Its not the real thing.....fake pot!

I think this atricle is important and informative and wanted to share it with those that are interested and concerned about this...Counselor Murphy


Synthetic marijuana, or "fake" pot, is nothing like the real thing. It's legal, and easily accessible to kids. It's also a bigger threat to kids' health.

"Marijuana has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes for hundreds of years," said Dr. Jeff Lapoint, a senior toxicology fellow at New York University, Bellevue Hospital. "It's been abused, but no one really gets sick."

Popularly called K2, or Spice, synthetic marijuana is a chemical similar to cannabis that gives a marijuana-like high.

But there have been an increasing number of cases of people experiencing seizures, heart palpitations, fever, dehydration and some psychotic episodes after using the drug.

Since 2004, K2 has been sold and packaged as incense or potpourri, in the guise of a mixture of herbs and spices. It sells for about $30 to $40 per 3-gram bag, comparable to the cost of marijuana.

Drugmakers can make hundreds of versions of the chemical compound, and it's easy to manufacture.

Although the Drug Enforcement Administration has taken steps to ban five chemicals sometimes found in K2, versions of the compound have multiplied, and increased in use over the past few years.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 11 percent of nearly 15,000 high school seniors surveyed reported using K2 in 2011.

That year, poison control centers reported handling nearly 7,000 calls about K2, nearly double the calls received in 2010.

One recent study suggests that K2 could increase the risk of psychosis, even among people with no history of a psychiatric disorder.

"K2 is a more potent substance than natural marijuana by its actions on the brain," said Dr. Ashwin Reddy, an author of that study and a psychiatrist at the Boston University School of Medicine. "It can cause an increased risk of paranoia, hearing voices, disorganized behavior and panic symptoms."

"Depending on the person, psychotic symptoms can last a few days to a few months," Reddy said.

Not intended for human use K2 is sometimes reported as having originated in Europe, but was actually developed by John W. Huffman, a chemist at Clemson University in South Carolina.

Initially created as a medical treatment, the substance works on the brain the sameway as marijuana's active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

THC is the substance in marijuana that produces the "high" feeling of intoxication that pot smokers crave.

"This drug was never intended for people to use, just for use in a lab," Lapoint said.

But also disturbing is the unregulated amount of chemicals added in each package. "You don't know how much of which chemical they put in each package so you don't know what you're getting and how your body will handle it," he said.

Written by Linda Thrasybule, MyHealthNewsDaily Contributor
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Relapse prevention!

Are you having a hard time with relapse? Did you have or do you have trauma in your life? This can be a key... work on trauma and see what happens with chronic relapse....~Counselor Murphy

Views from a very wise woman...

Where are we now ???? For Me , a long time off & on again addict of everything , and who has been through a number of meetings , programs , and counseling have FINALLY began to realize that every moment was more than worth while. What an ex...perience ! While working through the most difficult times , and geering me for future rough times, because they will come ,,, I have an understanding of me . I understand the depts of my being. And I better know how to see "it" coming , and what to do when it comes. Reaching out for God , my support systems , and allowing myself to feel my way through rather than use my way through has brought me more pleasure & Triump than any drink or drug. It works if you work it ! My support to you is Courage & Faith !! Where I am now is just a hair into it all,, even after the work . What I mean is , when you feel at your wits end , or feel like , Where is all this inner work getting me?? Stop ,,, wrap your arms around your self , and squeeeze so tight. " It's simply you loving you " , and eventually it REALLY feels good !

BY~Becky Wells Mericle

Recovery Month

Recovery Month is hosting a Twitter chat on Wednesday, March 21st from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET to help spread the word that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover. The March #RecoveryChat will focus on the topic of "Recovery Support: Prevention, Collaboration, and Recovery Management" and will be co-hosted by Linda Kaplan, M.A., Senior Public Health Advisor and Marsha Baker, LCSW, Public Health Advisor of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. The chat will expand upon the dialogue of the June 2011 Road to Recovery episode, "Recovery Support: Collaboration, Coordination, and Recovery Management."

Join the Twitter chat by asking questions and contributing to the dialogue by using the designated hashtag #RecoveryChat to track and signify your participation in the conversation. We encourage you to share your stories and insights about prevention, support, and collaboration.
If you are not available for the chat, tweet your questions to @RecoveryMonth in advance, using the hashtag #RecoveryChat. Also, if you aren't on Twitter, but would like to participate, post your questions or thoughts on the Recovery Month Facebook Page or send questions in an email to recoverymonthfan@samhsa.hhs.gov.

Shared from SAMHSA....

Recovery is a process!

When solving a problem, most of us look at the whole task and feel overwhelmed.

Rather, we need to look at the task’s many parts.One at a time, we can accomplish any goal we set for ourselves...Recovery is no different.Instead of dwelling on the longevity of the process or how difficult abstinence is, focus on the small steps you must take in order to reach your goal of recovery.Know that recovery starts by setting small weekly and daily goals, and accomplishing them little by little.

There is no such thing as waking up one morning and suddenly being better, all at once.

Recovery is a process.

You are a process.

Life is a process.

And you will get better.

Give the process time, give it determination, and be persistent in your efforts to fight.

Set your first goal today....

The journey towards your freedom, starts now...

Shared from: Live Laugh Love

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