental health disorder in addition to a substance use disorder, dual diagnosis treatment can provide treatment for both conditions at the same time. This can help people living with multiple mental health issues address behavioral patterns that led to addiction, providing a foundation for long-term recovery.

Synthetic Drug Detox Considerations

Detoxing from synthetic drugs depends on the type of drug used, but should always be medically supervised due to unpredictable withdrawal symptoms. Potential withdrawal effects include severe lack of appetite, irritability, sleep disruptions, anxiety, seizures, and a desire to continue using to stop withdrawal symptoms9, but may vary depending on the type of synthetic drug used.

A professional detox ensures safety and provides support during the challenging early stages of recovery. Working with a medical detox team can provide you with comfort, safety, and peace of mind as you work through your symptoms. Your care team will be there with you through every step of the withdrawal process to support your needs.

At Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta, patients struggling with synthetic drug addiction receive compassionate and individualized care. Our programs are designed to address the unique challenges posed by synthetic stimulants, synthetic opioids, and other common synthetic drugs.

Our rehab admissions coordinators are available to guide you through the process, answer questions about coverage, and help you understand how to pay for treatment with or without insurance. Starting recovery doesn’t have to be overwhelming—support is available every step of the way.

The Empowered Recovery Center team will walk you through the process of utilizing insurance for rehab, verifying your coverage, and helping you determine the best type of rehab in Atlanta tailored to your needs. Whether you need a partial hospitalization program, an intensive outpatient program, standard outpatient rehab, or a different kind of addiction treatment, Empowered Recovery Center can help.

If you or someone you love is struggling with synthetic drug addiction, call us today or verify your benefits online to get started with treatment. Recovery is possible, and the first step begins with reaching out.

References: 

1. The Attorney General of Texas. (n.d.). Synthetic Drugs. Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/initiatives/synthetic-drugs
2. New York State Department of Health. (n.d.). Synthetic Drug Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved August 22, 2025 from https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/narcotic/docs/synthetic_drugs_faq.pdf
3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (June 2025). Fentanyl. Retrieved September 6, 2025 from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/fentanyl
4. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Spice/K2, Synthetic Marijuana. Retrieved August 22, 2025 from https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/spice-k2-synthetic-marijuana
5. Office of National Drug Control Policy. (n.d.). Synthetic Drugs (a.k.a. K2, Spice, Bath Salts, etc.). Retrieved August 22, 2025 from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/ondcp/ondcp-fact-sheets/synthetic-drugs-k2-spice-bath-salts
6. Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration. (April 2020). Synthetic Opioids. Retrieved August 22, 2025 from https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Synthetic%20Opioids-2020.pdf
7. American College of Emergency Physicians. (June 2015). Synthetic Drug Overdose. Retrieved August 22, 2025 from https://www.acep.org/siteassets/uploads/uploaded-files/acep/clinical-and-practice-management/policy-statements/information-papers/synthetic-drug-overdose.pdf
8. Guidance for the Medical Evaluation of Public Safety Employees. Substance Use Disorders. Retrieved September 6, 2025 from https://www.publicsafetymedicine.org/leo/substance-use-disorders/appendix-a-dsm-iv-tr-and-dsm-5-diagnostic-criteria
9. Cooper, Ziva. Adverse Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoids: Management of Acute Toxicity and Withdrawal. Retrieved August 28, 2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4923337/
10. https://eurjmedres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40001-023-01443-6 
11. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5966333/ 
12. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091305712002894 
13. https://adf.on.worldcat.org/oclc/9408111680
14. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923024000509
15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23118671/ 
16. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8617600/