Synthetic Marijuana (K2 or Spice)

  

In 2011, 11% of high school seniors in the US reported using synthetic marijuana in the past year and there is a significant increase of K2 cases reported to Poison Control Centers in 2012 in Michigan. 

 

Spice, K2 or Synthetic Marijuana is a combination of dried herbs and spices that are sprayed with chemicals to create a high similar to THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The drug is smoked and is highly addictive.  Synthetic Marijuana is sold as dried leaves in a small bag, and is often labeled as potpourri, incense or herbal smoking blend and was first sold legally at gas stations or convenience stores .  By many, especially teens, there is a misperception that since it is not illegal it is a "safe" high.  The truth is there are many dangers to smoking synthetic marijuana, and the long term health effects have not been studied and are unknown. 

 

What we do know, is that patients are presenting to emergency rooms with elevated heart rates and blood pressure, agitation, drowsiness, hallucinations, seizures, vomiting, paranoia and loss of physical control.  In some cases, major medical issues have been reported including stroke and even death.   Just recently, it was reported that an 18 year old Bloomfield Township teen was smoking K2 before he was found dead.  Other recent news stories describe the horrific events surrounding teens high on K2.  Police believe two young men smoked K-2 before they attacked a Farmington Hills family with baseball bats, killing one and critically injuring another.  A West Bloomfield Teen, who tested positive for the substance, was killed by his grandmother who claims he had a history of violent rages related to his K2 use. 

 

K2 is without question a growing problem, particularly for teens and young adults.  A bill has been introduced in both the state House and Senate that would allow the state to temporarily ban a substance if it is deemed an imminent danger to people's health.  Also, a bill was passed in the state Senate recently that would make synthetic cannabinoids used in these products illegal.   This bill also has safeguards so that the manufacturers will not be allowed to create new formulas or versions not covered by current laws, as they have done in the past.  In addition grassroots organizers and community members are now taking action.  They are picketing stores that sell K2 and a Livingston county resident recently started a Facebook page called "Stop Selling K2 in Pinckney."   There is a growing effort in the state at this time for more community outreach and education, and to help those addicted to Synthetic Marijuana.  If you have questions regarding addiction treatment or regarding K2, contact Personalized Nursing LIGHT House at 734-451-7800.  We are a non-profit addiction treatment corporation that has supported the communities of the southeastern Michigan area for over 21 years.

 

To learn more about K2 see:

 

http://www.k2drugfacts.com/davidsstory.html

 

http://www.k2drugfacts.com/pdf/k2%20history%20and%20facts%20on%20k2%20webmd%20march%202010.pdf

 

       

  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1)       Is Personalized Nursing LIGHT House (PNLH) new?   

 

No.  PNLH is a non-profit 501 (C)(3) organization accredited by CARF (since 1991), with a track record of 21+ years of successful service to persons suffering from substance use disorder in the Southeastern Michigan communities.  PNLH provides integrated care (primary and mental health integrated with substance use disorder treatment) and strives for excellence clinically as well as administratively.   PNLH offers many innovative services including:

 

Ø  Intensive Outpatient program with Domicile

Ø  Enhanced Outpatient Program with Domicile

Ø  Short Term Women's Specific Residential with focus on Trauma Program

Ø  Partial Hospitalization

Ø  Day Treatment

Ø  Outpatient treatment

Ø  Recovery support services include recovery coaches, Peer-to-Peer counselors and

Ø  Case management services

 

2)    Who can receive addiction treatment at PNLH? 

 

PNLH has developed a continuum of care to meet the majority of clinical needs of persons suffering from addiction.  Thus, persons who are 18 years and older who struggle with substance use disorder are able to receive care at PNLH.

3)    Does PNLH provide Recovery Housing? 

Yes!  For 21 years, PNLH has provided independent recovery housing integrated in the Plymouth Canton community. Nicely furnished two & three-bedroom apartments are provided to clients enrolled in PNLH's IOPD or EOPD programs.  The apartments offer a safe, clean living environment to facilitate healing. PNLH places two clients per bedroom, three clients in the much larger town home bedroom.  Typically, PNLH has four clients living in a two bedroom, 1-to-2 bathroom apartment; treating our clients with the dignity and respect they deserve while providing them ample room for their own personal space (belongings, decorations, etc).  Various levels of monitoring does exist, but living in these recovery housing units allows clients to practice and internalize the recovery tools & skills learned in our treatment programs.

4)     Do you treat clients with co-occurring mental health issues at PNLH? 

It is our experience and expectation that the majority of clients that seek treatment at PNLH have a co-occurring mental health disorder.  Over the past few years, over 81% of clients served referred by our largest funding source (SEMCA) were persons with co-occurring mental health disorders.  We have embraced and integrated this reality into our clinical and administrative protocols.  We have a psychiatrist as our medical director and masters-prepared therapists who are trained in assessing and integrating mental health treatment into our clinical services. 

5)    What funding sources do you take?   

 We welcome the opportunity to work with any funding source. Currently, we are approved for the provider panels of the following funding sources:  SEMCA, Oakland County, City of Detroit, Washtenaw/Livingston (WCHO), HAP, BCBS, ValueOptions, Priority Health, Cigna, BCN, Con Gen, and more insurances are being added in the very near future.  We accept private pay and can work with clients to meet their fiscal needs.   Do not let payment be an obstacle to treatment.  Call us and we can help remove funding source concerns.

6)    How do you start the admissions process for treatment with PNLH?

To begin the admissions process for yourself or a referral, please call us at:  1-800-467-7654. 

 7)     Do you have Gender Specific Services?

 

PNLH has developed a women's specific residential program located in Dearborn Heights that serves women suffering from addiction and trauma.  PNLH has been designated by the state of Michigan as a Women's Specific Service Provider (WSSP), which demonstrates our ability to serve these women.  It also provides the potential for additional dedicated funding to meet the needs of these women and their children.

 

8)    Where can I learn more about PNLH?  

Please feel free to review our website (www.pnlh.org) for additional information about PNLH, to see pictures of our housing units, watch client success videos, meet our staff, and more!  You can also follow us on Facebook (PNLH). 

Any other questions, please feel free to contact us at:

1 800 467 7654

We look forward to working with you to serve the behavioral healthcare needs of you or your referrals.