Curious to know about Spice (K2) including more info about the drug, such as its half-life, or the drug test used to detect its presence? Transcend Recovery Community is here to shed light while also answering the question, "How long does spice stay in your system?"
Find out more by reading the article below.
How Long Does Spice Last in the Body and by Type of Drug Tests?
Figuring out how long substances like spice stay in your system may vary especially with the type of drug test you use. Standard drug tests may comprise urine, saliva, hair follicle, and blood sampling.
Spice in Urine Tests
The drug may be detected in your urine up to 72 hours after ingestion.
Spice in Hair Follicle Tests
Most drugs similar to K2 can be traced in the hair for up to 90 days.
Spice in Saliva Tests
Saliva testing can detect the drug's presence for up to 48 hours post-ingestion.
Spice Detection in Blood Tests
It may take up to 24 to 48 hours for the presence of K2 (Spice) to be detected in your body.
What is Spice (K2)?
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K2 or "Spice" belong to a classification of substances called "Synthetic cannabinoids." These man-made psychotic substances can either be ingested or inhaled.
The common street names for this drug include:
- Liquid incense
- Black Mamba
- Fake Weed
- Genie
- Blaze
The National Institute on Drug Abuse further explains that synthetic cannabinoids activate the same receptors in the human body, such as the CB1 and CB2 receptors. While they may have similarities with natural cannabis, these two are entirely different.
Synthetic marijuana produces the following side effects on the body including:
- Seizures
- Palpitations
- Psychosis
- Violent behavior
- Suicidal thoughts
The drug stays in your system at varying lengths. Its half-life spans from a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on the body and the amount of drug used in general.
Determining Factors on How Long Spice Stays in Your System
A person suffering from addiction to synthetic cannabinoids may have a harder time eliminating substances from their system due to many factors that come into play.
Let's look into some of these factors in closer detail:
- Age - Young people are more agile and still have developing organs. Therefore, metabolizing drugs would be easier for them to do compared to older people who have weaker organs.
- Body mass - People who are physically heavier process substances slower compared to lighter individuals. This will also affect the elimination time for people suffering from drug misuse.
- Taking other drugs or substances - If you are ingesting other substances, such as alcohol or other prescription medication on top of your addiction to synthetic cannabinoids, you'll have a harder time metabolizing the chemicals off your body.
- K2 half-life - It takes roughly two hours to rid yourself of the synthetic cannabinoid substance inside your body. It also plays a huge role in how long spice would stay in your system.
Take note that these factors may vary from person to person. It's still best to consult with licensed medical professionals on the best way to deal with the said factors.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Spice?
As you wean yourself from taking Spice, your body undergoes various changes in such a way that there will be the presence of physical manifestations. Drugs like Lexapro also share these traits. These are called withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal happens to be an essential part of the various treatment options you receive when you undergo detoxification. It may range from mild to severe, with a timeline that may start for a few days up to weeks, depending on a person's body or capacity.
Here are some of the withdrawal symptoms linked to the drug's use:
- Palpitation
- Muscle spams and tremors
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Intense marijuana or drug cravings
- Sweating
Other more serious drug withdrawal symptoms involve the following:
- Depression
- Altered behavior/mood changes
- Psychological issues
When there is no progress with the situation and the individual regresses, interventions may come in handy in helping them recover from their mental health issue.
About Spice Misuse and Addiction Treatment
Identifying if someone is indeed involved in drug or marijuana addiction entails a keen eye in observing slight differences in the suspected individual's behavior. Here are both the physical and psychological signs of Spice misuse:
Physical:
- Palpitations
- Vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- Light-headedness
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
Behavioral:
- Euphoria
- A feeling of serenity or calmness
- Confusion
- Psychosis
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Aggressive behavior
If most of these signs and symptoms tick the boxes, it's time to take action and reach out for help. Luckily, there are many addiction treatment options available at present to help people with their situation.
Here are the common treatment options for people suffering from K2 or Spice addiction
- inpatient or outpatient treatment
- behavioral therapies
- alternative therapies (such as equine, music, and art therapy)
- Group and one-on-one sessions
Even if the entire treatment program is finished, following strict after-care programs as recommended by the attending physician may help people avoid relapse and become consistent with their new regimen post-addiction.
How To Get Help from Spice Addiction?
Receiving help from spice addiction can be a cause of shame for most people, especially with the stigma surrounding drug abuse. That's why proper education coupled with keen understanding and extended support is needed so that people may be encouraged to seek help right away.
Transcend Recovery Community makes this possible by providing a safe and open space for people to freely express what they feel and by fostering a sense of camaraderie and belongingness within a community.
Through our sober living program, you can experience rehabilitation while growing and healing in a community filled with like-minded people who understand your needs on a deeper level. Gender-based residences such as men's sober living quarters help provide a sense of privacy and security too.
Together, let us work on helping you achieve life-long sobriety. We are here every step of the way in your journey. Contact us to find out more about how Transcend Recovery Community can help you with your spice addiction.
