There is a new designer drug out there marketed to young adults: “Spice.” Also known as K2, marijuana alternative, Skunk, Yucatan Fire and Black Magic. Names are similar to the pseudonyms various strains of marijuana are known as, belying the similarities between the two drugs. This synthetic marijuana is used as an alternative to the regularly and commonly abused cannabis. Spice users report similar effects when using Spice as smoking marijuana. It provides the same feeling of euphoria, giddiness, sleepiness and even physiological hunger. Side effects and symptoms of health problems from overusing Spice, or coming across a bad mixture of the drug, includes vomiting, increased and rapid heart rate, hallucinations, agitation, and confusion.
Spice is mainly smoked, just like marijuana, which aids in the feeling many teenagers seek, which is that of being dangerous or sneaky. Spice is labeled “not for human consumption,” but this warning stops very few people. Perhaps the largest reason for the new Spice smoking craze is the fact that it does not show up on routine urine screening or blood drug tests. It requires a test specific to Spice. This does not mean however, that it is any less of a drug than marijuana is; it has just been evolved to evade the current drug tests.
Triple C is a common drug slang term referring to cough medicine, derived from the name “Coricidin Cough and Cold,” an over-the-counter cough syrup used for antihistamine purposed. Unless labeled “DXM free,” there is a chemical found in nearly all cough syrups and medication called “dextromethorphan.” This chemical, also called “DXM” is what causes the high people who drink it excessively are seeking. As with Spice, this over-the-counter drug is not illegal to obtain, in fact it is easy to buy it at your nearest pharmacy or grocery store.
As young as middle school aged students, it is not rare to now overhear a conversation on “robo-tripping.” This refers to taking a much higher dosage, or drinking, an easily accessible cough syrup such as Robitussin, in order to achieve a state of hallucination so desired.
Believe it or not, many teens are beginning to get high utilizing bath salts. Street names for drugs like this can be as wild as “ivory wave”, “bliss”, or “white lightening.” The chemicals from bath salts can cause paranoia, hallucinations and rapid heartbeats, all of which can lead to suicidal ideation. Unfortunately, the chemicals are actually in products that are legally sold at grocery stores, on the Internet, and in plant foods. The effects can be as powerful as abusing methamphetamines and although the stimulants are not regulated by the DEA, the federal government is really looking at this with intent scrutiny. At some point, someone found an inexpensive way for people to get high, and using chemicals found in the bath salts and plant foods are causing a sensation. The specific drug that is in bath salts is MDPV which is methedrone methylenedioxypyrovalerone. The craving is so intense that parents and teens alike are reporting they just cannot stop.
Salvia is from Mexico and very similar to the herb, sage. As we know, sage has been around for centuries but there is very little research on the long-term effects of its cousin, salvia. It is used usually in one of two ways, it is either smoked or chewed and swallowed. When it is smoked, the high lasts for about 15 minutes, but when it is injested and first chewed, the natural chemicals in the herb mixes with a person’s saliva, inducing hallucinations that can last between one and two hours.
This drug is not listed in the Federal Controlled Substances Act, so it can be legally obtained by anyone seeking an alternative to marijuana or mesclin ,which means it is highly accessible to adolescents. It is marketed heavily on the Interent as safe and legal, and can usually be purchased for around twenty dollars an ounce. It is unclear if this drug is addictive, however many users have reported negative effects similar to those from acid in the 70’s, including scary flashbacks and severe depressions.
In the following pages you will read information pertaining to our substance abuse program, treatment components, why we treat adolescent only and in a residential setting, substance abuse red flags, levels of care, and the Discovery Substance Abuse Program admissions process. You are also welcome to take a virtual picture tour of our facilities and browse through our online brochure. It is our hope that this information will help you to obtain a better understanding of our adolescent substance abuse residential program, as well as become more informed on eating disorders, including medical complications. There is also a testimonial section from past residents and their families. If you have further inquiries we are available to you 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. Please contact our confidential Intake staff at or you may fill out the online form on the Contact Us page.