Since OARS opened in 2015, we’ve worked mostly with patients who have an opioid use disorder. Through our experience we’ve have learned that many of our patients develop a co-dependence to other substance use disorders as well.
Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are a diverse group of chemicals derived from naturally occurring plants that possess psychoactive properties and synthetic substances (man-made, modified chemicals) that are created to mimic the psychoactive effects of federally scheduled, illegal, or illicit drugs. These chemicals vary significantly in both potency and toxicity, have not been studied, and unsafe because the scientific and medical societies do not know much about them, and are re highly addictive and significantly psychologically or physiologically dangerous.
Clandestine manufacturers of the synthetic substances develop them as “new” drugs to replace those that are illegal or banned. New chemical structures of these drugs are constantly changing to try to stay ahead of the law. With each new chemical structure comes a new drug that is unstudied and unregulated with potency and toxicity characteristics that are unclear to the maker and the user. These chemicals do not come with a package inserts or recommended dosages and they tend to change in character from batch to batch produced.
Clandestine manufacturers of the synthetic substances develop them as “new” drugs to replace those that are illegal or banned. New chemical structures of these drugs are constantly changing to try to stay ahead of the law. With each new chemical structure comes a new drug that is unstudied and unregulated with potency and toxicity characteristics that are unclear to the maker and the user. These chemicals do not come with a package inserts or recommended dosages and they tend to change in character from batch to batch produced.
As of January 2020, 120 countries and territories have reported to the United Nations Office of Drug Control (UNDOC) the emergence of 950 New Psychoactive Substances. Below are the majority of the NPS categories and a few examples of each:
Synthetic Opioids:
- Created to produce effects similar to opioids.
- Examples: U-47700, sufentanil (1,000 times stronger than 1 mg morphine), carfentanil (10,000 times stronger than 1 mg morphine), and Lofentanil (100,000 times stronger than 1 mg morphine.
- Also known as fentalogs, utopioids, fentanyl-like substances, nitazenes, pink, pinky, and gray death.
- In 2018, 67% of all opioid overdoses were the result of non-methadone synthetic opioids.
- All fentanyl analogues are federally classified as Schedule 1 Drugs and are illegal
Synthetic Cannabinoids:
- Created to produce effects similar to cannabis.
- Examples: joker, green giant, scooby snax, etc.
Synthetic Phenethylamines:
- Created to produce effects similar to amphetamines and MDMA.
- Examples: NBOMes, PMMA, and benzodifurans (bromo-dragonfly), n-bomb, smiles.
Synthetic Tryptamines:
- Created to produce effects similar to psychedelic drugs.
- Examples, DMT, Psilocybin
Synthetic Cathinones:
- Created to produce effects similar to the naturally occurring Khat plant stimulants are similar to methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA.
- Examples: bath salts, flakka, gravel.
Synthetic Piperzaines:
- Created to produce effects similar to MDMA.
- Examples: BZP and TFMPP.
Synthetic “Designer” Benzodiazepines:
- Created to produce effects similar to Prescription Benzodiazepines such as:
- Alprazolam / Xanax® (short acting)
- Lorazepam / Ativan® (intermediate acting)
- Clonazepam/Klonipin®, or Diazepam / Valium® (long acting)
The health effects of NPS use disorder are:
- Seizures
- Agitation
- Acute Psychosis
- Aggression
- Anxiety
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
If you think your loved one has a dependency on novel psychoactive substances, be aware of the aforementioned health effects, and seek treatment immediately.
Treatment for dependency on NPS, which OARS now treats, includes:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – CBT focuses on learning new and drug-free ways to cope with stress in life. It relies on recognizing reactions to environmental or emotional cues, stopping the negative impulsive response, and adapting with a healthy alternative.
- Off-label treatment in addition to the above approved treatment.
If you have any questions about our treatment options or want to learn more about getting into treatment at OARS, call us at 724-912-6277. We’re here to answer any questions you have to get help for you or your loved ones.